The National Qualification in Exercise, Health Studies and Personal Training is open to anybody with a strong interest in exercise and health fitness and the desire to pass their enthusiasm on to the general public as part of their day-to-day working routine as either a full time or part time health fitness instructor.
The course content includes anatomy and physiology, exercise to music, resistance training, diet and sports nutrition, injury prevention and other areas of interest. The content is delivered to facilitate adult learners of mixed ability.
The National Qualification in Exercise, Health Studies and Personal Training covers all relevant areas including:
- Functional Anatomy & Kinesiology, Basic Exercise Physiology
- Concepts and Components of Fitness
- Exercise Principals & Energy Systems
- Lesson Planning & Class Structure
- Muscular Actions & Exercise Analysis
- Resistance & Flexibility Training
- Exercise to Music, Choreography & Music Appreciation
- NCEHS Key Elements to successful Instruction and Personal Training
- Safety and Contra - Indicated exercise
- Personal Training & Instructional Teaching Skills
- Diet & Sports Nutrition
- Injury Prevention in exercise
- Introduction to Sports Massage
- Business Aspects
- Code of Ethics
The cost of the National Qualification in Exercise, Health Studies and Personal Training programme is €2,150.00. Fees can be paid by means of a deposit of €500.00 followed by a final payment of €1,650.00 on or before the course start date in Dublin and by the Friday preceding the course start date in Cork.
A discount of €150.00 is available to individuals who book their place and pay course fees of €2,000.00 in full at least one calendar month prior to the course start date. Places on this programme are available on a first come first served basis.
Examination fees of €200.00 are payable at approximately week 12 for individuals wishing to sit final examination.
You can enroll online by selecting the course and payment option which best suits your requirements on the right hand side of this page.
Alternatively you can contact us by telephone on 01 882 7777 (Dublin) or 021 430 1222 (Cork).
You may also download an enrollment form and brochure in the Downloads panel to the left, and send completed forms to: National Training Centre, 15 - 16 St. Joseph's Parade, Dorset Street, Dublin 7.
You may also contact us at anytime to discuss any queries you have or to arrange an appointment to visit our facilities.
All National College of Exercise and Health Studies tutors are expert in their chosen field with some having represented Ireland at international level in health fitness competition.
All senior tutors have many years of experience working in the health fitness profession and, having obtained a H. Dip. in Education have learned the skills required to deliver complex information to learners of mixed ability.
All tutors have dedicated areas of speciality to enhance the learning experience for NCEHS students.
National Qualification in Exercise, Health Studies and Personal Training (18 Week Course)
Dublin Course Schedule
Morning Course
Monday to Thursday from 11:00 to 13:30
April 29th 2013
Afternoon Course
Monday to Thursday from 14:00 to 16:30
July 29th 2013
Evening Course
Monday & Wednesday from 19:00 to 21:30 and Saturday 11:00 to 17:00
July 29th 2013
Evening Course
Tuesday & Thursday from 19:00 to 21:30 and Saturday 11:00 to 17:00
April 30th 2013
Cork Course Schedule
Weekend Course
Saturday and Sunday from 10:30 to 16:30
February 16th 2013
September 7th 2013
Do I need to hold any other qualification in order to participate on this programme ?
No. The National Qualification in Exercise, Health Studies and Personal Training is open to all individuals.
What will I be qualified to do when I complete this course successfully ?
On successful completion you will be a fully qualified fitness instructor and personal trainer. Some other qualifications require that graduates complete an additional course of study to qualify as a personal trainer. The standard of examination given by the NTC ensures that any individual who achieves the minimum pass mark is qualified to offer safe and effective exercise prescription to all, whether individually or in a group.
Will I be able to get a job in a fitness centre or health club?
Yes. The National Training Centre operates Instructor Link which is a service that matches graduates with available positions in the fitness industry. All graduates can contact the NTC at any time post graduation to enquire about availability of jobs in their specific location. For impartial advice in relation to job availability, the NTC recommend that you select fitness centres and health clubs at random from a telephone directory and call them to enquire about job availability and qualification requirements. We are absolutely confident that 100% of them will welcome NTC graduates.
Are there many jobs available in the fitness profession in Ireland at present.?
The health fitness industry is one of the fastest growing sectors in Ireland. As a result there is excellent job availability with many more jobs due to come online in the medium term. You can independently verify the availability of jobs by contacting fitness centres and health clubs chosen at random from the telephone directory or Golden Pages. Graduates may also operate in a self-employed capacity which can increase their earning potential.
How much can I earn as a fitness instructor ?
The starting pay rate for fitness instructors ranges between €10.00 and €12.50 per hour. Instructors may also generate additional income through specialist areas of qualification such as Spin Cycling, Stability Ball, Pilates etc. whereby employers may enter into a separate arrangement for payment for additional classes. Individuals who choose to follow a career in Personal Training can earn an average of €50.00 per hour. Personal Trainers success will be dependent on the results they achieve for their clients and it will be a benefit to have an extrovert personality. Graduates can also operate as sole traders by offering fitness classes in parish halls, community centres etc. Again success will be based on the instructor's personality and motivational skills plus results achieved. It is not unusual for instructors working in this sector to turnover in excess of €1,000.00 per week for part-time evening work.
Will I need to get insurance ?
The National Training Centre's code of ethics insists that all NTC graduates who are actively working in the profession, hold a professional indemnity insurance policy which covers the instructor against legal action taken by a client as a result of an injury which was received when following instruction. Instructors who are working on private premises may also need to hold public liability insurance if such cover is not held by the owners of the premises. The National Training Centre have a customised insurance scheme with discounted rates available exclusively to those who have qualified with NTC. The policy is one of the broadest available including many important features that other policies may not offer. The policy has been arranged through Balens Ltd and the insurer for the scheme is the Zurich and DAS Legal Expenses. Balens are a very well established, fourth generation family-run business dedicated to looking after health professionals. They are built on solid roots going back to 1950 and are pioneers in the development of top quality cover for all types of health professionals with special rates and industry leading cover that has been developing and improving over 22 years in this speciality. The scheme will cover thousands of other therapies/activities you may require cover for and many at no extra premium subject to suitable qualification held. Some of the features covered in the policy consist of Medical Malpractice, Professional Indemnity, Public Liability, Product Liability, Loss of Reputation, Breach of Intellectual Property, Client Confidentiality Protection, Loss of Documents cover, First Aid cover as well as Good Samaritan Acts. The indemnity limit is €4,000,000 per claim for the Republic of Ireland. Unlike some other policies on the market, an unlimited number of claims may be made for any year and unlimited legal defence costs are also included. Also included, at no extra charge, is retroactive cover to pick up any previous insured work. Temporary cover abroad (excluding USA/Canada(although available on request)) is available with no time restrictions and at no additional premium as long as you are a UK/Ireland resident. If you cease to practice Balens include unlimited run off cover which means the policy will always be in place if a claim was made after you stop the policy running and this is also free of charge. For further information or proposal form, please contact Balens directly on 00441684 580771 or e-mail- info@balens.co.uk
Is this qualification accepted internationally ?
Yes. The National Qualification in Exercise Health Studies and Personal Training is the only complete course available in Ireland which is fully accredited by the European Health Fitness Association which allows for international recognition. We have graduates working in many countries worldwide.
How long does this course last ?
The National Qualification in Exercise, Health Studies and Personal Training is an eighteen week programme of education. Final examination usually commences during week eighteen and may continue into week nineteen or twenty depending on exam scheduling. The weeks of attendance are generally consecutive but sometimes break for bank holidays and Christmas etc. Classes do not break for summer or Easter.
How much does this course cost ?
The National Qualification in Exercise, Health Studies and Personal Training is €2,150.00. This price includes all tutorial hours, complete course notes and use of all study facilities for the duration of the programme. Examination fees of €200.00 are payable two weeks prior to final examination. There are no additional costs or fees in relation to this programme.
Do I have to participate in work experience ?
Work experience is not compulsory on the National Qualification in Exercise, Health Studies and Personal Training. Students who do wish to participate in work experience are actively encouraged and supported administratively as much as possible.
Can I move between day and evening courses and between venues ?
No. As the structuring of tutorial schedules sometimes contains differences between day and evening courses it is not possible to interchange. The exact same content is covered on both programmes although, not necessarily on the same days. Additionally, as courses are frequently oversubscribed there may not be space available to offer the opportunity to interchange. If a student enrolled on any course discovers that their circumstances have changed and it would be more suitable to move from day to evening or visa versa, this may be allowed by the Educational Committee of the National Training Centre if there is space available. Application must be made in writing to the Educational Committee and they will give an official written response. It may, subject to availability, be possible to move between courses in Dublin and Cork.
Where is this course available ?
The National Qualification in Exercise, Health Studies and Personal Training is available at the National Training Centre in Dublin and the Mardyke Arena, University College Cork.
How will I be assessed ?
Students of the National Qualification in Exercise, Health Studies and Personal Training are assessed through both written and practical examination at the end of each course. Students must also complete and submit a Learner Workbook throughout the course. Students cannot graduate without successfully completing all written and practical exams and having submitted, in full , their Learner Workbook.
What age group participate on this course ?
Students of all ages participate on the National Qualification in Exercise, Health Studies and Personal Training. The average age of students is mid twenties and each course will be made up of approximately 50% male and 50% female students. Each course will also include individuals in their thirties, forties, fifties and sometimes in their sixties. Occasionally there will be a student between seventeen and eighteen years old. Students in this category must have written guardian approval and a parent or guardian must also attend for interview with the student.
What is the success rate ?
85% - to 90% of students participating on the National Qualification in Exercise, Health Studies and Personal Training will successfully complete all of their final examinations on the first attempt. Of the remainder most will need to repeat one exam with a small number having to repeat more than one exam. Every individuals ability to succeed will be in direct proportion to the number of tutorials attended and the commitment and time and effort they are prepared to commit to their studies.
Can I pay by installments ?
No - there is no installment payment option available for this programme.
Are there grants available to cover tuition fees ?
The National Training Centre is a FÁS approved training provider. National Training Centre’s approved Training Programmes and Trainers have been placed on the FÁS/EI National Register of Trainers. The registration number of National Training Centre is 903336. Many of our students receive funding for part or all of their course fees through FÁS, the Department of Social Protection, and local Employment and Development projects. Individual students must contact their local office to enquire about eligibility.
How much of the course is practical and how much is theory ?
Theory subjects of the National Qualification in Exercise, Health Studies and Personal Training take up approximately half of the tutorial hours. The remainder of tutorial hours are taken up with practical subjects. Theory subjects include Anatomy & Physiology, Nutrition etc. while practical subjects include Resistance Training and Exercise to Music.
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