Ireland's National Training Center offers the National Qualification in Exercise Health Studies and Personal Training, or NQEHSPT. The program offers tuition for budding personal trainers. The training isn't accredited to any American PT training bodies. However, the program's accreditation by internationally known European organizations means some U.S. bodies will either accept the certificate or offer a short conversion course. You need no previous qualifications to train for the NQEHSPT certificate.
Course and Accreditation
The National Qualification in Exercise Health Studies & Personal Training offers a certificate accredited by the European Health Fitness Association. Fitness bodies across Europe and many places in America recognize the EHF. The course meets standards for European Qualification Framework Level 4. According to the NTC website, this is the only course to meet these standards in Ireland. The NQEHSPT is also accredited by several Irish and other European bodies.
Course Content
The course covers 15 main areas, including kinesiology, lesson planning, muscular analysis, resistance training, flexibility, exercise to music, sports nutrition, injury prevention and business aspects to personal training. Theory learning takes up around half of all tutorial time, with the other half devoted to practical sessions such as working with weights or learning music exercise routines. The training also incorporates optional work experience in a partner gym or health club to allow participants to gain practical experience training classes and individuals.
Locations and Duration
The program takes 18 weeks to complete in Dublin, Cork, Galway and Donegal -- with most courses taking place in Dublin. Outside Dublin, approved institutions such as University College Cork host the training. The National Training Center itself hosts the Dublin course. Participants can choose between day lessons or evening courses, with each containing the same course content and lasting for the same amount of time. In March 2011, the course cost $3,000.
Considerations
The NTC offers a conversion course for personal trainers with certain NTC training certificates gained prior to 2006 or trainers with certificates from the International Therapy Examination Council or National Council for Exercise and Fitness organizations. Your current qualifications must include some resistance and music exercise training. The NTC claims that its qualification is highly sought after in gyms and health clubs in Ireland. This increases your chances of landing an inhouse job in a health club after gaining certification.
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