Course Introduction
The SEC Fitness Instructor Level 3 is recognised by the European Register for Exercise Professionals (EREPS), making it the qualification of choice to work as a fitness instructor in Europe and beyond. The course is targeted for persons who would like to work in the fitness industry as fitness instructors, employed by a range of organisations such as fitness centres, health clubs, leisure centres and sports clubs, or those interested in furthering their careers in fitness and eventually pursuing further qualifications in personal training or exercise for health. Prospective fitness instructors should have an interest in fitness and preferably a background of participation in sport or physical activity.
Recognition and Accreditation
The course is organised according to European Health and Fitness Association EuropeActive standards, and is recognised by EREPS at the Fitness Instructor level. Indeed, upon completion of this course, learners will gain automatic entry and membership with EREPS, and eligibility to join any National register in Europe. In short, upon completion of the programme, learners will be fully qualified to operate as fitness instructors anywhere in Europe.
Standard Entry Requirements
Learners must be at least 16 years of age and in possession of a school leaving certificate, and English language MQF/EQF Level 2 or higher.
Structure
The SEC Fitness Instructor Award course is organised across the following key content areas;
Module 1 – Human Movement and Exercise Physiology
Module 2 – Gym-based Training Methods and Techniques
Module 3 – Communication, Professionalism and Customer Service
Module 4 – Screening, Lifestyle Management and Health Promotion
Module 5 – Health and Safety in the Fitness Industry
Module 6 – Exercise Session Design, Delivery and Evaluation
Summary of Content
The overall objective of this course is to impart the necessary knowledge, skills and competence required to provide effective and safe fitness instruction and promote healthy lifestyle management to clients/members.
By the end of the course the learner will be able to introduce and adhere clients/members to fitness by planning, instructing and evaluating inductions, exercise sessions, and appropriate on-going exercise programmes that are safe and effective and meet member’s wants and needs. The learner will be able to interact with, motivate, and observe clients/members ensuring safe and effective technique in a range of cardiovascular and resistance training methods, by giving advice on intensity and progression, delivering good customer service and being a positive role-model.
In short, the learner will be able to:
a) Provide effective and safe fitness instruction
b) Promote healthy lifestyle management
c) Deliver good customer service and be a positive role model at all times
d) Identify individual motives and resulting short, medium and long term fitness goals
e) Plan and deliver safe and effective exercise sessions and programmes
f) Observe clients/members at all times and correct unsafe technique
g) Maintain standards of quality and professionalism
Delivery
This course is designed around the needs of the learner, adopting a flexible learner-centred approach supplemented by full online support, informative seminars, face to face lectures, practical’s and assessments. The duration of the course is twelve months accumulating a total of five hundred and five hours of lectures and practical work.
Assessment
For assessments via multiple-choice exams, you will be informed of your result automatically and instantaneously. For all other assessments, you will be informed of your result by your assigned SEC assessor during the Viva interview which takes place immediately after your final practical assessment.
The Viva represents an opportunity for you to validate and discuss your work. If further clarification about any aspect of your work is required, your assessor will request it at this time. If any aspects of your work are deemed to fall short of the required standard, appropriate plans for you to obtain the relevant outcome/s will be discussed and agreed.
Duration
The course duration is one year with a total of 45 ECTS/ECVETS.
This includes the following learning hours;
- Total Contact: 361Hrs
- Work Placement & Practice: 100Hrs
- Assessments: 162Hrs
- Self Study: 502Hrs
Course Price
The total cost price of the course is €1900.
Course Introduction
The SEC Personal Trainer Level 4 is recognised by the European Register for Exercise Professionals (EREPS), making it the qualification of choice to work as a personal trainer in Europe and beyond. The course is built around a series of assessment tasks spread across the relevant modules, based on practical work-based experiences and the knowledge content contained in the SEC-PT Manual.
Recognition and Accreditation
The course is designed according European Health and Fitness Association EuropeActive standards, and is recognised by EREPS at the Personal Trainer. Indeed, upon completion of this course, learners will gain automatic entry and membership with EREPS, and eligibility to join any National register in Europe. In short, upon completion of the programme, learners will be fully qualified to operate as personal trainers anywhere in Europe.
Standard Entry Requirements
Learners must be at least 18 years of age and in possession of the SEC Fitness Instructor Course or any EQF Level 3 Fitness Instructor.
Structure
The SEC EuropeActive - Personal Trainer Level 4 course consists of 10 modules. You are to complete the assessment for each and every module to achieve the final qualification in full.
When you have completed module 9, you are eligible to attempt your final face-to-face practical assessment and viva in fulfillment of module 10 and indeed of the entire course. The modules are organised as follows;
Module 1 – Functional Anatomy
Module 2 – Applied Physiology
Module 3 – Exercise Performance Technique
Module 4 – Active Living & Healthy Eating
Module 5 – Consultation & Fitness Assessment
Module 6 – Training Principles & Programming
Module 7 – Ethical Practice Code
Module 8 – Exercise Session Delivery & Evaluation
Module 9 – Psycho-social Considerations
Module 10 – Personal Trainer Final Practical Assessment and Evaluation
While modules 1 to 4 are largely theoretical in nature, from module 5 onward, the course assumes a practical nature, and you will be required to recruit an actual client in order to complete the assessment tasks, more on this later.
Summary of Content
In modules 1 and 2 you will gain a sound foundation of knowledge in anatomy and physiology. Throughout module 3 you will apply your knowledge of anatomy and physiology in the development of safe and effective exercise performance technique indicative of a fitness professional operating at the required level of professionalism.
In module 4 you will explore the concept of achieving and maintaining good health from a holistic perspective. Promoting healthy living will help you to market yourself and attract clients, and at this juncture you will need to recruit an actual client in order to continue with the assessments for the remaining modules of the course.
In module 5, you will begin the screening and health and fitness assessment process with your client. Over the course of module 6 you will write a programme for your client, which you will actually implement and deliver in your 12-session practicum which will begin in module 8. Before you begin the practicum sessions however you will need to explore the code of ethical practice, which sets out guidelines for the most ethical way to work with your client.
In module 8 you will finally deliver the sessions you planned and focus on becoming a skillful and competent personal trainer, indulging in reflective practice and continuously improving your practical skills and abilities. In module 9 you will examine the psycho-social considerations of motivation and building rapport with your client, drawing from real life examples encountered during the practicum sessions themselves.
In module 10, you will sit for your final practical assessment and viva wherein all the elements of the course will be concluded face to face with your assigned SEC assessor.
Delivery
This course is designed around the needs of the learner, adopting a flexible learner-centred approach supplemented by full online support, informative seminars, face to face lectures, practical’s and assessments. The duration of the course is eighteen months accumulating a total of six hundred hours of lectures and practical work.
Assessment
For assessments via multiple-choice exams, you will be informed of your result automatically and instantaneously. For all other assessments, you will be informed of your result by your assigned SEC assessor during the viva which takes place immediately after your final practical assessment.
The viva represents an opportunity for you to validate and discuss your work. If further clarification about any aspect of your work is required, your assessor will request it at this time. If any aspects of your work are deemed to fall short of the required standard, appropriate plans for you to obtain the relevant outcome/s will be discussed and agreed.
Duration
The course duration is one year and a half with a total of 60 ECTS/ECVETS.
This includes the following learning hours;
- Total Contact: 375Hrs
- Work Placement & Practice: 342Hrs
- Assessments: 340Hrs
- Self Study: 443Hrs
Course Price
The total cost price of the course is €2100.