Hello future fitness professionals! Deciding to become a personal trainer or a fitness instructor is a life-changing choice. The fitness industry in Australia is highly competitive, and you need the best Personal Training Courses to stand out. This comprehensive guide aims to walk you through the process of finding the right Registered Training Organisation (RTO) for you to study the Certificate III and IV in Fitness. We, at Fit Education, are one of the RTOs offering these certifications. So let’s explore what to consider when making your decision:

1. Accreditation and Reputation:

Make sure your chosen RTO is accredited by the Australian Skills Quality Authority (ASQA). This ensures your certification is nationally recognised and meets industry standards. Not all RTOs have this accreditation.

Fit Education does. Moreover, we are VSL, CRICOS and Skills Assure approved, and also a member of ITECA (Independent Tertiary Education Council Australia), which further solidifies our status as a reputable provider. Our courses have been written by experienced fitness professionals that have been working for years, with training g techniques used by professional athletes and World Champions. Our long-standing reputation in the industry and our experienced professional teachers are known for delivering quality education, reflected in the numerous positive testimonials from our students.

2. Course Content and Mode of Delivery:

The currently approved fitness courses by the government are the SIS30321 Certificate III in Fitness and the SIS40221 Certificate IV in Fitness. These are part of a fresh fitness training package that’s up-to-date with industry standards. They provide a balanced mix of necessary theoretical knowledge and practical skills.

To cater to different learning preferences and schedules, these courses are offered in various formats. There’s the on-campus option, which is great for those who enjoy direct interaction and immediate, hands-on learning. Then there’s the online format, perfect for individuals who need flexibility, as you can learn at your own pace, anytime and anywhere. There’s also a blended delivery option that mixes online and on-campus learning for those who want a combination of direct interaction and flexibility. With these options, students can choose a learning method that best fits their needs and lifestyle.

Our flexible options mean you can study to be a personal trainer whether you are from Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Perth, or anywhere in Australia.

At Fit Education, we offer our courses have both online and blended delivery options, allowing for flexibility and letting you study at your own pace. This is especially beneficial for those with time constraints, like working individuals or young parents. We have selected elective units that will make you the most employable and future ready, and our study materials are based on years of training experience.

3. Practical Training:

Hands-on experience is vital. The practical training aspect is a key part of the Certificate III and IV in Fitness, giving you real-world, hands-on experience in areas such as program design, exercise prescription, and client communication. Typically, this involves around 30-40 hours of supervised work experience per certificate, although this may vary depending on the course provider.

We, at Fit Education, offer regular ‘PRAC Days’ at our Brisbane campus, and all throughout the year, we host CRAM Courses where you can complete the practical aspects and logbook parts of the courses. 

We understand the importance of mentorship during this phase, so we offer mentor/coach guidance. You have the option to find and choose your own mentor coach or let us find one for you. Alternatively, you can easily record your practicals and send them to us through our student platform to be assessed by our trainers and assessors. Flexibility is key in our approach.

4. Support Services:

Efficient communication between students and trainers is essential in facilitating a smooth learning experience. The last thing you want is to wait for days for feedback, be constrained by limited interaction hours, or even have to pay for a simple conversation about your course. These, unfortunately, could be your reality depending on the RTO you choose.

At Fit Education, we pride ourselves on providing rapid responses and feedback to student’s work by our Trainer & Assessors. You can get in contact with them through multiple channels: Phone, Email, FaceTime, chat, etc. But don’t just take our word for it. Have a look at this brief video where one of our graduates shares their experience with our response times!

5. Further Studies and Opportunities:

Great Personal Trainers keep learning all throughout the professional lives. When you complete your cert IV in Fitness, you will keep learning. That’s why you should consider if your RTO provides pathways to further studies or has partnerships with Fitness Organisations or Universities. 

Fit Education offers the unique advantage of agreements with quality Australian universities, allowing our graduates to bridge into University careers, such as the Bachelor of Sport Studies, Bachelor of Business or Bachelor of Sport Development, after completing our courses. These special agreements are a rarity among RTOs, making Fit Education stand out in the crowd. We also have CEC Courses, Diploma of Sport and an exclusive Certificate in Nutrition that will help you expand your knowledge and progress in your career.

6. Additional Short Courses:

It’s a bonus if your RTO offers additional short courses. 

For example, when you enrol in the combo Cert III and Cert IV at Fit Education, you have the opportunity to receive some short courses for free! These include highly valuable courses like Nutrition for PTs, Online Personal Trainer, Female Coaching, Resistance Band Training, Group Exercise Leader, etc.

7. User-friendly Learning Platform:

If you’re studying online, make sure the platform is user-friendly. 

At Fit Education we use Cloud Assess, multi awarded and reknowned for being intuitive and entertaining for students.

8. Price and Value:

Although price is a consideration, beware of super cheap courses from obscure RTOs. They might not provide the knowledge and experience required, and their reputations might not be up to par, leading to potential employers questioning the quality of your training. Similarly, beware of fast-track courses that might cut corners. It’s important to understand that becoming a qualified personal trainer requires comprehensive knowledge and skills.

At Fit Education, our course fees reflect the quality of education and support you’ll receive. Plus, we offer different flexible payment methods and we have different special discounts throughout the year. Check with our career advisors to see if we are running one of these special offers currently!

9. Communication and Sales Approach:

The journey towards becoming a fitness professional should not be littered with pushy sales calls and spam emails

At Fit Education, we believe in a different approach. We don’t have salespeople; instead, we have career advisors who are fitness professionals themselves. They are here to provide information and answer your questions, not to bombard you with marketing messages. You can contact them via phone, email or SMS, at your convenience. You can also set up a call at a time that suits you best here. Our goal is to ensure that you have all the information you need to make the right decision about your education and career.

10. Testimonials and Reviews:

Lastly, but definitely not least, it’s crucial to look into testimonials and reviews from students who’ve studied with the RTO you’re considering. Authentic experiences and insights from former students can provide a valuable perspective. What was their overall experience? How effective were the teaching methods? Was the course value for money? These are just a few questions that reviews and testimonials can help answer.

At Fit Education, we’re proud of the positive feedback we receive from our graduates, and we always encourage prospective students to explore these testimonials as part of their decision-making process. Remember, the experiences of past students can offer a glimpse into your potential future with an RTO.

In conclusion, embarking on your fitness career is a significant step. It’s important to do thorough research to ensure the RTO you choose provides the best value and education, equipping you for success in the industry. Fit Education, with our long history in the industry and extensive network of partners, aims not just to provide quality education but also to facilitate the transition of our graduates into their first job in the industry.

Whether you choose us or another RTO, the most crucial thing is that you make an informed decision that matches your career goals, learning style, and life situation. If Fit Education happens to be the right fit for you, we’d be thrilled to welcome you on board and support you on your fitness journey. If not, we wish you every success in your fitness career. After all, we all share a common passion – promoting health, fitness, and wellbeing!

So remember, this isn’t just about earning a certificate; it’s about building your future career. Make sure you choose the path that best equips you to become the fitness professional you aspire to be!