Certificate in Exercise and Health Fitness

The course

The course is primarily for anybody who would like to become a fitness instructor or personal trainer. Many people take the course with a career in the fitness industry in mind but an increasing number are taking the course because of their interest in health and fitness. The Certificate in Exercise and Health Fitness is awarded by the University of Limerick. This is a professional qualification and it is recognised as a gold standard award throughout the fitness industry for fitness instructors and personal trainers. Graduates are educated and trained to design fitness programmes, conduct fitness assessments, teach a variety of exercise classes, such as body conditioning, step, aerobics and circuit training as well as designing weight training programmes. Fitness instructors and personal trainers also advise on healthy lifestyle, weight loss and exercise for beginners. Many of the graduates go on to work as gym instructors, aerobic and step teachers, sports trainers, personal trainers and fitness advisers. The course is open to applicants with an interest in health and fitness and no previous experience is necessary.

The Qualification

The Certificate in Exercise & Health Fitness is the only University accredited fitness qualification in Ireland. It is a Level 6 award on the National Qualification Framework of Ireland. It is the core qualification of the National Council for Exercise and Fitness (NCEF). The NCEF is an academic affiliate of the University of Limerick and all of the qualifications are accredited and awarded by the University. The NCEF was established in 1987 and it provides comprehensive education and training for fitness instructors/personal trainers in Ireland. Motions Health & Fitness has been an NCEF training centre since 1989.

The qualification is also on the European Qualification Framework and is accredited by the European Health & Fitness Association (EHFA). EHFA is the EU approved industry standards setting body for the European health & fitness sector.

The Syllabus

The course consists of nine modules covering a wide variety of topics. The course is very practical in nature but provides a thorough understanding of each aspect of health and fitness.

• Module 1: Human Movement Studies
• Module 2: Lifestyle, Fitness and Wellness
• Module 3: Fitness Assessment and Programme Design
• Module 4: Management and Work Placement
• Module 5: Occupational First Aid
• Module 6: Exercise to Music
• Module 7: Resistance Training
• Module 8: Circuit Training and Body Conditioning
• Module 9: Step Training and Flexibility

TimeTable

Motions Health and Fitness run three part time courses and two full time courses each year. The 2012 timetable shows the venues, times and dates of each course.

Venue	Days	Times	Commences	Type
UCD	Mon - Wed	09.00 - 16.00	20 February 2012	Full Time
UCD	Mon - Wed	09.00 - 16.00	1 October 2012	Full Time
Irish Life	Tues & Thurs + 5 Saturdays	19.00 - 22.00 09.30 - 16.00	2 October 2012	Part Time
Palmerstown	Fri & Sat	19.00 - 22.00 09.30 - 15.30	5 October 2012	Part Time
Palmerstown	Sat & Sun	10.00 - 17.00	25 February 2012	Part Time

The full time course takes 4 months and the part time courses last 7 months.

The Venues

All of the venues where the courses take place are commercial fitness centres as well as providing excellent educational facilities. This is important for a course of this nature as students undertake their training in an environment that is relevant to their course.

The full time courses take place in UCD. The UCD Sports Centre is one of the finest in the country and has all the facilities necessary for a course of this nature. The central location of UCD makes it an attractive venue for most of Dublin and Wicklow and it is amply served by public transport.

The weekend course takes place in Palmerstown Sports Complex, Kennelsfort Road, Palmerstown, Dublin 20. This is a new state of the art complex just minutes from the Liffey Valley roundabout on the M50. The sports complex consists of exercise studio with sprung floor, weights gym, sports hall and changing rooms. It is a central venue within 30 minutes of most parts of Dublin and it is also very accessible for students from Meath and Kildare and further as it avoids the need to travel through the city. It has private parking on site.

The week night course takes place in the Irish Life Centre, Abbey Street, Dublin 1. This private facility is an ideal city centre venue as it is adjacent to the Luas, DART, major bus routes and has secure car parking within the complex. The Centre has a gym, weights training room, sports hall, pool and changing facilities.

Course Fees

The course fee is €2600. This includes tuition fees, exam fees and course manual. There is also a three day occupational first aid course and certification included in this fee. Students will be registered students of the University of Limerick for the duration of the course. There is a facility to apply for student loans through the student bank in UL. Full details on request.

As a University of Limerick accredited programme this course may eligible for tax rebate for some students who continue to study towards the Diploma in Exercise & Health Fitness. For more information see Leaflet IT 31 - Tax Relief for Tuition Fees.

Application Process

Applicants should download an application form below and return the completed form accompanied with 2 passport photos signed on the reverse to the address on the form. Appplicants need to have a Leaving Certificate with at least five passes in ordinary level subjects including maths, Irish and English. Please include an official copy of your Leaving Cert results also. Applicants who have equivalent qualifications from another country should submit a copy of their results and an official translation if they are not in English.

Applicants who do not have these educational requirements may still apply. Submit a completed application form with the two passport photos. We will contact you directly and guide you through an additional application form which takes into account your experience in other areas such as employment, coaching and participation in activities.

It is important to apply for a course as soon as possible as the courses are oversubscribed every year.

2012 Applications Now Open! - Download an application form