On average, it takes between 8 and 16 weeks to become a qualified personal trainer in Ireland, depending on factors such as your starting level. To work as a personal trainer in Ireland, you will need the following qualifications:
Contents
- What Is the Fastest Way to Become a Personal Trainer?
- How Long Does it Take to Get Certified as a Personal Trainer?
- The Impact of Your Course Provider
- FAQs
What Is the Fastest Way to Become a Personal Trainer?
If you already have a Level 3 Gym Instructor Qualification you can enrol straight onto a Level 4 Personal Training course. This allows you to qualify faster than someone starting from scratch. On average, a stand alone Level 4 course will take you around 8 weeks to complete.
If you don’t have any prior qualifications, the quickest (and cheapest) way to complete both courses is through a Personal Training Diploma. On average this will take around 16 weeks to complete.
How Long Does it Take to Become a Personal Trainer With an Online Course?
Online personal trainer courses are completed remotely and allow learners to study independently. Because they are self-paced, completion times vary depending on how quickly coursework and assessments are finished.
The average time to complete our Online Level 4 Personal Trainer Course online is 8 weeks and 16 weeks for our Personal Trainer Diploma.
Online study offers the greatest flexibility, as learners can progress faster or slower than the average timeframe depending on their availability. Tutor support is still provided throughout the course, but this option suits those who are comfortable managing their own study schedule.
The time it takes to complete an online personal trainer course can be influenced by factors such as:
#1 – Whether You Do The Work
It may sound obvious, but the more time and effort you are willing to put into the course, the quicker you will complete it! This is particularly true for the online and part-time study options where there is a large element of independent study.
#2 – How Much Free Time You Have
Another factor to consider when wondering how long it takes to become a personal trainer is how much free time you have to commit to your course. If you have work or family commitments, you need to factor this into your studies.
This is something to think about as online study is independent, you’ll need to consider realistically the amount of time you’ll have each week to work through your course and this will determine how quickly or slowly you will get through it.
Whereas if you take a part-time or online course, you may take longer if you don’t have the free time to commit to self-study.
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Enjoying this article so far? Here’s 3 more for you:
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#3 – Your Level of Self Discipline
Another major factor that will impact how long it takes to qualify is how much self-discipline you have. This is crucial if you are studying remotely and are engaging in self-paced learning.
You will need to be very self-motivated, not procrastinate or get distracted by other things! The more self-discipline and determination you have, the quicker you will work through the course.
The Impact of Your Course Provider
The impact of your course provider such as available time frames and levels of support can change how long it takes to become a personal trainer in Ireland.
There are many things to consider when comparing personal training courses, but if how long it takes to get qualified is your primary concern – here are some factors to consider:
#1 – How Many Times You Can Resit Exams
One thing to consider is you may not always pass your assessment the first time. Some course providers will have a limited number of resit opportunities, and even charge for every resit. Many also have limited availability for assessment dates, so you may have to wait a while before you can resit.
You should look for providers who offer unlimited free resits to give you the best chance of passing your assessments. It’s also important to ensure the in-person elements of the course are held frequently and convenient for you to travel to.
#2 – How Much Tutor Support You Receive
High-quality learning resources and course support can make a huge difference when it comes to how long it takes to become a personal trainer. This means you should look for a course provider that offers a consistent amount of available tutor support.
For example, certain providers have tutor support available 7 days a week via phone, email, or chat box, meaning students can get help whenever and however they need it.
High levels of support can help you get through the course easier when you’re struggling, making it a quicker process to get your qualification.
#3 – Marking Times
The rate your work is marked by tutors can also influence how long it takes to become a qualified personal trainer.
No matter how quickly you complete your coursework, if tutors are slow in giving you feedback and results, it will delay the time it takes you to qualify.
When you’re enquiring for a course, you should ask about the turnaround time for coursework feedback. The quicker you get work back, the faster you’ll get through the course.
FAQs
How Long Does it Take to Get a Job After Qualifying?
After qualifying, the time it takes finding a personal trainer job depends on how much post-course support is given by the provider. Without support after finishing your course, graduates may find it harder to break into the industry and secure their first job after qualifying.
However, other course providers will ensure you know what to do with your personal training qualification following graduation.
Types of post-course support services that help students have greater success finding a job, include:
- Personal trainer CV analysis and distribution
- Mock job interviews
- Free business and marketing tips
- Guaranteed interviews with gym partners
For example, OriGym has a 92% work placement rate for its graduates, showing how high levels of support results in a shorter amount of time to secure a job.
What Happens if I Fail My Assessment?
Although chances are high, not everything goes to plan and passing first time is not guaranteed. This means it will take longer to complete your course if you have to resit any assessments.
But this isn’t something you need to worry about. Certain providers offer unlimited and even free resits, giving you the best chance to qualify. If you have to retake your assessment, then you will need to account for the time to re-book your assessment according to availability.
However, the chance of passing your assessments first time are pretty high. For example, the pass rate for OriGym’s Level 4 Personal Training Course is 99%!
How Long Does It Take to Become a Personal Trainer with a Sports Science Degree?
Your existing knowledge of health and fitness is an important thing to consider when it comes to how long it takes to become a personal trainer. For example, if you have a degree in a related topic such as Sports Science, you will already have a strong foundation of knowledge to start your course from.
However, regardless of whether you have a degree, you will still need a Level 3 Gym Instructor and Level 4 Personal Trainer to find work as a personal trainer.
Any prior knowledge will be beneficial in helping you get through the course faster as you will already be familiar with a lot of its content.
How Long Does It Take to Become a Personal Trainer if I Already Have a Level 3?
If you already hold a Level 3 Gym Instructor qualification, you can usually complete a Level 4 Personal Trainer course in as little as 8 weeks, depending on how much time you have to study, the amount of free time you have and whether you’re willing to put un the work.
Kickstart Your Personal Training Career With OriGym!
If becoming a personal trainer is your goal, choosing the right course can make a real difference to how quickly you qualify. OriGym offers flexible personal training courses with full-time, part-time, and online study options, allowing you to progress at a pace that suits your schedule.
If you’d like help choosing the fastest or most suitable route, you can contact the OriGym team or download our course prospectus for personalised advice and guidance.
