Published: 27th May 2021.
Written by Jodie Magrath
A Certificate III in Fitness is a great way to turn your passion for exercise into a successful career. Whether you’d like to work as a personal trainer to individual clients or work with groups in a gym or fitness centre, this course can give you the skills you need. You’ll learn to assess the needs of your clients through fitness screenings and deliver exercise instruction in a range of settings. This course also includes a work placement so you’ll gain real world experience in the fitness industry.
The Certificate III in Fitness covers a range of topics relevant to the exercise industry. You’ll learn to identify the requirements of individual clients and make considerations for specific population groups. You’ll explore techniques for planning, instructing and evaluating fitness programs and circuit sessions and learn to provide information on healthy eating. This course will also develop your understanding of the human body structure and physiology.
The fitness industry is a great career path for anyone who is passionate about health and enjoys working with other people. You’ll need to be a good communicator and be able to work with clients from a range of backgrounds. It’s important that you are physically fit and capable of demonstrating a range of exercise techniques. You’ll need good personal skills and should be able to motivate clients to achieve their fitness goals.
A Certificate III in Fitness is an ideal course of study for the following careers:
Personal Trainer
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Personal Trainer works with clients to improve their fitness levels and achieve health goals. You might help clients to train for an event, lose weight or increase their general fitness. Personal Trainers often work in gyms or fitness facilities but you might also train clients in a community space like a park or in a client’s own home. You might come up with a fitness plan for your clients which could include an exercise program or diet advice.
Gym Instructor
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Gym Instructor provides advice and assistance to clients at a gym or fitness facility. You might show gym users how to correctly use equipment and teach them the best way to reach their fitness goals. Gym Instructors often provide instruction to individual clients but you might also work with small groups or take a larger fitness class. You may have to maintain gym equipment and keep the area clean and hygienic.
Group Fitness Instructor
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Group Fitness Instructor takes a group of clients for various types of exercise classes. You might offer a range of classes or specialise in a particular activity such as yoga or boxercise. Group Fitness Instructors often work in a gym or fitness centre, but you might also lead a class in an outdoor setting or at a workplace. You’ll demonstrate techniques and offer encouragement to clients during the session.
Higher education pathways
A Certificate III in Fitness is an excellent way to get started in a fitness career. You could also consider specialising your studies with a course such as a Certificate III in Sport and Recreation. You might also consider furthering your studies with a Certificate IV in Fitness or a Diploma of Fitness.
If you decide to take your fitness career further you could enrol in a university degree such as a Bachelor of Health Science (Fitness) or a Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science. A university degree can expand your career opportunities and may allow you to be employed in a position with more responsibility. You may be able to use a Certificate III in Fitness as a pathway to these courses.
Getting started
If you’re interested in enrolling in a Certificate III in Fitness, start by collecting information from a range of course providers. There is often some variation in how providers deliver their courses so gathering all the information can help you find the right course for you. Ask about the duration of the course, costs, any prerequisites and the content the course will cover. Once you have all the information you can compare details and choose a provider that meets your needs.