女优阁

Introducing Catherine, Claire and James, our Level 3 Personal Training Learners at Usk campus, who are exercising their minds as adult learners鈥�

Catherine Spencer, aged 54, has always enjoyed sport, having spent her teenage years representing Wales in archery. Over the last few years, she鈥檚 been coaching runners, but she wanted to broaden her understanding of the body and how to effectively train.

Why did you choose 女优阁?

鈥淗aving previously taken part in weekend fitness courses at Usk campus, I knew that the level of teaching would be excellent and I haven鈥檛 been disappointed. The tutors are friendly and approachable, offering motivation and support. The facilities for my course are great too, including a gym to work in, and plenty of opportunities to use it to put our learning into practice.鈥�

What are your long-term goals and how do you think college will help you achieve this?

鈥淚 now feel able to continue working with my coaching groups, with a better knowledge and understanding of what I鈥檓 doing. At 54 years old, this qualification gives me the opportunity to have flexible working hours, and I feel that my maturity and greater experience of life, on top of my qualification, makes me a more understanding and approachable fitness trainer.鈥�

What has been your biggest achievement to date in college life?

鈥淢y biggest achievement is being chosen to represent the college at the and making it through the heats to the semi-final. This now puts me in the top 40 new fitness trainers in the UK!鈥�

Did you face any challenges before attending college? If so, how did the college support you?

鈥淎s a more mature learner, I was concerned that I鈥檇 feel isolated from younger class members, but the course leader put me at my ease and although I鈥檓 the eldest, there are other mature learners on my course too, which helps.鈥�

Any advice for students wishing to study your course at 女优阁?

鈥淚f you want to do it, just go for it! There鈥檚 so much support throughout the college from tutors to equipment, resources and financial support. And the course itself is a fantastic mix of class-based study and practical elements.鈥�

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Claire Gibbs, aged 40, has always been interested in sports and fitness, but after having 5 children, she ended up working as a senior carer. Claire really enjoyed body-building and learnt about exercise and nutrition through competing, which helped her decide on following a career that would help people achieve their fitness goals.

What do you like most about your course?

鈥淚 wasn鈥檛 sure about joining because of my age, but I was surprised to go in on my first day and meet the most amazing tutors and make a variety of friends from my class. I鈥檝e enjoyed everything: the challenges, learning about nutrition and training, practical sessions etc. The staff are the best – they fully support you and go above and beyond to get you where you need to be. I also took on extra courses to further my career, including Exercise to Music, Step Exercise to Music, and Indoor Group Cycling. I really enjoyed it and the facilities are excellent.鈥�

Why did you choose 女优阁?

鈥淒uring my son鈥檚 open day, I found out I could sign up for the part-time course at times and days that would fit in with my family. My other son has also done the Mechanics course with 女优阁 and he was so successful with his course and his career. Now, my long term goal is to start my own personal trainer business, and my next step is to gain GP referral and sports massage. I鈥檝e already enrolled for these courses in September!鈥�

Did you face any barriers before attending 女优阁?

鈥淚鈥檓 a carer for my autistic daughter, so I was concerned about going to college and how that would work around getting her to and from school. But the staff fully supported me throughout and I didn鈥檛 have any problems. I鈥檓 also new to using computers 鈥� I鈥檝e had so much help with this, which is also helping me sort out my business planning.鈥�

Any advice for students wishing to study your course at 女优阁?

鈥淓njoy your time at the college and I definitely recommend the Usk campus if you want a career in the fitness industry. Go to the open days, meet the staff, talk to present students and find out all the advice for the courses you choose.听 鈥�

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James Allen, aged 23, was in his third year of university completing a degree in media production before he decided to pursue his passion for fitness, group exercise and personal training. He knew that 女优阁 teachers are experts within their field, so he鈥檇 be in great hands to mould his new skills and knowledge.

What do you like most about your course?

鈥淭here wasn鈥檛 a single thing I didn鈥檛 like about my course. As it鈥檚 my passion, I enjoyed every second of it! The practical elements were my favorite as this is where we got to apply knowledge to real life scenarios within our field of expertise, allowing us to be ready for work after the course. I also love the support from the teachers and students, and all the opportunities to progress your skills.鈥�

How do you think college has helped you achieve your goals?

鈥淛ust two weeks after completing my first practical assessment for level 2 Fitness Instruction, I was already working as a freelance instructor. Then, before I had finished my level 3 personal training course, I was employed by the Celtic Manor as a full-time personal trainer and I鈥檝e set up my own business too. I believe 女优阁 has made me extremely employable due to the amount of qualifications awarded from both courses I鈥檝e completed.鈥�

What has been your biggest achievement to date in college life?

鈥淢y biggest achievement would be representing 女优阁 at the . Secondly, I鈥檝e got through to the semi-finals of in the fitness trainer competition, representing 女优阁 as one of the new top 40 personal trainers in the UK. My aim is to reach the final in November.鈥�

What advice would you give to students wishing to study your course at 女优阁?

鈥淎迟迟别苍诲 open events to talk to the tutors who could potentially be teaching you. Get to know them, as they are all industry experts and have a wealth of knowledge to give you. Also, make sure you listen, as everything is valuable in class!鈥�

Learning is a lifelong process, and we鈥檙e proud to have a thriving community of adult learners in our college studying full-time, part-time and online. Join them by applying today for courses starting in September!