First in Fitness Courses & Careers

Testimonials

I’m so very glad I decided to take the step to go to the Australian Institute of Fitness and complete my Certificate 3 and 4 in Fitness. I have been working in recreation for a number of years and have really enjoyed the part of my job where I am getting people out and active. Now, after this course, I am doing more of that kind of work and I’m really loving it. During the course, you learn everything you can from the great coaches, they have so much great experience and knowledge that they can share with you. The course is great preparation for working in the fitness industry, it’s not always going to be easy, you might not always feel energised and pumped to go, but you have to grab all the happy energy you can find and give your client/clients your best because they deserve it, as do your coaches and class mates during the course.

Mel Cathie - July 2010 graduate


I just wanted to thank you and the coach who was with James in his exam today. He plucked up the courage and asked if the questions could be read and words explained and he passed by 100%.  It means so much to me to see the big smile on his face and the boost it has given to his self esteem and confidence.
 

Laurraine Causer


Studying at the Australian Institute of Fitness was a fantastic experience. Over the period of the course I was able to meet a group of wonderful people, many of which have become close friends of mine. The coaches are brilliant. They have exceptional knowledge, enthusiasm and are always encouraging and supportful. This course has given me an invaluable experience as well as a bunch of new skills and strategies that correlate directly to starting my own Mobile Personal Training Business. I would highly recommend the Personal Trainer course to anyone who has a passion and interest in health and fitness.

 

 

   Meg Howells- June 2010 graduate


I was made redundant and didn’t want to work with computers any more.  I was fed up with working long hours, getting unfit, too much stress, eating badly & generally not leading a healthy lifestyle.  Over the years I’d become more interested in eating clean healthy food and enjoyed regular cardio and strength training.  I helped a close friend with her diet & exercise and over a year she lost 50kgs. She suggested I become a personal trainer, so I looked into it and fate led me to the Australian Institute of Fitness.  I decided to get qualified more for my own knowledge so that I’d be confident that my approach towards healthy eating and resistance exercise was the best way to maintain fitness and health as I got older. I was incredibly nervous the first day, but I was blessed by having some fantastic class mates the same age as me, if not a bit older, who immediately put me at ease!  Looking back, it truly was the most exciting, enjoyable “school” experience I’ve had!  The coaches were great – some more knowledgable than others, but all were very encouraging and supportive.

If anyone expresses an interest in getting a fitness qualification I would always recommend the Institute. It’s a great starting point – especially as often you go into the course expecting your career to go in one direction, but once you get to see all the different facets of work in the fitness industry, you often end up doing something you never expected (or even knew about!) before the course started!   It opens up far more possibilities than you can imagine!

Wendy Evered - Healthy Inspirations, Balcatta and July 2007 graduate


"Being a business owner and Martial Arts Instructor I had always wanted to work in the fitness industry.  I always wanted to help people reach their fitness goals from the amateur to the experienced, wanting to get back into their training. I commenced with the institute and found the experience to be very enjoyable and rewarding. The knowledge was sound and the material presented was thorough yet fun.

I remember in particular Andrew Wynhoven and his enthusiasm that drove the tribe. I also remember Britt Bailey Kerber and her insightful knowledge of the industry.

After completion of the course I opened Consciousfitness Fitness studio. It is a client only gym catering for those seeking personal, one on one training. I love doing what we do there and seeing the positive change in peoples lives. I have excellent work /life balance and enjoy the lifestyle being a Personal Trainer offers me.

I strongly recommend anyone seeking the best start in the fitness industry start their journey with the Australian Institute of Fitness. Even if you are unsure and need some direction, give them a call and trust that they give the best advice available as leaders in the industry."

     Mark Micallef - October 2008 Master Trainer Graduate


"Prior to enrolling with the Australian Institute of Fitness, I was working as a Night fill Associate for Big W along with being a full time mum. I became friends with a body builder who inspired me and decided to start training. I was truly amazed how my body changed just by using weights and changing my eating habits. I suddenly became quite obsessed with wanting more knowledge and I decided that I wanted to be able to help other people lose weight, feel better and break the myth that using weights cause woman bulk up.

I currently have private clients that I train in my own personal gym room and also intend to start a group fitness class with another Personal Trainer from the Institute. I continued my training with the Institute by enrolling into their Massage course, and I have now set up my own Massage clinic in another room where I provide Deep Tissue, Trigger point & Swedish massage.

My new lifestyle gives me more energy for my children and I feel healthy.  I have made a great network of friends and I have a new found knowledge that helps people look and feel great.

I was extremely nervous at 32 years of age to take on these courses but I felt welcome and met with some incredible people. The staff and the coaches make you feel welcome and supported.  

Andrew Wynhoven was my favourite coach. He was funny, he made you feel confident in achieving your goals and had a unique way of explaining things to us, making it easier to absorb the information even though at times I found it hard to learn so much information in a short space of time. All the coaches however, make these classes more enjoyable and make you have fun while you learn – giving you the confidence to be able to train clients One on One. You could always have a laugh with all the coaches which made it class fun. I loved being a part of the Australian Institute of Fitness.

I would recommend the Australian Institute of Fitness because I believe it is the best place to gain the qualifications you need. I was asked where I was training and when I said The Australian Institute of Fitness people where really impressed."

   

  

   Tash Cherry - Decemeber 2009 Master Trainer Advantage graduate

 

 


 

 "I have always been passionate about fitness and completed my Master Trainer and Massage Therapist earlier year. I am now self employed with my own business called STEEL Fitness which is a personal training and massage company mainly focusing on athletes.

I’m healthier, happier, smarter and generally a better person. The course gave me the kick-start I needed. I have less depression, decreased my stress levels, improved my relationships and increased my performance. The Australian Institute is fun and exciting place to learn.

The practical component of the course is fantastic with its hands on approach by being able to apply your knowledge in real life situations it is a skill that every Institute student will feel comfortable doing. What I liked most about my course coach, Angelo Peghini was his knowledge in anything you asked. You could approach Angelo any time of the day, with any question you could think of and then return with complete confidence and knowledge in the subject. 

I would definitely recommend the Australian Institute of Fitness to everyone. The knowledge and experience the Institute gives you is life changing."

   Ben Strange - February 2010 Master Trainer Advantage graduate


"Prior to pursuing my career in fitness, I used to be a nurse in the Emergency Department, but I have always enjoyed motivating people and driving them to achieve their goals.

I am now running my own business in a new private PT studio called Conscious Fitness. Along with this, I am responsible for establishing policies and management systems. I have a full client base and love what I am doing. We now offer Yoga Classes and Martial Arts to our clients which has been a roaring success with a full house every session. We also hold corporate training events, have just completed an eight week training program for the Floreat Under 21s soccer team and I am currently in discussions with two city businesses regarding group training for their employees.

I get to do something, everyday that I enjoy. It isn’t like a job because I love being there and doing what I do. It also gives me the tools and motivation to keep myself in top shape. I have never looked or felt better.

I really enjoy seeing positive changes in people’s lives. Whether achieving personal goals or pushing through physical barriers. I get just as excited just as much as they do. It is so rewarding training the hard core body builder or even the older client. Everyone’s goals are very individual.

The first day at the Institute was a blast. It was fun and full of energy. The coaches were always encouraging and got the best out of you all the time. You were encouraged to ‘walk the walk’ a lot as well.

I made many friends at the Institute and the coaches were fantastic. The environment was supportive and very driven. If you ever turned up there feeling low or tired, it wasn’t long before you would feel rejuvenated because of the energy around you. The coaches are knowledgeable and helpful but also insist that their students maintain a degree of professionalism at all times. I believe this is very important.

The coaches were all very supportive and had a passion for what they were communicating to us. They really thought about what they were doing and thoroughly enjoyed discussions with students.

It was also challenging in the sense of they weren’t shy to fail people. I say this in a good way. If people didn’t ‘get it together’ the Institute insisted on a standard. I think in this day and age when you pay for education; too often people also pay for a qualification. The Institute didn’t do this; they genuinely felt a responsibility to produce quality Personal Trainers. It is something they should be commended for.

The assessments were appropriately hard however, excellent support and preparation was given. The coaches had pride in their craft and displayed this by encouraging it in others.

I think that it is the only way I would recommend breaking into the industry and I know, having studied fitness previously through another organisation and been totally disappointed and discouraged. You meet real industry people who pass their knowledge on to you. Instead of studying with a bunch of high school drop outs who don’t want to be there , your fellow students  are  athletes, body builders, dancers and boxers etc who have trained and been trained and know their stuff and what it takes. They are tons of fun but also, very disciplined and driven. You all share that drive and are passionate about what you are trying to do. "

   Mark Cook - October 2009 Master Trainer graduate 

 


 

"I have always had a passion for the fitness industry and have been involved in gyms and sporting clubs most of my life. After working in the mines north of Perth as an electrician I needed a lifestyle and career change to something I love and enjoy.

I graduated from the Australian Institute of Fitness in Perth WA in October 2009. Since then I have moved to St Kilda Melbourne and I am running Endure Fitness out of Fitness First St Kilda.

My time at the Institute was fun, energetic and positive. The enthusiasm that the instructors held and the passion that they have eventually became my own, and also a new found interest in education of the body and the way it works.

Since exploding into the fitness industry and becoming a fitness professional, I have had many positive changes to my life, I have experienced a new level of health and well being, enjoying life and the people now involved in it also further opportunities offered through meeting a wide variety of clients in a large range of different job roles.

Personal training allows you to have a positive change on people lives. With my clients, I have the ability to be a spark or energy or positive influence in others lives, from weight loss to rebounding from lost relationships all clientele love you being a part of their new life this is extremely rewarding."

Joel Rusden - October 2009 Master Trainer Graduate

 


"Studying at the Australian Institute of Fitness was one of the best decisions I have made in a long time. The course was a lot of fun and I mad a lot of new friends which has given me a great support network for starting my own Personal Training business. The coaches are also very supportive and offer lots of encouragement which made the experience so much better.

 

I would definiately recommend going to the Australian Institute of Fitness to anyone who is passionate about health and fitness. I thoroughly enjoyed the experience and can't wait to put my new skills into practice!"

Angela Woolcock - Jan 2010 Master Trainer graduate 


"My husband (as a tri-athlete) and I (as a dancer) regularly make appointments for the Student Massage Clinic run at the conclusion of the Massage Therapist Program.  

We have found that the lecturers Angelo and Chris are highly skilled and very knowledgeable across a range of injuries, aches and pains. The level of students passing through the course have been consistently high. The students conduct themselves professionally throughout, and work well using a range of techniques. Both Angelo and Chris are to be congratulated on maintaining such a high standard of professionalism and knowledge with a variety of students.

We have found that massage complements and supports our respective sports by keeping our bodies supple and healthy, and of course, we always look forward to the next massage."

Ken and Sandee Banks - Dec 2009


"I was unsure about what career path I wanted to take, but being passionate about fitness, I was sure about helping people achieve their goals. That's how I heard about the Australian Institute of Fitness and that lead me to enrol into a course that would satisfy both my interests. 

"Wow!! What an amazing experience. At 38 years old I never thought I'd be changing my career and yes, that has now happened to me. It's so exciting. 

In just two short months of my life, my future has turned around to make me see I can do what I want to do! The Australian Institute of Fitness is an amazing place full of like minded caring individuals willing to give their all. Being around people who love fitness like I do, allowed me to see that I wanted to live the rest of my life like that.

I fully recommend anyone considering doing the course to stop considering and just do it! You will not regret it. Honestly, it will change your life.  What have you got to lose? Dreams only happen if you make them happen.  Go for it!

Mandy Collins - Dec 2009 Master Trainer Advantage graduate


"Throughout the course I was exposed to many aspects of the fitness industry and introduced to a lot of experienced people, which provided me with many opportunities to succeed. From this, I was encouraged and inspired to start my own business.

I completed the Master Trainer in Fitness and the Master Massage Therapist courses just 3 weeks ago and since then, I have started my own Personal Training and Massage business. Now armed with established clients, I am confident that I can create this into a successful business venture.

The Australian Institute of Fitness gave me the aquired skills and knowledge to become a successful Personal Trainer through their up to date curriculum and in depth knowledge of current training techniques. The course was always challenging but structured perfectly to suit any person who is passionate about fitness by making it a fun and creating an environment that makes learning easy."

Nick Inglis - Oct 2009 Master Trainer Advantage Graduate


"Thanks to everyone for helping and making this experience worth doing."

  Amy Leigh - Sep 2009 Master Trainer Graduate


"Thank you for your help, encouragement and helping me keep a positive attitude throughout the course."

Luisa Di Toro - Sep 2009 Master Trainer Graduate


"Thank you to all the coaches for helping me achieve my goals."

  Paul Conteh - Sep 2009 Master Trainer Graduate


"Thank you so much for helping me get through this, it's been fantastic and I've enjoyed every minute."

  Julia Wells - Sep 2009 Master Trainer Graduate


 "I've learnt so much, thank you for all your time and energy. A great place to learn and have fun too. You guys rock. 

Kerry Wilhem - Sep 2009 Master Trainer Graduate


"Thank you to all the coaches for all the time and effort you have put into me. I've done better than I expected."

Elaine Gartland - Sep 2009 Master Trainer Graduate


"Once again thank you all so very much for your encouraging development in each and every one of our lives. All the coaches have been genuinely helpful throughout this course. They have all showed extensive knowledge in all areas of performance.

Thank you for all the fun and heart warming point of views that you all have shared with us as a group. The confidence that the coaches portray is a breath of fresh air and an inspiration to all. I feel fortunate to call you guys friends."

 Tristan Walsh - Sep 2009 Master Trainer Graduate


"Thanks heaps to all the coaches for the fun times of the last sixteen weeks."

 Ben Hasler - Aug 2009 Master Trainer Graduate


"To all the lovely Gurus. Thank you for everything. It was fantastic being part of your team."

 Rykie Karsen - Aug 2009 Master Trainer Graduate


"I decided on a career in fitness as I could make a difference in people's lives, especially those who would ordinarily be too intimidated by the gym environment.

I wanted to help people take control of their own health and lifestyles. The Australian Institute of Fitness gave me a pathway to change my career.

The coaches are very supportive, with great knowledge and were only too pleased to help in any way they could. I loved the personal challenge of trying new things, and this course did that for me.

I completed my Master Trainer in early July and have since started my own business with Fitness First, ever increasing my target client base.

 Margaret O'Farrell - Jul 2009 Master Trainer Graduate


"What can I say-You guys are AWESOME! Your passion and commitment inspires me and has made learning a pleasure. Life changing experience- Thank you!"

Eleanor Stone - Sep 2009 Master Trainer Graduate & Monty Dortkamp Scholarship recipient 


 "I love the fact that you were thrust into situations quickly and get to know classmates really well in a short space of time. It's a well delivered and fun course. The more you put in the more you get out of it. Great job team!!"

Ricky Embelton - Aug 2009 Master Trainer Graduate


"The best thing about the course is the HUGE amount that we learn. The course coaches were absolutely amazing, approachable and entertaining. They amaze me with their knowledge." 

 Nicole Morley - Aug 2009 Master Trainer Graduate


"The practical sessions are the best and the '12 days of Fitness' program is a good way to learn all the exercises."

 Tara Mowat - Aug 2009 Master Trainer Graduate


"Having battled injury for the majority of my career as a professional football player, I know first hand the benefits of massage therapy. In fact, massage has been a key component of my training program in the last 4 years and a major influence on me getting out onto the field, which I attributed to regular treatment.

There's no denying a reason for me pursuing massage therapy, as a part of my career change is based on the huge benefits and satisfaction I've received throughout my career.

Understanding the mindset of an elite athlete is vital in getting successful results when treating one. Elite athletes are always searching for an edge, that extra 1% that will often mean the difference between getting to a crucial tackle, stretching to block a shot or lunging to score a goal, which in turn determines the difference between winning and losing.

Therefore from every aspect, from diet to training and everything in between, demands ultimate attention to detail, making an elite athlete a very challenging client.

Unfortunately I didn't discover or understand the full benefits of massage until after a serious injury. Perhaps with regular maintenance before hand, I'd still be playing, who knows?

What I do know is that I would require 60-90 minutes massage involving a combination of deep tissue, trigger point and myofascial release normally 3-4 days before competition for me to feel comfortable lasting a full game. When I say deep tissue, I mean I would be crawling up the wall!! Immediately, post game, from walking off the field directly onto a massage table focused on releasing tension throughout my hips and hamstrings for a solid 30 mins. Without this post game treatment, there is no way I'd get up for training at the start of the week making it difficult for me to maintain peak fitness.

Apart from always referring to correct posture, Malcolm Calcutt, a great massage therapist and good friend, introduced me to not only concentrating on the immediate problem but addressing all surrounding imbalances. The theory being, to put it simply, if one muscle is not doing its job then another is working twice as hard therefore increasing the risk of injury. It may be okay for a short period but based on the level of training, it's only a matter of time before something breaks down, making it extremely important to maintain balance across the board.

Though no longer playing professional football, massage will remain a key component of my lifestyle and well being for the rest of my life. I look forward to the moment an athlete comes knocking, however, this time I'll be dropping in the elbows!

 David Tarka - Jul 09 Master Trainer Advantage Graduate


 "I'm very excited to have the opportunity to complete the Master Trainer course at the Australian Institute of Fitness. I've always been passionate about sports, health and fitness and the Master Trainer course will enable me to take my passion to the next level by giving me the skills and knowledge I need to excel in the health and fitness industry.

I'm aspiring to create a personal training business that is accessible to all in the community and one that focuses on the whole person, from the inside out. As a single parent, I am very aware of the financial obstacles (amongst others!) that prevents people from being able to access the help and support they need to reach their health and fitness goals. So my goal is to provide a service to those people and the rest of the community that encompasses my values of holistic health, fitness and well being. I also study Sustainable Development and Politics and International Studies at uni and plan to incorporate sustainability ideas and principles into my fitness studies and career aspirations.

People don't often think about sustainability and "changing the world" through fitness or personal training, however, I have come to believe through my own health and fitness journey that sustainability starts with our own bodies.

The Master Trainer course will be the first awesome step of many in my journey as a health and fitness professional and I look forward to meeting a whole awesome, inspirational people along the way!

 Elly Stone - 2009 Monty Dortkamp Scholarship recipient


"Thanks again for all your support and encouraging me to get my assessment done - I'm very glad I did it. I felt a really big sense of achievement after having done it, it was definitely a confidence boost to know that I did it! You are a great teacher and it is amazing what you taught us in such a short space of time."

Paula - February 09 Group Exercise Graduate


"Thanks to everyone at the Institute. I had heaps of fun and furthered my education in the fitness industry. It's a great course and not just the coaches make the experience worthwhile. It's a great all round team. Keep up the good work and the battle against SeDs!"

Shaun - January 09 Master Trainer Graduate


 "I would just like to say thank you to all the staff at the Institute for your help and support during the course. I thoroughly enjoyed it and know that the knowledge I picked up will be invaluable as I move into a new career."

 Kate - January 09 Master Trainer Graduate