Leanne Rive - Jersey - Sep 08

I chose the FIE back in September 2006, I had been looking for a while for a course to do through correspondence, the price was right and the facility to video exams suited me perfectly as I didn't have the money or the freedom to travel to the mainland.

I had been a gym and aerobics instructor when I left school in Ireland, I did some Travelling and ended up in Jersey, I remember going for a job interview in a gym here and found the wages were barley enough to live on and ended up leaving the industry for a few years.

After I had my son I got back into the gym and decided to get back running etc, after my daughter was born I ran my first marathon and I am now about to do my ninth. I found the PT course and really wanted to do it, I was a bit naive to start with thinking it would only take a year to do but rolled into two.

I found the freedom to dip in and out of it a real help as with two little ones and a husband who works all the hours of the day a struggle, my local gym was very helpful and allowed me to shadow trainers and practice my circuits. I would recommend anyone who does this course to do the same. The course was pretty straight forward and I found Tutor support a helpful tool and I don't remember waiting too long for help.

I printed and bounded all of my course modules, I needed to have access to the course away from a PC sometimes, I went on a couple of training days and found them very informative, the circuits one was great fun.

I applied for planning permission towards the end of the course as I found that working freelance with everything in the boot and been weather dependant for cardio based sessions a bit of a nightmare. I now have my own studio out of town and at the minute I have no room for new clients and have a waiting list. I do an average of 25 sessions a week which is all I can fit without compromising family life.

I would recommend the PT course, its flexible, affordable ,educational and will give you a career in the fitness industry, and if your like me and love inspiring others, its a great job.