Harry bulks up his training business
STUDYING exercise and fitness at college has paid off for Harry Morris, who is now a personal trainer.
The 19- year- old, from Stourbridge, West Midlands, gained A-levels in business, media and physical education in September 2016.
He then enrolled on a course at Birmingham Metropolitan College (BMet), where he studied for a Level 2 Active IQ Fitness Instructing Certificate course, followed by a Level 3 Active IQ Personal Training Certificate.
Harry says: ‘I studied both qualifications in one year and learned how to take someone through a fitness programme safely, then tailor a programme to suit individual needs.
‘There are a lot of fast-track courses in personal training that people can complete in six or eight weeks, which is fine, but these might not put you in the situations you’ll face when you’re qualified. And you’ll miss out on the chance to develop relationships with clients over a period of time. My lecturers were amazing, too. They still work as trainers, so I benefited from their skills and business acumen.’
While studying at the college, Harry took part in the WorldSkills UK Fitness Trainer Competition.
As one of 40 competitors from 20 institutions, he had to demonstrate his ability to consult with a client about their fitness goals and develop a training session.
Harry, who has now started working freelance, says: ‘ This is a rapidly growing industry. If you’re a coach or a personal trainer, delivering a good service is very important.
‘I really want my business to be about the personal touch and value through service. I’m hoping to develop a hybrid training model, combining one-to-one training and online coaching.
‘This will help my clients make long-term progress and create a more cost-effective service, while still maintaining a personalised experience.’
For more about courses at BMet visit bmet.ac.uk