A career in the fitness industry is appealing to many people.
However, training courses are not cheap, and when you add to that the cost of travel to the UK and accommodation, the cost for Manx residents can easily double.
Earlier this year Karen Hanly, owner of Warehouse Fitness Ladies Only Gym, advertised for a Level 2 qualified instructor to teach at Warehouse Fitness in Westmoreland Road, Douglas.
Karen was disappointed as while there were plenty of applications, none had the necessary qualification.
Karen decided the best way forward would be to become qualified herself and she contacted Focus Training, one of the UK’s leading providers of fitness training.
Like many before her Karen was shocked when she realised just how expensive it would be to attend the necessary courses in England. However, rather than put off her dream Karen discussed the possibility of Focus Training coming to the island. Karen said: ‘I needed to do this course to increase even further the variety of classes available to members at Warehouse Fitness. Another member of staff wanted to do the course too and so we were looking at a total cost of over £2,000. By offering our facilities to Focus Training to run their courses, not only did it reduce the cost for me personally, it also opened up the training possibility to others.’
This idea proved to be a great success and in April 13 people attended the Isle of Man’s first Focus Training Level 2 Gym Instructors Course and Spin Instructors Course.
Mike Watts from Focus Training enjoyed his first visit to the island and said: ‘The facilities at Warehouse Fitness are excellent and the setting makes a perfect teaching environment.’
The island has a focus on reducing obesity levels, especially in its young people, and Karen believes having more qualified fitness professionals can help the island achieve its objectives. It is planned that there will be a second Level 2 Instructors Course and a Level 3/ Personal Trainer Course later in the year. Anyone interested in attending the courses should contact Karen at Warehouse Fitness on 679419 for more information.