ITEC Diplomas

Gym Instructor and Fitness Studio Instructor Courses

Run by Litton Lane Training

Information meetings on upcoming ITEC Courses click here for details.

• Why should you choose Litton Lane Training?
• Who are ITEC?
• Who are FETAC?
• Benefits of adding FETAC Sports and Recreation Level 5
• Which FETAC Level 5 Modules will be covered?
• Who are Litton Lane Training?
• Who is involved with Litton Lane Training?
• What is the aim of the ITEC Gym/Studio Instructor Course?
• Are the Gym Instruction and Studio Instruction Diplomas separate qualifications?
• Where do the courses take place?
• What are the fees associated with the various training options?
• What is the content of the Gym Instruction Module?
• What is the content of the Studio Instruction Module?
• What is the content of the Business and Professional Conduct Module?
• What is the content of the Anatomy and Physiology Module?
• What does the Add-on Personal Training module involve?
• What examinations are involved with the ITEC Diplomas?
• If I do not pass an exam do I repeat that exam alone or the whole course?
• What are the stages involved with becoming a Fitness Professional with Litton Lane Training?
• What are the payment options for the course?
• What is the entry criteria?

• How do I find out more information or book a course?

Why should you choose Litton Lane Training?

At Litton Lane Training we train students not just for examinations but for the work that they will be involved with following the course. Successful instructors and trainers need to be motivated, enthusiastic, knowledgeable, creative and flexible among other things. This is why we not only comprehensively cover the principles and practice of Fitness Instruction but also include extra modules such as Indoor Biking Instruction, First Aid, Studio Boxing and an Add-On Personal Training Option all of which will give you the edge when you qualify. On your course we will demand a lot from you and will also expect you to help us realise your full potential. You are training to help other people improve their own health and fitness. What could be more important?

15 reasons to choose the Litton Lane Training / ITEC Gym and Studio Instructor Diploma

1. Course will comprehensively prepare you for work in a fitness centre or on a freelance basis in halls, schools, and with teams
2. Course awarded by ITEC who have a presence in over 30 countries and which is recognised by IREPS (Irish Register 0f Exercise Professionals).
3. Course is accepted by employers and insurance companies
4. Option to attend Gym Instruction Diploma and / or Studio Diploma. Therefore if you do not want to do the studio module you can still get a qualification to work in the gym.
5. Students have either full or restricted access (depending on venue) to the fitness centre where the course is running for the duration of the course
6. Practical emphasis on education of students and the objective is to create confident and competent trainers who can adapt to all environments
7. Course tutors are successful professionals working in the fitness industry so they know what it takes to succeed.
8. Course fees are competitive when compared to other operators
9. Course fees can be paid in installments if requested
10. Discount given for full payments up front
11. Options for other training options with Litton Lane Training with other international training bodies such as ACSM (USA) and STOTT PILATES® ( Canada )
12. Course includes indoor cycling training module
13. Course includes studio boxing training module
14. Course includes First Aid qualification
15. Add On introduction to Personal Training available

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Who are ITEC?

• ITEC is an international examination board offering a variety of qualifications worldwide.
• ITEC provides 25 qualifications the majority of which are UK government accredited by the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority (QCA), on behalf of the Department for Education and Skills, and are registered on the National Qualifications Framework in the UK . These ITEC qualifications attract funding from the Learning and Skills Council.
• ITEC qualifications are supported by industry and are easily transportable nationally and internationally.
• The ITEC system is expressed in units allowing students to study at their own pace and to study the modules that they are interested in.
• ITEC has ensured that best practice in the work place has been reflected in the syllabus for each qualification and each has been linked to the relevant job role, as well as ensuring that the syllabus reflects the required level of knowledge and skill needed for a practicing instructor or therapist.
• Litton Lane Training has delivered this ITEC Fitness Instructor Diploma course to a number of educational organisations including students on the Sports Science Degree program at Dublin City University .
• Following the Fitness Instructor Diploma Course there are a wide variety of follow on education options such as Personal Training, Massage Therapy, Diet and Nutrition and STOTT PILATES courses.

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Who are FETAC?

As the national awarding body for further education and training in Ireland , the Further Education and Training Awards Council (FETAC) gives people the opportunity to gain recognition for learning in education or training centres, in the work place and in the community.

FETAC's functions include:

•  making and promoting awards

•  validating programmes

•  monitoring and ensuring the quality of programmes

•  determining standards

Programmes leading to FETAC awards are offered nationwide by a wide range of providers in diverse settings, including BIM, Fáilte Ireland (CERT), FÁS and Teagasc centres, VEC's, adult and community education and training centres, Institutes of Technology and in the workplace.

FETAC was set up as a statutory body on 11 June 2001 by the Minister for Education and Science under the Qualifications (Education & Training) Act, 1999. FETAC has responsibility for making awards previously made by BIM, Fáilte Ireland (CERT), FÁS, NCVA and Teagasc and has made over 750,000 awards to date.

FETAC's Mission

FETAC's mission is to make quality assured awards in accordance with national standards within the national framework, creating opportunities for all learners in further education and training to have their achievements recognised and providing access to systematic progression pathways.

FETAC Values

Different approaches to and modes of learning are valued, and in all of its activities FETAC will keep this central to its policy development and practice.

FETAC values partnership with its stakeholders as essential to achieving its goals. This means partners will have well-structured opportunities to influence the policies that underpin FETAC's services.

The value of enabling people also underpins FETAC's work. FETAC will respect and encourage the potential and abilities of its staff. This value will also underpin FETAC's interaction with its key stakeholders.

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Benefits of adding FETAC Sports and Recreation Level 5

If you are interested in using your fitness qualifications to apply through the CAO system and go to third level education then the best option is to take the day course (Mon/Tues/Wed) listed above along with the FETAC Level 5 Sports and Recreation award which runs five days per week

The modules taken for your Sports and Recreation Level 5 will be Health Related Fitness, Exercise and Fitness, Anatomy/Physiology, Occupational First Aid, Work Experience, Communications, Sports and Recreation, Leisure Administration.

A number of third level colleges reserve places for students with this Level 5 full award who apply through the CAO system and the equivalent of 400 Leaving Certificate points can be achieved in this way.

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Which FETAC Level 5 Modules will be covered?

• Anatomy/Physiology
• Health Related Fitness
• Exercise and Fitness
• Occupational First Aid
• Leisure Administration
• Work Experience
• Communications
• Sports and Recreation

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Who are Litton Lane Training?

Litton Lane Training has been running health and fitness courses since 1987. As the years pass an increasing number of students are enrolling and graduating from an expanding list of courses. The head office is currently based at Dunboyne Business Park while courses run at a variety of other venues around the country. Our website is www.littonlanetraining.com .

Over the years Litton Lane Training has developed a strong and reliable reputation due to its high standard of course content and delivery. In the health and fitness business, similar to any other business, reputation is enhanced only by consistently delivering a high standard of service at a competitive price. Our business is all about service and looking after the students that enrol on our courses. We see it as an enjoyable challenge to ensure that each student is happy with their course experience. This philosophy is reflected in our mission statement which is -

Litton Lane Training Mission Statement

To provide the highest possible standard of, up to date and externally validated fitness and therapy professional training programs with a view to preparing, empowering and inspiring our students to work in these areas in a confident, successful and effective manner.

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Who is involved with Litton Lane Training?

Litton Lane Training is managed by Philip Phelan and supported by Helen Synnott (program facilitator) along with a strong team of trainers who deliver on the courses. Some information on the team is given below

Program Manager

Philip Phelan is the director of Litton Lane Training. Although not starting his career in the area of health and fitness his attendance on part time fitness education courses caused a change in career which from then to now has been continuously developing. Over recent years he has attended courses and delivered programs for all the main course providers in this country resulting in him having a clear insight into what is required on health and fitness training courses and what is currently on offer. He possesses a wide range of qualifications and experience and has practiced in all of the disciplines covered by Litton Lane Training. Certificates in Fitness Instruction, personal training, advanced resistance training, course tutoring were quickly followed by a degree in physiotherapy at Trinity College and a masters degree in Sports Medical Science at University College Dublin. Further education included manual handling instructor training, patient handling training and STOTT PILATES mat and reformer training courses. He leads by example by continuing to learn about new training and therapy techniques and his mantra being that in order to progress we should always be looking to improve the way we perform any task therefore learning should never stop.

Philips experience includes work in fitness centres, freelance class teaching, personal training (including his role as the fitness expert with three clients on RTE's The Afternoon Show). He has trained a number of club teams in Gaelic Football and two county teams for a total of five years. Other sports support experience included the training of professional boxers to European Champion level and amateur boxers to Olympic level. He also works in the role of chartered physiotherapist to the Irish U/16 and U/19 international football teams. Philip works as the VHI fitness and injury expert on the Vhi health steps website where members can receive answers to their health and fitness queries. He also contributes to a newly published Life and Fitness magazine.

Program Facilitator

Helen Synnott works as program facilitator which is a demanding and responsible role. Her diligence, work ethic, passion towards her work and unending enthusiasm helps her to excel in this exciting and challenging position. She constantly demonstrates sensitivity to the needs and concerns of all students and motivates them to perform to the best of their capacity along with the help of the other trainers. Her continuously positive approach to the facilitation of students and courses makes her a good role model for all trainee instructors. Helen has qualified as a fitness instructor, personal trainer and course trainer and has also completed the STOTT PILATES Mat Instructors course. Her areas of work include course facilitation and training, fitness class instruction, personal training and pilates instruction.

Teaching Staff

Litton Lane Training course trainers are all qualified and experienced specialists in their own area of expertise. Trainers need to have this solid background of qualifications and experience before being approved to teach on any of the courses offered. These trainers are also continuously updating their own education in order to ensure that they stay to the forefront of their professions. The desire and commitment to continuously read, research and attend seminars or conferences is crucial to the ongoing development of any health/fitness professional. Our trainers are expected to be enthusiastic, helpful, friendly, and to go to great lengths to ensure that students both enjoy and benefit from all courses.

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What is the aim of the ITEC Gym/Studio Instructor Course?

The aim of the course is to teach students the skills of assessing the exercise needs of individuals and groups and to provide an appropriate training program to meet those needs. The course syllabus allows for a large emphasis to be placed on the practical elements of the course.

Students are trained in areas such as resistance and circuit training, exercise to music and step aerobics, body conditioning and flexibility. The inclusion of other topics such as anatomy, physiology, nutrition, stress management and first aid ensure that all aspects of health and fitness instruction are covered.

Students also have the option of taking the Personal Training Introductory Course as an add-on option, in order to allow an involvement in this aspect of work if desired

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 Are the Gym Instruction and Studio Instruction Diplomas separate qualifications?

 Yes. This allows students who do not wish to teach aerobics and other studio elements an opportunity to gain certification and work in the gym setting. However if the student has the ability to certify in gym instruction and studio instruction we advise this as it increases work options after the course.

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Where do the courses take place?

The venues and schedules of ITEC Fitness Instructor Courses run by Litton Lane Training are outlined below

Venue - Dublin City University , Glasnevin, Dublin 9.

Venue - Westpark Fitness, Greenhills Road , Tallaght, Dublin 24.

Venue - Carrigaline Court Hotel , Cork .

Venue Leisureworld, Bishopstown, Co Cork

Fitness Instruction added to FETAC Level 5 Sports and Recreation Course Fees

The FETAC Sports and Recreation Level 5 Full Award must be done as an add-on to one of the fitness Instruction courses and is available for an additional fee of€ 595 . The fitness instructor options still apply and can be availed of in the combination that suits your needs best as follows;

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What is the content of the Gym Instruction Module?

Gym Instruction Diploma Syllabus

• Explain the meaning of physical fitness including its components.
• Understand the factors affecting physical fitness.
• Understand the principles of training and their application to training programs for a variety of individuals.
• Perform a medical and lifestyle screening of a client and advise as to risks or contraindications that may be present before exercise begins.
• Conduct a variety of static measurements such as weight, height, blood pressure and other tests to establish a base with the client.
• Measure components of fitness such as aerobic endurance, flexibility, body fat, and muscle strength/endurance.
• djust the program accordingly depending on the findings of the pre-exercise screening.
• Calculate training heart rates for all clients during aerobic exercise.
• Understand, select and justify and teach a wide range of fitness programs suitable for different clients.
• Explain the structure of a fitness session including warm up and cool down.
• Understand the expected responses of the body to different training programs.
• Demonstrate and teach all known resistance machine weight, free-weight body resistance and other equipment type exercises.
• Explain the benefits and short comings of each type of resistance training device/equipment.
• Design a wide variety of resistance programs to suit any individual.
• Understand and explain the importance of home care advice after each training session.
• Be able to give constructive and specific feed back to the clients while the program progresses.
• Demonstrate and coach a variety of flexibility exercises and sessions using all the methods available.
• Design, teach and supervise modified programs for a variety of clients with special requirements due to medical conditions that may be present.
• Understand and explain controversial exercises which may vary for different clients.
• Understand the risks of overtraining and help clients to avoid this situation with correct programs and close supervision.
• Carry out a risk assessment of an exercise area in order to avoid incidents or accidents and resulting injury.
• Demonstrate good hygiene practices when using exercise areas and equipment.
• Design, demonstrate and teach a variety of circuit training sessions for different clients and different goals.
• Able to deal with emergencies in the exercise area and perform first aid techniques where necessary and appropriate.

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What is the content of the Studio Instruction Module?

Studio Instruction Diploma Syllabus  

What is the content of the Business and Professional Conduct Module?

 Business and Professional Conduct Syllabus

What is the content of the Anatomy and Physiology Module?

Anatomy and Physiology Syllabus  

What examinations are involved with the ITEC Diplomas?

Students will be assessed continuously throughout the course in order to measure progress and performance. Final written and practical examinations take place at the end of the course. All written examinations are multiple choice format with the pass mark of 60%. An ITEC external examiner assesses the practical components where students are expected to perform tasks similar to what would be expected in their work as a trainer. In the gym instruction practical exam the student can be asked to assess a client, design a session and instruct that session in a period of 60 minutes. The studio instruction exam consists of 6-8 students rotating through different elements of studio classes such as warm up, cardio phase, cool-down or body conditioning. Students will be expected to be able to deliver sessions pitched at beginner, intermediate and advanced levels. As part of their assessment and learning students are also expected to produce a case study portfolio which consists of work experience carried out with volunteer clients. The Add-On personal training module is assessed by practical examination only. This involves taking a one to one session in front of an examiner and conducting a screening, lifestyle evaluation, fitness test. With the findings from these a sample program is designed and instructed. Students must also produce a separate case study which involves training one client for at least four sessions and documenting this experience.

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If I do not pass an exam do I repeat that exam alone or the whole course?

The student is only expected to repeat the exam/s that were not passed

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What are the stages involved with becoming a Fitness Professional with Litton Lane Training?

The steps outlined below will give you some idea of the process involved with becoming a Fitness Instructor/Personal Trainer at Litton Lane Training.

• Read all the enclosed information carefully.
• If you are unsure about anything make sure to make contact in order to clarify.
• Try to attend an information meeting as this will help to give you a good feel for what the course entails and you will also get the opportunity to visit the actual venue and view where the course will actually take place.
• If you are happy that you want to do the course a deposit must be sent along with the completed forms.
• While waiting for the course to begin you should be paying attention to your own exercise and eating habits as well as trying to attend a variety of classes or sports training sessions which will help you get to know what is involved with being a fitness instructor.
• On the first day of the course you will need to pay the second instalment of your fee and you will be given your courses notes and DVD's which cover the course material.
• As the courses progresses you will need to make time for revision and practice of the course content. Continuous assessment exams will help the students and trainer to gauge progress throughout the course.
• You will be expected to pay your final fee five weeks after the course begins.
• At the end of the course final exams will take place in all the modules that you have chosen.
• You will now be qualified to work as a fitness professional.

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 What are the payment options for the course?

Litton Lane Training has designed a variety of payment options at least one of which will suit everybody. This are outlined below -

ITEC Fitness Instructor Course - Flexible Payment Options

• Irrespective of payment option selected full fee must be paid as agreed
• Instalment payments must be by direct debit
• Fees are non-refundable under any circumstances

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What is the entry criteria?

• Over 16 years of old
• Clean bill of health
• Should be interested in health/fitness and or sport

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How do I find out more information or book a course

For more information contact Helen on helen@littonlanetraining.com or 086 3572105.

Information meetings are also available where the student can visit the facility and meet the course facilitator.

Application Form

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