Gerard is a graduate of the CEHF, Class of 2012. He works with some fellow class mates and previous NCEF graduates at KBAM Fitness in Limerick

"I work as a Quality Engineer. Sport is my passion and in particular rowing. I coach at UL Rowing Club.

The attraction to NCEF was the condensed, intensive nature of the course, location and partnership with University of Limerick. There was a clear modular approach with expert online study aids and extensive information available from staff.

I now have a new found respect for the fitness industry. The levels of commitment and knowledge required to operate in this ever expanding and highly competitive industry are extensive. Subsequently, I have become involved with groups of like-minded individuals, striving to promote the health-related benefits of exercise at all ages.

I now work with a group of like-minded NCEF graduates where we put these skills into practice daily at KBAM Fitness in Limerick.”

Gerard Sheehan

Adam  is a graduate of the CEHF, Class of 2010. He is a qualified Personal Trainer, Pilates & Corrective Exercise Specialist and completed Facility Operations – E-Learning Module. He is currently pursuing the Diploma in Exercise & Health Fitness (DEHF)

"At age twelve I was packed off to boarding school. That was Ireland in the 1950’s. From an early age I developed a great love of sport and physical activity. I have had a great career as an athlete and have spent over twenty years coaching and helping others with their training. I completed the CEHF in 2009. It was a most enlightening educational experience. My best day came when I received my first class honours Certificate from the University of Limerick in August 2010.

The knowledge gained has given me the confidence to establish up my own fitness business doing personal training, Pilate’s classes, body conditioning sessions and more which I am developing as retirement plan. I have past normal retirement age but have no intention of giving up thanks to NCEF. It’s never too late to start and always too soon to finish."

Adam Jones

Lisa Farrelly completed the CEHF through a Post Leaving Certificate college. She progressed on to Stage 2, 3 & 4 of the pathway on a part-time basis, while working full-time. In January 2013 she will graduate with the B.Sc. in Exercise & Health Fitness.

"I cannot stress enough how grateful I am to the NCEF and all of those involved in delivering it. When I began the pathway I anticipated completing only stage one however, my course coordinator and tutors made me realise my love for the fitness industry and desire to progress. Each and every tutor I have met since all go above and beyond to help their students reach their maximum potential.

I am delighted to have reached the final stage of the pathway and I am looking forward to graduating with the B.Sc. in Exercise & Health Fitness."

Lisa Farrelly

Karen Hanlon successfully completed The CEHF through Motions Fitness with University of Limerick, gaining 1st class honours. She successfully completed the Personal Training Specialist Course, as part of the HCEHF, and currently is awaiting results of Pilates and Facilities Management and hopes to graduate in August. Karen hopes to progress to Year 3 and complete the Tutor Education Strand of the Diploma in Exercise and Health Fitness (DEHF).

"The NCEF run a fantastic range of courses. The tutors are one of the best in the country, totally devoted, dedicated and committed to each student. Their out of hours work and quick responses to queries is above and beyond what you expect. The support and encouragement they provided, through each stage was outstanding. I could not have done it or done so well without them.

The graduation ceremony was the highlight of my road so far. Each student was made to feel a great sense of achievement, self satisfaction and self esteem, far and beyond anything one can imagine.

The people you meet along the road are from all different backgrounds, with different goals, but all are like minded people and friends. I am very much looking forward to graduating in August, and starting the Diploma in Exercise and Health Fitness.

I highly recommend choosing the NCEF and University of Limerick, as a pathway to achieving the most highly recognised qualifications in the fitness industry. It opens up a new world to you, as it is so extensive, in what it covers, through a variety of modules.

Subsequently, I am now doing part time work in Westpark Gym, Tallaght, Dublin, taking classes and doing one on one client sessions.

I genuinely thank all involved at the NCEF for their passion, support and commitment to all. They really and truly made me feel part of their family."

Karen Hamilton

Linda successfully completed the CEHF through NCEF Education and Training (NET) at the University of Limerick, gaining 1st class honors. She is also a qualified Pilates instructor and teaches freelance in the Limerick area.

"Taking the NCEF programme was a valuable step in furthering my skills as a fitness professional. I am passionate about the benefits of exercise to mental and physical health and I’ve attended many fitness and rehabilitation courses both in Ireland and abroad. I qualified as a Pilates instructor some years ago specialising in the Reformer and equipment based training and I was keen to advance my knowledge in the area of fitness and health. I chose NCEF because of its reputation of being a leading provider in fitness education, and it certainly didn’t disappoint!

The weekend programme was intensive and although it involved hours of home study and practice, this schedule enabled me to fulfill my other work and home obligations. The programme tutors were especially good with us mature students and they went above and beyond to facilitate a successful outcome. Their support and commitment was exceptional and they positively promoted the highest standards of professionalism in fitness training. The facilities at the University of Limerick are superb and a wonderful place to study and train.

I look forward to developing the relationship with NCEF!"

Linda Lane

"I always said to myself that some day I would love to turn my hobby into my job and with the help of the NCEF this has now become a reality. I wake up for work in the mornings and I don’t get that feeling of "oh no! I have to go to work". Instead it’s more like whoop, I have a step class, Pilates class and some one to one sessions on today, so lets get going!

Every tutor on the NCEF panel would bend over backwards to help and get you through any difficulties or queries that may arise from time to time and are very quick to respond via email too. I remember the first day on the CEHF course, the tutors had some really nice ice breakers for the class to get to know each other and we were giving a breakdown of what to expect during the course from start to finish. The CEHF course motivated me to want to learn more and more and so, I completed some of the Year 2 Specialist Courses that the NCEF has to offer. These course really helped me to secure a full time job in the fitness industry.

If anyone is interested in participating in a fitness course than I would highly recommend the NCEF for it’s excellent tutors who each give pristine and easy to follow classes in a comfortable environment. It’s also comforting to know that when attending a job interview that one of the first questions an employer will ask is are you NCEF qualified".

Billy Noble

“I have been involved with the NCEF since its inception in 1987. I have seen this organisation grow from strength to strength always led by a dynamic group of committed staff. Their priority is to provide high level quality professional qualifications to an industry led business, ensuring the most up to date research backs their thinking. As a result the health and exercise professional is assured that their welfare and continued education at all times is considered. By providing an extended pathway of learning with accredited University of Limerick courses each exercise professional has the option of choosing how far and when they can travel on the continuum of learning.

The NCEF has been the voice and leader in instituting high standards in this field. Twenty five years initiating change and demanding recognition for exercise professionals is a testament to the commitment of the NCEF. It has been my pleasure to work with the NCEF in a variety of capacities, and I look forward to the continued success and recognition of their efforts in this field.”

Carmel Vekins

Retired Lecturer

Physical Education and Sports Sciences Department

University of Limerick

Carmel Vekins

"From its inception, the NCEF has strived to provide quality assurance for students wishing to pursue courses in exercise and fitness. To this end it has been the leading body in setting up courses with recognised qualifications. Looking at the NCEF now with its educational pathway from Certificate to Degree it is hard to imagine the painstaking work that has gone into achieving this.

I have been involved with the NCEF from the early years. I had set up a fitness business in the 80’s and the business expanded to the point where I need a variety of fitness instructors. It was not easy at that time to find suitably qualified instructors. There were courses of all types being offered but there was no quality control and therefore difficult to assess the value of many of the qualifications that people had when they turned up for interviews.

When the NCEF was set up through the PEAI, I was keen to become involved. As a physical education graduate and now fitness centre owner I felt that Motions Health & Fitness was ideally placed to become a Certified Provider for this new course. The idea of teaching a course that was based in a working fitness centre appealed to me.

Our first course had 14 students and I am pleased that some of the tutors and students from that course are still working for Motions nearly 25 years later. We have run the Certificate course every year since then.

Motions Training is now the main Certified Provider in Dublin with full time and part time courses each year in UCD, Palmerstown and the City Centre."

Brendan Hackett

Director, Motions Training

www.motions.ie

MOTIONS TRAINING

"Maltings Training has been a Certified Provider for the NCEF since 1993, and we are proud of our 19 year association. We continue to provide the NCEF in its new format the CEHF in Galway, and more recently at the I.T in Carlow.

The past 25 years have seen many changes in the development of the NCEF yet the transitions that have taken place have always been, and continue to be in the best interests of the students who undertake these programmes. There has been many new challenges in the Health & Fitness Sector which the NCEF continues to evolve to meet."

Derek Phelan

Director, Maltings Training

www.maltingstraining.ie

MALTINGS FITNESS