Tash Law doing what she loves!
Serious about turning her hobby into a career, Tash Law enrolled in EIT’s Certificate in Health & Fitness. She now works as a personal trainer at the YMCA and loves it.
The qualification Tash gained includes REPs (Registered Exercise Professional) accreditation, which allowed her to build a new career that she could take anywhere. As it happens, it also fits in with her family’s needs and the trucking business she and her husband have built up over the years.
“I do the books and paperwork for our bulk cartage company Law Haulage’” Tash says. “Personal training and fitness work is something I love to do and I have been able to incorporate that into our other work and earn extra money in my own time.”
This new strand in her career grew out of her enthusiasm for exercise that developed as she got back in shape after having three children. The ensuing seven years of training included competitive bodybuilding and a Fight For Life boxing match. She then started informally teaching Les Mills RPM classes, and about a year ago transferred to the YMCA where she needed the REPs accreditation to work as a personal trainer.
Despite not having studied since she left school, Tash enjoyed the learning environment at EIT.
“I really enjoyed the whole process, from the interview with (EIT tutor) Ashley. I felt quite at ease going in at 38 years old and not having studied for a while. The anatomy, learning about the bones and muscles, was challenging but fascinating, and I included the kids in that which made it fun. I think my 13-year-old daughter appreciated seeing me stepping out of my comfort zone and trying something new.”
People find different reasons to train at different stages of life, and the same applies with working in health and fitness, says Tash.
“It’s interesting to get into the health and fitness industry later in life, but that’s when you start thinking more about your health and your kids’ futures, and what you’re feeding them and teaching them.”
With the health and fitness industry looking set to keep growing, a relevant qualification opens the door to those who want to make a career out of helping people achieve their health goals. .
“It’s very on-trend to be in the health and fitness industry at the moment with people talking about it on social media through groups. My fitness manager at the YMCA says the industry has been one of the fastest growing over the past few years and that it will continue to grow over the coming years.
“People are looking for a longer more l fulfilling life. It’s not just about losing weight but learning what exercise does to our bodies and state of mind and with group exercise there’s a great social connection as well.”