TAFE NSW Bathurst Fitness graduate Corinda Barlow is encouraging others to consider a career in the fitness industry as the Bathurst community continues to battle its share of the national obesity epidemic.  

According to the Australian Heart Foundation, Bathurst has a 43 per cent rate of obesity, which is higher than the national average of 31 per cent. 

Ms Barlow was looking for a career change after being a full-time carer, she wanted to better not only her own health, but the health of others in the community. She decided to study a Certificate III in Fitness at TAFE NSW Bathurst and is now an Aqua Aerobics Instructor at Manning Aquatic Centre Bathurst. 

“Studying at TAFE NSW helped me gain hands-on practical skills to make a positive impact on others, and was a key factor in enabling me to break into the fitness industry,” Ms Barlow said. 

“I’ve learnt a lot about the fitness industry, the course also provided me with communication skills and the confidence to speak and instruct others. 

“I’m really enjoying helping members of the community achieve their health and fitness goals and lessening the rate of obesity and health problems.” 

TAFE NSW Head Teacher of Sport and Recreation, Simone Carroll-Germech, said “National data reveals that the prevalence of overweight and obesity has increased significantly over the past five years with adults in regional areas like Bathurst having a higher occurrence of obesity issues. 

“While these are incredibly alarming statistics, what it does mean is there’s lots of rewarding career opportunities available in this industry, from a fitness instructor, personal trainers to centre managers and everything in between.  

“Some of the benefits of working in fitness include flexible working conditions, you get to meet lots of new people, and you get a lot of satisfaction from helping people succeed and most importantly – it’s fun.”  

Ms Carroll-Germech said the first step to a career in fitness was obtaining at least a Certificate III in Fitness (Gym Instructor), which teaches you how to instruct and support people of all ages, practice different forms of exercise, learn about human anatomy in relation to fitness, First Aid and how to ensure the safety of clients.  

For more information about the Certificate III in Fitness (Gym Instructor) available at TAFE NSW Bathurst for enrolment in Semester 1 2021, visit www.tafensw.edu.au or phone 131 601.  

Media contact: Emma Curtis, TAFE NSW Media and Communications Business Partner, (02) 6338 2509, mobile 0427 901 515.