TAFE NSW Tamworth fitness graduates Adam Brook and Sami Rigby are encouraging others to consider a career in the fitness industry as the Tamworth community continues to battle the national obesity epidemic.  

According to the Australian Government Institute of Health and Welfare 2019 report, nearly two thirds (63 per cent) of all Australian adults are overweight or obese, while the Heart Foundation has revealed that Tamworth has a 69 per cent rate of physical inactivity, which is higher than the national average of 66 per cent. 

Mr Brook had always been interested in fitness and nutrition and was looking to trade in his electrical tools for a career he was passionate about. He decided to study a Certificate III and IV in Fitness at TAFE NSW Tamworth and is now the Gym Director at Fit2Function. 

“I’ve always been into sports, and I was at the point in my life where I needed something to inspire me -something worth getting out of bed for.  

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

Mrs Rigby studied a Certificate III and IV in Fitness at TAFE NSW and is now operating an exclusive women’s only strength gym, Pink Battalion Fitness, where she is a strong advocate of women’s health and empowerment. 

“After being overweight and unhealthy myself, I decided to make a change when my daughter was young,” Mrs Rigby said. 

“Studying face-to-face at TAFE NSW provided me with not only the skills to change my life, but to help others make a change for the better. I’d encourage others with an interest in the fitness industry to study at TAFE NSW.”  

TAFE NSW Fitness Teacher, Simone Carroll-Germech, said “National data reveals that the prevalence of overweight and obesity has increased from 56 per cent in 1996 to 63 per cent in 2019, and 43 per cent of adults in regional areas like Tamworth have a significantly higher prevalence of overweight or obesity issues. 

“While these are incredibly alarming statistics, it does mean that there are 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 and IV in Fitness available at TAFE NSW Tamworth for enrolment in Semester 1, 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.