Lisa Hartnett
When Lisa Hartnett chose to enrol in AUT’s fitness short courses, she wasn’t just upskilling – she was embarking on a bold new chapter, turning her passion for fitness into a career as a personal trainer.
Why I chose to study these short courses
I chose to study these short courses because I decided to change my career in my early 50s, and fitness has always been a huge part of my life. I absolutely love being in the gym, and I realised I wanted to turn that passion into something meaningful and sustainable for the next stage of my life. Studying at AUT felt like the right place to make that shift, and committing to this new direction has genuinely been one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
What I enjoyed most about my studies
I enjoyed how genuinely fun and engaging the course content was. I connected with the material straight away because I have a real passion for fitness, so learning about something I truly love felt natural and exciting. But what made the experience exceptional were the instructors. They were incredibly knowledgeable, supportive and engaging, and they turned the whole journey into something special. Their guidance played a huge role in helping me become a successful personal trainer, and the fact that we still keep in touch says everything about the quality of the relationships built during the course.
The most valuable thing I learned
The most valuable thing I learned was how to safely and correctly train my clients. Some parts of the course really pushed me, especially learning the biological mechanics, terminology and all the correct muscle names, but that challenge made the knowledge even more rewarding.
What I enjoyed most were the practical elements, like working in groups to design programmes for example clients based on their goals, history, injuries and preferences. It showed me how individualised every prescription needs to be, and I loved seeing the different approaches everyone took. I also really valued the hands‑on time in the gym, working closely with my allocated partner to practise the techniques and processes I now use every day as a personal trainer.
Why I would recommend these short courses
This short course gave me everything I needed to work confidently as a personal trainer at Les Mills. The instructors at the North Campus make the learning experience fun, engaging and genuinely inspiring, and the content is practical, relevant and enjoyable to study. Within just six months, you can step into an entirely new career, just like I did.
In some ways, I wish I’d done it sooner, but becoming a fully qualified personal trainer at 53 has been incredibly empowering. I work with a wide variety of clients, but I especially love supporting women my age and helping them navigate the unique challenges that come with being in your 50s. If the gym is a place you love, like it is for me, then helping people reach their goals and celebrating their milestones along the way is one of the most rewarding things you can do.
