Looking to become a personal trainer, but aren’t sure what course is right for you? You should read this…
If you have a passion for health and fitness and enjoy helping others, a career as a personal trainer or gym instructor could be for you. But with a range of courses on offer, it can be difficult to find the one that gives you the skills, experience and qualifications to stand out to employers.
We spoke to Study Active, an Active IQ approved centre with CIMSPA endorsed status, to find out which courses are available, and what to look for when choosing a personal trainer course:
If you want to become a gym instructor…
We recommend: CIMSPA Level 2 Gym Instructor Certificate.
What it involves: This course will teach you the fundamentals of gym instructing, including key topics such as Principles of Anatomy, Physiology & Fitness, Professionalism & Customer Care for Fitness Instructors, Health & Safety in Fitness, and more.
What you’ll need: An active interest in fitness and a keen interest in pursuing a career as a gym instructor.
Where will it lead? On completion of this course, you’ll be fully qualified to start working as a gym instructor.
If you want to become a personal trainer…
We recommend: CIMSPA Level 3 Personal Trainer Diploma.
What it involves: You’ll study a range of core modules in this course, including Applied Anatomy & Physiology for Exercise, Health & Fitness, The Principles of Nutrition & their Application to Exercise, Programme Design & Delivery for Personal Training, and more.
What you’ll need: The Level 2 Gym Instructor Certificate is a prerequisite for those looking to take this course. Alternatively, you can take the CIMSPA Level 3 Gym Instructor and Personal Trainer Diploma which includes both courses.
Where will it lead? On completion of this course, you’ll be fully qualified to start working as a personal trainer.
If you want to take further training…
We recommend: RSPH Level 4 Award in Nutrition.
What it involves: This course is perfect for qualified personal trainers who are looking to diversify their skill set. It covers the principles of fitness and nutrition, with additional modules in Plant-Based Diet, Ketogenic Diet, Fueling Physical Activity, and Obesity Myths.
What you’ll need: A Level 3 Qualification in Nutrition (Or a recognised Level 3 Personal Trainer qualification that included Nutrition) is recommended, but other relevant qualifications and/or experience may also be sufficient.
Where will it lead? On completion of this course, you’ll be fully qualified to start working as a nutrition coach or nutritional advisor. You’ll also be eligible to join the RSPH as a member.
What to look for when choosing a personal trainer course
- Always choose a CIMSPA endorsed Training provider – such as Study Active. This ensures that the provider has undergone the vigorous quality control that CIMSPA insists on. To check this, please visit the CIMSPA Directory and search under “partners” and look for a provider with “Training Provider Partner” status.
- Always look for a reputable CIMSPA endorsed awarding body (such as Active IQ). CIMSPA stands for the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity, and is the industry standard professional body for the sport and physical activity sector in the UK.
- Make sure the qualification is Ofqual regulated. When a qualification is Ofqual regulated, it means it has gone through a rigorous process of development, assessment, and review to meet specific criteria and maintain consistent quality. This ensures that learners receive qualifications that are reliable, valid, and fit for purpose.
- Choose the right learning method for you. Would you like to study online or in a classroom? Or would a blended learning approach work best for you? If you choose to study online, make sure your chosen course provides an opportunity for practical input and assessment.
- Figure out what you want to get out of the course. Before you decide on a course, it’s important to assess your requirements and current experience level. If you’re interested in becoming a personal trainer, the Level 3 Personal Trainer Diploma is for you. But if you’re already Level 3 qualified and you’re looking to develop further, you could opt for a Level 4 Personal Trainer course, or a Level 4 Nutrition Award.
- Remember that your experience will vary depending on who you study with. Each learning provider offers different levels of learning resources, tutors and facilities, so it’s important to do your research on what the course includes before you commit to a particular one. Even if the course is online, always check that face to face practical coaching/assessments are an option.
View all personal trainer courses
Why study with Study Active?
Study Active is the UK’s leading provider for Level 2 Gym Instructor and Level 3 & Level 4 Personal Trainer qualifications.
They’re an Active IQ approved centre with CIMSPA endorsed status, delivering a range of industry recognised online and blended certifications which combine e-learning, webinars, dedicated tutorials and optional practical workshops.
More reasons to study with Study Active include:
- Flexible assessment options & unlimited assessment attempts at no extra cost
- Dedicated team of experts in Fitness Education
- On demand one-to-one support, via email, phone or Zoom
- 0% interest-free finance options available
- Price beat guarantee – beat any genuine like for like price in UK
- Guaranteed interview scheme
- 20 FREE CPD units for all students
- FREE lifelong careers advice & PT business support – interview advice & start up support during and after your studies
Study Active is the UK’s leading provider for Level 2 Gym Instructor and Level 3 & Level 4 Personal Trainer qualifications.
