What Happens on an Exercise Referral Course? What to Expect
Knowing what to expect before you book makes the decision easier. Here's what the Level 3 Exercise Referral course actually involves, day to day.
The overall structure
The course is delivered in-person over 5 days at the English Institute of Sport in Sheffield, combining theory-based lectures with practical, hands-on workshops.
What you'll cover
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How to plan, adapt and deliver exercise sessions for adults with long-term health conditions
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Condition-specific considerations across cardiovascular, respiratory, musculoskeletal and mental health presentations
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Working within your defined scope of practice, and when to refer onward
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Building the kind of client relationships and referral pathways that work with local healthcare providers
How you're assessed
Assessment is built progressively across the course rather than through one high-pressure final exam, combining practical delivery with theory-based work.
Why in-person delivery matters here
Working with referred clients safely depends on judgement calls that are difficult to build through video-only learning. Having a tutor in the room to answer questions and give direct feedback on your approach makes a genuine difference to your confidence once you're working independently.