Course
Gym Instructing and Personal Training (Combined)
This course is for anyone who wants to qualify as a personal trainer and doesn’t currently have any qualifications in gym or fitness instructing. With the course, we have included the necessary pre-requisite qualification needed. You’ll enrol onto both the Level 2 Certificate in Gym Instructing and Level 3 Technical Occupational Entry in Personal Training (Diploma). There will be no additional charge for the level 2 part of the course, although if you are paying using an advanced learner loan you will only receive your qualifications once both the level 2 and 3 courses are completed.
The Level 2 Certificate in Gym Instructing qualification is the course for you if you want to work in a gym and develop the skills, knowledge and confidence to plan and deliver gym-based exercise sessions to a variety of clients.
The Level 3 Technical Occupational Entry in Personal Training (Diploma) is the brand-new industry standard qualification which is replacing the Personal Training (PT) course it is our entry-level PT qualification. If you want to work as a PT and develop the skills, knowledge and confidence to plan and deliver personal training programmes for a range of clients with varying goals, wants and needs, then this course is for you.
This qualification is accredited with the world-renowned awarding organisation Active IQ. Once qualified, you'll be able to take your certificate to any employer and offer your services with confidence that you've got the competency needed to do the job of gym instructor and / or personal trainer.
All of Active IQ qualifications delivered by us are recognised by Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA).
Next Course Dates
- Sheffield - Start Date: 23rd May 2026
- Sheffield - Start Date: 1st Aug 2026
- Sheffield - Start Date: 23rd Sep 2026
- Sheffield - Start Date: 17th Oct 2026
Cost: £1,995.00
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Course Summary
The booking option includes both the Level 2 Certificate in Gym Instructing and Level 3 Technical Occupational Entry in Personal Training (Diploma), which are the courses you need to call yourself a PT.
Both courses gives you the skills and knowledge you need to provide one-to-one training, assessments, nutritional advice and progressive programming to a range of individual clients.
This qualification allows you to register with CIMPSA, where you will be placed on a directory and will be able to access further CPD training.
Important information – If you are choosing the 19+ Advanced Learner Loan to pay for your training, this is only available for the level 3 part of this course booking package, we are therefore providing the level 2 Gym Instructing for free, to give you the pre-requisite needed to access the level 3. There are terms and conditions attached to making a booking this way, the main one being that you will only receive your level 2 course certificate, once you have completed both courses. If for whatever reason you complete level 2 and then don’t start level 3, there will be a charge applied for the level 2.
"Doing this course meant I was able to get my career up and running, confident that I have the knowledge to train people safely"
How You're Taught
This course combines the Level 2 Certificate in Gym Instructing and the Level 3 Diploma in Personal Training. In total, the course runs for 14 days (5 days for Level 2 and 9 days for Level 3). Each day starts at 9am and finishes at 5pm - it is essential that you attend all of the days to achieve the qualification.
Level 2 Gym Instructing
There is an element of self-study which you will be required to complete before you attend the course. This includes working through an Anatomy & Physiolgy unit on our learning portal . Details of how to log in to this will be sent once you have booked on the course. We advise you to spend a minimum of two weeks on this part of the course. Your tutor will be available to offer support to you during this time.
This part of the course is usually delivered over two and a half weekends, although we do sometimes offer midweek courses too (typically on Wednesdays and Thursdays for two and a half weeks).
Level 3 Personal Trainer
The practical part of the course runs over 9 days, usually over four and a half weekends (not always consecutive). We do sometimes offer midweek courses, again on Wednesdays and Thursdays.
Assessments are intergrated throughout the course so that you don't have to complete them all at the end.
Assessment
Level 2 Gym Instructing
Theory Exam
- Open-book theory exam consisting of 50 multiple choice anatomy, physiology and fitness questions
Worksheets
- Professionalism and customer care for fitness instructors
- Health and safety in a fitness environment
- Conducting client consultations to support positive behaviour change
Assignments
- Personal and professional development
- Risk assessment, maintenance and handover
- Health promotion poster
Observation x 3
- Consultation with client
- Small group delivery
- Gym coaching session (Intro, Warm-up, Cardio, Resistance Training, Cool-down and Ending)
Level 3 Personal Training
Knowledge Assessments
- 20 short assessments completed online oncourse
- Across 6 units
Assignments
- Written Questions
- Nutritional requirements based on a case study client
- Research and questions on data-driven technology solutions for clients in the exercise and fitness industry
- Professional and Legal requirements
- Create an educational resource and session plan for an ageing client with one of the following four conditions:
- Diabetes
- Obesity
- Cardiorespiratory disease
- Hypertension
Case Study
The case study element of the personal training course has five sections to it. Each of the sections is based around support a client:
- Consultation and Fitness Assessments
- 12-Week Periodised Programme for the client
- Nutritional Support and Guidance
- Delivery of at least 6 sessions from this programme, one of which is observed
- Evaluation of programme and delivery with client
Observation and Questioning
- Oncourse practical assessments
- 1 x CV Advanced Training Method, 2 x Resistance Training Method, 1 x Advanced Flexibility Training
Further Information
Knowledge Assessments
There’s a total of 23 short knowledge assessments cover a range of units on the qualification and are completed using Active IQ’s learner management system (LMS), we provide log-in details for the LMS and then support you through the assessment process.
These use a range of different question types to assess your cognitive abilities, retention of knowledge and factual recall. The different types of questions include multiple choice, short answers, drag and drop into text and scenario/video-based questions and answers.
The different question types give you an opportunity to demonstrate your knowledge in a range of different contexts, allowing you to apply your knowledge to real-life scenarios linked to the qualification’s purpose.
Each knowledge assessment has a minimum pass mark of 70%.
Assignments
This method uses clearly constructed tasks and marking schemes to assess your abilities and practical competencies. This assessment method allows you to demonstrate problem solving, analytical, research and planning skills.
We will support you with the written questions by providing learning materials and tutor advice and guidance.
Observation and questioning
An observation assesses the learner’s competence, skills and behaviour through the application of knowledge in practical setting.
If we don’t observe something that is required, we can ask questions to support the assessment, The focus of the questioning will be on the knowledge, skills and behaviours that are assessed within the observation and in particular on criteria that the learner was unable to demonstrate competence in due to them not occurring naturally.
This assessment is a valid way to assess your knowledge, skills and behaviours in a real-life context, and suitably prepares the learner for the role and demands of a fitness coach. Observations are either pass or refer against set criteria.
Feedback will be provided both verbally and in written format to support the assessment decision.
Case-study
These assessments allow you to demonstrate practical application of knowledge and skills in a specific context.
Progression
Once you have successfully completed both Level 2 Certificate in Gym Instructing and Level 3 Technical Occupational Entry in Personal Training (Diploma), you can provide one-to-one training in an unsupervised environment, giving you the opportunity to start your own PT business, delivering training in-person or online. Alternatively, you could apply for Personal Training jobs at any fitness facility.
You may also wish to further your knowledge and skills in other areas, such as: Level 4 Nutrition, Level 3 Exercise Referral, Level 3 Performance Massage, Level 4 Sports Massage, Level 4 Strength and Conditioning and/or Level 3 Teaching Pilates.
You may even wish to complete a more specialist Level 2 qualification, such as: Circuit Training, Group Indoor Cycling, Kettlebell Training, Suspended Movement Training and/or Children's Fitness.
Entry Requirement
You must be 16 years+ to enrol on this qualification. If you are due to turn 16 before the end of the course, please get in touch to check your eligibility.
There are no prerequisite qualification requirements for this course.
Some experience of gym-based exercises, including free weights, is recommended.
The course requires physical exertion and individual participation is important; therefore, a degree of physical fitness is necessary.
There is an element of communication (discussing, presenting, reading and writing) involved and learners should have basic skills in communication at level 2.
Some level of IT Skill is also desired; some assessments are completed online using a device. We can support you with this throughout the course.
Modules
Level 2 Gym Instructing Units:
- Principles of anatomy, physiology and fitness
- Health and safety in the fitness environment
- Professionalism and customer care for fitness instructors
- Conducting client consultations to support positive behaviour change
- Planning and instructing gym-based exercise
Level 3 Personal Training Units:
- Applied anatomy and physiology for exercise and fitness
- Principles of nutrition for exercise and health
- Understanding lifestyle, wellbeing and common medical conditions
- Encouraging positive health and fitness behaviours
- Programme design and delivery for personal training
- Professionalism and business acumen for personal trainers
We use a blending teaching approach in an inclusive and supportive learning environment; we often cover multiple units in each session. The knowledge and skills learned will provide you with a holistic and rounded skillset, which will enable you to support clients to meet their training and lifestyle goals.
Fees & Funding
The fee for this course is £1995.00
A £100 non-refundable deposit is required to secure your place.
You can pay for this course yourself (self-funded) either in full or over a maximum of 6 interest-free monthly instalments (using an Envisage Payment Plan).
If you aged 19 or above, you may be eligible for an Advanced Learner Loan. More information about this is available in the "Payment and Funding" section of the website.
If somebody else is paying for the course on your behalf (e.g. your employer or another organisation), please select "Invoice" at the payment section of your booking and we will be in touch for more information about this.
If you are choosing the 19+ Advanced Learner Loan to pay for your training, this is only available for the level 3 part of this course booking package, we are therefore providing the level 2 fitness coaching for free, to give you the pre-requisite needed to access the level 3. There are terms and conditions attached to making a booking this way, the main one being that you will only receive your level 2 course certificate, once you have completed both courses. If for whatever reason you complete level 2 and then don’t start level 3, there will be a charge applied for the level 2.
How to Apply
Click the "Book Now" button on this screen.
You'll be taken to a booking details page where you will need to provide your personal information and choose your preferred payment method.
Payment methods include:
- Pay for your course
- £100.00 deposit, then pay the remainder before you start
- Or pay in full now
- Envisage Payment Plan
- Arrange a payment plan with us so that you can spread the payments over a maximum of 6 monthly instalments.
- 19+ Advanced Learner Loan
- You'll not be charged anything at this stage and a member of our team will contact you to arrange a loan sign-up.
- If you are choosing the 19+ Advanced Learner Loan to pay for your training, this is only available for the level 3 part of this course booking package, we are therefore providing the level 2 fGym Instructing for free, to give you the pre-requisite needed to access the level 3. There are terms and conditions attached to making a booking this way, the main one being that you will only receive your level 2 course certificate, once you have completed both courses. If for whatever reason you complete level 2 and then don’t start level 3, there will be a charge applied for the level 2.
- Invoice
- Is your employer or another organisation paying for the course for you? If so, choose "Invoice" and you'll not be charged anything up front, we'll then contact you for further details.
If you have any questions about booking a course with us, please get in touch.
FAQs
It is in your best interest to attend as much of your course as you can. However, if you do need to miss a day or two, don't worry, we will help you to catch-up. We will send you the work that you miss over email or you may even be able to pop in to our office so that we can go through the missing bits with you. All that we ask is that you notify us of your absence as soon as you can so that support can be put in place. If you miss a large chunk of your course, we may transfer you onto a later course so that you are able to attend as many days as possible.
Each day starts at 9am and finishes at 5pm at the latest. Sometimes you may finish a little earlier, but you will bever leave before 4pm as there is so much content to get through. Please arrive for 8.45am each day so that we can start on time.
Yes - this course is available on the Advanced Learner Loan scheme. When you get to the payment section of your booking, select "Advanced Learner Loan" and you will not be charged. A member of our team will then contact you to discuss the next steps. For more information about this payment method, click on the "Payment and Funding" tab and then "19+ Advanced Learner Loans".
- Wear clothing and footwear suitable for exercise
- Notepad and pen
- Food and drink (microwave and refrigeration facilities are available)
- Electronic device (phone, tablet or laptop) as some assessments are online
Yes, designated lunch breaks are provided. We advise that you bring lunch with you to save you having to leave the venue during your lunch break. Microwave and refrigeration facilities are available.
Click on the "Book Now" button above and all of the course dates will come up for you to view. Don't worry, you will not be booked onto the course at this stage.
It is recommended (but not a requirememnt) that you complete the Online Anatomy & Physiology Workbook BEFORE you start your course. Instructions to access and complete this task will be emailed to you upon booking this course.
No - this is the entry level qualification that you need to work in the fitness industry. Once you have this qualification, you can then progress to a range of other fitness qualifications.
Most tasks are completed on-course, however, we do set home-study tasks on all of our courses. These typically take 2-3 hours per week.