
Course
Gym Instructor
The Level 2 Certificate in Gym Instructing course is our entry-level gym-based qualification. 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, then this course is for you.
This qualification is accredited with the world-renowned awarding organisation YMCA Awards. 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.
Next Course Dates
- Sheffield - Start Date: 7th Jun 2025
- Dronfield - Start Date: 26th Jul 2025
- Sheffield - Start Date: 6th Sep 2025
- Sheffield - Start Date: 24th Sep 2025
Click "Book Now" for full course dates
Cost: £625.00
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Course Summary
If you want to follow a career path in the active leisure industry, the Level 2 Certificate in Gym Instructing is the qualification you need to get started. It's known as the 'entry' qualification needed to supervise and deliver in a gym environment.
This qualification allows you to register with CIMPSA, meaning that the qualification is industry-recognised.
Once you've completed this course, the next logical and most popular progressionroute is to become a Level 3 Personal Trainer (or PT). You have to complete the Level 2 Certificate in Gym Instructing qualification first as it's a direct pre-requisite for the Level 3 Diploma in Personal Training qualification.
There are other routes of progression too as not everyone wants to become a PT. You might be more interested in the health and wellbeing side of the industry and would prefer to progress to Level 3 Exercise Referral, Level 3 Performance Massage, Level 3 Teaching Pilates and/or Level 4 Advanced Nutrition.
There are other courses available at Level 2 which may be of interest. Some examples include: Strength and Conditioning (Trainer), Health Related Exercise for Children, Circuit Training, Group Indoor Cycling, Kettlebell Training and Suspended Movement Training.
Take your first step into your leisure career with this qualification.
How You're Taught
This course is taught in-person by an experienced tutor who will support and guide you through the 5 day programme. A mixture of theory-based lectures and practical-based workshops will be delivered each day.
We heavily value in-person delivery as it gives us the chance to directly answer any questions you have and also to provide you with constructive feedback on your performance during the course.
After booking the course, you will be sent some study materials to complete before you attend your first day - don't worry if you want to start the course tomorrow, you will still be able to start without having completed this task.
The pre-course study task is based on anatomy and physiology as we would like you to have a head start on this topic. Your course tutor is on hand to provide support via email, telephone or in-person, if needed.
The course is delivered over 5 full days, starting at 9am and finishing at 5pm each day. We typically run the course over two and a half weekends, however, we do sometimes offer mid-week courses (usually on Wednesdays and Thursdays) if this is better for you.
Assessment
There are a number of different assessments which we intergrate throughout the course. These include:
The assessment process culminates on the last day of your course. You'll have a short revision session followed by a multiple-choice theory exam on anatomy & physiology. After this, usually after lunch, you'll then be observed delivering a gym-based session to one of your peers.

Progression
Once you have achieved this qualification, you will be able to apply for Fitness Instructor jobs at any fitness facility, such as a private gym or a local authority-run facility, for example.
The Level 2 Gym Instructing qualification is the direct pre-requisite for the Level 3 Diploma in Personal Training, which is our most popular progression route. You can also progress onto a range of other courses including: Level 3 Exercise Referral, Level 3 Performance Massage, Level 3 Teaching Pilates and/or Level 4 Advanced Nutrition.
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
There are no pre-requisite qualification requirements for this course.
Modules
An advanced understanding of anatomy and physiology
How to design, manage, and adapt a safe gym-based training programme with apparently healthy adults of all ages
How to perform group exercise in the gym environment
How to identify special populations and prepare training programmes for them within the gym
How to effectively communicate with gym members and help motivate them to perform their exercise programme to the best of their ability
How to maintain health, safety and welfare procedures in a variety of fitness environments
The health benefits of physical activity and the importance of healthy eating
Fees & Funding
The fee for this course is £625.
A £100 non-refundable deposit is required to secure your place on the course.
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 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.

How to Apply
Click the "Book Now" button on this screen.
You'll be taken to a booking page where you'll be asked for your personal information and 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, interest free instalments.
- 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, please get in touch.