Course
Personal Training
This course is for anyone who wants to qualify as a personal trainer and already has the level 2 gym or fitness instructor, or equivalent pre-requisite qualification. A £500 discount has been applied to the price of the Personal Training course for anyone who meets the pre-requisite criteria.
IF YOU DO NOT HAVE A LEVEL 2 GYM OR FITNESS INSTRUCTOR QUALIFICATION, THEN PLEASE VISIT OUR PAGE FOR THE COMBINED FITNESS COACHING (GYM) AND PT COURSE - CLICK HERE
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 by 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, fitness coach or exercise instructor.
All of Active IQ qualifications delivered by us are recognised by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA).
Next Course Dates
- Sheffield - Start Date: 15th Apr 2026
- Sheffield - Start Date: 4th Jul 2026
- Sheffield - Start Date: 12th Sep 2026
- Sheffield - Start Date: 21st Oct 2026
- Sheffield - Start Date: 5th Dec 2026
Click "Book Now" for full course dates
Cost: £1,495.00
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Course Summary
The qualification is called Level 3 Technical Occupational Entry in Personal Training (Diploma), it’s the course you need to call yourself a Personal Trainer.
The Level 3 Diploma in Personal Training 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 enables you to register with CIMPSA, where you will be listed in a directory and have access to additional CPD training.
Become recognised as a qualified personal trainer
How You're Taught
This course is taught in-person by an experienced tutor who will support and guide you through the 9 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 a log-in to our online learning portal to complete some study before you attend your first day - don't worry if you want to start the course soon, you will still be able to start without having completed this task.
The pre-course study 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 9 full days, starting at 9am and finishing at 5pm each day. We typically run the course over four and a half weekends, however, we do offer mid-week courses (usually on Wednesdays and Thursdays) if this is better for you.
Assessment
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 client
- Nutritional Support and guidance
- Delivery at least 6 sessions from this programme
- 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
- Summative Practical Assessment
- Technically part of the case study above, one of your 6 sessions planned and delivered is assessed on the course as your final practical assessment
Further Information
Knowledge Assessments
There’s a total of 20 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 the 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 hold a Level 2 Certification in Gym Instructing or equivalent and must have gained that qualification in the past 3-5 years. If you completed it outside of that time frame, you may be required to take an additional assessment to ensure your knowledge is up to date.
The course requires physical exertion and individual participation is essential, 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 pitched 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
The course has 6 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 £1495*
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..
*A £500 discount has been applied to the price of the Personal Training course due to a successful application meeting the pre-requisite criteria.
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.
- 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)
- 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.
No - all course materials will be given to you on day one of your course.
Yes - you need to have the Level 2 Certificate in Gym or Fitness Instructing qualification. But not to worry, we offer a Combined Level 2 Gym Instructing and Level 3 Peronal Training course. Click on the "Courses" tab and then "Gym Instructing and Personal Training (Combined)" for more information.