Personal Training Courses

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About Personal Training

There’s more to personal training than planning exercise programmes. If you become a trainer you’ll also be giving advice about health and nutrition, as well as keeping up with developments in the health and fitness industry. Read on to find out more!

Career Outcomes

As you gain experience as a personal trainer you could expand your skill set by taking extra courses. For example, you could specialise in HIIT workout classes, circuit training or outdoor fitness. Alternatively, you might want to learn about sports massage, post natal fitness, weight loss or exercising with particular medical conditions.

Personal trainers carry out physical fitness training sessions in a range of environments including health clubs, gyms, resorts, spas and workplaces. While some trainers are employed many decide to set up their own business. If you do this you could:

  • Pay rent to a gym in order to use their fitness facilities
  • Train in public spaces
  • Train in your client’s home
  • Train in your home
  • Set up your own gym

Click here for our guide on how to become a personal trainer.

Personal Training Courses

A wide variety of personal trainer courses are available across the UK. These cover topics such as physiology, anatomy, nutrition, business planning, safety and programming sessions.

Level 2 gym instructor courses are a good starting point, as they’ll enable you to gain valuable work experience as a fitness instructor in a health club or gym. However, once you’ve gained some experience you’ll need to progress to a level 3 diploma or certificate in order to become a qualified personal trainer. Level 3 courses on offer include:

Level 3 Personal Trainer Specialist Diploma

Level 3 Personal Trainer Practitioner Diploma

Level 3 Personal Trainer Master Diploma

You’ll be glad to know that most training providers offer a wide range of learning options for aspiring personal trainers. Some courses involve studying from home and attending a full-time or part-time clinic, while others combine distance learning with assessment days.

Whichever course you choose make sure that it’s accredited by the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPS) or the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Exercise (CIMSPA). You’ll also need an up to date first aid certificate in case a client suffers an injuries. This should include cardio-pulmonary resuscitation (CPR).

Is Personal Training Right for Me?

To become a successful personal trainer you’ll need to be passionate about health and fitness and familiar with any gym equipment you’ll be using. You’ll also require a range of soft skills including:

  • Patience
  • Communication skills
  • The ability to listen well
  • Enthusiasm
  • The ability to motivate others
  • Confidence
  • Organisational skills
  • Awareness of health and safety issues
  • Business planning skills