What qualifications do I need to be a personal trainer?

Planning to start a new career is a big step. So it’s important to take some time and do your ground work, making sure you’re on the right track to fitness career success. One of the questions our team here at the Academy are often asked is what fitness qualifications are needed to be a Personal Trainer? It’s such a popular question as it’s pivotal to choose the right Personal Trainer course making sure it’s reputable and comes with the fitness industry training recognition to match. So here’s the low down on those all important fitness qualifications to make sure your choice comes out on top.

The Good News

Personal Trainers impart a huge variety of fitness skills and techniques, from programme design to bespoke coaching, to deliver top notch workouts that deliver awesome goal based results for their clients. And it’s easier than you might think to become a personal trainer.

The Key Question – Can you connect with people and share your enthusiasm for fitness?

If you can, then personal training is one of those careers where you can quickly work your way up building a profitable base of clients and shape your own career path.

Which Fitness Qualifications are required?

To be a Personal Trainer you will need to complete a Level 2 Fitness Instructor course and Level 3 Personal Trainer course, or equivalent. This should be fitness industry accredited, for example, by REPs, the Register of Exercise Professionals and endorsed by a recognised awarding body.

Here at the Academy we provide Personal Trainer Certificate and Personal Training Diploma (NVQ) options to choose from. These are delivered as a combined Level 2 and Level 3 package ensuring you’re fully ready to start in your Personal Trainer role, post-graduation.

The Bad News

Sadly not all Personal Trainer courses are the same so it’s important to keep your eye wide open and be careful with your choice of training provider. We regularly speak with people who invested in a personal trainer qualification with another company on the understanding it was recognised by the fitness industry only to discover at a later date that this wasn’t actually the case. This can lead to problems later on with showcasing your credentials, being recognised by the industry and even securing employment.

Make sure your course is;

• REPs (or equivalent) recognised
• Provided by an endorsed training provider
• Certificated by an independent awarding body

Ready to Get Started?

Choosing to be a Personal Trainer with us here at the Academy of Fitness Professionals means you can rest easy in your choice of training provider and concentrate on becoming qualified.

Our training is endorsed by REPs and Skills Active who ensure personal trainer course providers meet the required industry standards. We’ve also partnered with the NCFE, a long standing awarding body who are widely recognised with their ‘Best Companies’ awards.
If you’re thinking of taking the next step get in touch and we’ll chat you through your options.