If you are interested in becoming a Personal Trainer, then the first career step is to obtain your Level 2 Certificate in Fitness Instructing. This shows you have completed the necessary preliminary training in order to progress onto your Level 3 Personal Trainer qualification. You may wish to spend some time working in a Level 2 role such as a Fitness Instructor or Gym Instructor prior to taking the next step on the career ladder.

Alternatively you may prefer the idea of fast-tracking your fitness career plans. Whichever route you choose this feature sets out how to become a Personal Trainer as well as considering some popular questions you may find it useful to explore.

How to Become a Personal Trainer – What are my options?

Your chosen fitness career path and start point will depend on the types of clients you wish to train, where you’d like to work, your professional and personal commitments, time available for studying and budget.

Level 2 Certificate in Fitness Instructing

This is a popular first step enabling you to join REPs and obtain employment in a gym setting working as a Fitness Instructor. From here you can develop your fitness skills in the role working as part of the gym team where you will assist members with inductions, fitness assessments and programme reviews. When it’s the right time you can progress straight on to become a Personal Trainer completing your Level 3 course.

Level 2 Diploma in Instructing Exercise and Fitness (NVQ)

If you already have access to a gym setting then the Diploma qualification takes your learning and skills to a more advanced level. You will gather work place evidence throughout your course to evidence your learning along the way. This is a popular route for receptionists, membership sales and supporting members of the gym team who are at the stage of wanting to teach and instruct fitness, with the ultimate goal of working as a Personal Trainer.

Level 2 and Level 3 Combined Personal Trainer Course

Another popular qualification route is to complete a combined Personal Trainer course. This leads to your Level 2 Certificate in Fitness Instructing and Level 3 Certificate in Personal Training. For many who know that they ultimately want to be a Personal Trainer this is the ideal learning solution.

Whichever route you choose you will have access to extensive study materials and resources to guide you throughout your course. You will also have access to extensively trained tutors who will guide you every step of the way from your initial induction all the way through to becoming qualified.

Job Opportunities

As a Personal Trainer your skills will be in demand within gyms nationwide. The growth in the sector has seen more job openings across national gym chains and smaller boutiques and leisure centres alike. There’s also the potential to additionally work in a freelance capacity with your own private clients or even establish your very own fitness business offering one to one client sessions and group based workouts such as boot camps.

Popular Questions

What is the study format?

You will complete the theory part of your Personal Trainer course from home working through our comprehensive specialist training materials. Our fitness courses are divided into easy to follow modules teaching you key subject matter in anatomy and physiology, health and safety, exercise principles, interpersonal skills and programme design, instruction and evaluation. When your theory is complete it’s time to roll your sleeves up and develop your skills in the gym which takes place during your course practical.

Do I need any professional accreditations?

To qualify as a Personal Trainer you need to complete an industry accredited qualification. Our courses are accredited by REPs, the Register of Exercise Professionals, Skills Active, UK Active and the NCFE so you know you’re learning with credible industry endorsed experts every step of the way.

Do I need to be insured to practice?

In a nutshell yes! It’s important for your own and clients’ safety that you are fully insured. This is a simple step once you have become qualified. We will send you your Personal Trainer course certificate and you need to send a copy of this to your insurer. Alternatively, if you are working on an employed basis in a gym their insurance will typically cover you as a member of their team so you just need to check this is the case.

How long does it take to become a Personal Trainer?

If you’re seeking a fast-track route you can become qualified from 12 weeks. However, if you’d prefer to take a little longer you have up to two years to complete your fitness industry training. Once you’ve booked your course and enrolled your tutor will discuss your study plan with you to support your objectives and timescales.

The Academy of Fitness Professionals provide the gold standard in accredited personal training courses and nutrition courses with state of the art training fully endorsed by REPs, Skills Active and the NCFE. Their specialist knowledge features in the UK health and fitness media including the Mirror, BBC2 and Women’s Running. This is the ultimate learning destination for those serious about their fitness industry education and long term career as a Personal Trainer.