YMCA Level 3 Diploma in Personal Training (Practitioner)

This course is for adults aged 19 and over. If you are passionate about fitness and exercise and you want a career educating and training other people in how to achieve personal fitness through physical activity, this is the right course for you.

If you already have a qualification within the fitness field, this course will be a progressive step which will enable you to become a personal trainer.

You will develop a thorough understanding of how to build and maintain health and fitness through exercise and a healthy lifestyle. You will learn how the body works and about the principles of nutrition and you will learn how to incorporate this knowledge into an exercise and activity programme to help clients achieve their goals.

You will learn how to design, deliver and adapt personal training programmes for adults of all ages and abilities, using a variety of exercise and physical activities. You will also understand how to communicate with clients effectively and how to motivate them to adhere to a personalised exercise programme.

You will also learn:

• How to develop and market a successful PT business
• The skills to train clients individually or in small groups
• The knowledge to plan and teach small group HIIT sessions
• The skills needed to deliver one-to-one consultations and group inductions

To join this course, you need a relevant Level 2 fitness qualification, plus either GCSE English Language grade 3 (D) or Functional Skills English Level 1.

Our approach to training is to provide a relaxed atmosphere in which to encourage maximal retention of information. 

Your time will be split equally between classroom learning and practical activities in the gym and sports centre, where you will put your knowledge into practice developing and evaluating training programmes.

You will be continuously assessed throughout the course the course by a mix of coursework, practical assignments and written tests, with a multiple-choice online exam at the end of the course.

When you qualify as a Personal Trainer, a wide range of career roles and opportunities will open up to you. You might work for a gym, sports club or leisure venue, or you might prefer to be self-employed.

You may wish to specialise in a particular physical activity or you could seek employment where you can apply your knowledge more generally. WE guide and support you to achieve your career goals.