Exercise and Fitness: Gym Instructor and Personal Training - Level 2 and 3 Technical Occupational Qualification (YMCA)

Are you interested in fitness and wellbeing? Want to be a personal trainer? If so, then this is the course for you!

This is a brand new, industry-leading qualification designed by YMCA Awards and endorsed by CIMPSA, which will equip you with all the knowledge, skills and qualifications to be a gym instructor or set up your own personal training business. Health and fitness is a thriving area, with countless job opportunities and business ventures.

The Level 3 Technical Occupational Entry in Exercise and Fitness: Gym Instructor and Personal Training is a 1-year combined Level 2 Gym Instructor and Level 3 Personal Training course, which will provide you with the necessary qualifications to work within a gym or be a personal trainer.

The course will run on two days per week, for 37 weeks (September to July) and is for 16 to 18 years olds only.

If you are 19 years or above, please apply for the Tottenham centre course following the link: Exercise and Fitness: Gym Instructor - Level 2 Technical Occupational Qualification (YMCA)

If you already hold a certified Level 2 Gym Instructor qualification, please apply for the Exercise and Fitness: Personal Training - Level 3 YMCA Diploma at the Enfield centre.

Units can include:

• Consultation and Assessment for Personal Training
• Plan, Deliver and Evaluate Gym-Based Training
• Plan, Deliver and Evaluate Personal Training
• Plan, Deliver and Evaluate Outdoor Training
• Anatomy and Physiology for Exercise and Fitness Professionals
• Nutrition for Physical Fitness and Exercise
• Business Acumen for Health and Fitness Professionals
• Principles of Physical Activity, Exercise and Training Approaches to Develop Fitness and Health
• Providing a Positive Customer Experience to Exercise and Fitness Participants
• Health Awareness and Lifestyle Management
• Health Screening, Risk Stratification and Scope of Practice
• Supporting Clients in a Gym-Based Environment

You are required to have:

• Either 4x GCSE at grade 3 or above (including English and maths) or an equivalent Level 1 qualification. Other lower qualifications may be considered, dependent on past experience.

The course is a mixture of practical and theory units.

Assessment will be conducted via:

• Questions and answers
• Worksheets
• Information resources
• Applied case studies
• Exercise induction portfolio
• Client consultation and assessment
• Nutrition case study
• Session planning / progressive exercise programme design
• Observation of practical skills
• Evaluation documents
• Showcase presentation
• Professional discussion

AGED 16 - 18

If you will be aged 16, 17 or 18 on 31st August 2025 before the start date of the course, and you have the legal right to remain in the UK for the duration of your course then your study with us will be free.

Please see here for the documents you need to show us.

Some courses have additional costs, such as specialist materials and trips.

Many of our students are eligible for financial support. See here for details.

The course requires the wearing of sports clothing and footwear. There is no requirement to purchase any further course materials or textbooks.

This qualification is an occupational entry qualification. This means it meets the agreed industry prerequisites to enter the sport and physical activity sector as an employed or self-employed Gym Instructor or Personal Trainer.

This qualification can also lead to further training to specialise and further increase the scope of practice. 

For example:

• Strength and conditioning
• Teaching yoga
• Teaching pilates
• Exercise referral
• Kettlebell training
• Suspended movement training
• and many more!