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

Do you want to be a personal trainer? Do you want to take your gym instructor qualification to the next level? If so, then this is the course for you!

This brand-new, industry-leading qualification, designed by YMCA Awards and endorsed by CIMPSA, will equip you with all the knowledge, skills, and qualifications to become a personal trainer and potentially start your own business. Health and fitness are thriving areas with countless job opportunities and business ventures.

The Level 3 Technical Occupational Entry in Exercise and Fitness: Personal Training is a 1-year Level 3 Personal Training course, which will provide you with the necessary qualifications to work as a personal trainer.

The course will run on one day per week, for 37 weeks (September to July) and is for adults (19 years old or above) only.

Please note: You MUST have a Level 2 Gym Instructor Qualification to apply for this course.

If you do not hold a Level 2 Gym Instuctor Qualification then please apply via the following links.

If you are 16 to 18 years old, please apply using the following link: Exercise and Fitness: Gym Instructor and Personal Training - Level 2 and 3 Technical Occupational Qualification (YMCA)

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

Units can include:

• Anatomy and physiology for exercise and fitness professionals
• Nutrition for physical activity and exercise
• Consultation and assessment for personal training
• Plan, deliver and evaluate personal training
• Plan, deliver and evaluate outdoor training
• Business acumen for health and fitness professionals

You are required to have a Level 2 Gym Instructing qualification to enrol on this course.

You must also have a GCSE grade C or grade 4 in English and Maths or equivalent. You will be required to provide a client (friend or family member) for your practical assessments.

The course is a mixture of practical and theoretical units.

Assessment will be conducted via:

• Questions and answers
• Client consultation and assessment
• Information resources
• Nutrition case study
• Creation of a progressive exercise programme
• 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.

Adults - Level 3

This course may be free if you meet certain conditions:

• If you are not working or have a low income. You need to show proof of your income or benefits.
• If you are aged 19-23 and you do not have a full Level 3 qualification (a full L3 is the equivalent of two A-levels at A* - E grade). You need to show us proof of any qualifications you already have.
• Residency rules apply. You need to show you have permission to live, work and study in the UK without conditions if you live in London, or 3 years if you live outside London.
• There are some exceptions, such as certain visa types.

Check here which documents you need to show us, and which visa types are allowed.

If you do not meet the residency rules, you can still enrol on the course but you may have to pay some fees. All applicants are fee-assessed during enrolment.

If you are not eligible for a free or reduced-cost course, you need to pay the full fee yourself, or apply for an Advanced Learner Loan.

If you have to pay for your course, and decide to apply for an Advanced Learner Loan (ALL), the residency rules are different: https://www.gov.uk/advanced-learner-loan.

Some courses have additional costs, such as for 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.

You will be required to provide a client (friend or family member) for your practical assessments.

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 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!