1: How do I become a personal trainer?
If you are considering becoming a personal trainer, make sure you choose a CIMSPA-approved training provider. This ensures that the course aligns with the high standards of the health and fitness industry.
This should be checked on the CIMSPA website. Then look at what fitness industry awarding body the provider you are considering uses – the largest and most recognisable in the fitness sector is Active IQ.
Then the typical path is to do a 'Level 2 Certificate in Gym Instructing' (qualifying you as a gym-based instructor) followed by a 'Level 3 Diploma in Personal Training‘ (allowing you to work as an independent personal trainer).
With Study Active you can do these as one big course, the Pro PT Level 3 Diploma in Gym Instructing & Personal Training, which can help you access the gym industry faster and accelerate your personal training career. There is also the option to opt for a higher-level package, which includes 'Level 4 Advanced Personal Training' and/or 'RSPH Level 4 Nutrition'. While these are incredibly useful for building your business acumen and improving your professional development, level 4 qualifications are not a necessary entry requirement for the industry. However, they certainly would help you develop your skills, and boost your career prospects and earning potential. The higher-level courses will benefit those looking to build their own successful personal training business.
2: Are your PT courses internationally recognised?
Anyone with a CIMSPA personal training qualification is eligible to join EREPS which will advise on the international portability of health & fitness qualifications across Europe.
As all our personal training qualifications carry these prestigious internationally recognised accreditations and associations, many countries throughout the world will recognise these fitness qualifications. We still advise you to check in with each country's local fitness regulators to make sure that the qualifications will be accepted.
3: What courses do I need to complete to become a PT?
To become a Personal Trainer, you will first need to complete a Gym Instructor qualification – however, with Study Active you can do both 'Gym Instructing' and 'Personal Training' as one big course - this is our most popular option. Once qualified as a personal trainer, you can improve your knowledge and career progression by taking additional fitness qualifications such as 'RSPH Level 4 Nutrition'. You may also wish to continue your professional development by completing additional qualifications such as 'Supporting Clients With Long-Term Conditions' or 'Pre & Post Natal Exercise'. These further courses will help those building their own business as they will unlock your ability to train a more diverse range of personal training clients.
4: What previous experience do I need to become a PT?
You do not need previous training experience within a gym setting, but it is recommended that aspiring fitness instructors gain some experience or learn some new skills within a gym environment.
Many Study Active students are getting some paid and unpaid work experience in a gym while they are studying (this could help you get into the industry quicker) while, others, may choose to begin working in a gym as an instructor upon course completion.
Everyone is different, the main point is that you feel comfortable in your knowledge and are equipped with the right tools and frame of mind, before starting work. If you want to progress faster in the fitness industry, you can take more advanced fitness courses to improve your knowledge, if you're not sure you can ask your support tutors.
5: How long does it take to complete one of your courses?
The time it takes to complete our courses is completely up to you. Some people complete the level 3 ''fast track'' course in as little as five weeks while others may take several months of part-time study. there is no set answer, as this could depend on previous knowledge and the number of study hours you can physically manage. Most of our students study part-time and qualify within 3-6 months, however, those adding additional fitness courses to their package will naturally take longer.
6: Do I need experience in the industry to become a trainer?
The only entry requirements to joining Study Active and taking this personal trainer course are an active interest in health, nutrition, physical activity, and a positive attitude to learning.
Through one of many courses, you will gain the skills needed to help clients exercise and achieve their goals as a full-time trainer.
While having prior experience is not necessary to earn your qualification (however, many of our students already have acquired some form of experience), it is recommended that you get as much exposure to the sector as possible to give you that edge when applying for interviews.
7: How much can I earn as a personal trainer?
This depends.
Some key factors that you should consider are the area, demographic, services you offer, the specialisms you've mastered, and the experience you have and so forth.
A newly qualified instructor may charge around £20-25 p/h, while a more established PT may charge between £35-50 p/h. Elite and experienced PTs can charge upwards of £60-80 p/h.
Do note, that these figures are based on self-employed income, it is difficult to find a gym paying the above figures as a salary. These are the amounts clients will be charged for personal training sessions on a self-employed basis.
8: What governing boards are your personal training courses accredited by?
Our courses are awarded by Active IQ who are the largest and most prestigious awarding body in the fitness sector. In addition to this, our courses are regulated by Ofqual and endorsed by CIMSPA. Study Active is also a CIMSPA-endorsed Training Provider. Study Active is a UK Active member and has associations with the RSPH, Association for Nutrition and the National Register of Personal Trainers (NRPT).
9: How long has Study Active been offering personal training courses?
Study Active started delivering courses back in 2012 making us one of the longest-running fitness training providers in the UK. The company has grown considerably since then. We won the 2023 UKActive Education Provider of the Year award and were rated at the very highest CIMSPA rank ''Enhancing'' by CIMPSA, so you know you are in good hands with Study Active.
From entry-level to courses offering more advanced applied anatomy, check out what we offer today!
10: Do you provide personal training courses near me?
While we have a physical location, Study Active students are from across the country: London, Manchester, Birmingham and more.
We provide the very best remote study via e-learning, digital resources, webinars, skype tutorials etc. Students can access all the resources and learning materials without ever needing to attend the physical location.
We do recommend students visit our base for their gym-based practical input & assessments. However, feel free to instead, record your practical assessment in a nearby gym and we can review the video.
11: Can I work as a PT in any gym with this personal training qualification?
Our level 3 PT course is awarded by Active IQ, regulated by Ofqual and endorsed by CIMSPA. For this reason, this qualification could be seen as the industry standard in the UK. You will not find a more recognised PT qualification.
You will be guaranteed interviews at any nationwide gym and those abroad will also accept our qualifications.
Some newly qualified students will look to become employed within a gym and rack up their training experience from there. However, others may decide to undertake client consultations and PT sessions from a gym they have an existing relationship with.
This is usually a self-employed position, so you should expect to pay a rental fee to the gym when you train your clients. This will need to be factored in when taking on clients or classes for small groups.
12: Are your courses online?
Our nationally recognised online courses are delivered via blended learning. This means your level 3 course will primarily be studied through online learning and our wealth of digital resources to make it the best personal training course. Tutors will also remotely support you via webinars, skype/telephone tutorials and emails. For your practical assessments, you can either come to us or record and send us back your videos. Many of our other courses follow a similar format, so do get in touch if you need more information.
13: Can I study part-time to become a PT?
Our accredited blended learning courses can be studied full or part-time. The amount of study hours you undertake each week is entirely up to you. As an example, you can choose to study the level 3 gym instructing diploma for 40 hours a week and complete it in a few short weeks or complete this over a few months instead by opting for 10 study hours a week. It is completely subjective for each student.
If you have any other questions, please contact us using our contact form below or email us at info@studyactive.co.uk
