Personal Trainer

A personal trainer’s role includes designing, implementing and evaluating exercise/physical activity programmes for a range of individual clients by collecting and analysing client information to ensure the effectiveness of personal exercise programmes. A personal trainer should also actively encourage potential clients/members to participate in and adhere to regular exercise/physical activity programmes, employing appropriate motivational strategies to achieve this.

A personal trainer should be able to:

• Collect information relating to individual clients.
• Select and conduct fitness assessments to establish client fitness and skill level.
• Analyse information relating to individual clients, assessing the client’s skills and abilities.
• Identifying specific threats and possibilities to start the training process.
• Co-operate with or refer to an exercise health specialist or an allied health professional as necessary and as required by the scope of practice of a personal trainer.
• Identify, agree and review short, medium and long-term goals to ensure the effectiveness of exercise programmes.
• Design a range of exercise programmes in accordance with the needs of clients by applying principles of exercise programming.
• Conduct assessments of the exercise space, equipment and environment in order to identify potential hazards and undertake necessary modifications to provide safety and reduce risk for clients and the personal trainer.
• Provide clients with accurate and credible information on the principles of nutrition and weight management, referring to a dietitian/nutritionist as necessary.
• Develop and apply strategies to motivate clients to engage in and adhere to an exercise programme.
• Evaluate how current technology can help clients to stay motivated to adhere to exercise/physical activity guidelines and structured exercise programmes.
• Deliver good customer service, be a positive role model at all times and keep up to date with industry developments.
• Promote healthy activities and related strategies for active daily living to clients (lifestyle management).
• Make the appropriate decisions relating to clients and their programmes/goals and, where required, refer the client to a more appropriate professional.
• Apply business, marketing, and selling strategies and best practices to achieve success as an employee, independent contractor or entrepreneur.
• Work within the parameters, recognising the standards and professional limitations of this role and referring to appropriate members of staff for guidance and support.

A suitable EHFA Level 3 equivalent Gym Instructor qualification or programme of study.

Target students:

• Students aged 16+*
• Gym instructors wishing to pursue a career in the health and fitness sector as personal trainers.
• Individuals, who already hold a gym instructor qualification, wishing to become self-employed running their own personal training business.

* Students may not be able to enter EReps or employment until aged 18.

This programme of study will further develop students who have existing knowledge and skills in gym instruction to enable them to pursue a career in personal training. During the programme of study, students will cover the following:

• Further knowledge of anatomy and physiology applicable to personal training.
• Nutrition for exercise, health and fitness.
• Lifestyle and medical factors that affect wellbeing.
• Effective communication skills for client consultations.
• How to encourage healthy lifestyle behaviours and strategies for change.
• Skills to plan and conduct exercise sessions with different types of clients in a variety of environments with a range of resources.
• Legal and professional requirements for personal training.
• How to set up and manage a personal training business.
• How to manage, evaluate and improve own performance.

Elements of the programme must be taught or delivered live, with the expected guided learning of approx. 88 hours.

• eAssessment
• Case study
• Assignment
• Modular summative observation
• Summative observation

This programme of study provides progression to:

• Special population related qualifications or programmes of study.
• Strength and conditioning related qualifications or programmes of study.

The programme of study has been mapped to the EuropeActive standards for:

• Personal Trainer.

The programme of study has been mapped to the ICREPs:

• Core Standards.
• Personal Trainer Standards.

This programme is not affiliated with Ofqual. This programme is not endorsed by CIMSPA.

• £150 registration / certification fee – includes eManual.
• Annual centre recognition fee of £625 exclusive of VAT will also apply.

Training/education providers based outside the UK who wish to have their training programmes accredited (endorsed) by Active IQ must complete an application form and submit accompanying evidence. All international programme accreditations must map to one of the EuropeActive Professional Standards, aligned to the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) or ICREPs standards where they exist. Details of these are listed in the application form, and programme content must map to Active IQ’s international programme specifications.

(NB. If an applicant wishes to seek EuropeActive endorsement, they are responsible for submitting their application independently from this process).

If you would like further information on registering as an education provider or delivering the above programme please complete our enquiry form.

Training providers can apply to EuropeActive for accreditation of Active IQ’s Personal Training programme. Upon accreditation successful students can then apply to be members of EREPs (European Register of Exercise Professionals).

EREPs is a fully independent register of instructors, trainers and teachers working in the European fitness sector. EREPs recognises the qualifications and skills of fitness professionals as an important assurance for consumers and employers. EREPs members are well recognised worldwide through a network of National Registers and public bodies, there are no additional charges for students to prove their portability, their EREPs Certificate is all they need.

ICREPs is a membership-based organisation. Members operate independent, competency-based registration systems for exercise/fitness professionals in over 10 countries.

The ICREPs Global Standards cover three fitness disciplines of Gym Instructor, Group Fitness Instructor and Personal Trainer. There are also standards for special population clients.

Active IQ Personal Training programme of study has also been mapped against the ICREPs 2020 Global Standards for Exercise Professionals where they are relevant.

(NB. If an applicant wishes to seek EuropeActive endorsement, they are responsible for submitting their application independently from this process).