Level 2/3 Gym Instructing and Personal Training Practitioner (RQF)

Level 2/3 Gym Instructing and Personal Training Practitioner (RQF)

Overview

Studying this qualification will provide you with the fundamental knowledge of exercise and the human body that you need to train clients in a fitness setting. We have designed an engaging and fun course that will get you qualified as a Personal Trainer, kickstarting an incredibly rewarding career.

We boast a team of industry leading personal trainers, who will teach you about physiology and nutrition, as well as human anatomy, giving you a base of knowledge that you can build on. You will then be taught how to run client consultations and how personal training programmes are planned and delivered. When you have reached the end of the course, you will be qualified and ready to begin your new career as a Personal Trainer, with continued support from the entire team at Leap Academy.

The key topics featured in this course include:

• Nutrition for physical activity
• Human anatomy and physiology
• How to lead client consultations
• How to plan and deliver personal training programmes
• Client engagement and how to maximise their experience
• Personal Trainer business fundamentals

By clicking on the tabs above, you can find out more information about course contents, the team, and the career options available to you with this qualification. You can also get more information about the course by registering your interest on the form to your right.

We are shoulders above other training providers because our courses are developed and delivered by industry-leading experts. Your learning experience consists of a series of written materials, interactive learning features, and course videos, which will teach you essential information but in a fun way. Click the video below to get an example of what’s involved in your course.

L3 Personal Training Course Intro

Modules

• The structure and function of the cardiorespiratory system 
• The structure and function of the skeleton
• Understanding the muscular system and its life-course
• The energy systems of the human body
• The role of the nervous system and the principles of muscle contraction 
• The function of the digestive system 

• The cardiorespiratory system and it's relation to exercise
• The skeletal system and its relation to exercise 
• The muscular system and it's relation to exercise 
• Postural and core stability 
• The nervous system and it's relation to exercise 
• The endocrine system and its relation to exercise and health 
• Energy systems and their relation to exercise  

• The principles of nutrition
• Key nutritional strategies and guidelines
• Understand how to use nutritional tools
• Collecting and analysis nutritional information 
• Apply the principles of nutrition

• The client consultation process in the gym environment
• The role of health screening, fitness testing and risk stratification
• Lifestyle and health promotion
• Understand the prevention and management of common health conditions
• Principles of behaviour change and exercise adherence
• Be able to conduct consultations and assessments

• The components of fitness and programming variables
• Understanding gym-based exercise training 
• Planning and delivering gym-based training
• Reviewing gym-based training
• Safeguarding in the fitness environment

• Obtaining client information in inform programme planning
• Observing and adapting exercise technique
• Demonstrating professional conduct
• How to instruct and adapt personal training sessions to meet the needs of different clients      

• How to assess customer needs in a gym environment
• The role of customer service in the gym environment
• Communicating with customer and colleagues
• Professional practice
• Cleaning and waste management in the gym environment

• Understand the principles of business planning and creating a business plan for a successful personal training business
• Managing finances related to a personal training business

Entry Requirements

Learners will need to be in a role where they are giving advice and guidance to clients (this can be in a range of different settings but they do need to be able to demonstrate their work). Learners will be required to provide video evidence of their progress and work, so access to a gym or appropriate home equipment is needed. Settings and locations with restrictions that may not permit this are not appropriate. This is a level 3 qualification which will require learners to have an excellent standard of written English. Learners will be expected to use an appropriate referencing system and support their own studies by conducting independent research.

Minimum age restriction

16

Average completion timeframe

The average completion time for this course is 12-18 months however it can be successfully completed in as little as 12 weeks with full-time study. You have up to 24 months to complete this course.

Assessment requirements

Assessments are completed through a combination of external multiple choice exams (taken online and closed book), written assessments, self reflection, and video assessments. The video assessments require access to appropriate equipment - please see attached guidance document.

Placement or Practical required

See entry requirements - Learners will need to be working with clients, or have access to clients in order to complete this qualification. No placement or face-to-face practical is required. Assessments are completed via video submission and learners will be required to record themselves and evidence of their work and progess, and upload it for review.

If placement or practical required, when?

No placement is required but learners should have access to a gym or gym equipment. Learners will also need to have access to a demonstration client for the video assessment.

Exams required

Unit 1 & Unit 2 are external online exams

Is Membership Required?

No Membership

Certification Timeframe

Please allow up to 12 weeks from your course completion date for your certification to arrive. Please note this can be longer if an EQA sample is required

Course Fees

All course fees, inclusive of all payment plans including our Premium Credit Limited option, must be settled before certification can be ordered.

*You will have access to the course for 24 months.

A minimum course payment of 15% must be paid before we are able to register you on the course and book your unit 1 exam. Until this threshold is met, you will be unable to sit your unit 1 exam, although you are welcome to continue working your way through the course content.

Equipment Requirements:

For you to sit a remotely invigilated assessment, you’ll need the following equipment/environment:

• Laptop/desktop with webcam and microphone (Microsoft Windows or a Mac, Chromebooks cannot be used)
• Wi-Fi connection (Min 1Mbit/s upload | Min 10Mbit/s download)
• Smartphone or tablet (Apple iOS 8.0 / Android 4.1 or higher)
• Suitable test environment (quiet room with no distractions)

Your laptop/desktop will run the assessment software and your smartphone or tablet will be used to record you and the assessment. The assessment itself cannot be sat on a smartphone or tablet.

Laptop/desktop Requirements:

You’ll need to have access to a laptop/desktop that has the following set-up:

• Broadband speed/bandwidth: - Minimum 1Mbit/s upload speed - recommended upload speed is 1.5Mbit/s - Minimum 10Mbit/s download speed - Tethering via a mobile phone is not supported. Tip: You could try connecting your computer directly to your Wi-Fi router using an ethernet cable to improve and/or guarantee your connection. You can test your broadband speed/bandwidth here: https://www.speedtest.net/ The operating systems supported are Windows 8 or higher, and MAC OS X (latest and previous releases). Chromebooks are not supported therefore shouldn’t be used
• Wi-Fi connection – you should be positioned where the signal is strongest
• Web browser – you’ll need the latest version of Google Chrome
• Webcam required – maximum resolution of 1280 x 720
• Microphone required
• Audio required
• If possible, turn off any updates on devices
• Ensure that your laptop/desktop is plugged in for the duration of the assessment

Note: Attempting to use a laptop or device that is intended for work purposes may have restricted access and admin rights installed. This may cause issues when trying to access the ProctorExam platform and therefore it is recommended that you use a personal laptop or device.

Review the following list of technology not currently supported by ProctorU.

Not Supported: 

• Connecting from within a virtual machine. You will be asked to reconnect using your host operating system to take your exam
• Apple Boot Camp
• Remote Access Software
• Inactive Version of Windows and Test Builds/Test Mode
• Microsoft Edge browser 
• Windows 10 and 11 in S mode or Surface RT
• Linux operating systems
• Google Chromebooks (with Guardian Browser)
• Google Chromebooks for Live+ or Review+
• Tablets (Nexus, iPad, Tab, Note, etc.)
• Smartphones

Guidance from Proctor U

Review the following minimum and recommended requirements for your camera, operating system, upload/download speeds, RAM, ports, microphones, and browsers. 

Additional Requirements: 

• A functioning microphone (some web cameras have them built-in); the microphone should not be part of headphones.
• Headphones are generally not permitted,  check with your testing organization to determine if headphones are permitted
• A compatible browser: Guardian (If applicable), Google Chrome, or Mozilla Firefox
• If you are using a work-issued device, Admin access is required to Download

Review the following list of technology not currently supported by ProctorU.

Not Supported: 

• Connecting from within a virtual machine. You will be asked to reconnect using your host operating system to take your exam
• Apple Boot Camp
• Remote Access Software
• Inactive Version of Windows and Test Builds/Test Mode
• Microsoft Edge browser 
• Windows 10 and 11 in S mode or Surface RT
• Linux operating systems
• Google Chromebooks (with Guardian Browser)
• Google Chromebooks for Live+ or Review+
• Tablets (Nexus, iPad, Tab, Note, etc.)
• Smartphones

• Multiple-choice theory exam (*You will be provided with a mock exam to help you prepare for the assessment)

• Written assessments
• Video submissions
• Programme cards
• Reflection documents

Innovate Awarding

Upon successful completion of this course, you will be awarded the Level 3 Diploma for the Gym Instructing and Personal Training Practitioner (RQF) (Qualification Number: 603/6001/X).

Innovate Awarding is an Ofqual regulated awarding organisation with an innovative and dynamic approach. They develop off-the-shelf, customised and fully bespoke qualifications across a growing number of sectors – all on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF). 

Career

If you aspire to become a Personal Trainer and potentially set up your own business, this course is an excellent way to get started. Through your studies, you will develop the knowledge and skills required to educate and engage clients in a gym environment, while facilitating and supporting them in the pursuit of their fitness goals. 

You could kick off your career in gym instructing and gain valuable experience by leading client consultations, designing gym programmes, and assisting clients on the gym floor. Or, you could dive straight into personal training, by taking up a position in a fitness club or studio and building your experience in this kind of environment. You could even opt for self-employment and work on building your own business and client base online or in-person.

Either way, completing this course will equip you for a successful career as Gym Instructor or Personal Trainer.

You also have the option to build on what you have learnt through further study by completing a related course with Leap Academy, so you can assist clients in a wider capacity. A natural progression would be completing our L4 Advanced Sports Nutrition qualification, so you could also create personalised nutrition plans for your clients.