Not all personal training courses are created equal. Here are three important questions to ask when choosing a personal training course.

  1. Does the personal training course include both level 2 and level 3 qualifications
  2. What qualification does the personal training course lead to – Practitioner, Specialist or Master
  3. Are the CPD courses recognised

1. Does the personal training course include both level 2 and level 3 qualifications?

In the UK today, to get insurance as a personal trainer, you generally need to hold two qualifications: a Level 2 Gym Instructor Certificate; and a Level 3 Personal Trainer Practitioner Diploma.

Be on the lookout for personal training courses that offer just a Level 3 personal trainer qualification. They don’t always include the necessary Level 2 qualification, the price for which you’ll have to add on. Always ask the training provider if the personal training course you’re looking at contains both the Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications above. Of course, if you already hold a Level 2 Gym Instructor Certificate, you just need the Level 3 Personal Trainer Practitioner Diploma.

All of our personal training courses include both of these qualifications as standard.

Related Resource: See How You Will Study With Our Award Winning Virtual Leaning Environment and Mobile App!

2. What qualification does the personal training course lead to – a Practitioner, Specialist or Master

Depending on the services you wish to offer as a PT, will depend on the type of diploma you enrol on. As a basic personal trainer, the Practitioner Diploma will suffice. If however you wish to increase your earning potential, the offering services list group indoor cycling, outdoor fitness, sports conditioning and exercise referral in the Specialist Diploma will help greatly. If you want to work wtih specialist groups like those clients that are obese or have diabetes, then it’s the Master Diploma you need. All three diplomas offer by TRAINFITNESS are awarded by Focus Awards.

Always ask the training provider for the official name of the qualification you’ll receive from the awarding organisation when you complete your
PT course. Hint – if diploma isn’t in the title of the qualification, it’s not a diploma qualification.

3. Are the CPD courses recognised?

CPD stands for Continuing Professional Development and CPD courses offer fitness professionals the opportunity to upskill and further their education. The Register of Exercise Professionals, or REPs, is an independent, public register that recognises certain fitness qualifications and CPD courses in the UK. Although it’s not compulsory for you to join REPs, doing so shows employers and clients that you meet a certain standard of competency.

To join REPs you need to submit proof of the relevant REPs-recognised Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications you’ve achieved. To stay on the Register you need to achieve 24 REPs CPD points every two years, and you do this by completing REPs-recognised CPD courses. Each REPs-recognised CPD course carries REPs CPD points.

IF A CPD COURSE ISN’T RECOGNISED BY REPS, YOU WON’T GET REPS CPD POINTS. You can find out if a training provider’s CPD courses are recognised by REPs here https://pdphub.com

All of our CPD courses are recognised by REPs.