Study Programme - Sport, Fitness and Personal Training Level 3

The health and fitness industry is continuing to grow, with over 7000 gyms in the UK and more than 10 million members, which means almost one in seven people in the UK is a member of a gym (State of the UK Fitness Industry Report, The Leisure Database, May 2019). This gives the industry a market value of more than £5 billion, meaning that there are many employment opportunities for people with industry-recognised health and fitness related qualifications. This suite of qualifications has embedded industry accreditation, which allows learners to progress directly to work in the sector or to further study.

The content of this qualification has been developed in consultation with employers and professional bodies. This ensures that it is appropriate and consistent with current industry practice to enable learners to enter direct employment in the health and fitness sector. Higher-education institutions have also been consulted to ensure that the qualification allows appropriate progression for those aspiring to go on to higher-level study. The qualification provides the knowledge and develops the skills and application required for professional accreditation with the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs) and the Chartered Institute of Management for Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) Gym Instructor standards. The Gym Instructor Standards are a prerequisite for all professional roles in the sector. On successful completion of the qualification, learners will be qualified to apply for membership of CIMPSA and REPs.

The subject group leader John Heaton has a range of industry experience in fitness and sport, including Personal Training, Sports Massage and Strength & Conditioning.

He is also a 2 x British and 2x World Drug Free Bodybuilding Champion.

Extended Certificate/Diploma

Learners taking this qualification will study three mandatory units:

Year 1

Unit A: Careers in the Sport and Active Leisure Industry

Unit B: Health, Wellbeing and Sport

Unit C2: Fitness Skills Development.

Year 2

Unit D2: Personal Trainer Skills Development

Unit 2: Self-employment in Sport and Physical Activity

Unit 4: Nutrition for Physical Performance

Unit 21: Business and Technology in Personal Training

National Foundation Diploma/Extended Diploma

Learners taking this qualification will study four mandatory units:

Year 1

Unit A: Careers in the Sport and Active Leisure Industry

Unit B: Health, Wellbeing and Sport

Unit C2: Fitness Skills Development

Unit 2: Self-employment in Sport and Physical Activity.

Year 2

Unit D2: Personal Trainer Skills Development

Unit E: Research Project in Sport (Pearson-set)

Unit 2: Self-employment in Sport and Physical Activity

Unit 4: Nutrition for Physical Performance

Unit 21: Business and Technology in Personal Training

The mandatory content gives learners an introduction to working in the sport and fitness industry and forms a basis for progression to further study.

Part of the mandatory content also allows learners to develop technical skills in working with clients in a gym environment, carrying out gym inductions and leading small-group-based exercise supported by underpinning knowledge of the body and specific populations, which are all required to work as a Gym Instructor or Personal Trainer in the health and fitness industry.

Other optional Units will be delivered and assessed to give the learners as much knowledge and experience of the industry as possible.

All study programme assessments are continuous throughout the academic year. Theory subjects are assessed through assignments, group work and presentations. Practical assessments are also continuous through the year, based on practical skills needed to be a Fitness Instructor or Personal Trainer.

Level 3 Extended Certificate

4 GCSE 9-4 including English OR Level 2 Sport with relevant English and maths

Level 3 Foundation Diploma

5 GCSEs 9-4, including English and Maths.

This qualification gives learners the opportunity to progress to further study in higher education. It is recognised by higher-education providers as meeting entry requirements for many related degree programmes, such as a BA (Hons) in Health & Fitness and a BSc (Hons) in Diet, Fitness and Wellbeing. Learners should check entry requirements for degree programmes with providers.

This qualification is aimed at learners looking to progress to employment, particularly self-employment, in the sector as a Gym Instructor or Personal Trainer. Self-employment in this industry is common, with many instructors working in a freelance capacity across a number of health and fitness providers in a local area. There may also be opportunities to progress into the sports industry as a fitness professional with further study i.e. Strength & Conditioning.