Top 3 Personal Training Courses to Get You Qualified 

Is fitness your passion? Do you want to help others reach their health and fitness goals? The natural step is to become a Personal Trainer but if you cannot commit to an in-person course, we have the ideal solution. Studying personal training courses online will not only get you qualified, but you will have the benefit of navigating your way through the course when it suits you. 

Finding the best online personal training courses can feel like a minefield, so to help, we have picked out three accredited online personal fitness training courses that will get you qualified as a professional. Whether you want to become a Gym Instructor, Personal Trainer or provide nutrition advice to your clients, there are online learning courses that will give you the skills and knowledge you need. 

As well as identifying our top 3 personal training courses, we also delve into the art of personal training and answer some commonly asked questions about the role. 

What is a Personal Trainer? 

A Personal Trainer is a professional who helps individuals focus on achieving goals relating to their fitness and health. Through a range of exercise programmes, from beginner level to advanced, a Personal Trainer will motivate and encourage clients, whether they want to lose weight, build muscle after an injury, or simply improve their overall fitness. 

A Personal Trainer, UK learners, will use a variety of motivational techniques, as well as devise personalised workout programmes for clients, based on the goals that each individual wants to achieve. Usually, they will work with clients on a one-to-one basis, but in some instances, they may run group fitness classes. 

There are a range of responsibilities and day-to-day tasks that are carried out by a Personal Trainer. UK hopefuls should be aware that if they qualify as a professional, they will likely be involved in the following: 

• Helping clients establish fitness goals and determine what level of fitness they are at 
• Creating tailored exercise plans 
• Monitoring the progress of each client 
• Motivating and encouraging clients during their fitness journey 
• Educating clients on nutrition and fitness 
• Advising clients on lifestyle changes 
• Building and maintaining good relationships with clients 
• Regularly introducing new and innovative exercises to help keep clients on track 

Now that you have a snapshot of what a Personal Trainer is and what they do, discover how you can get qualified by exploring our top 3 personal training courses online. 

1. Gym Instructing Level 2 Certificate 

For those of you who have no prior experience of working in the fitness industry, then this is the course for you! By enrolling on the Gym Instructing Level 2 Certificate course delivered by learndirect in partnership with Leap Academy, you will get qualified to work in a gym, where you can plan and deliver gym programmes, as well as lead group fitness classes and interact with clients on the gym floor. 

This is among our group of online personal fitness training courses, and during your studies, you will cover the following main topics: 

• Physiology and human anatomy 
• How to plan and implement gym programmes 
• How to run client consultations 
• Client engagement and how to maximise their experience 

Unlike other personal training courses online, our Level 2 Gym Instructing course is led by industry experts from Leap Academy. A group of trained professionals who are leading the way in the fitness industry will put you through your paces, teaching you everything you need to know to work as a Gym Instructor.  

Through a variety of written materials, course videos, and online interactive learning features, you will learn how to become a Gym Instructor in an exciting and engaging way.  

How is it Assessed?

To achieve your Level 2 certificate, you will need to complete a multiple-choice theory exam for the first unit, and to help you prepare, you will be issued with a mock exam. Later units will require you to undergo a combination of assessments in the form of: 

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

What Can You Do with this Qualification? 

Once you have successfully obtained your Level 2 Gym Instructing Certificate, you will be qualified to pursue a role within an established gym. Thanks to our personal training courses online, you will be confident in leading client consultations, interacting with individuals on the gym floor, and planning and leading gym programmes. 

With this qualification, you will be qualified to hold a group fitness class within a gym or online, depending on the route that you want to pursue. There is no doubt that our online personal fitness training courses will enable you to start your career in the fitness industry, providing a platform for you to propel from. 

2. Gym Instructing and Personal Training Practitioner Level 3 Diploma 

Have you already achieved your Level 2 Gym Instructing Certificate, or are you inexperienced and want to fast-track your way to an accredited Personal Trainer qualification? The Gym Instructing and Personal Training Practitioner Level 3 Diploma caters to both experienced individuals and beginners. 

Delivered by learndirect in partnership with Leap Academy, this is one of the best online personal training courses as you are taught digitally by industry-leading fitness professionals. Through a range of written materials, course videos, and interactive learning features, you will explore the following topics: 

• 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 

This is an accredited Level 3 Personal Trainer course that is combined with Level 2 Gym Instructing. This means that individuals who are breaking into the health and fitness sector for the first time can study both qualifications in one course.  

Alternatively, if you are already qualified at Level 2, you can study our personal training courses online to get you to the next level and qualify as a Personal Trainer. UK-based learners who have undergone Level 2 training already will be able to ease their way through to the second phase of the course. 

How is it Assessed?

The benefit of studying personal training courses online is that the assessment is also online. After completing the first unit, you will be tasked with a multiple-choice theory exam, which you can prepare for with our mock exam. 

Later units will be assessed differently, but all will be explained as you make your way through the units. The assessment will be a combination of the following: 

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

What Can You Do with this Qualification? 

By completing this Level 3 Personal Trainer course, you will be qualified to work as a Gym Instructor within a gym or as a Personal Trainer, either as part of a gym setup or as a self-employed professional. By completing our personal training courses online, you will be equipped with the skills and knowledge required to set up your own business, should you decide to take that route. 

There are various options available to you once you complete our online training courses and obtain your regulated qualification. 

3. Level 4 Certificate in Nutrition for Weight Management and Athletic Performance 

While fitness is a crucial part of health, another component that is hugely important is nutrition. For professional Personal Trainers who want to upskill and add a string to their bow, they should study the Level 4 Certificate in Nutrition for Weight Management and Athletic Performance. By gaining this knowledge, you will be able to provide nutritional advice to your clients. 

One of the biggest obstacles for individuals looking to reach a fitness goal is diet. With so many fad diets doing the rounds in the public sphere, it can be difficult to know what real nutrition is. Getting trained in nutrition will enable you as a qualified Personal Trainer to help your clients live a more balanced lifestyle. 

This is among the online personal fitness training courses delivered by learndirect in partnership with Leap Academy. During your studies, you will learn about how the human body works and the importance of fuelling our bodies for physical activity. The course will consist of the following key topics: 

• Systems of the human body 
• Human metabolism 
• Fuelling for athletic performance  
• Common diets and food labelling 
• Strategising nutritional goals for clients  

You will be guided by industry-leading fitness experts and food specialists through a variety of online learning materials, including course videos and interactive digital features. These training online courses are ideal for professional Personal Trainers, but equally, they can be studied by individuals with no prior experience. 

How is it Assessed?

At the end of each unit of your online training courses, you will complete an assignment based on the topics covered. Each assignment will be marked by an experienced tutor, who will provide feedback to help you progress through the remainder of the course. 

Your assignments will be a combination of the following: 

• Multiple-choice assessments 
• Written assessments 
• Reflection documents 

What Can You Do with this Qualification? 

Upon successful completion of the course, if you work as a Personal Trainer, UK professionals, you can provide bespoke nutritional plans for your clients. This is an additional service that you can offer so that clients get both the fitness and nutritional benefits of hiring your expertise. 

Alternatively, if you are keen to work solely in a nutrition-related role, then this course will provide you with a platform to build upon. 

How Long are Personal Training Courses? 

One of the many great things about studying the aforementioned personal training courses online is that you have the freedom to study from home and at a time that suits you. In fact, you have the benefit of: 

• Studying the course at home 
• Completing units at your own pace  
• Learning around your existing commitments 

Due to the flexibility offered from our online personal fitness training courses, you can complete one in less than a month, it all depends on you and your pace. 

How Much is a Personal Training Course? 

Costs differ depending on the provider, and with learndirect and Leap Academy, you will benefit from affordable prices that can be spread across manageable monthly payments. 

How Much Do Personal Trainers Make? 

The salary expectations differ depending on the experience and qualifications of the Personal Trainer. UK-based professionals can expect to earn around £17,000 as a Gym Instructor, with a potential rise to £25,000. 

Gym Instructors are at the lower end of the pay scale on account of being trained at Level 2. Those who have completed our Level 3 Personal Trainer course could earn anything between £17,000 to £60,000, depending on experience, employer, and location. 

For example, working in London will likely earn you a higher salary than anywhere else in the UK. Also, working for a well-known gym could boost your pay packet as opposed to being employed by an independent establishment. Moreover, Personal Trainers who set up their own business could make an impressive living, particularly if they train high-profile clientele. 

Start Your Personal Training Course Today! 

If you want to break into the fitness sector and you’re passionate about all things health, then training as a Personal Trainer is an ideal option for you. Start enjoying all the benefits of studying our personal training courses online today! Simply speak to one of our Course Executives on 01202 006 464 or contact us online.