Personal Trainer Courses

Whenever the decision is taken to qualify as a personal trainer, then it must be done with a view to getting the highest quality of training available. There is hardly a better place to find the best personal trainer certification programs than in the UK, with at least a dozen very good personal training schools here. When looking for a personal trainer school, there are a number of factors that should be taken into consideration. These factors include: cost of running a certification program, nature of program (online, part time or full time), recognition of qualification (nationally or internationally accepted), standard of tutors and trainers, exposure given to students and recognition of the school and its courses by Central YMCA, Active IQ, OCR or any of the other awarding bodies here in the UK.

The Training Room is one of the best personal training course providers in the UK. The Training Room is in 30 different locations across the UK, with each branch (all of which are recognized by the Register of Exercise Professionals and Active IQ) of the academy offering the best personal trainer certification programs available. The Training Room admits only the best after a thorough admission process and offers study loans to admitted students funded by corporate partners. Efficiency and commitment are the watchword at the Training Room.

YMCAfit has been in the business of training personal trainers for a very long time and is one of the more familiar names in the industry. The tutors at YMCAfit are grounded in their various fields and would go the whole length to pass knowledge across to the student. The programmes here are run on either a full time or part time basis, depending on how much time you have during the week. All courses are recognized by the Central YMCA Qualifications (CYQ).

Discovery Learning offers fitness courses, starting from the foundation to the most advanced courses. Discovery Learning delivers high quality, innovative and flexible fitness qualifications to new and old hands in the fitness industry. Fitness courses on offer here range from Level 2 up to Level 4, and are all recognized by Central YMCA Qualifications (CYQ), Active IQ and the REPs.

If you are tied to a job and find it difficult attending classes during the week, then a suitable alternative is to go for an online or home learning program from International Correspondence Schools (ICS Learn). ICS Learn is the leader in home learning and offers programs leading to qualifications useful in the fitness industry.

The vibrancy in the UK fitness and health industry is evident in the number of companies that are offering personal trainer courses. Again, that same number is also indicative of the high standard that is maintained within the industry. Some of the reputable companies that provide personal training services in the UK include:

(In no particular order, so be sure to read the whole list)

1. Fitness Industry Education (FIE): Their certifications are based Active IQ and Central YMCA qualifications. These certifications are also provided via a flexible arrangement; virtual via web conferencing or Fulltime. Even for those who prefer the online option, there are still requirements for practical sessions in designated venues.

2. Lifetime Dynamic Training: This Company provides certifications based on two nationally recognized qualifications; Central YMCA and the Lifetime Health & Fitness Certification. The certifications are also tailored to meet the needs of individuals as well as corporate entities operating in the fitness and health field. Interested individuals who neither possess the requisite experience nor qualification can start off with an Exercise and Fitness Knowledge Module before proceeding to the personal training proper.

3. Premier Training: Premier Training has personal training courses that cater for both people who already have some certification as well as those whom desire to start out in the profession. Its certifications are recognized and accredited by the Vocational Training Charitable Trust. After a twelve week period for acquiring the certification, newly qualified personal trainers are qualified for entry into some universities such as Exeter and Leeds Metropolitan University for degrees that are related to sports.

4. Future Fit Training: The personal training programme offered by Future Fit is well rounded and covers areas including physiology, anatomy, circuit training, gym training and more.

5. European Institute of Fitness: The training program allows for a lot of flexibility to accommodate the students’ own schedule. The flexibility of the training programme also provides for residential and intensive ten day training for the students.

6. The Training Room (TheTrainingRoom.com ) : The ‘Elite’ Provider. This service provider boasts of the very best resources in the fitness and health industry. The training route provides students with credentials that take them straight to the highest entry level of the Register of Exercise Professionals (REP); Level 3. Additionally, the qualifications given at the end of the training are acknowledged at both national and international levels. They also find you a job, kick starting your career almost immediately. In addition, ‘The Training Room’ was the first to pioneer the ‘intensive 6 week’ course, enabling them to refine this particular course to a very high standard.

The YMCA personal trainer course is part of a long list of courses that the organisation offers for those who wish to make a career within the vast and growing fitness industry. The course can be followed at a number of centres up and down the country from Brighton in the South to Manchester in the North West and Colchester in the far East, as well as up into Scotland with  a centre at Cardonald College in Paisley . The YMCA are the leading provider of fitness courses in the United Kingdom. Those who are qualified can also link up their personal business web pages with the YMCAFIT site.

Beginning training for a new career, or even adding qualifications to those already held, can be a big decision. That is why the YMCA has regular open evenings so that you can go along, see the facilities, find information to help you make a decision, and meet up with both tutors and those already taking the course.  There will be presentations about such things as the course content and format, the support that is available, the way assessments work and the possible course dates.

The YMCA’s Advanced Diploma in Personal Training is a Level 3 REPS course made up of seven distinct modules. Completion of all of these to a satisfactory level means that you will then be entered as a personal trainer on the Register of Exercise Professionals (REP) as well as the National Register of Personal Trainers (NRPT). You can complete the course as one intense ‘fast-track’ course or can take it at a slower pace to fit in with other commitments you might have.   Whichever option you choose you personal preferences as far as learning styles will be taken into account by tutors. The modules are:-

Gym instructor

Fitness Testing

Advanced Training

Exercise Nutrition

Business skills

Out door fitness

Sports Conditioning

An important point is that you are guaranteed that on successful completion of the course interviews will be set up for you with a variety of employers. Many personal trainers choose to set up business on their own while others prefer to work within a larger organisation, which means they can get on with being a trainer and do not have to worry about such things as advertising, income tax and the necessary cover. It does of course mean a certain loss of control and independence. Having gained a little experience many trainers prefer to work part time in a large gym and some time on their own in premises they have rented or own, or even set up a mobile business working with clients in their own homes or other premises or outdoors.

As a qualified personal trainer you will be able to enjoy a varied and flexible career supporting and encouraging a wide range of clients to achieve their personal goals as far as fitness and health are concerned. Taking a YMCA Personal Trainer course could be the first step.

Personal trainer courses help you in the personal trainer certification which is part of the requirements for a personal trainer. Being a gym instructor is a wonderful profession as you literally get to shape up your clients’ lives. Being a gym instructor is more than just a job, it is a lifestyle. You are expected to train, coach, advise, supervise and motivate all in a well maintained positive environment. You need to have a clear mind and also a clear focus to accomplish all these requirements to become a personal trainer.

Q: What does my work entail as a fitness or gym instructor?

A: A gym instructor is the primary force behind any fitness facility as he or she leads clients into their desired fitness goals. All Personal Trainer Courses should teach you that a gym instructor should always be ready and willing to assist clients with the gyms equipment, while constantly pushing them to move forward.

Q: What is circuit training?

A: Circuit training is one of the many types of personal trainer courses that a certified UK gym instructor must teach. This type of training is fast becoming a popular group exercise choice among fitness enthusiasts in many gyms today all over the country. It’s basically an exercise routine with music and dance.

Q: What is an advanced gym instructor?

A:  When you get a personal trainer certification as a UK gym instructor you can go for advanced training. Having advanced qualifications will enable you to be more interactive with clients in advanced training techniques and plans. This is extra knowledge that may open up doors for you in many fitness facilities.

Q: Will I be able to handle pre and post natal women when I certify to be a gym instructor?

A: one of the requirements for a personal trainer is that you need to certify out of any one of REPs’ or Registry of Exercise Professionals’ certifications at level 2. However, handling pre and post natal women require extra management and monitoring, and can only be instructed by gym instructors who have taken a personal trainer course -  certification of level 3.

Q: How about the elderly?  Do we handle them once we certify as fitness instructors at level 2?

A:  Just like pre and post natal care women, older adults can only be instructed by personal trainers at level 3. Physically training the elderly requires a higher level of care as their physiology and lifestyles are different than middle aged adults. Special attention needs to be considered in areas like blood pressure, weakening joints, and weight management among many other challenges that older adults face.  All of these will be taught at reputable personal trainer courses.

Q:  So how do we certify to level 3 then?

A: At level 3 personal trainer certification, you get to train not only the elderly and pre and post natal women; you also get to train disabled people, GP referrals and children.  To move up to level 3, you need to certify out of any one of the three nationally accredited qualifications  set forth by REPs: Certificate in Advanced Fitness Instructing, Certificate in Personal Training or Level 3 NVQ in Instructing Physical Activity and Exercise –  which is all learned with good personal trainer courses.