CIMSPA ENDORSED
Level 3 Personal Trainer Course: Qualify to Train Clients 1-to-1
This CIMSPA-accredited Level 3 qualification prepares gym instructors to become personal trainers. The course develops programme design, client assessment and business skills for one-to-one coaching in UK gyms and internationally.
Price: £1165.50
How long does the Level 3 Personal Trainer course take?
You can complete the course in 3–6 months. We give you up to 12 months to finish if needed.
How much does the course cost?
The course costs £1,165.50 with 0 % finance available. You can start with a £250 deposit and spread the rest over 6, 9 or 12 months interest-free.
What qualification will I get when I qualify?
You’ll gain the Active IQ Level 3 Diploma in Personal Training, accredited by CIMSPA and regulated by Ofqual. It’s fully recognised by UK and international employers.
Do I need previous qualifications to enrol?
Yes — you’ll need your Level 2 Gym Instructor first. If you don’t have it yet, we can enrol you on PT Essentials, which covers Levels 2 and 3 together.
Can I study online, or do I need to attend workshops?
You’ll complete theory online and attend gym-based workshops close to you for practical skills. We blend both so you can study flexibly while gaining real hands-on experience.
Level 3 PersonaL Trainer course: Key Questions Answered
Essential Facts About the Level 3 Personal TrainING Course
Essential details for the Level 3 Personal Trainer course. This section covers entry requirements, study format, finance options and typical duration.
Entry Requirements
A Level 2 Gym Instructor qualification is required to enrol. Learners without it can take the PT Essentials bundle to complete Levels 2 and 3 together.
Blended learning
Blended learning combines flexible online study with practical workshops in UK gyms, supported by tutor contact and mentor guidance.
0% interest finance
0% interest finance is available. Learners can pay in full, or start with a £250 deposit and spread the balance over 6, 9, or 12 months.
Course Duration
Typical completion is 3–6 months. Learners have up to 12 months if needed, with the option to fast-track in as little as 8 weeks.
The Level 3 Diploma in Personal Training is Ofqual-regulated by Active IQ and recognised by CIMSPA. Learners usually complete in 3–6 months through blended study, with 0% finance options available.
Why Choose YOUR Academy for Level 3 Personal Training
We deliver qualifications with career impact, not just theory. Our CIMSPA Enhancing Status, blended training model, mentor support and 0% finance make us the trusted choice for future personal trainers.
CIMSPA Enhancing Status
We hold CIMSPA Enhancing Status, the highest quality mark in UK fitness education, awarded after a rigorous quality inspection.Weekly Mentor Workshops
Most training providers leave learners to study alone. We run weekly group workshops covering business skills, coaching, communication and programme design helping learners stay supported, motivated and progressing throughout their course.Blended Learning
We combine flexible online modules with gym-based workshops in fully equipped venues nationwide, led by experienced tutors.Regular Mentor Contact
We provide ongoing mentor guidance and feedback to keep you progressing, motivated and confident as you qualify.0% Interest Finance
We make training accessible with 0% interest plans. Pay in full, or start with a £250 deposit and spread the balance over 6, 9, or 12 months.
We’re a CIMSPA Enhancing Status provider delivering Ofqual-regulated Active IQ qualifications with blended learning, regular mentor support and 0% finance.
Careers and Outcomes with a Level 3 Personal Trainer Qualification
With a Level 3 qualification, you’ll be able to work as a professional Personal Trainer delivering one-to-one coaching in gyms, studios or your own business. You can also expand into online coaching or specialise in areas like performance, corrective exercise or nutrition.
The average UK personal trainer salary is £32,586 per year, based on over 2,700 salaries reported to Indeed (October 2025). Self-employed PTs typically earn more than employed positions as they keep 100% of their session fees and can set their own rates.
This qualification gives you the skills and confidence to progress into senior trainer roles, fitness management or advanced specialisms as your career grows.
Core PERSONAL TRAINER Skills You’ll Gain
On this course, you’ll build the advanced skills needed to work confidently as a Personal Trainer. You’ll learn to assess clients, design personalised programmes and coach effectively in gym-based workshops.
Programme design — you’ll create structured, progressive training programmes for a variety of goals and populations.
Coaching techniques — you’ll master cueing, communication and behaviour-change strategies to improve client adherence.
Nutrition support — you’ll learn how to offer safe, evidence-based nutrition advice within your professional scope, supporting clients’ training and lifestyle goals.
Business fundamentals — you’ll develop the skills to build and sustain a professional PT service.
You’ll gain skills in client assessment, programme design, coaching, nutrition and business, preparing you to deliver professional one-to-one personal training.
Secure your Level 3 place for £250
Choose to pay the full £1165.50 upfront or secure your place on this course with just a £250 deposit and spread the remaining cost interest FREE
What You’ll Learn on the Level 3 Personal Trainer Course
Through six structured units, you’ll develop the knowledge and practical skills to work confidently as a Personal Trainer. Each module builds on your gym instructor qualification and prepares you for one-to-one client coaching.
Unit 1: Applied Anatomy & Physiology
Gain a deeper understanding of anatomy and physiology, including energy systems, biomechanics and muscular adaptations to training. This knowledge helps you design safe, effective programmes for different client needs.
Unit 2: Nutrition for Exercise & Health
Study the role of macronutrients, micronutrients and hydration in supporting health and performance. You’ll learn to provide safe, evidence-based guidance within your scope and recognise when to refer to a nutrition specialist.
Unit 3: Lifestyle & Wellbeing
Explore how lifestyle factors, wellbeing and common health conditions influence exercise participation. You’ll learn to adapt training safely, manage risks and support clients with varying needs through practical programme design.
Unit 4: Behaviour Change in Clients
Develop strategies to help clients stay motivated, adopt healthy behaviours and overcome barriers to change. You’ll use proven coaching approaches to build commitment, create accountability and support long-term progress in fitness.
Unit 5: Programme Design & Delivery
Learn how to design and deliver structured training plans tailored to individual goals. This includes adapting exercises for diverse abilities, applying principles of progression, and delivering safe, effective one-to-one PT sessions.
Unit 6: Business acumen for pTs
Learn how to design and deliver structured training plans tailored to individual goals. This includes adapting exercises for a range of abilities, applying principles of progression, and delivering safe, effective one-to-one PT sessions.
How You'll LEARN
The Level 3 Personal Trainer course follows a blended learning model, combining flexible online study with hands-on practical workshops.
Online theory modules: Learners complete interactive content, quizzes and assignments at their own pace, building the knowledge needed for safe and effective programme design.
Gym-based workshops: Practical sessions take place in fully equipped UK gyms, where learners practise exercise technique, coaching and assessment under expert tutor guidance.
Mentor and tutor support: Learners join live weekly sessions with expert tutors, covering key topics, answering questions and providing feedback.
Study flexibility: Fit your learning around work or life commitments with up to 12 months to qualify.
Training blends self-paced online theory with UK-wide gym workshops, supported by regular mentor contact and tutor feedback to build knowledge, confidence and real-world skills.
How You’ll Be Assessed
Assessment is designed to confirm both knowledge and practical competence, preparing learners to work as professional Personal Trainers.
Online knowledge tests: Multiple-choice exams check understanding of anatomy, physiology and nutrition knowledge.
Coursework and case studies: Learners complete programme designs and written evidence that reflect real-world client scenarios.
Practical observation: Learners plan and deliver a full one-to-one personal training session, including consultation, coaching and review, observed by a qualified assessor.
Learners complete online knowledge tests, written coursework and a practical observation of a full personal training session to demonstrate competence and readiness for professional practice.
Level 3 Personal Trainer Reviews & Success Stories
Graduates of the Level 3 Personal Trainer course show how advancing beyond Level 2 builds confidence, develops real coaching experience and opens the door to a successful PT career.
“We had weekly calls and there was always someone there to support me. We also had many practical sessions in person with the learning experts which gives you the real-time experience.
Karthick Gajendran
The best part of being a PT is seeing the progression of your clientswhen they reach a personal milestone. So, to anyone who is considering switching to a career in PT - my advice would be to just go for it.
Lindsay Duggan
Pricing & Payments OPTIONS
Investing in your Level 3 Personal Trainer qualification is straightforward and affordable, with flexible payment options designed to suit different budgets.
Course fee — £1,165.50
Pay in full — one simple upfront payment
Deposit option — start with a £250 deposit and spread the balance over 6, 9 or 12 months at 0% interest
BOOK YOUR PLACE TODAY FOR ONLY £250
Choose to pay the full £1165.50 upfront or secure your place on this course with just a £250 deposit and spread the remaining cost interest FREE
Level 3 Personal Trainer Workshops Across the UK
Level 3 Personal Trainer workshops take place across the UK in fully equipped commercial gyms. Venues include London, Manchester, Leeds, Gloucester and Nottingham, with additional locations available nationwide. Facilities typically feature free weights, racks, cardio equipment and functional zones to support practical training.
COURSES TO Help You Stand Out as a PT
Whether you’re just starting out or ready to specialise, we offer qualification routes that grow with your career. From PT Essentials through to advanced specialisms, each pathway is designed to make you more employable, more confident and more in demand as a personal trainer.
PT ESSENTIALS (LEVEL 2 & 3)
Not got a Level 2 yet? PT Essentials combines both Level 2 Gym Instructor and Level 3 Personal Trainer into one streamlined package, saving you time and money while qualifying you to train clients one-to-one.
SPECIALIST PERSONAL TRAINER COURSES
Take your PT career further by adding a specialist CPD in Nutrition, Performance, Pre/Postnatal or Corrective Exercise. These qualifications help you stand out, attract more clients and increase your earning potential.
THE ULTIMATE PT COURSE
The PT course for ambitious professionals with an insatiable quest for knowledge who demand excellence in their field.
Frequently Asked Questions
-
You'll need a Level 2 Gym Instructor qualification to enrol. If you don't have Level 2, we offer the PT Essentials bundle—combining both qualifications so you can qualify as a personal trainer directly.
-
Most learners complete the course in 3–6 months, studying at their own pace. We give you up to 12 months to finish, with flexible online learning and workshops that fit around your schedule.
-
Earnings vary by role. The average UK personal trainer earns £32,586 per year (Indeed, October 2025). Self-employed PTs typically earn more than gym-employed positions as they keep 100% of session fees and set their own rates. You can earn more if you offer specialist services like nutrition or sports performance.
-
The course costs £1,165.50 with 0% finance available. You can start with a £250 deposit and spread the rest over 6, 9 or 12 months interest-free, or pay in full if you prefer.
-
The course is awarded by Active IQ, an Ofqual-regulated awarding organisation and CIMSPA-recognised qualification. We’re proud to deliver this diploma under CIMSPA Enhancing Status, the UK’s highest quality mark in fitness education.
-
You can work as a personal trainer in gyms across the UK or abroad.
Many trainers go self-employed, offer online coaching, or move into specialist areas of fitness. -
You’ll take part in gym-based workshops held across the UK, where you’ll practise key exercise techniques and advanced training methods — including HIIT, AMRAP, supersets, pyramid sets and drop-sets, plus PNF and partner-assisted stretching.
Our expert tutors help you build confidence and prepare fully for your final assessments. -
You’ll have regular mentor contact, tutor feedback, and access to our online learning platform.
We’ll help you stay motivated and make steady progress right through to qualification. -
Your certificate is issued by Active IQ, usually 4–6 weeks after you complete all assessments and your results are verified. We notify you as soon as it’s ready.
-
No — everything’s included. Your fee covers registration, study resources, tutor support, workshops and certification, with no extra charges for exams or qualification once you’re enrolled.
-
Yes — you can join our PT Essentials course, which combines Level 2 Gym Instructor and Level 3 Personal Trainer. It’s a direct route that lets you qualify as a personal trainer in one go.
-
You can start the Level 3 Personal Trainer course from age 16.
Most employers and insurance providers prefer you to be 18+ before working with clients, but the formal entry age is 16.
READY TO QUALIFY AS A CIMSPA-ACCREDITED PERSONAL TRAINER?
Book a quick call and we’ll walk through start dates, workshop options, and your flexible study plan — so you can qualify at Level 3 with confidence.