• YMCA Level 2 Extended Technical Occupational Entry in Exercise and Fitness: Gym Instructor (Diploma) (610/4592/5)

    By completing this qualification, learners will meet industry requirements to become a gym instructor, as set out within the:

    Skills England Leisure Team Member occupational standard.
    CIMSPA Gym Instructor professional standard.
    Download Specification

    YMCA Level 2 Extended Technical Occupational Entry in Exercise and Fitness: Gym Instructor (Diploma)

    Qualifications Type

    Occupational Entry

    | What does this mean?

    X

    Occupational qualifications provide the knowledge and skills to meet industry minimum standards of deployment for a particular role. This can support learners in getting their first job within the sector, or add additional roles to their existing scope of practice.

    Qualification Number (QN)

    610/4592/5

    Qualification size

    GLH: 202 / TQT: 393

    | What does this mean?

    X

    Total Qualification Time (TQT)

    This is an estimate of the total amount of time, measured in hours that a learner would reasonably need to be able to show the level of achievement necessary for the award of a qualification.

    Total Qualification Time is made up of the following two elements:

    The number of hours which an awarding organisation has assigned to a qualification for guided learning (see below)
    An estimate of the number of hours a learner will reasonably be likely to spend in preparation, study or any other form of participation in education or training – including assessment – which takes place as directed by (but not under the immediate guidance or supervision of) a lecturer, supervisor, tutor or other appropriate provider of education or training.

    Guided Learning Hours (GLH)

    This is:

    Face to face delivery (learning delivered by a lecturer, supervisor, tutor or other appropriate member of the training team)
    eLearning with a lecturer, teacher or tutor present/available in real-time (the learner and tutor can be either remote or in the same physical place during eLearning)
    Invigilated assessment (external tests sat under controlled or open-book conditions)
    Internal assessment carried out by the learner with a lecturer, teacher or tutor present/available in real time (the learner and tutor can be either remote or in the same physical place during assessment).

    This is not unsupervised learning such as:

    eLearning that the learner carries out unsupervised and with no real time support from a lecturer, teacher or tutor
    Assessment internally carried out by the learner without a lecturer, teacher or tutor present/available in real time (for example, completing a Learner Assessment Record (LAR) at home)
    Any additional further study, revision and training activities that the learner does unsupervised to support their learning.

    Availability

    Operational start date: 1 August 2025

    Operational end date:

    Certification end date:

    Entry Requirements

    Aged 16+

    Assessments

    Applied case study questions
    Professional discussion
    Exercise induction portfolio
    Session planning documents
    Observation of practical skills

    Endorsement

    Overview

    By completing this qualification, learners will meet industry requirements to become a gym instructor, as set out within the:

    Skills England Leisure Team Member occupational standard.
    CIMSPA Gym Instructor professional standard.

    The purpose of this qualification is to enable learners to:

    Maintain health, safety and hygiene in the gym-based environment.
    Supervise and support clients in a gym-based environment.
    Plan, deliver and evaluate gym-based exercise programmes.

    Qualification details

    Learners will cover:

    Fundamentals of anatomy and physiology for exercise and fitness professionals
    Providing a positive customer experience to exercise and fitness participants
    Principles of physical activity, exercise and training approaches to develop fitness and health
    Health screening, risk stratification and scope of practice
    Health awareness and lifestyle management
    Supporting clients in a gym-based environment
    Plan, deliver and evaluate gym-based training

    To achieve the YMCA Level 2 Extended Technical Occupational Entry in Exercise and Fitness: Gym Instructor (Diploma) (610/4592/5), learners must achieve seven mandatory units. Assessment include:

    Applied case study questions
    Professional discussion
    Exercise induction portfolio
    Session planning documents
    Observation of practical skills

    You can find further information on these assessments in the qualification specification and/or learner assessment record (LAR). The LAR is available for centres to download from Y-Connect.

    This qualification is an occupational entry qualification. This means it meets the agreed industry prerequisites to enter the sport and physical activity sector as an employed or self-employed Gym Instructor.
    This qualification can also lead to further training at the same and/or higher level to specialise and further increase scope of practice. For example:

    Population specialisms (to work with a broader range of clients):

    YMCA Level 2 Award in Engaging Inactive People in Physical Activity to Create Long-Term Behaviour Change (603/7345/3)
    YMCA Level 2 Award in Engaging Children Aged 0-5 in Sport and Physical Activity (603/7218/7)
    YMCA Level 2 Award in Engaging Children and Young People in Sport and Physical Activity (603/7216/3)
    YMCA Level 3 Award in Supporting Participation in Physical Activity: Perinatal (610/0829/1)
    YMCA Level 3 Award in Supporting Participation in Physical Activity: Disability and Impairments (610/1559/1)
    YMCA Level 3 Award in Supporting Participation in Physical Activity: Older Adults (610/1668/8)
    YMCA Level 3 Diploma in Exercise Referral (603/3103/3)

    Environment specialisms (to work in more settings):

    YMCA Level 2 Award in Developing Sustainable Physical Activity Programmes Within Community Settings (603/7343/X)

    Technical specialisms (to work with specific equipment or perform additional roles within the workplace):

    YMCA Level 2 Award in Instructing Kettlebell Training (603/7186/9)
    YMCA Level 2 Award in Instructing Suspended Movement Training (603/7187/0)
    YMCA Level 2 Award in Mental Health Awareness and Understanding Approaches to Support Individuals (603/7146/8)
    YMCA Level 2 Award in Safeguarding Adults and Adults at Risk (610/0822/9)
    YMCA Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work (603/1902/1)
    YMCA Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work (603/1903/3)

    UniteLearningManual
    Fundamentals of anatomy and physiology for exercise and fitness professionals (H/650/7417)✔️✔️
    Providing a positive customer experience to exercise and fitness participants (J/650/4853)✔️✔️
    Principles of physical activity, exercise, and training approaches to develop fitness and health (K/650/4854)✔️✔️
    Health screening, risk stratification and scope of practice (L/650/4855)✔️✔️
    Health awareness and lifestyle management (R/650/4857)✔️✔️
    Supporting clients in a gym-based environment (T/650/4858)✔️✔️
    Plan, deliver and evaluate gym-based training (Y/650/4859)✔️

    For more information on resource and resource bundle pricing

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    Benefits of YMCA Awards endorsement

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