• YMCA Level 3 Technical Occupational Entry in Exercise and Fitness: Personal Trainer (Diploma) (610/3995/0)

    By completing this qualification, existing gym instructors can expand their scope of practice to deliver personal training. This qualification meets industry requirements to become a personal trainer, as set out within the :

    Skills England Personal Trainer occupational standard.
    CIMSPA Personal Trainer professional standard
    Download Specification

    YMCA Level 3 Technical Occupational Entry in Exercise and Fitness: Personal Trainer (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)

    610/3995/0

    Qualification size

    GLH: 276 / TQT: 499

    | 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

    Learners must have completed a qualification or apprenticeship endorsed against the CIMSPA Gym Instructor professional standard.

    Assessments

    Consultation and assessment
    Professional discussion
    Design of a progressive exercise programme
    Training log
    Demonstration of personal training skills (1:1)
    Demonstration of personal training skills (small group)
    Showcase presentation

    Endorsement

    Overview

    By completing this qualification, existing gym instructors can expand their scope of practice to deliver personal training. This qualification meets industry requirements to become a personal trainer, as set out within the:

    Skills England Personal Trainer occupational standard.
    CIMSPA Personal Trainer professional standard

    The purpose of this qualification is to enable learners to:

    consult and assess clients’ needs and support them towards their health and fitness goals
    plan, deliver and evaluate indoor and outdoor personal training sessions to support individuals (one-to-one) and small groups
    apply methods of marketing and promoting their own personal training business

    Qualification details

    Learners will cover:

    Anatomy and physiology for exercise and fitness professionals
    Nutrition for physical activity and exercise
    Consultation and assessment for personal training
    Plan, deliver and evaluate personal training
    Plan, deliver and evaluate outdoor training
    Business acumen for health and fitness professionals

    To achieve the YMCA Level 3 Technical Occupational Entry in Exercise and Fitness: Personal Trainer (Diploma) (610/3995/0), learners must achieve six mandatory units. Assessment include:

    Consultation and assessment
    Professional discussion
    Design of a progressive exercise programme
    Training log
    Demonstration of personal training skills (1:1)
    Demonstration of personal training skills (small group)
    Showcase presentation

    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 Personal Trainer.
    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
    Anatomy and physiology for exercise and fitness professionals (H/650/4852)✔️✔️
    Nutrition for physical activity and exercise (F/650/6219)✔️✔️
    Consultation and assessment for personal training (K/650/4863)✔️✔️
    Plan, deliver and evaluate personal training (M/650/4865)✔️✔️
    Plan, deliver and evaluate outdoor training (J/650/4862)✔️✔️
    Business acumen for health and fitness professionals (F/650/7416)✔️✔️

    For more information on resource and resource bundle pricing

    Visit our Fees page

    Benefits of YMCA Awards endorsement

    Realise extra value from existing, non-regulated training programmes

    Evidence high standards of teaching, resources and support

    Learn from our experts to reach your ongoing development ambitions

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