syllabus - whats included
This qualification is the industry standard developing learners, who have existing knowledge and skills in gym instruction, to enable them to pursue a career in personal training.
During the qualification learners will cover the following:
About this qualification
• Further knowledge of anatomy and physiology applicable to personal training.
• Nutrition for exercise, health and fitness.
• Lifestyle and medical factors that affect wellbeing.
• Effective communication skills for client consultations to encourage healthy lifestyle behaviours and strategies for change.
• Skills to plan and conduct physical activity sessions with different types of clients in a variety of environments with a range of resources.
• Legal and professional requirements for personal training.
• How to set up and manage a personal training business on a self-employed basis if they wish to.
• How to manage, evaluate and improve own performance.
The qualification is comprised of six mandatory units:
1) Applied anatomy and physiology for exercise, health and fitness
2) The principles of nutrition and their application to exercise and health
3) Understanding lifestyle, health, wellbeing and common medical conditions
4) Encouraging positive health and fitness behaviours in clients
5) Programme design and delivery for personal training
6) Professionalism and business acumen for personal trainers
You must meet all the assessment requirements and successfully pass each unit in order to achieve the full qualification.
Best of luck with your studies!
Section 1:
The structure and function of the cardiovascular system
How the heart, blood and blood vessels work, and how they respond and adapt to exercise.
Section 2:
The structure and function of the musculoskeletal system
The bones, joints and muscles that create movement, and how to train them safely and effectively.
Section 3:
The structure and function of the nervous system
How the brain and nerves control movement, and why new clients get stronger so quickly in their first weeks.
Section 4:
The structure and function of the endocrine system
How hormones affect energy, stress, recovery and results, and why sleep and stress matter to your clients.
Section 5:
The role of the energy systems in relation to physical activity, exercise and training
How the body fuels short sprints, hard efforts and long sessions, and how to set work and rest periods for each.
Section 6:
The structure and function of the digestive system
How food is broken down and absorbed, linking what your clients eat to how they train.
Section 1:
Accessing credible information
How to tell good nutrition advice from internet myths, and where to find sources you can trust.
Section 2:
Common nutritional terms related to exercise and health
The key words and measures you will use with clients, from macronutrients to energy balance.
Section 3:
Nutrients required to maintain health
What carbohydrate, protein, fat, vitamins, minerals, fibre and water each do in the body.
Section 4:
Using nutrients to fuel activity
How to eat before, during and after training to perform well and recover faster.
Section 5:
Tailoring nutrition to client goals
How to adapt healthy eating advice for fat loss, muscle gain, endurance or general health.
Section 6:
Nutritional considerations for specific client groups and medical conditions
What to consider for groups such as older adults or pregnant clients, and when to refer to a dietitian.
Section 7:
Analysing dietary habits and identifying areas for improvement
How to review a food diary, spot patterns and agree small changes your clients can stick to.
Section 1:
Lifestyle factors and health and wellbeing
How activity, sleep, stress, alcohol and smoking shape your clients’ health beyond the gym.
Section 2:
The impact of common medical conditions on an individual’s lifestyle
How conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes, asthma and arthritis affect daily life and training.
Section 3:
Risk stratification and when to refer clients with medical conditions
How to screen clients, judge their level of risk and know when they need GP clearance first.
Section 1:
Communication to encourage positive health and fitness behaviours
How to listen, ask the right questions and give feedback that keeps clients motivated.
Section 2:
Behaviour change techniques and motivational strategies
Proven methods like goal setting and habit building that help clients stay consistent long term.
Section 3:
Health screening and fitness assessment
How to run a professional first consultation and simple tests that track real progress.
Section 4:
Using technology to encourage positive health and fitness behaviours
How apps, wearables and online check ins keep clients accountable between sessions.
Section 1:
The principles of programme design
How to build safe, effective programmes using overload, specificity, recovery and the FITT principles.
Section 2:
Periodisation
How to plan training in blocks and cycles so clients keep progressing without burning out.
Section 3:
Alternative environments
How to train clients safely outdoors, at home or online, as well as on the gym floor.
Section 4:
Group personal training
How to run small group sessions that give clients great value and earn you more per hour.
Section 5:
Special populations
How to adapt training for older adults, pregnant and postnatal clients, young people and disabled clients.
Section 1:
Legal and professional requirements
The standards, insurance and codes of conduct every personal trainer must follow.
Section 2:
Health and safety in the workplace
How to keep yourself, your clients and the gym safe, including risk assessments and emergencies.
Section 3:
Requirements of being self employed
Registering with HMRC, paying your own tax and running your PT business properly.
Section 4:
Managing personal information and records
How to store client data and health records securely and legally.
Section 5:
Marketing techniques and tactics
How to attract clients on the gym floor, online and through referrals.
Section 6:
Closing a sale
How to turn a consultation into a paying client confidently, without being pushy.
Section 7:
Setting budgets and managing finances
How to set prices, cover your rent, track income and plan for tax.
Section 8:
Using IT applications in business
The everyday software that makes running your PT business simpler, from booking to bookkeeping.
Section 9:
Using IT to support business planning and delivery
How to use digital tools to plan your diary, deliver programmes and grow your client base.
Section 10:
Continuing professional development
Why ongoing learning matters, and how CPD helps you specialise and charge more.