Which Personal Trainer Qualifications?

Unfortunately in recent years there has been an explosion in the number of provider offering personal trainer qualifications and certifications. Why do we say "unfortunately"?

We have seen a definite shift in the training of new PTs from providers. But is the problem a lack of a properly monitored personal trainer arena and more importantly, being able to directly compare courses in a framework that benchmarks exactly what each course provides head to head.

Why is this important and what are we referring to here?

 

A Difference In Personal Training Qualifications?

Every course that's delivered by different companies will have a likelihood of being slightly different. For example, schools delivering an AQA in Maths may approach it quite differently, whilst ensuring they cover the required areas of the curriculum. This is no different for personal trainer qualifications.

An example. Does a distance learning course that costs £750 and is correctly promoted as a Level 3 Personal Trainer course (and accredited by CIMSPA) provide the same qualification as a £2500, 6 week intensive course that is also a Level 3 Personal Trainer course?

On paper, yes it does. But, here's where you need to understand the differences.

Both courses will probably cover similar topics with a similar amount of depth in content, but will a predominantly distance learning course be equal to one that is intensive and involves classroom time? How do you assess gaining experience in how to manage potential clients in a range of situations? How do the final assessments tests stack up when compared side by side? What support do you have throughout the course?

But let's start with the basics first.

 

How Can I Be A Personal Trainer?

To obtain a personal trainer qualification in the UK, you must complete a Level 3 Personal Training Certificate or Diploma (as defined by CIMSPA).

Anyone calling themselves a Personal Trainer and practising in the UK is required to have a Level 3 certificate. It will be difficult, in fact it should be impossible, to obtain employment without having this level of personal trainer qualification. But small independent gyms or studios may not be so careful about checking.

A prospective student that wants to take a course and receive their Level 3 will have a variety of options to choose from. Courses that will provide you with the best possible chance of employment in the personal training industry, as well as qualify you to apply for other important memberships in the industry, must be accredited by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport & Physical Activity - CIMSPA.

To have the best possible personal trainer qualification it is wise to consider what you want to do with your certification before you choose an institution to take your personal trainer qualification at. The industry is both one which is growing and one that is very competitive.

 

How To Get The Right Qualification

There are many people who want to enter the industry; having the skill sets that you need to distinguish yourself from others is a necessity in order to guarantee success as a personal trainer working within a gym environment or if you desire to start and run your own personal training business.

Before you can take your level three personal trainer qualification, you must already have your level two fitness instructor certificate. Some students enter programs and take certificate levels one and two with no previous experience in the fitness and personal training industry.

Awarding bodies are responsible for accreditation; such bodies include the Active IQ and the CYQ. They are operating in relation to CIMSPA. If you are a professional personal trainer you must be registered with CIMSPA. This organization sets the bar for industry standards and helps to regulate the level and quality of education that is provided in the personal training industry by academic institutions.

 

Where To Find Qualifications?

There's several types of providers that offer personal training courses, however not all of them will give you the certification that you need to practise professionally.

It is wise to check with either CIMSPA or the governing bodies to ensure that the institution you want to study at will offer you what you need as a qualified personal trainer.

Vocationally Related Qualification courses for prospective personal training students are relatively easy to access and are focused on the development of knowledge in the individual. Whereas work based programs are more focused on enhancing the skills of someone who is already working in the personal training industry and assessing their work place skills. An example of such a program is the National Vocational Qualification for Personal Trainers.

 

Added Value

The broader your skills base, the more employable you will be, and more in demand as a personal trainer. You will be able to earn a higher salary if you have a well-developed skill base. The more memberships that you will qualify for will also seek to enhance your qualification portfolio. A personal trainer will want to continue their learning and must maintain their qualification status each year to ensure that they have the most recent and up to date skill sets to offer to their clientele.

Advanced courses are offered to personal trainers that want to go beyond the basic requirements of their personal trainer certification. You may also get to pick and choose which course topics you want to focus your career in after you complete the mandatory sections of the personal trainer requirement courses. Finding a niche area to practice personal training in can also be quite lucrative.

 

 

By Ian Duncan