The qualification
The Level 3 Diploma,
in full
A regulated qualification made up of 10 units worth 51 credits, externally quality-assured by Focus Awards. Studied online, assessed in person. Here is exactly what that means.
Regulated, awarded and recognised by
What will I learn?
The theory is not academic box-ticking. Every unit maps onto something you will actually do with a paying client: screening them, planning their training, feeding back, and running the business around it.
- Anatomy, physiology and how the body actually responds to training
- Nutrition principles you can apply to a real client's goals
- Designing progressive programmes for individual clients
- Delivering and adapting sessions live, with people in front of you
- Motivating clients and supporting the lifestyle changes that make training stick
- Health, safety and safeguarding in a fitness environment
- The business side: getting clients, getting paid, running yourself as a business
What you need to start
- 16 or over on the course start date
- A reasonable standard of written and spoken English
- No prior fitness qualification, because the Level 2 units are included
The 10 units, in the order you will meet them
Each unit with its official Ofqual reference and credit value, plus a plain-English line on what it actually covers.
Anatomy, Physiology and Kinesiology for Exercise and Health
How the body is put together and what training actually does to it.
K/617/8594 · Level 3
Applying Nutritional Principles to Personal Training
Nutrition you can use with a client, inside what a PT is allowed to advise.
M/617/8595 · Level 3
Planning Exercise Programme Design for Personal Training Clients
Building a programme that progresses, for one specific person.
T/617/8596 · Level 3
Delivering Exercise Programmes for Personal Training Sessions
Running the session itself: cueing, correcting, adapting on the spot.
A/617/8597 · Level 3
Business Acumen and the Use of Information Technology for a Personal Trainer
Getting clients, getting paid and running yourself as a business.
F/617/8598 · Level 3
Principles of Health and Wellbeing for Exercise, Fitness and Health
Why physical activity matters, and to whom.
Y/617/8588 · Level 2
Know How to Support Clients' Lifestyle Management and Enhance Client Motivation for Exercise and Physical Activity
Keeping people coming back after the first fortnight.
R/617/8590 · Level 2
Principles of Professional Practice and Health and Safety in a Fitness Environment
Safeguarding, risk and how to conduct yourself on the gym floor.
Y/617/8591 · Level 2
Planning Professional Practice with Effective Consultations and Assessments for Gym-Based Exercise Sessions
The first conversation: screening, goals and a baseline.
D/617/8592 · Level 2
Instructing Professional Practice and Effective Exercise Supervision in Gym-Based Exercise Sessions
Supervised gym instructing. The Level 2 practical, built in.
H/617/8593 · Level 2
What does the certificate get me?
Level 3 is the standard UK gyms and health clubs ask for when hiring personal trainers.
A regulated qualification is what insurers want to see before covering you to train clients.
Train your own clients, set your own rates and run it as your business. The diploma covers that side too.
Qualifying is the start of it. The trainers who last are the ones who carry on learning once the certificate is in the drawer.
Straight answers
Is this a real, recognised qualification?
Yes. It is the Level 3 Diploma Practitioner in Personal Training (RQF), awarded by Focus Awards, an awarding organisation regulated by Ofqual, and recognised by CIMSPA. It sits on the regulated qualifications framework, so it is not an in-house certificate.
Do I need a Level 2 qualification first?
No. The Level 2 gym instructing units are built into this diploma. 5 of the 10 units are Level 2, worth 18 of the 51 credits. You qualify at both levels.
Can I study around a full-time job?
Yes, and most people do. Mostly online, studied in your own time, so you work through the written units when it suits you. The practical is only 1 to 2 days in person, and those dates are published with each intake so you can book the time off well in advance.
What if I cannot travel to the practical days?
Ask about a remote place. Each intake holds 5 places for learners based elsewhere, who complete the same practical assessment on film rather than in person. The qualification is identical; there are simply not many of these places, so mention it when you reserve.
Continued learning
What you need to know that isn’t on the course
Daniel and Clinton run optional monthly sessions after the diploma on the parts no awarding body examines you on. It is a separate service, so you can take it or leave it once you have your certificate.
£30a month
if you qualified with us
£50a month
if you qualified elsewhere
Reserve
Secure your place
Tell us which intake you want. Nothing is charged here: we email you to arrange payment, and paying is what confirms your place.
Rather talk it through first? Email pthutuk@gmail.com.