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With the wide variety of personal training courses in the UK, it is no surprise that choosing the right one can be confusing. Nonetheless, you do not need to worry, as this article has streamlined the process for you.
Here, we have considered factors like reputation, student support, course offerings, career opportunities, and class format to provide the best PT courses for you to choose from.
Before we discuss these PT courses, let’s consider what makes them the best.
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For a personal training course to be considered as one of the best, it needs to be accredited by an officially recognised body in the UK fitness industry.
However, even though there are over 20 awarding bodies, most UK employers and gym owners only recognise personal training qualifications from Ofqual-regulated awarding bodies.
YMCA Awards, Active IQ and Focus Awards are a few of the awarding bodies that are regulated by The Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual).
On the other hand, the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) is a professional development and governing body that ensures awarding bodies, like NCFE, Active IQ, and Focus Awards, meet the CIMSPA-set national standards and criteria.
Additionally, the best personal training courses are from reliable providers that are endorsed by CIMSPA and/or regulated by Ofqual.
| Provider | Study Format | Career Support | Price (Level 3 PT Diploma) | Notable Extras |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Create | Fully online | In-house recruitment & gym partnerships | £1,000–£1,500 | Flexible pacing and 7-day tutor support |
| Future Fit | Blended (online + workshops) | Job board, guaranteed interviews | £2,999 | 0% financing, CPD modules included |
| Study Active | Online + optional workshops | CV mentoring & guaranteed interviews | £1,248 | Fast-track option and expert tutor access |
| HFE | Online or in-person | CV Connect platform | £1,595 | Extensive tutor access and recognised employers |
| OriGym | Online/part-time/full-time | Job board, CV workshops | £999 | 98% pass rate, unlimited exam resits |
| Train Fitness | Online, in-person, live-virtual | Career Concierge & career tools | From £699 | MentorMe program, live learning labs |
| The Fitness Group | Online + gym assessments/workshops | Mentorship & local/national job support | £1,995 | Expert tutor workshops and business workshops |
| PT Academy | Online or physical | Unlimited job interviews | Online/part-time / full-time | Free gym membership and CPD course bundles |
Create is a multi-award-winning fitness education provider with CIMSPA and Focus Awards-accredited personal training courses. They offer level 2 and 3 personal training courses that are delivered online with no set start or assessment dates, thereby allowing you to learn at your own pace. These courses cover everything, from business skills to nutrition, health & safety, applied anatomy, and the lot in between.
Reputation and Reviews
According to multiple reviews, Create PT provides flawless service throughout the course, and reviewers have notably stated that the support, attention, and efficiency provided by the tutors are second to none.
Course Offering
Create PT offers a Level 2 Certificate in Gym Instructing and a Level 3 Diploma in Personal Training. They also offer additional qualifications, like a Level 4 Strength & Conditioning Diploma and a Level 3 Diploma in GP Exercise Referral.
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Class Format
The Create PT courses are delivered online. You must record your practical assessments at your facility and upload the video to the Create PT platform for assessment.
Support for students
The Create PT tutoring team are available 7 days a week to offer feedback and support to students.
Career Opportunities
Create PT have an in-house recruitment process to help you find the perfect role once you receive your qualifications. Additionally, their partnerships with some of the leading gyms in the UK help guarantee you an interview for competitive roles across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
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Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for the Level 2&3 combined best personal training course, but the Level 2 certificate in gym instructing is a prerequisite for the Level 3 diploma in personal training. However, you must be at least 16 years old to start a course.
Learn more about Level 3 PT course at Create PT
With over 30 years of experience, Future Fit offers Ofqual-regulated and CIMSPA-accredited personal training courses that provide you with the knowledge, skills, and experience needed to build a successful fitness career.
They offer a custom-built learning platform and recorded fitness workshops that allow for flexible study. However, the number of face-to-face workshops varies between course offerings. Additionally, these courses cover a whole lot, from anatomy and physiology to PT programming and coaching, nutrition and weight management, core training, exercise for fat loss, and everything in between.
Reputation and Reviews
Future Fit personal training courses receive positive reviews, especially regarding their course quality and student support. However, there were a few concerns about the responsiveness of the tutors.
Course Offering
Future Fit offers a Level 2 Gym Instructor course, a Level 3 Personal Trainer Course, a Level 4 Personal Trainer Course, and a Level 5 Personal Training and Nutrition Course.
Class Format
Future Fit offers a combination of e-learning and practical workshops.
Support to students
Future Fit support team is always available to answer any questions, and the blended class format allows students to put their theory into practice during the workshops. They also have a range of locations across the UK for the workshops, ensuring that students don’t need to further inconvenience themselves for the courses.
Career Opportunities
Future Fit offers students a career accelerator package with the resources and support they need to start their fitness careers. They also offer access to their job board, which is used by reputable health and fitness clubs in the UK, enabling their students to access the latest jobs in the industry.
Prerequisites
Students must be at least 16 years old or older to be eligible for the Future Fit personal training courses. However, a Level 2 gym instructor certificate is needed for the Level 3 courses.
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As the 2023/2024 UK Active Education Provider of the Year, Study Active is one of the leading providers of personal training courses in the UK. They offer their CIMSPA-endorsed fitness education courses via e-learning with 24/7 access and theory assessments online. The courses cover topics from anatomy to cardiovascular and resistance training and everything in between.
Reputation and Reviews
Study Active personal training course reviews are generally positive. Reviewers highlight the course structure and supportive tutors, and many emphasise how comfortable they felt taking the course.
Course Offering
Study Active offers a Level 2 Certificate in Gym Instructing and a Level 3 Diploma in Personal Training. They also offer other additional qualifications, like a Level 4 Advanced Personal Training Diploma and RSPH Level 4 Nutrition.
Class Format
Study Active offers e-learning courses with the option of one-on-one workshops and assessments with a Study Active Master Tutor. Besides, there is the opportunity for group training in the fast-track option.
Support for students
Study Active provides both live and on-demand support from expert fitness education tutors, ensuring that students get the support they need when they need it. Tutors can also be contacted via email, Teams, and telephone.
Career Opportunities
Study Active offers its graduates fitness career support, mentoring, free CIMSPA CPD points, and a guaranteed interview at a top national gym.
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Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for the Study Active personal training course, but it is recommended that you have an active interest in fitness and some experience in the gym.
With over 15 years of experience, Health and Fitness Education (HFE) is one of the leading fitness training providers in the UK. They offer internationally recognised, CIMSPA-endorsed personal training courses developed by some of the industry’s leading training experts, including physiotherapists, doctors, dietitians, and nutritionists.
Students can choose between attended and online personal training courses, allowing them to gain experience flexibly. These courses encompass content like anatomy and physiology, principles of exercise and fitness training, and advanced fitness training methods, amongst others.
Reputation and Reviews
HFE personal training courses mostly have 5-star positive reviews, with reviewers stating the professionalism of the tutors and the help of the customer support.
Course Offering
HFE offers a Level 2 Certificate in Gym Instructing and a Level 3 Certificate in Personal Training. They also offer other additional qualifications, like Level 3 Diploma in Exercise Referral, Level 3 Business Acumen for Personal Trainers, Level 4 Diploma in Coaching Body Transformations, and Level 4 Obesity and Diabetes Certificate.
Class Format
HFE offers both online and face-to-face personal training courses, allowing you to choose the one that suits your needs.
Support to students
HFE has a 5-star learning support team that guides students throughout their training course through phone, email, video calls, and webinars.
Career Opportunities
HFE’s CV Connect platform allows students to get direct access to employment with every major health club chain in the UK. It also supports students’ careers by offering a range of discounts and exclusive offers.
Prerequisites
Most Level 3 HFE courses require a Level 2 Gym Instructor course or equivalent.
The Fitness Group Education is a global leader in health and fitness education with operations in many international markets, including the United Kingdom, Asia, Europe, and the United Arab Emirates.
All their courses are certified by Active IQ and endorsed by CIMSPA. Students have access to their e-learning platform and a library of recorded lectures. Besides, students have the option to complete their coursework online or attend their local gym to complete their practical assessment.
Reputation and Reviews
Study Active personal training course reviews are generally positive, with reviewers showcasing the attentiveness of their tutors.
Course Offering
The Fitness Group offers a Level 2 Gym Instructor Course and a Level 3 Personal Trainer Course. They also offer other additional qualifications, like the Level 3 Exercise Referral, Level 3 Supporting pre- and postnatal clients with Exercise and Nutrition, and Level 4 Certificate in Physical Activity and Weight Management for Obese and Diabetic Clients.
Class Format
The Fitness Group offers students an online learning platform. Students can also attend an expert tutor workshop or record the assessment via video from their own gym.
Support to students
Students have access to daily expert tutor support from a team of expert tutors. These tutors are also available to lead you through the curriculum during the practical workshops. Plus, students receive CIMSPA CPD points upon completion of their courses.
Career Opportunities
The Fitness Group offers you unlimited support throughout your journey, from incorporating Business Skills workshops to one-on-one career mentorship with tutors. They also use their local and national network to help you secure a job interview in the fitness industry.
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for this course, but you need a Level 2 certificate before you can participate in the Level 3 courses.
As the British Fitness Awards 2024 Training Provider winner, OriGym is one of the UK’s top training providers. They offer a comprehensive range of CIMSPA-endorsed and Ofqual-regulated personal training courses that cover everything from the industry fundamentals to more advanced elements to help further your career prospects.
Reputation and Reviews
OriGym personal training course has a myriad of positive reviews, with reviewers stating how the tutors go the extra mile to ensure they get their money’s worth.
Course Offering
OriGym offers a Level 2 Gym Instructor Course, a Level 3 Personal Trainer Course, and a Level 4 Personal Trainer Course. They also offer additional courses like Level 4 Obesity and Weight Management and Level 4 Certificate in Advanced Nutrition.
Class Format
OriGym offers multiple training options to suit your needs. You can participate in online classes, part-time weekend practical workshops and assessments or full-time direct learning from tutors.
Support to students
The tutors are available 24/7 to provide students with the support they need, regardless of the time. Students can also retake any aspects of the course they fail as many times as they need.
Career Opportunities
OriGym offers a job board exclusive for students and alumni to get access to job listings across the UK. They also offer CV workshops and mock interviews led by employment experts to prepare you for the job market.
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites for the Level 2 Gym Instructor course, but students must be 16 years or older. However, a Level 2 qualification is required for the Level 3 personal training courses.
With about 15 years of experience, PT Academy is one of the pioneer training providers in the UK, with the largest number of assessment centres compared to any other UK training provider. They offer a myriad of CIMSPA-recognized and Ofqual-regulated Level 2 to Level 4 training courses, with the option of tailoring it to suit you. All the courses will be assessed using practical examinations and assessment workbooks.
Reputation and Reviews
PT Academy has several 5-star reviews, with reviewers raving about the attention to detail from the first enquiry call to enrolment and graduation.
Course Offering
PT Academy offers a Level 2 Certificate in Fitness Instruction, Level 3 Certificate in Personal Training, Level 3 Diploma in Exercise and GP Referral, Level 4 Certificate in Advanced Personal Training and Level 4 Certificate in Strength and Conditioning.
Class Format
Students can choose the method of study they prefer, whether it is online or physical.
Support to students
PT Academy offers students several recognised CPD courses with its packages, as well as a free gym membership in its partner gyms.
Career Opportunities
PT Academy offers unlimited career support to its students and guaranteed job interviews upon graduation.
Prerequisites
There are no prerequisites to enrol in the PT Academy personal training course.
Train Fitness is one of the leading training providers in the UK. They offer students the structure, resources, and guidance they need to get their CIMSPA-recognized personal training qualifications. Their courses provide the skills needed to become a successful personal trainer, and with the step-by-step roadmap provided during enrolment, your progress is not left to chance.
Reputation and Reviews
Train Fitness personal training courses receive positive reviews, with students appreciating the support, flexibility, and structure of the course.
Course Offering
Train Fitness offers a combination of Level 2 Gym Instructor and Level 3 Personal Training in its Practitioner Diploma. It also offers Specialist and Master Diplomas, which include additional Level 3 and Level 4 qualifications specific to career goals.
Class Format
Train Fitness offers three different study options – in-person, Live-virtual, and distance learning.
Support for students
Train Fitness offers a mentorMe program with Success Coaches and live learning labs to help students with expert advice and tailored feedback. The Success Coaches are a team of qualified personal trainers available to guide you every step of your journey. Additionally, they offer a toolkit to enable you to focus and make meaningful progress with every session.
Career Opportunities
Train Fitness provides a Career Concierge for every student after getting their diploma to help them transition to working as personal trainers. They also help with crafting your CV, connecting you with employers, or launching your PT business.
Prerequisites
There are no fitness prerequisites to starting the Train Fitness personal training courses, but you may be exempt from some sections if you already have a Level 2 gym Instructor qualification.
What qualifications do I need to become a personal trainer in the UK?
You need a Level 2 Gym Instructor qualification followed by a Level 3 Personal Trainer qualification. Some providers offer combined Level 2 & 3 courses.
How long does it take to complete a personal training course?
Course durations vary by format and provider, but typically range from 6 weeks (fast-track) to several months (flexible/online study).
Can I study personal training courses online?
Yes. Many top UK providers, such as Create PT and Study Active, offer fully online or blended learning options.
Are online personal training courses recognised by employers?
As long as the course is endorsed by CIMSPA and regulated by Ofqual, online formats are equally valid and recognised.
Will I get help finding a job after I qualify?
Most reputable providers offer career support such as CV help, job boards, guaranteed interviews, or mentorship programs.
How much do personal training courses cost in the UK?
Costs vary by provider and course level but typically range from £1,000 to £3,000. Flexible payment options are often available.
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