Skip to content
  1. Online
  2. Fitness
  3. Fitness instructor

Level 3 Planning and Delivering Personal Training
Get Me Trained

All Inclusive|OFQUAL Regulated|Online|Tutor support

Summary

Price
£699.99 inc VAT
Or £58.33/mo. for 12 months...
Study method
Online
Course format
Reading material - PDF/e-book
Duration
6 months · Self-paced
Qualification
Level 3 Certificate in Planning and Delivering Personal Training (RQF)
Regulated qualification What's this?
Additional info
  • Tutor is available to students
4 students purchased this course

Add to basket or enquire

Overview

Become a Certified Personal Trainer: The Level 3 Certificate in Planning and Delivering Personal Training (RQF)

Are you ready to elevate your fitness career and empower individuals to achieve their ultimate health and fitness goals? The Level 3 Certificate in Planning and Delivering Personal Training (RQF) is the industry-standard qualification that transforms passionate fitness enthusiasts into fully qualified, unsupervised Personal Trainers. This nationally recognized and Ofqual-regulated certificate provides the advanced knowledge, practical skills, and professional confidence needed to excel in the rewarding world of one-on-one fitness coaching.

What is the Level 3 Certificate in Planning and Delivering Personal Training (RQF)?

Building directly upon the foundational knowledge gained from a Level 2 Gym Instructor qualification, this RQF (Regulated Qualifications Framework) certificate focuses on the specialized skills required for effective personal training. It delves deeper into exercise science, client assessment, programme design, and motivational techniques, preparing you to work autonomously with diverse clients, both within gym environments and as an independent professional.

Key Benefits of This Qualification:

  • Become a Qualified Personal Trainer: This is the essential qualification for working as a self-employed or employed Personal Trainer in the UK. It signifies that you possess the advanced skills and knowledge to train clients individually and without direct supervision.

  • Unlock Your Earning Potential: As a certified Personal Trainer, you can command higher rates, build your own client base, and explore various career paths, from gym-based roles to private coaching and online training.

  • Industry Recognition & Employability: Regulated by Ofqual and widely endorsed by professional bodies like CIMSPA (Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity), this qualification ensures your credentials are highly respected by employers and clients across the fitness industry.

  • Comprehensive Advanced Skillset: The course covers critical areas that empower you to provide exceptional personal training services, including:

    • Advanced Anatomy & Physiology: Deeper understanding of biomechanics, muscle function, and energy systems for optimized training.

    • Applied Nutrition for Physical Activity: Learn to provide evidence-based nutritional advice to complement training programmes and support client goals.

    • Client Assessment & Goal Setting: Master comprehensive client assessments, including fitness testing, posture analysis, and lifestyle evaluations, to set realistic and effective goals.

    • Advanced Programme Design: Develop sophisticated exercise programmes tailored to individual client needs, goals, and limitations, incorporating progressive overload and periodization.

    • Delivering Effective Personal Training Sessions: Hone your coaching skills, learn advanced communication techniques, and motivate clients to achieve sustained results.

    • Professional Practice & Business Acumen: Understand ethical guidelines, legal responsibilities, data protection, and the fundamentals of setting up and marketing your personal training business.

    • Working with Special Populations (Introduction): Gain an awareness of how to adapt training for common considerations like older adults or those with certain medical conditions (often requires further specialist qualifications).

  • Practical, Hands-On Training: The course emphasizes practical application, ensuring you can confidently design, demonstrate, and deliver safe and effective personal training sessions. You'll gain valuable experience in real-world scenarios.

  • Flexible Learning Pathways: Many providers offer flexible study options, including online learning combined with practical workshops, virtual assessments, or in-person assessment days, allowing you to fit your studies around your current commitments.

  • Eligibility for Professional Registration: Successful completion makes you eligible for full membership with professional registers such as REPs (Register of Exercise Professionals) or CIMSPA, which is crucial for public recognition, insurance, and professional development.

  • Pathway to Specialisation: This Level 3 qualification is the foundation for further advanced study in areas like GP Exercise Referral, Sports Nutrition, Strength & Conditioning, and instructing specific group exercise classes.

Qualification

Level 3 Certificate in Planning and Delivering Personal Training (RQF)

Regulated by Ofqual

Description

Assessment

As the course is blended learning based, with elements of observations, students have 6 months access to our online learning platform to study completely at their own pace. Learners will work through written essays using our provided learning materials that can be accessed through our online learning platform. The guided learning hours for the Level 3 Certificate in Personal Training is 245 hours with most students being certified in 3 – 6 months; however, you do have the full 6 months to complete the course.

Awarding Body

Focus Awards are the approved awarding body for our sports and personal training courses. Focus Awards believe in offering the very best service, advice and guidance so that we can support our learners on their journeys to success and achievement.

The eight units all learners must complete to achieve this qualification are:

  • Unit 1 – Anatomy physiology and kinesiology for exercise and health
  • Unit 2 – Applying nutritional principles to personal training
  • Unit 3 – Planning exercise Programme design for Personal Training Clients
  • Unit 4 – Delivering exercise programmes for Personal Training sessions and Health
  • Unit 5 – Business acumen and the use of information technology for a personal trainer
  • Unit 6 – Principles of health and wellbeing for exercise, fitness and health
  • Unit 7 – Know how to support clients lifestyle management and enhance client motivation for exercise and physical activity
  • Unit 8 – Principles of professional practice and health and safety in a fitness environment

Our fees include:

  • Support team – You will receive live support throughout the duration of your course. Our amazing Support Team are available around the clock through our support system, just submit a ticket with your query and we will provide a same day response!
  • Knowledge base – Learners are provided with access to our Knowledge Base system, which is full of useful videos, articles, and documents to assist you throughout the course.
  • Rapid marking response – Submissions of work aim to be marked within 5 working days to ensure that you progress through your course as efficiently as possible.
  • No deadlines – We do not impose any deadlines on our courses; you can complete the qualification entirely at your own pace throughout the duration of the course.
  • Learning resources – All courses have a variety of learning materials, ranging from advice leaflets to PowerPoint presentations. These resources are accessible on our learning platform.
  • Accredited certification – You will receive your accredited certificate and unit transcript free of charge from our approved awarding body at no extra cost!
  • Course units – All units and assignments are included within the price and can be accessed at any point during the 6 months access to the learning platform.

Invest in your future and unlock your potential as a leading fitness professional with the Level 3 Certificate in Planning and Delivering Personal Training (RQF). It's more than just a qualification; it's your definitive step towards a fulfilling career shaping healthier lives.

Who is this course for?

he Level 3 Certificate in Planning and Delivering Personal Training (RQF) is ideal for:

  • Individuals who have already completed a Level 2 Gym Instructor qualification.

  • Aspiring personal trainers seeking the essential qualification to work unsupervised.

  • Fitness enthusiasts ready to formalise their knowledge and build a professional career.

  • Current gym instructors looking to advance their skills and service offerings.

  • Anyone passionate about helping others transform their health and fitness through personalized guidance.

Requirements

All learners must meet these entry requirements to be able to complete the course:

  • The courses require physical exertion and individual participation is essential, therefore a degree of physical fitness is necessary.
  • There is an element of communication (discussing, presenting, reading and writing) and application of number involved, and learners should have basic skills in communication and application of number at levels 3 and 2 respectively.
  • Learners must have access to a suitable environment in which they can plan and deliver person training with clients.

Career path

Become a personal trainer, advanced Instructor or a club/centre supervisor, or for learners who wish to develop their knowledge and skills in personal training. Additionally, the courses allow learners to apply for REPs membership as a fitness instructor.

Questions and answers

There are currently no Q&As for this course. Be the first to ask a question.

Ask a question

Reviews

Currently there are no reviews for this course. Be the first to leave a review.

Leave a review

Legal information

This course is advertised on Reed.co.uk by the Course Provider, whose terms and conditions apply. Purchases are made directly from the Course Provider, and as such, content and materials are supplied by the Course Provider directly. Reed is acting as agent and not reseller in relation to this course. Reed's only responsibility is to facilitate your payment for the course. It is your responsibility to review and agree to the Course Provider's terms and conditions and satisfy yourself as to the suitability of the course you intend to purchase. Reed will not have any responsibility for the content of the course and/or associated materials.

FAQs

Study method describes the format in which the course will be delivered. At Reed Courses, courses are delivered in a number of ways, including online courses, where the course content can be accessed online remotely, and classroom courses, where courses are delivered in person at a classroom venue.

CPD stands for Continuing Professional Development. If you work in certain professions or for certain companies, your employer may require you to complete a number of CPD hours or points, per year. You can find a range of CPD courses on Reed Courses, many of which can be completed online.

A regulated qualification is delivered by a learning institution which is regulated by a government body. In England, the government body which regulates courses is Ofqual. Ofqual regulated qualifications sit on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF), which can help students understand how different qualifications in different fields compare to each other. The framework also helps students to understand what qualifications they need to progress towards a higher learning goal, such as a university degree or equivalent higher education award.

An endorsed course is a skills based course which has been checked over and approved by an independent awarding body. Endorsed courses are not regulated so do not result in a qualification - however, the student can usually purchase a certificate showing the awarding body's logo if they wish. Certain awarding bodies - such as Quality Licence Scheme and TQUK - have developed endorsement schemes as a way to help students select the best skills based courses for them.
View all
Related searches: Train the trainer courses, Online courses

Interest free credit agreements provided by Zopa Bank Limited trading as DivideBuy are not regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and do not fall under the jurisdiction of the Financial Ombudsman Service. Zopa Bank Limited trading as DivideBuy is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority, and entered on the Financial Services Register (800542). Zopa Bank Limited (10627575) is incorporated in England & Wales and has its registered office at: 1st Floor, Cottons Centre, Tooley Street, London, SE1 2QG. VAT Number 281765280. DivideBuy's trading address is First Floor, Brunswick Court, Brunswick Street, Newcastle-under-Lyme, ST5 1HH. © Zopa Bank Limited 2026. All rights reserved.