A career in the fitness industry can be both personally and financially rewarding. If you have a passion for fitness and enjoy helping people, this could be the right choice for you.
As a Personal Trainer, you will work with clients to help them achieve their goals, whether it be weight loss, recovery from injury, to improve their health and mobility or train for a challenge or race.
Study Programmes
This is the first step for school leavers, aged 16-19. You will work towards a qualification whilst building on employability skills, receive personal and professional development and achieve the level of Maths and English is required.

Fitness Training Academy
Fitness Training Academy
Become an Advanced Personal Trainer with this incredible fully-funded two-year course for 16-18 year olds.
Level 2 Diploma in Exercise and Fitness Instructing
This course is part of the Fitness Training Academy
Career options:
- Fitness / Leisure Centre
- Self-employed
Course locations:
- London
- Bury
- Bury St Edmunds
- Ipswich
- Leeds
- Manchester
- Norwich
- Scunthorpe
Read full qualification details
PDF, file size 1.6mb
Level 3 Diploma in Personal Training (Practitioner), Outdoor Exercise and Sports Conditioning
This course is part of the Fitness Training Academy
Career options:
- Fitness / Leisure Centre
- Self-employed
Course locations:
- London
- Bury
- Bury St Edmunds
- Ipswich
- Leeds
- Manchester
- Norwich
- Scunthorpe
Read full qualification details
PDF, file size 1mb
Pre-apprenticeship
Our Fitness and Leisure Pre-apprenticeships are a great way for 16-24-year-olds to develop first-hand experience of working within the leisure industry, gyms and clubs. You’ll also get essential work preparation training and work on your maths and English if required.
Fitness and Leisure Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships are simply jobs with training. You typically receive training to support your career 1 day a week. You get paid, gain a qualification as well as valuable skills and experience. Anyone between the ages of 16-65 can apply to become an apprentice.
Level 2 Leisure Team Member
Duration:
18 months
Work in:
- Fitness / Leisure Centre
- Self-employed
Good to know:
Apprenticeship Standard
Full specification:
Leisure Team Member, Apprenticeship Standard
Level 3 Personal Training
Duration:
15 months
Work in:
- Fitness / Leisure Centre
- Self-employed
Good to know:
Apprenticeship Standard
Full specification:
Personal Trainer, Apprenticeship Standard
As a Personal Trainer, you’ll coach clients (on a one-to-one and small group basis) towards their health and fitness goals.
You’ll develop personalised plans for clients and motivate them to keep taking positive steps in their overall health and wellbeing.
You’ll learn about the body – anatomy and physiology, nutrition and factors impacting on health and wellbeing. You’ll learn about psychology – how to keep your clients motivated. You’ll learn about best-practice approaches to exercise – how to design rounded exercise programmes and exercise techniques. And you’ll develop the professional skills for success –communication, IT and business acumen.
This Apprenticeship Standard qualification has been designed by 14 leading employers, so you can be sure that it meets the needs of the modern fitness and leisure industry. Designed by: David Lloyd Leisure, Virgin Active, Fit for Sport Ltd and The Football Association (to name a few).
Level 3 Leisure Duty Manager
Duration:
18 months
Work in:
- Fitness and leisure centre
Good to know:
- Apprenticeship Standard
Full specification:
Leisure Duty Manager, Apprenticeship Standard
As a Leisure Duty Manager, you’re responsible for the day-to-day operation of a leisure facility.
A busy and varied role. Leisure facilities can be large and offer a varied portfolio of activities: swimming pools, multi-functional sports hall, fitness suites, crèche, children’s soft play, health suites, climbing walls and outdoor sports tracks.
It’s on you to ensure that everything is ready for the planned activities – and that the highest standards of cleanliness, security and operational effectiveness are met. As well as championing customer service you’ll assist the General Manager with maintaining systems and records, to ensure compliance with industry regulations, health and safety and business protocols.
This Apprenticeship Standard qualification has been designed by 16 leading employers, so you can be sure that it meets the needs of the modern fitness and leisure industry. Designed by: Fitness First, David Lloyd Leisure and Everyone Active (to name a few).
Meet Aliesha: Fitness Training Academy Learner
"I’ve really enjoyed the physical side of the course. I’m also a ‘people person and like connecting with others and working out with them. It doesn’t feel like I’m at college - I’m doing what I love. The Fitness Training Academy is a new way of learning”.
We’re trusted by employers to develop their apprentices. See our latest vacancies.
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