
Personal Trainer Resources
Course Induction
You are now successfully enrolled on the YMCA Awards Level 3 Personal Trainer (Practitioner) or the YMCA Awards Level 3 Gym Instructor and Personal Trainer (Practitioner) course.
This is an online/distance learning course, so includes elements of home study and online learning.
You have up to 12 months to complete the course. Please see our policy on Course Fees & Timeframes for further information.
​
If you think you are exempt from completing any of the assessments please read through our Recognising Prior Achievement & Exemption Policy and contact us.
Please also familiarise yourself with our Booking Terms, Appeals Procedure and Applying Reasonable Adjustments & Special Considerations Policy.
Course Topics
During the course, you will learn about:
Applied anatomy & physiology
-
Optimal posture, causes of postural deviations and spinal conditions and the impact of exercise,
-
Structure and function of the skeletal system and the effects of exercise on the musculoskeletal system and disease processes,
-
Structure and function of the nervous system and the effect of exercise on neuromuscular connections,
-
Structure and function of the cardio
-
Respiratory system and endocrine system,
-
Classification of energy systems and how they are utilised during exercise.
-
The digestive system,
-
Implications for special populations.
Promoting wellness
-
Components of a healthy lifestyle,
-
Psychological factors that can influence change to an individual's lifestyle,
-
Health conditions and medically controlled diseases,
-
Evidence based pre-exercise health screening methods,
-
Theories/approaches that can motivate positive behaviour change,
Bespoke exercise programme design
-
Screening clients,
-
Selecting and implementing client assessments,
-
Methods of static and dynamic assessment and posture assessment,
-
Setting and adapting SMART goals linked to client's individual needs, wants and motivators,
-
Planning a safe personal training programme with clients, using alternative environments in programme design (home, office, garage, outdoors, gyms, studios),
-
Design and delivery of small group personal training.
Customised exercise programme instruction
-
Fitness training techniques including various CV and resistance training methods,
-
Legal and ethical responsibilities,
-
Best practice for a personal trainer,
-
Planning and preparing personal training sessions,
-
Safely instructing, monitoring, adapting and supporting clients during sessions,
Nutrition to support physical activity
-
Principles of nutrition,
-
The influence of nutrition on health,
-
Key nutritional guidelines and evidence-based recommendations and how they can be applied to individual clients,
-
The relationship between nutrition and physical activity,
-
Collecting and using nutritional information,
-
Identify and analysing nutritional information to identify client's dietary habits.
Business acumen
-
Marketing strategies and techniques in planning and promotion,
-
Selling personal training services to clients,
-
Communicating the benefits of a personal training service,
-
Components and the purpose of a business plan relevant to a personal trainer,
-
How to legally set up a business as a personal trainer,
-
Financial requirements when setting up and running a health and fitness business,
-
Planning, marketing and selling health and fitness services.
Course Units
Applied Anatomy & Physiology
Assessment 1 – Multiple choice theory exam (Section 1)
Assessment 2 – Y-Mark online assessment workbook (Section 1 – accessible via elearning platform)
Promoting Wellness Through Client Motivation And Interaction
Assessment 2 – Y-Mark online assessment workbook (Section 2)
Assessment 3 – Personal training case study
Bespoke Exercise Programme Design
Assessment 2 – Y-Mark online assessment workbook (Section 3)
Assessment 3 – Personal training case study
Assessment 4 – Learning log (Section A - Health screening and fitness assessments)
Customised Exercise Programme Instruction And Communication Techniques
Assessment 2 – Y-Mark online assessment workbook (Section 4)
Assessment 3 – Personal training case study
Assessment 4 – Learning log (Section B – Training methods and systems)
Nutrition To Support Physical Activity
Assessment 1 – Multiple choice theory paper (Section 2)
Assessment 2 – Y-mark online assessment workbook (Section 5)
Assessment 3 – Personal training case study
Business Acumen For A Successful Personal Training Practice
Assessment 2 – Y-mark online assessment workbook (Section 6)
Assessment 3 – Personal training case study
Course Resources
You will have access to online elearning for all modules of your course. Please use this and the below presentations to prepare for your assessments. Please note that you have access to your elearning modules for 300 days, although you have a full 12 months to complete all the assessment within this qualification.
​
We can also order hard copy manuals for all units if you'd like the content in that format. Please email your tutor to order.
​
Other texts we recommend include:
The Concise Book of Muscles
Ignite the Fire (plus other books by Jonathan Goodman)
Strength Training Anatomy
Anatomy of Stretching
Complete Guide to Personal Training
Specific Assessment Guidance
Presentation Handouts
Please use these handouts as you see fit. Print them out, read them, make notes on them, use them as a starting point to undertake your own extra research. You can use them in conjunction with the elearning modules, so maybe have these handouts printed to make notes on as you work through the online modules.
​
Applied Anatomy & Physiology
Muscles of the Shoulder Girdle
Muscles of the Shoulder Joint Rotator Cuff
Muscles of the Vertebral Column
Anterior Abdominal Wall Muscles
Muscles of the Pelvic Girdle and Hip Joint
Effects of Exercise on the Musculoskeletal System
Structure and Function of the Cardio-Respiratory System
​
Promoting Wellness Through Client Motivation and Interaction
Components of a Healthy Lifestyle
Common Health Diseases and Conditions
Benefits of Exercise for Medical Conditions
Risks of Exercise for Medical Conditions
Interacting with Clients and Other Professionals
Evidence-based Health and Wellbeing Advice
Evidence-based Health Benefits of Physical Activity
​
Bespoke Exercise Programme Design
Screening Clients Prior to Exercise Programming
Monitoring and Reviewing Client Progress
Planning a Safe Personal Training Programme
Flexibility, Motor Skills and Core Stability
Training in Alternative Environments
Blood Pressure chart for Adults
Strength Assessment Norm Tables
​
Customised Exercise Programme Instruction and Communication Techniques
Adapting the Planned Exercises
Legal and Ethical Responsibilities of a Personal Trainer
The Principles of Best Practice for a Personal Trainer
Assessing Accurate Information and Support
Continuous Professional Development
Planning and Preparing PT Sessions
Helping Clients to Feel at Ease Before a PT Sessions
Safely Instruct and Support Clients During Sessions
Monitoring Clients and Adapting PT Sessions
Bringing PT Sessions to an End
Evaluating PT Sessions and Personal Practice
Developing Own Professional Practice
​
Nutrition to Support Physical Activity
Guidelines for Different Goals
The Relationship Between Nutrition and Physical Activity
Identifying and Analysing Client Information
Applying the Principles of Nutrition
​
Business Acumen for Personal Trainers
Marketing Strategies and Techniques
Selling Personal Training to Clients
Communicating the Benefits of PT to Clients
Key Elements of a Business Plan
Supporting Business Objectives and Growth
Gather, Analyse and Interpret your Market Research
Mock Exams
Applied Anatomy & Physiology
​​
Nutrition to Support Physical Activity
​
Combined Applied Anatomy & Physiology and Nutrition to Support Physical Activity
Completing and Submitting Assessments
Book to sit a theory exam at our centre in Telford
Your first exam sitting is free and then a £20 charge applies to resits.
​
Remote E-Proctored Theory Exams
Arrange to sit your theory exams from home using remote eProctoring invigilation
Remote exams are £20 including your first attempt.
​
Please ensure you have familiarised yourself with our Assessment Policy for E-Proctored and Face-to-Face exams.
​
​
Guidance for uploading video assessments
Practical RE-assessments of video's are £40. Your first assessment is free.
​
Upon successful completion of all assessments, your assessor will confirm via email that you have passed your qualification. Quality assurance and certification can take up to 3 months.