Where do I start?
There is no one UK exam which qualifies somebody to be a personal fitness trainer, but there are a number of courses that are well respected within the industry. Your desire to either specialise in one area, such as weight loss, or offer a diversity of expertise will dictate what courses will suit you.
YMCA is one of the most popular names in the fitness industry, offering an Advanced Diploma in Personal Training in the form of a 15-week course (one week on, one week off), at a cost of £3,070. It also offers Gym Instructor and Exercise to Music Instructor Awards which are the equivalent to an NVQ Level 2. These are ten-day intensive courses costing £825, but can also be carried out over a seven-week period to suit different people’s lifestyles.
The National Register of Personal Trainers (NRPT) endorses reputable trainers, supplying names and numbers to people seeking an instructor. It will assess each trainer on its merits before allowing them to join. The NRPT looks for a certain number of criteria to be fulfilled, including a combination of specific health and fitness qualifications as well as valid insurance. It costs £101.11 per year to be a registered member and is advisable as both a stamp of approval and access to new business opportunities.