Personal Training for Health, Fitness and Performance Level 3


  • Start Date: 01/09/2025
  • Course is for: School Leaver
  • Course Length: 1 Year
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If you’re already a qualified fitness instructor, this course will help you develop the skills, knowledge and competence required in order to work unsupervised as a personal trainer.

This includes being able to offer one-to-one training, baseline assessment, nutritional advice and progressive programming which is specific to the individual needs of a client.

This qualification will provide you with the knowledge and skills to:

  • Develop your understanding of anatomy, physiology and nutrition and how they relate to exercise and fitness.
  • Understand the roles and career pathways available in active leisure.
  • Be able to plan and instruct safe and effective exercise and physical activity sessions.
  • Be able to deliver safe and effective personal training sessions.
  • Be able to deliver exceptional customer service.
  • Be able to manage your personal and professional development.
  • Be able to develop enterprise skills.
  • Be able to market and sell products and services.
  • Understand how technology is used within physical activity, fitness, sport and exercise.
  • You will take part in Personal and Social Development lessons with topics ranging from job applications to personal finance.

Sport Academies

You will have the opportunity to join of one of our eight sport academies, where you will get:

  • Up to 4.5 hours of professional training each week, access to competitions and specialist sport academy coaches
  • Free access to physiotherapy assessments and treatment*
  • The opportunity to compete in local, national and international competitions
  • A personalised training and development programme

Our eight specialist academies are:

  • Athletics
  • Basketball
  • Boxing
  • Men’s Football
  • Men’s Rugby
  • Netball
  • Women’s Football
  • Women’s Rugby

They all offer outstanding, training, coaching and playing opportunities for everyone of all abilities.

If you do not wish to join one of our academies, you will undertake an employment related project designed to develop further your employability skills.

Required Entry Qualifications

Level 2 Gym Instructor qualification and GCSE English grade 4.

Within this qualification there are a number of assessments. One will be multiple-choice theory exams which will be externally set and marked and sat under invigilated conditions.

In addition to the knowledge-based assessment, there are a number of smaller practical assessments which reflect the processes, techniques, skills and industry requirements of a fitness instructor and personal trainer.

These assessments help prepare you for employment in these job roles.

Lastly, there is an externally set and marked video analysis of a client consultation and personal training session.

At the Academy for Sport, we have over 25 sport delivery staff including teachers, coaches and learning facilitators all ready to support your learning journey.

Each member of the team has their own specialist subjects that they will be teaching you, for example we have specialists in:

  • Anatomy
  • Massage
  • Coaching
  • Sports Development
  • PE and School Sport, Leadership
  • Event Management
  • Psychology
  • Biomechanics
  • Nutrition and much more.

They all have up to date industry experience to share with you and the energy and enthusiasm to help you to get where you need to be.

Everyone will undertake a 45 day work placement as part of our employment edge promise within a local gym or a fitness facility.

You’ll study at our Academy for Sport, where our facilities are among the best in the country and include:

  • Classrooms equipped with integrated IT
  • Sports science and sports therapy facilities
  • Performance lab
  • 3G and 4G pitches
  • Indoor athletics track
  • Sports hall
  • Strength and conditioning gym
  • Massage suite
  • Aerobics suite
  • Gym
  • Boxing ring

This course is designed to get you started as a Personal Trainer.

Whether you want to be employed or self-employed this course should give you all the skills and knowledge you need.

There are also Level 4 courses if would like to specialise in specific areas of fitness such as Obesity Management and Corrective Exercise.

School Leaver Course Guide 2025/2026

View or download our course guide for 16-18 year olds.

Gateshead College School Leavers guide for 2025 - 2026