CIMSPA Personal Trainer Careers Hub
CIMSPA's guide to the personal trainer role, the skills employers ask for and the recognised routes into the profession.
About this business
CIMSPA's Careers Hub describes personal trainers as practitioners who work on a one-to-one or small-group basis to coach clients towards their health and fitness goals. They plan and deliver creative, personalised exercise programmes and provide instruction as well as nutrition and overall lifestyle-management advice.
The page explains that personal trainers analyse their clients' needs, adapt and modify guidance, and provide specialist tailored advice within the scope of their practice. It also notes that they need awareness of when to refer a client to other professionals, such as physiotherapists or registered dietitians, and a comprehensive understanding of business, finance, sales and marketing to build and retain a stable client base.
On getting into the role, CIMSPA lists completing a Level 3 Certificate/Diploma in Personal Training with a CIMSPA-endorsed training provider, studying at a college or university with an embedded personal trainer qualification, or an apprenticeship. Entry to the Level 3 course requires first completing a Level 2 Gym/Fitness Instructor Certificate, and many providers combine both into a Level 3 Diploma in Gym Instructing and Personal Training.
Why choose them
- CIMSPA is the UK's chartered professional body for sport and physical activity
- Lists the skills most requested in UK personal trainer job adverts, with percentages
- Sets out three routes in: endorsed Level 3 courses, college/university, apprenticeships
- States the Level 2 Gym/Fitness Instructor Certificate is required before Level 3
- Links to the occupational professional standards library and endorsed training directory
Services
Contact this business
Tell us what you need. Sportdoo handles your enquiry and replies to you — your details are never passed on.
Your business? Claim this listing
Free: fix your details and reply to people looking for you.
Frequently asked questions
How do you become a personal trainer according to CIMSPA?
CIMSPA lists several routes: completing a Level 3 Certificate/Diploma in Personal Training with a CIMSPA-endorsed training provider, studying at a college or university that has embedded personal trainer qualifications into its programmes, or an apprenticeship. The Level 3 course can be taken online, in person or in a hybrid format, and cost, study time and guided learning hours vary by provider and delivery format.
Do you need a Level 2 qualification before the Level 3 Personal Training course?
Yes. CIMSPA states that to complete your Level 3 Certificate/Diploma in Personal Training you must first complete your Level 2 Gym/Fitness Instructor Certificate. Many training providers combine both into a single course called the Level 3 Diploma in Gym Instructing and Personal Training.
What does a personal trainer actually do?
CIMSPA describes personal trainers as working one-to-one or in small groups, planning and delivering personalised exercise programmes and giving instruction plus nutrition and lifestyle-management advice. The role also involves analysing client needs, referring clients to other professionals such as physiotherapists or registered dietitians when appropriate, and understanding business, finance, sales and marketing to build a stable client base.
Which skills do employers ask for most in personal trainer job adverts?
CIMSPA publishes the skills most frequently requested in UK personal trainer job adverts: teaching (45%), first aid (41%), cleanliness (24%), management (17%), communication (12%), coaching (10%), organisational skills (5%), record keeping (5%), resilience (5%) and active listening (5%).
Where can you find personal trainer jobs and endorsed training?
CIMSPA's careers site includes a Find Jobs section and a training directory, and it lists employers such as Lampton Leisure, Blackpool Council, Everyone Active, Your Personal Training, Edinburgh Leisure, Nuffield and Places Leisure as recognising its professional status. The site also links to the occupational professional standards library for the minimum knowledge, skills and behaviours required.