By CMS Fitness Courses

Active IQ Level 3 Diploma in Personal Training


Start Date: Multiple options (to be agreed once booked) - variable to suit learner

Total Qualification Time: 430 Hours

Guided Learning Hours: 152 Hours

Format: Online

Course Type: Regulated Qualification

Industry Area: Exercise and Fitness

Venue: Online

Region: National


You will learn everything you need to know to become a professional Personal Trainer with the Active IQ Level 3 Diploma in Personal Training. This course will deepen your understanding of anatomy, physiology, and nutrition, helping you to tailor fitness plans to suit individual client needs.

You’ll gain the skills to conduct effective client consultations, create fitness programmes for a variety of clients, and understand how lifestyle factors affect health and fitness. Additionally, you will master professionalism and business acumen, enabling you to set up and run your own personal training business.

By the end of the course, you will be equipped with the knowledge and practical skills to deliver safe, effective, and engaging personal training sessions, whether you're working in a gym or in your own personal training business.



Regular price £699.00
Regular price Sale price £699.00
Tax included.
Regular price £699.00
Regular price Sale price £699.00

Training Overview


Course details

The Active IQ Level 3 Diploma in Personal Training consists of six mandatory units, each designed to equip learners with advanced knowledge and skills needed to become a successful personal trainer. Below is a breakdown of the key learning outcomes across the qualification:

Unit 1: Applied Anatomy and Physiology for Exercise, Health, and Fitness

You will deepen your understanding of the structure and function of the body, including the skeletal, muscular, cardiovascular, and respiratory systems. This unit also covers energy systems and the physiological adaptations to different types of exercise.

Unit 2: The Principles of Nutrition and their Application to Exercise and Health

This unit provides essential knowledge of nutrition and its role in health and exercise. You will learn how to tailor nutritional advice to help clients meet their fitness goals, from weight loss to muscle gain.

Unit 3: Understanding Lifestyle, Health, Wellbeing, and Common Medical Conditions

Here, you will explore how lifestyle factors and common medical conditions such as diabetes and hypertension affect client health. You will be able to design exercise programmes that accommodate these factors, ensuring safety and effectiveness.

Unit 4: Encouraging Positive Health and Fitness Behaviours

You will develop the skills needed to conduct client consultations, motivating clients to make positive changes to their lifestyle. This unit teaches techniques for setting realistic goals, building rapport, and supporting long-term behaviour change.

Unit 5: Programme Design and Delivery for Personal Training

This unit focuses on the practical side of personal training, where you will learn how to design and deliver tailored exercise programmes. You’ll be able to plan sessions that cater to clients’ needs and goals, using a variety of training methods and environments.

Unit 6: Professionalism and Business Acumen for Personal Trainers

In this unit, you will gain valuable insights into running your own personal training business. This includes understanding the legal and professional requirements, managing clients, and developing business strategies that ensure success and sustainability.

Together, these units provide a thorough foundation for a career in personal training, combining both practical skills and professional development.

Course features

  • Flexibility: Study when and where it suits you, fitting around your lifestyle.
  • Comprehensive Support: Benefit from expert tutors guiding you through every step.
  • Career Advancement: Gain a recognised qualification to boost your career prospects in the fitness industry.
  • Practical Skills: Acquire the skills to confidently instruct and support clients in a gym setting.
  • Fast Track Options: Complete the course in as little as 2 months, or take up to 6 months depending on your schedule.

Prerequisites - what's required to participate?

To enrol on the Level 3 Diploma in Personal Training you need to:

• Be at least 16 years old
• Hold a suitable Level 2 qualification in Gym Instructing
The course requires physical exertion and individual participation is essential, therefore a degree of physical fitness is necessary.
• There is an element of communication (discussing, presenting, reading and writing) and maths involved, so learners should have basic skills in communication and maths pitched at level 2 (as a minimum).

In addition, to complete the 100% online pathway you will:

• Complete the course over a duration and speed that suits you
• Have 24/7 access to our high-quality digital technology learning platform and regular support from your personal tutor
• Learning can be completed in your own time and at your own pace but the attendance of some live webinar sessions is required
• Need to have access to a commercial/professional gym environment
• Be required to complete all practical delivery sessions within a gym setting
• Need to have access to a video camera/smartphone to record some of your assessments

Career Development

Completing the Active IQ Level 3 Diploma in Personal Training opens up a wide range of career opportunities within the fitness industry. With this qualification, you can pursue the following roles:

  • Personal Trainer: Work independently or in a gym, offering one-to-one training sessions tailored to clients’ goals, such as weight loss, muscle gain, or improving overall fitness.
  • Online Personal Trainer: Expand your reach by delivering personalised training programmes and support to clients remotely.
  • Specialist Trainer: Focus on niche areas such as pre- and postnatal fitness, older adults, or clients with specific medical conditions, providing targeted exercise plans.
  • Freelance Personal Trainer: Run your own personal training business, managing your own clients, and designing bespoke fitness programmes to meet individual needs.
  • Corporate Wellness Trainer: Work with companies to provide fitness and wellness services for employees, enhancing workplace health and productivity.
  • Progression to high level 3/4 Qualifications: With the Level 3 diploma, you can progress to further qualifications such as:
  • Level 3 Diploma in Long Term Conditions (Online)
  • Level 3 Award in Designing Pre and Post Natal Exercise Programmes (Online)

Looking for your next role in the sport and physical activity sector?