Gym instructor training courses are very similar to Certificate in Fitness Instructing qualification that is recognised by Central YMCA Qualifications (CYQ) and the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs). Like a Certificate in Fitness Instructing qualification, the gym instructor course, whether it's called a Gym Instructor Diploma, a Gym Instructor Certificate or another variation, will allow graduates entry into the health and fitness industry.
Like Certificate in Fitness Instructing graduates, a qualified gym instructor can seek employment with some of the UK's leading health club and gym chains, including Fitness First, Virgin Active, David Lloyd, LA Fitness, Soho gyms and more, as well as leading leisure centre providers, including DC Leisure and Greenwich Leisure Limited.
Gym instructor training course material
Any self respecting gym instructor or fitness instructor course will deliver a syllabus that is rich in fitness theory and practical experience. Like most fitness courses, liking personal training, a gym instructor course will teach students key areas, including:
- Anatomy and physiology
- Cardio-respiratory systems
- Concepts and components of fitness
- Exercise programme design using cardiovascular machines, resistance machines and free weights
- Professionalism within the health and fitness industry
- Group exercise
- Fitness for special populations - pregnancy, under 16's and over 50's exercise
A course which includes this plus an element of practical sessions whereby the student can demonstrate how to perform key exercises, will allow a graduate to obtain a REPs Level 2 qualification.
What is the difference between gym instructor courses?
Almost all major training providers offer a gym instructor / fitness instructor course as this a prerequisite to becoming a personal trainer - a course all training providers offer. However, not all courses are delivered the same way. Companies including Premier Training International, Lifetime Health and Fitness, Focus Training Future Fit, Fitness Indusrty Education, to name but a few offer a variety of gym instructor training course packages, including:
- Week day courses - usually full time Monday to Friday for two weeks
- Weekend courses - usually spread over a number of weekends
- Residential courses - Live face to face training in a training provider facility
- Distance Learning courses
- Online training courses
Whichever line of graduation is chosen is dependent on factors including cost of fees, free time available and pace at which the student wants to progress.
Learn more about the benefits of full time, part time and distance learning fitness courses.
What career options are available after graduating from a gym instructor course?
For many graduates of a gym instructor or a fitness instructor course they will seek work within a health club or local gym as a gym instructor. For others they will seek to develop their career further by enrolling onto further courses, including Exercise to Music, group exercise courses and even using the gym instructor qualification as a stepping stone to becoming a qualified personal trainer.
Other graduates will take the opportunity to use their qualification to travel. Any gym instructor or fitness instructor course which carries with it a CYQ qualification allows fitness professionals to seek work in gyms within mainland Europe, USA and Australia.
Can I become a personal trainer?
Any gym instructor course graduate isn't automatically a personal trainer. Nor can they practice as a personal trainer. Gym instructor graduates are able to enrol onto the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs) at Level 2, whereas qualified personal trainers gain Level 3 status on REPs. Therefore to become a qualified and recognised personal trainer gym instructors and fitness instructors need to continue their training by enrolling on a personal trainer course.
Visit our training course directory and find out more details about enrolling on to a gym instructor training course with the UK's leading fitness training course providers.
