SUMMIT’s Online Level 3 Diploma Practitioner in Personal Training course is a fantastic way to become a qualified personal trainer, from the comfort of your own home and at your own pace, with the highest standard of support and guidance you’d receive in a classroom environment; we specialise in online fitness and personal training courses for people who prefer to learn remotely and flexibly.

Our Level 3 Diploma Personal Training, is our most popular course where your Level 2 in Gym Instructing and Level 3 in Personal Training courses are combined into one qualification. You can also level up your course by adding our personalised business mentorship to the end of your course. 

Course Length 

This course is designed around your personal circumstances, but we generally recommend 12-14 weeks for this course.

Entry Requirements 

There are no entry requirements for this course. However, you need to have a genuine interest in health and fitness. 

Units

You’ll complete all units in the Level 2 aspect of your qualification (Level 2 in Gym Instructing) and the units on the Level 3 aspect of your qualification (Level 3 in Personal Training):

Level 2 Fitness Instructor Course

• Unit 1 – Principles of Anatomy & Physiology
• Unit 2 – Supporting Clients
• Unit 3 – Health & Safety in the Fitness Environment
• Unit 4 – Planning Gym-Based Exercise
• Unit 5 – Instructing & Delivering Gym-Based Exercise
• Unit 6 – Principles of Health, Wellbeing & Nutrition for Exercise

Level 3 Personal Trainer Course

• Unit 1 – Applied anatomy and physiology for exercise, health and fitness
• Unit 2 – The principles of nutrition and their application to exercise and health
• Unit 3 – Lifestyle, health, wellbeing and common medical conditions
• Unit 4 – Encouraging positive health and fitness behaviours in clients
• Unit 5 – Communication and soft skills for personal trainers
• Unit 6 – Programme design and delivery for personal training
• Unit 7 – Professionalism for personal trainers
• Unit 8 – Business acumen for personal trainers

You’ll start with the essentials of understanding health and fitness to assist your clients in a way that works for them, basic coaching methods, as well as group training. At Level 3 you’ll move on to gaining a deeper understanding of human anatomy and nutrition and, more importantly, coaching and motivational methods. You will first need to complete the Level 2 element of this qualification before moving on to your Level 3 work.

SUMMIT’s Online Level 3 Diploma Practitioner in Personal Training Course is your fast track to industry success. This course will provide you with the knowledge and skills required to become an elite personal trainer, enabling you to help clients reach their goals.

The type of content that will be covered in your course includes:

Applied human physiology for health and exercise

Building on your core understanding, you will develop an elite level of knowledge of how the human body works and responds to exercise. This is key when it comes to planning and managing fitness plans for future clients, ensuring they are effective and rewarding. This also includes teaching you how to guide clients through the all-important, but often forgotten, stretching, mobility and flexibility exercises.

Applied principles of nutrition

Our online Personal Trainer course is designed to excel your knowledge of nutrition within a physical activity programme. This section will recognise how we need to adapt programmes to suit each client, as everyone is different. Having a deeper understanding of nutritional knowledge to cover a wide range of diets will set you apart from the competition.

Personal training/coaching delivery

Guiding clients through their individual 1-1 in-person sessions are vital for personal trainers. This course will cover a range of advanced training methods and techniques to wow your clients and excel your coaching to new heights. We also cover setting appropriate goals for your clients and guiding them through their sessions appropriately with a high level of technical skill. 

Creating programmes

Every client is different, so the design of their programme should be bespoke and specific to their needs. This course will teach you the principles of programme design personal training sessions specifically tailored for a range of clients with varied goals.

Business for personal trainers

If you ask any Personal Trainer, the most challenging part of being a PT is running the business. We cover what you’ll need to start work as a self-employed personal trainer, marketing techniques, how to sell your services and close sales, as well as budgeting skills; we’ll equip you with the fundamental skills to work as a successful Personal Trainer. 

To gain your Online Level 3 Personal Trainer Diploma qualification, you will be required to complete online knowledge checks (via quizzes after each individual topic area), assignments and practical assessments.

As you progress through the course and each of the units, you will need to complete observed practical assessments. If you live in the North Wales area, you can complete this in person with one of our assessors present. However, our students are spread far and wide, so you might prefer to complete your assessments from home or your local gym. All you’d need to do is video record your session on your phone or tablet and send it to us for marking.

Assessment Summary

The following assessments must be completed to qualify as a Level 3 personal trainer:

• Multiple-choice knowledge check quizzes after each topic area – 80% pass mark required
• Client consultation – observed practical Assessment on client screening, smart goals and giving professional advice – pass required.
• Observed practical Assessment on delivering a customised personal training programme – pass required
• Coursework on various topic areas within qualification portfolio – pass required.

You will receive maximum support and assistance from our experienced and friendly personal tutors to ensure your assessments are stress-free and a great success.

After graduating from this course, you’ll be a fully qualified Level 2 Gym Instructor AND Level 3 Personal Trainer with the skills and knowledge to excel in the fitness industry.

We’re proud of the support we give to our students; just because you’ve graduated doesn’t mean that your relationship with SUMMIT has to end. As a SUMMIT graduate, our dedicated team throughout your journey and provide assistance, encouragement and advice on how to further your skills and continue your education.

You’ll also have access to our private Facebook group where you can share business ideas, ask questions, and connect in a community with like-minded fitness professionals who are also running their own business. 

Whilst we can’t guarantee interviews, many of our graduates have gone on to become elite personal trainers, online coaches, fitness influencers and best of all, successful business owners. We’re proud to offer our students the very best support in the fitness industry and take this part of our role very seriously.

Recommended career paths

• Level 4 specialise qualifications: ie. Lower-back pain management, Obesity & Diabetes management.
• SUMMIT’s PT Mentorship Programme to excel your success in the fitness industry.