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Certificate in Fitness Instruction

  • Qualification Name: Certificate in Fitness Instruction (Gym-Based Exercise)
  • Prerequisite: none
  • Delivery Type: Blended and Online
  • Duration: 9 Months
  • Outcomes: Gym Instructor

 Programme Overview

This qualification is aimed at the learner who wants to pursue a career in the health and fitness industry as a fitness instructor in the context of gym-based exercise. The YMCA Awards Level 2 Certificate in Fitness Instructing (Gym-Based Exercise) is the essential qualification you need to join.

Our YMCA Awards Level 2 course is online, so you can get qualified without giving up your job, family time or social life. You'll sit your exams at home and practice the physical side at your local gym. You'll learn about the principles of exercise, fitness and health; anatomy and physiology for exercise; supporting clients; and health, safety and welfare in a gym environment. You’ll also learn how to communicate with your clients effectively and how motivate them to stick to an exercise programme. The course provides the perfect foundation for moving on to the Personal Trainer course. To study our fitness courses you must have access to a suitable gym environment.

Learners will cover:

  • anatomy and physiology including:
    - the heart and circulatory system
    - the respiratory system
    - structure and function of the skeleton
    - musculoskeletal system
    - postural and core stability
    - the nervous and energy systems and their relation to exercise
  • how to maintain health, safety and welfare in a variety of fitness environments, including the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults
  • how to programme safe and effective exercise for a range of clients, the health benefits of physical activity and the importance of healthy eating
  • how to communicate with clients effectively, and motivate clients to adhere to an exercise programme
  • the skills and knowledge required to plan and prepare a gym-based exercise programme with apparently healthy adults - both individuals and groups. This may include young people in the 14-16 age range, provided they are part of a larger adult group. Client groups also covered are older adults, ante and postnatal clients and disabled clients provided the relevant contraindications and key safety guidelines are observed

  • Gym Instruction Course Overview +

  • Course Content +

    This course will equip you with the specialist knowledge, understanding and skills you need to excel as a professional personal trainer.

    The key topics and skills you'll cover are:

    •  The heart and circulatory system
    •  The musculoskeletal system
    •  Postural and core stability
    •  The nervous, endocrine and energy systems
    •  How to programme safe and effective exercise
    •  The importance of physical activity and healthy eating
    •  How to communicate with clients effectively
    •  How to motivate clients to adhere to an exercise 
    •  How to deliver exercise and physical activity for all ages
    •  How to apply the principles of nutrition to support client
    •  How to design and adapt a programme for all ages

  • Who is it for? +

    Are you ready to make your passion into your career? Being a personal trainer is a highly rewarding role that will allow you to make your clients healthier, happier and more motivated. It involves providing one-to-one training, nutrition advice, and progressive programming for your clients.

    If you don't have a prior fitness qualification, you can attain the Level 3 Personal Training qualification through our Combined Level 2 & 3 Fitness Instructor and Personal Trainer Diploma.

    If you'd like to continue your professional development in the health and fitness industry, it'll also provide a stepping stone to further qualifications. For more information, see the 'Further Education' section. You must be over 16 and have good written and verbal communication skills to take this course. If English is your second language, you’ll need an IELTS 6.5 or ESOL Level 2 (or equivalent). If you don’t have this, we’ll review your case on an individual basis.

    If you have any disabilities which you believe may impact your studies or assessments, please inform your Course Advisor before enrolment so that we can advise you on whether reasonable adjustments can be made to accommodate your needs.

  • How does it work? +


     How You'll Learn

    This course is online and flexible, so you don't need to attend any workshops or classrooms.

    You'll access all your course materials through the Student Community and Profile, our online learning environment that you can access at any time, from anywhere that has an internet connection.

    Your course materials have been specially designed for distance learning by fitness experts, and you can work through them at your own pace.

     Assessment

    You'll be assessed through multiple choice exams, worksheets, and practical assessments.

    All the written assessments are online, giving you the freedom to sit your exams at a time that suits you. For practical assessments, you'll film yourself delivering gym sessions at your local gym, where you’ll demonstrate what you've learnt by instructing your gym buddy. You’ll then upload these videos to our Student Community to be assessed by your tutor.

    Our Student Community will also provide you with an easy-to-use e-portfolio of all your videos, all that is needed is a personalised 'You Tube' Account

     Support

    You’ll be assigned an expert academic tutor who'll be with you from enrolment to graduation. Their support is unlimited and you can contact them by phone, email or via the Student Community. They’ll answer any questions you have about coursework, study materials, assessments and exams, and help you work through any part of the course you’re stuck with.

    They’ll also give you test papers and mock exams to ensure you’re ready to pass your exams. All your papers will be marked and given constructive feedback so you know exactly what your strengths are and what you can improve.

    Our dedicated student support team will be on hand to assist you with administrative tasks, using the Student Community, and any other non-academic queries you may have.

  • Career Path +

    Once you've completed your course, you'll be fully qualified to work as a Gym Instructor within a gym.

  • Further Education +

    Once you've completed this course, you could continue your professional development with:

    •  Apprenticeship in Exercise and Fitness
    •  YMCA Level 3 Certificate in Personal Training
    •  YMCA Level 3 Diploma in Personal Training (gym-Based)
    •  YMCA Level 3 Diploma in Personal Training and Instruction

  • What will I need? +

    To complete this course, you'll need access to the resources below. You'll need to provide evidence of this before you enrol.

    Technology

    •  A computer or laptop with internet to access, complete and submit coursework
    •  A webcam and microphone in order to sit online exams
    •  A tablet, smartphone or camera to video and submit practical assessment
    •  A printer/scanner to print relevant documents and be able to scan into your profile

    Practical Element

    •  Access to a gym to practice the physical element of course
    •  Authorisation to film within the gym so you can complete this assessment
    •  A 'gym buddy' (who can access your gym) to participate in the physical element

  • How will I learn and be assessed? +

    The benefit of completing this course with us is that all of our assessments are completed at a time that suits you, giving you full flexibility. It also means that you don’t have to attempt them until you feel ready, as opposed to us dictating when and where you should undergo assessment.

     Multiple Choice Theory Paper

    We use an E-proctor site that allows you to sit the theory papers under ‘exam conditions’ from the comfort of your own home, at a time that suits you. You will be directed to a designated website to use to sit your multiple choice examination.

    The whole examination process will be recorded using your webcam. At the beginning of the examination you will go through some security checks, select the appropriate examination paper, and record your exam session (using your webcam) within the designated time.

    Upon completion, you will be given a provisional grade, which will be confirmed once your recorded session has been assessed to ensure that you adhered to the exam guidelines.

    Please note: the fee for sitting these proctored multiple choice examinations is £15 for each examination sitting.

     Submission of Worksheets

    You will be required to complete a number of worksheets. The questions are designed to check your competency and understanding of the course content. In order to achieve an overall pass in each worksheet, you will need to provide satisfactory answers to all questions. If your tutor feels you have not demonstrated sufficient knowledge in any section of the worksheet, you will be required to re-submit the work.

    These worksheets will be completed in your own time. You can review your material to find out the answers to the questions although the answers do need to be written in your own words.

    Please note: The worksheets will be completed, saved and submitted for assessment online through your profile.

     Case Study

    You will be required to build a client profile. You will need to complete all elements, which will be based on specific information gathered from working with your gym participant. You will then build a programme specific to that person’s needs, carry it out over a period of time, and then evaluate the results.

    This case study will be completed in your own time and does not require to be completed under ‘exam conditions’.

     Practical Sessions

    You will be required to record yourself delivering practical instruction sessions. For each practical element, the gym session must take place in one session, but should be split into smaller video clips (to allow for easy upload and assessment). By allowing you to complete the session in this way, it means you can carry out the session at a time that suits you. You can use a mobile phone or tablet to record and upload your recordings (via wifi to avoid data charges).

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