Call our expert YMCA advisors
on 0800 027 6960
YMCA AwardsLevel 2 Fitness Instructor & Level 3 Personal Trainer Combined
Call our expert YMCA advisors
on 0800 027 6960
REPS
IND
EPENDENTLY ENDORS
ED20
Looking for more information? Call our expert YMCA advisors on 0800 027 6960
At ICS Learn, we do things a little differently. We know you’ve got a busy life, and that it can be tough to fit studying around your work, family and social commitments.
Our super-flexible courses make it easy to get the qualifications you need. With us, you can access your training materials online, practice at your local gym, and take your exams securely from home – all with unlimited support from your personal fitness tutor. You’ll have the flexibility to earn while you learn, so you don’t need to give up your current job to get started on a new career.
We help students across the nation make their passion a reality. That’s why we’re the UK leader in online learning.
128 years of experience
We’ve been pioneers in flexible learning for 128 years, so you’ll benefit from more than a century of educational expertise.
Super-flexible. Super-supported.
With us, you can study anytime, from anywhere with an internet connection. You’ll be supported throughout by your dedicated fitness tutor and our student support team.
YMCA Awards: UK leader in fitness qualifications
Our fitness courses are designed in close partnership with the UK’s leading health and fitness awarding body, YMCA Awards. As a globally recognised brand, they deliver 20,000 certificates a year in more than 10 countries worldwide.
Interest-free payment plans
Get started on your course right away with a small deposit and pay the rest by monthly direct debit, completely interest-free. Plus, you can save money by studying Level 2 and 3 in one!
Make your passion into your career with our flexible courses
Their satisfaction rate is 96%, and for good reason - their qualifications are expertly tailored to prepare you for lifetime success in the health and fitness industry. They’re recognised and respected across the UK and in many countries around the world, including Australia and New Zealand.
REPS
IND
EPENDENTLY ENDORS
ED20
Looking for more information? Call our expert YMCA advisors on 0800 027 6960
Our REPs-endorsed Level 2 and 3 combined course is perfect for you if you have no prior fitness qualifications (or if your existing Level 2 qualification didn't cover the necessary units) and you want to become a personal trainer. By studying both together, you’ll save time and money and have a smooth transition between levels. You can start working as a fitness instructor as soon as you’ve finished Level 2.
The course will teach you about the principles of exercise, fitness and health; anatomy and physiology; health, safety and welfare; and how to support your clients.
You’ll first learn to teach adults of all ages in a group setting, then move on to one-on-one training. You’ll learn to design, manage and adapt an exercise programme for healthy adults of all ages, and how to support this with proper nutrition. You’ll also learn to motivate clients effectively to stick to their plan.
After completing the course, you’ll have the qualification, skills and knowledge you need to build lifetime success as a personal trainer.
Entry Requirements
You must live in the UK and be over 16. You should have access to a suitable UK gym to demonstrate the practical side of the course, and a gym buddy willing to help you. Until you’ve passed Level 2, you’ll also need a qualified gym instructor to be in the area while you do your practical assessments – this can just be a member of gym staff!
You don’t need any prior qualifications, but you should have a reasonable level of fitness and gym experience and good written and verbal communication skills.
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.
This course is perfect for you if:
You have no prior fitness qualifications and want to become a personal trainer
You want to start your own personal training business
You’d like to move on to more advanced fitness qualifications
You want to get fitter and healthier while learning something new
You want the flexibility to study at your own pace and wherever suits you
Are you ready to change your life?
Looking for more information? Call our expert YMCA advisors on 0800 027 6960
Study online at your own pace
You’ll access all your course materials through our online Student Community, including interactive quizzes,
progress checks and more. As everything is online, you can study anywhere with an internet connection, at any
time of day, whether it’s on a laptop, phone or tablet. There are no timetables or deadlines apart from the
end of the generous support period, so how quickly or slowly you work is all up to you!
Film the practical side at your local gymWith us, there’s no inconvenient travelling to distant assessment centres. You can do your practical assessments at your local gym! All you need to do is grab a gym buddy and your smartphone and record yourself demonstrating a session. You can use our specially designed app to upload them to your portfolio and send them to your tutor directly from your phone. Your tutor will give you detailed feedback so you know where your strengths are and where you can improve, and you can always do it again if you don’t get it quite right!
Get support from your expert tutorStudying online doesn’t mean studying alone. From enrolment to graduation, you’ll have unlimited support from your dedicated fitness tutor online or by phone. All our tutors are health and fitness experts with years of experience in the industry. You’ll also have our student support team waiting in the wings to help you with non-academic questions, and you can share advice with other students in our group forums.
Launch your career as a fully qualified personal trainerThe qualifications you'll gain are exactly the same as the ones you'd get on a more traditional in-person course. You can start working as a fitness instructor after completing the first half of the course, then become a REPs-endorsed personal trainer after graduating from Level 3. You'll have had the time and flexibility to learn at your own pace, so you'll be fully ready to excel in your new role.
Take your theory exams from home
We use the most innovative e-proctoring software to ensure your exams are as safe, reliable and secure as if you
sat them in an exam hall with an invigilator peering over your shoulder. You can sit it whenever you’re ready to,
whether it’s Monday at midday or Saturday at midnight.
The most flexible, convenient way to get qualified
Looking for more information? Call our expert YMCA advisors on 0800 027 6960
For me it was all about getting that work life balance right, so I decided to look into distance learning. When I called ICS Learn, the gentleman explained to me in great detail all about the company, the course and the payment options. I had so many questions, but he was so patient. I concluded that yes, this was the right course and company for me. I couldn’t recommend ICS enough. They gave me the opportunity and confidence to still live my life, work and learn as well.
Charlotte Livermore
Our mission is to make learning affordable and accessible for all, no matter your circumstances. That’s why we make spreading the cost of your course as simple and manageable as possible with our flexible, interest-free payment plans.
You can get started right away with a small deposit, then pay the rest through monthly direct debit. The total price you’ll pay is exactly the same as if you paid the full amount in one go.
Plus, our plans are flexible, so you can pay your balance off sooner if you’d like.
And of course, you have the option of paying the full amount up-front if you’d prefer!
YMCA Awards Registration Fee
YMCA Awards charge a registration fee for each qualification you take with them. You can either pay this upfront or we can include the cost in your payment plan.
You can find out the cost of the course on our website, along with the YMCA Awards registration fee, payment plan details and any discounts we’re offering this month.
Alternatively, you can call or email our course advisors to find out more.
Flexible, affordable payment options
Looking for more information? Call our expert YMCA advisors on 0800 027 6960
Being a personal trainer allows you a huge amount of flexibility, as you can work full-time, part-time, or any combination of hours you choose.
You could work within a gym, health club or leisure centre, either as an employee or a freelancer. You could also train clients in their homes or outside.
You don’t need to wait til you’ve completed both Levels to get started – you can start working as a fitness instructor as soon as you pass Level 2.
Best of all, you’ll have the opportunity to work closely with your clients and make a real, lasting and visible difference to their lives. It doesn’t get much more rewarding than that.
You’ll earn more if you work in an affluent area, if you freelance for a good club, if you specialise in a particular exercise or client type, or if you have high profile clients.
Plus, if you decide to start your own personal training business, there’s no upper limit on how much you can earn.
Get fit while building your new career
If you’d like to specialise, you could continue your professional development with courses such as:
Apprenticeship in Exercise and Fitness
YMCA Awards Level 3 Award in Business Skills for the Fitness Professional
YMCA Awards Level 3 Award in Instructing Outdoor Fitness
YMCA Awards Level 3 Award in Sports Conditioning
Level 3 Certificate in Sports Massage (Soft Tissue Therapy)
Level 3 Diploma in Exercise Referral
Fitness Instructor Salary
£14,000 to £30,000 per year£10 to £20 per hour
Personal Trainer Salary
£18,000 to £60,000 per year£25 to £80+ per hour
Looking for more information? Call our expert YMCA advisors on 0800 027 6960
When you enrol, you’ll be able to join a live induction webinar so that we can welcome you to ICS Learn and show you how to get the best out of the Student Community. That’s our easy-to-use online learning platform - it’s a one-stop-shop that allows you to:
Access your course materials
Contact your tutor and student support
Connect with your fellow students
Your study materials have been specially designed for online learning by fitness and distance learning experts, and they’re split into bite-sized sections so they’re easy to follow from home.
You’ll also benefit from a huge range of resources, including:
Portfolio to store your assessment videos and worksheets
Specially designed app to upload & send your videos to your tutor
Interactive course content
Group forums
Personal journal
YMCA Awards resources
Even though you’re learning online, you’ll always have a real person on hand to help you no matter what you need. You’ll be supported by your assigned fitness tutor, who’ll answer all your questions about coursework.
You’ll also have our student support team waiting in the wings to help you with administrative tasks, using the Student Community, and any other non-academic queries you might have.
That means that no matter what you need, there will always be someone here to help. We’re with you every step of the way.
What really stood out for me is that the tutors are really dedicated to helping you develop your knowledge; you feel their passion, enthusiasm and knowledge come through in your interactions. It’s not just a case of passing the assessments to receive a Certificate, it’s about really developing your skills and equipping you to put them into practice. I would recommend ICS Learn as it’s the best of both worlds: online learning combined with tutors who take a real interest in your progress.
Will Russell
Unlimited support, whenever you need it
You'll have 6 months to complete the Level 2 half of the course, and 9 months to
complete the Level 3 half of the course.
Looking for more information? Call our expert YMCA advisors on 0800 027 6960
In the first half of this REPs-endorsed course, you'll develop the knowledge and skills you need to plan and instruct gym-based exercise sessions for adults of all ages, both individually and in groups. This may include young people in the 14-16 age range, provided they're part of a larger adult group. You'll also be able to teach older adults, ante and postnatal adults, and disabled adults.
In the second half of the course, you’ll learn how to design, manage and adapt a safe and effective exercise programme for healthy adults of all ages, and how to support this with proper nutrition. You’ll learn to work one-on-one with clients and how to motivate them to stick to their plan.
At Level 2, you’ll study 6 units:
Anatomy and physiology for exercise
Health, safety and welfare in a fitness environment
Principles of exercise, fitness and health
How to support clients who take part in exercise and physical activity
Planning gym-based exercise
Instructing gym-based exercise
At Level 3, you’ll study 4:
Anatomy and physiology for exercise and health
Applying the principles of nutrition to a physical activity programme
Programming personal training with clients
Delivering personal training sessions
The heart and circulatory system
The respiratory system and the nervous system
Structure and function of the skeleton
Energy systems and their relation to exercise
The musculoskeletal system
Postural and core stability
The nervous, endocrine and energy systems and their relation to exercise and health
How to maintain health, safety and welfare in a variety of fitness environments, including the safeguarding of children and vulnerable adults
What you’ll learn
The key topics you’ll cover are:
The Fitness Instructor course sits on the
Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) at Level
2, or Level 5 in the Scottish system. It involves roughly 158 guided learning hours
and is worth 24 credits.
The Personal Trainer course sits on the
Qualifications and Credit Framework (QCF) at
Level 3, or Level 6 in the Scottish system. It involves
roughly 188 guided learning hours and is
worth 28 credits.
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
How to motivate clients to adhere to an exercise programme
How to apply the principles of nutrition to support client goals as part of an exercise and physical activity programme
How to design, manage and adapt a personal training programme for healthy adults of all ages
How to deliver exercise and physical activity as part of a programme for healthy adults of all ages
Looking for more information? Call our expert YMCA advisors on 0800 027 6960
Assessments that fit around your life
Throughout your course, you’ll complete various worksheets designed to test your understanding of the course. To pass, you’ll need to give satisfactory answers in your own words to all questions. Your worksheets will be submitted through our online e-Portfolio system and marked by your tutor. Don’t worry if you don’t get it quite right first time - they’ll give you detailed feedback so you can have another go!
When you get qualified with us, you’ve got full flexibility in choosing when you sit your assessments. You don’t have to try them until you feel ready, and you don’t need to book a slot or rearrange your schedule to accommodate set times.
You’ll be assessed through worksheets, a theory paper, a case study, and practical assessments.
Practical Sessions
Case Study
Multiple Choice Theory
Paper
Worksheets
We use an e-proctor site that allows you to take your theory test under exam conditions from your own home. This means you can sit it whenever you like, no matter what time or day it is.
You’ll be directed to a designated website, go through some security checks, and record the whole exam session using your webcam to demonstrate that there are no notes or people nearby helping you. You’ll get your provisional mark straight away, and this will be confirmed once your recorded session has been assessed to make sure it adheres to exam guidelines.
There are two proctored exams on this course. The fee for sitting these exams is £15 for each exam sitting.
You’ll complete your practical assessments in your local gym at a time that suits you. All you need to do is recruit a gym buddy to be ‘taught’ by you, then film yourself delivering the session. You should record it all at the same time, but split into smaller video clips to allow for easy uploading. You can then use our specially designed app to send the clips directly to your tutor from your smartphone or tablet. Your tutor will get back to you with detailed feedback so you know how you’re doing. Simple!
On the Level 3 course, you’ll build a client profile based on information gathered from working with your gym buddy. You’ll then develop a programme based on their needs, carry it out over a period of time, then evaluate the results. This ensures you’re fully ready to excel when real clients come along!
Looking for more information? Call our expert YMCA advisors on 0800 027 6960
Your enrolment checklist
Gym KitYour gym will need to have most of the following kit to allow you to fulfil the practical assessment requirements.
Fundamentals
Confirm your date of birth
Give us photographic ID
Inform us of any learning needs you have that might affect your participation in any aspect of the course
Technology
A computer or laptop with internet to complete and submit coursework
A webcam with microphone in order to sit online exams
A smartphone/tablet/camera to video and submit practical assessments
A printer and scanner to print relevant documents and scan into system
Practical Element
Access to a gym to practice and complete your practical assessments
Written authorisation to film within the gym
Gym buddy (who can access your gym) to participate in physical element
Level 2 qualified person to be within the area during filming until you pass Level 2 (this can be your gym buddy, your camera man, or simply a member of gym staff)
Equipment to create client profiles at Level 3 (can be borrowed from gym or purchased if not available): blood pressure monitor and cuff, skin-fold callipers, BMI monitor, CV fitness testing (such as step test app)
CV Kit
Treadmill
Upright cycle
Recumbent cycle
Rowing machine
Stepper
Elliptical trainer
Cross trainer
Free weights
Barbell
Dumbell
Bench press
Resistance
Seated shoulder press Seated chest press Seated row
Triceps curl
Seated bicep curls Lateral pull down
Pec dec
Abdominal machine Lower back machine Seated abductor
Seated knee extension Seated thigh curl
Leg press
Thigh curl
Before you enrol on the course, you’ll need to provide evidence that you meet all of the following requirements.
Filming is only permitted within UK gyms.
Find out more at :www.icslearn.co.uk
@ICSLearn ICSLearn