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Career in Sports

Advanced Personal Training - Level 4

Summary

The field of personal training and the needs of modern day professional personal trainers is rapidly evolving in line with the broad ranging needs and goals of the clients they serve. As a result, the industry has never been more competitive.

Highly successful personal trainers are results driven and confidently differentiate their services offered to provide an ethical service and sustain a highly successful business. Driving this success is a more scientific and evidence-based approach to programming, training, monitoring and managing clients which translates to better client retention as well as attracting new clients.

This qualification provides learners with the enhanced knowledge and skills to fully understand their clients, utilise an evidence-based approach to programming and develop a successful and sustainable personal training business, including:

  • Research, evaluation and use of credible research and information to inform personal training / coaching practice
  • Integration and application of technologies, digital and social media into personal training practice to support, enhance and manage the client journey
  • The application of behaviour change and communication techniques to support, enhance and manage the client journey
  • Assessment, performance analysis and evaluation to support, enhance and manage the client journey
  • Design and application of long-term periodisation, planning, coaching and evaluation to optimise client success
  • Course code TS1FE0001
  • Duration 16 Weeks
  • Day/s of week Thursday
  • Time 17:00 - 20:30

Next course dates

Start date Location Duration
05 Feb 2026
University Centre
16 Weeks
24 Feb 2027
University Centre
12 Weeks

Before applying, please check whether you meet the entry requirements under 'Key Information' for this course. Don't hesitate to call us on 01253 504343 if you need assistance.

  • £24,000 average annual salary
  • State-of-the-art sports facilities
  • 22,802 annual job openings in the North West

What Uni Reviews

Great. Can't fault it. It is second to non and is highly enjoyable. I have been here since I was sixteen and I can't find fault anywhere. Well done Blackpool and The Fylde College. Good job. *****
- Anonymous
Love college the teachers are very helpful the support from student admin is great and the course itself is very interesting. I'm excited to see how far I can go. *****
- Anonymous
Been a lovely experience, and I'm so grateful for everything I've been taught these last 3 years, and look forward to what the future holds. So grateful for my tutors. *****
- Anonymous

Where can this subject lead?

Career progression

This qualification provides progression on to:

  • University level studies – Sports related degree (Dependant on University entry criteria and your experience)
  • Level 4 Certificate in Strength and Conditioning
  • Level 3 Award in Nutrition for Sport and Exercise Performance
  • Level 3 Award in Instructing Outdoor Fitness
  • Level 4 special-populations-related qualifications
  • Other level 3 and 4 technical qualifications in related subjects

Employment Opportunities

Learners may also progress onto qualifications in related sectors, e.g. Sports Massage, where they will be provided with the knowledge and skills to practise sports massage alongside personal training in a health club environment or in their own business.

Alternatively, learners may broaden their knowledge and skills by progressing onto qualifications mapping to additional branches of the Level 3 Standards, such as Exercise Referral and Leisure Management.

Key information

Entry Requirements

  • Students must hold a Level 3 Diploma in Personal Training (or equivalent)
  • Students must be 18+
  • Students must have at least 1 client and working as a personal trainer (with minimum 6-months experience)
  • Students must be able to apply factual and theoretical knowledge and be able to use a range of cognitive and practical skills to generate specific solutions for personal training clients. This will require learners to work in predictable and unpredictable situations using knowledge, skills and competencies pitched at level 4 on the RQF

To be considered for this course, students must possess at least a Functional Skills qualification in Maths and English (or higher). Evidence of these qualifications must be provided prior to enrolment. Additionally, students are expected to have basic digital literacy skills to effectively engage with online learning and complete computer-based assessments.

Qualification obtained

Certificate in Advanced Personal Training

Fees and funding

You may be eligible for an Advanced Learner Loan to fund this course. For more information, please visit our dedicated page on Financial Support for Adult Learners.

Extra costs and equipment

While it is not compulsory, having access to a laptop or PC at home is beneficial. Nevertheless, you are welcome to use the college facilities if necessary.

Regulation and Accreditation

Accrediting Institute: N/A

Awarding Body: Active IQ

Regulatory Body: Office for Students (OfS)

Terms and conditions

Please visit our Student Terms and Conditions page for more information.

Student case study - Dale

Why did you choose B&FC?
It's close to home and a lot of my friends had previously been here so I already had a good impression of the College and also knew one of the tutors.

What have been the benefits of studying here?
The facilities are great but the support of the tutors has been second to none. Nothing was too much trouble for them - it was amazing.

What will I learn?

You will study the following modules:

  • Unit 1: Applied techniques to support, enhance and manage the client journey (Level 4)
  • Unit 2: Progressing clients to successful achievement of goals (Level 4)
A coach greets a group of individuals as they walk into a fitness center, ready to begin their workout journey.
Career in Sports
A man exercises on a cycling machine, wearing breathing apparatus connected to a computer to assess blood flow and fitness.
A coach greets a group of individuals as they walk into a fitness center, ready to begin their workout journey. Career in Sports A man exercises on a cycling machine, wearing breathing apparatus connected to a computer to assess blood flow and fitness.
A coach greets a group of individuals as they walk into a fitness center, ready to begin their workout journey.
Career in Sports
A man exercises on a cycling machine, wearing breathing apparatus connected to a computer to assess blood flow and fitness.

Study Support - at a glance

We offer a range of services to support you across all areas of student life, with specialist support available for students with disabilities.

  • One-to-one and group study support sessions
  • Pre-degree preparation workshops
  • IT Support

How will I learn?

The course spans 12 weeks, with weekly 3-hour classroom-based lectures, and is delivered over a 16-week period. It is structured with 60% theoretical content and 40% practical sessions. During the 12-week period, you will collaborate with your client, which will constitute the formal assessment for this course.

Additionally, you will have two formative assessments and scheduled check-ins with your lecturer prior to the final assessment.

Expert tutors

Our expert tutor for this course has a comprehensive background in Nutrition, Personal training, Athletics coaching and specialises in endurance coaching, holds a Masters in Sports and exercise science and has a range of industry specific skills and knowledge to pass on to students on the course.

Ready to take the next step? Navigate to the top of the page and click Apply Now to continue your degree-level journey.

Not the course for you?

Take a look at some of our other degree-level study options and see what sparks your imagination.

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  • Applied Science - Certificate of Higher Education

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How will I be assessed?

You will be required to produce a Case study, a Presentation and a VIVA.