• YMCA Level 3 Diploma in Exercise and Fitness: Gym and Group Exercise Instructor (Circuit Training), and Personal Trainer (610/2794/7)

    By completing this qualification, learners with no prior exercise or fitness qualifications will be able to plan, deliver and evaluate gym-based exercise, group circuit training and personal training sessions. This qualification meets the requirements set out within the Gym Instructor, Group Exercise Instructor and Personal Trainer CIMSPA professional standards.

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    YMCA Level 3 Diploma in Exercise and Fitness: Gym and Group Exercise Instructor (Circuit Training), and Personal Trainer (610/2794/7)

    Qualifications Type

    Occupational Entry

    | What does this mean?

    X

    Occupational qualifications provide the knowledge and skills to meet industry minimum standards of deployment for a particular role. This can support learners in getting their first job within the sector, or add additional roles to their existing scope of practice.

    Qualification Number (QN)

    610/2794/7

    Qualification size

    GLH: 460 / TQT: 853

    | What does this mean?

    X

    Total Qualification Time (TQT)

    This is an estimate of the total amount of time, measured in hours that a learner would reasonably need to be able to show the level of achievement necessary for the award of a qualification.

    Total Qualification Time is made up of the following two elements:

    The number of hours which an awarding organisation has assigned to a qualification for guided learning (see below)
    An estimate of the number of hours a learner will reasonably be likely to spend in preparation, study or any other form of participation in education or training – including assessment – which takes place as directed by (but not under the immediate guidance or supervision of) a lecturer, supervisor, tutor or other appropriate provider of education or training.

    Guided Learning Hours (GLH)

    This is:

    Face to face delivery (learning delivered by a lecturer, supervisor, tutor or other appropriate member of the training team)
    eLearning with a lecturer, teacher or tutor present/available in real-time (the learner and tutor can be either remote or in the same physical place during eLearning)
    Invigilated assessment (external tests sat under controlled or open-book conditions)
    Internal assessment carried out by the learner with a lecturer, teacher or tutor present/available in real time (the learner and tutor can be either remote or in the same physical place during assessment).

    This is not unsupervised learning such as:

    eLearning that the learner carries out unsupervised and with no real time support from a lecturer, teacher or tutor
    Assessment internally carried out by the learner without a lecturer, teacher or tutor present/available in real time (for example, completing a Learner Assessment Record (LAR) at home)
    Any additional further study, revision and training activities that the learner does unsupervised to support their learning.

    Availability

    Operational start date: 1 January 2024

    Operational end date:

    Certification end date:

    Entry Requirements

    Aged 16+

    Assessments

    Questions and answers
    Worksheets
    Information resources
    Applied case studies
    Exercise induction portfolio
    Client consultation and assessment
    Nutrition case study
    Session planning / progressive exercise programme design
    Observation of practical skills
    Evaluation documents
    Showcase presentation
    Professional discussion

    Endorsement

    Overview

    By completing this qualification, learners will meet industry requirements to become a Gym Instructor, Group Exercise Instructor and Personal Trainer, as set out within the CIMSPA professional standards.

    The purpose of this qualification is to enable learners to:

    Maintain health, safety and hygiene in the gym-based environment
    Supervise and support participants in a gym-based environment
    Plan, deliver and evaluate gym-based exercise programmes
    Plan, deliver and evaluate group circuit training sessions
    Consult and assess clients’ needs and support them towards their health and fitness goals
    Plan, deliver and evaluate indoor and outdoor personal training sessions to support individuals (one-to-one) and small groups
    Apply methods of marketing to promote their own personal training business

    Completing this qualification provides learners with access to CIMSPA Practitioner membership, the industry prerequisite to access self-employed and employed gym instructor, group exercise instructor and personal trainer roles.

    Qualification details

    Learners will cover underpinning knowledge and skills for exercise and fitness instructors including:

    Anatomy and physiology for exercise and fitness professionals
    Providing a positive customer experience to exercise and fitness participants
    Principles of physical activity, exercise, and training approaches to develop fitness and health
    Health screening, risk stratification and scope of practice
    Health awareness and lifestyle management
    Nutrition for physical activity and exercise
    Business acumen for health and fitness professionals

    Learners will also cover knowledge and skills related to supporting clients in a gym environment, delivering group exercise and personal training sessions, including:

    Consultation, assessment and induction processes
    Maintaining safety and hygiene in the gym-based environment
    Using client information to plan gym-based exercise and circuit training sessions, and progressive exercise programmes
    Principles for planning and designing exercise for a range of clients
    Delivering gym-based exercise and group circuit training sessions
    Delivering personal training sessions in indoor and outdoor environments
    Reviewing sessions and reflecting on practice

    To achieve the YMCA Level 3 Diploma in Exercise and Fitness: Gym and Group Exercise Instructor (Circuit Training), and Personal Trainer (610/2794/7), learners must achieve thirteen mandatory units. Assessments include:

    Questions and answers
    Worksheets
    Information resources
    Applied case studies
    Exercise induction portfolio
    Client consultation and assessment
    Nutrition case study
    Session planning / progressive exercise programme design
    Observation of practical skills
    Evaluation documents
    Showcase presentation
    Professional discussion

    You can find further information on these assessments in the qualification specification and/or learner assessment record (LAR). The LAR is available for centres to download from Y-Connect.

    This qualification is an occupational entry qualification. This means it meets the agreed industry prerequisites to enter the sport and physical activity sector as an employed or self-employed:

    Gym Instructor
    Group Exercise Instructor
    Personal Trainer.

    This qualification can also lead to further training to specialise and further increase scope of practice. For example:

    Occupational entry (to work in a broader range of roles):

    YMCA Level 2 Certificate in the Foundations of Strength and Conditioning (Trainer) (603/3413/7)
    YMCA Level 3 Diploma in Teaching Pilates (Practitioner) (603/3855/6)
    YMCA Level 3 Diploma in Teaching Yoga (Practitioner) (603/3617/1)

    Population specialisms (to work with a broader range of clients):

    YMCA Level 2 Award in Engaging Inactive People in Physical Activity to Create Long-Term Behaviour Change (603/7345/3)
    YMCA Level 2 Award in Engaging Children Aged 0-5 in Sport and Physical Activity (603/7218/7)
    YMCA Level 2 Award in Engaging Children and Young People in Sport and Physical Activity (603/7216/3)
    YMCA Level 3 Award in Supporting Participation in Physical Activity: Perinatal (610/0829/1)
    YMCA Level 3 Award in Supporting Participation in Physical Activity: Disability and Impairments (610/1559/1)
    YMCA Level 3 Award in Supporting Participation in Physical Activity: Older Adults (610/1668/8)
    YMCA Level 3 Diploma in Exercise Referral (603/3103/3)

    Environment specialisms (to work in more settings):

    YMCA Level 2 Award in Developing Sustainable Physical Activity Programmes Within Community Settings (603/7343/X)

    Technical specialisms (to work with specific equipment or perform additional roles within the workplace):

    YMCA Level 2 Award in Instructing Kettlebell Training (603/7186/9)
    YMCA Level 2 Award in Instructing Suspended Movement Training (603/7187/0)
    YMCA Level 2 Award in Mental Health Awareness and Understanding Approaches to Support Individuals (603/7146/8)
    YMCA Level 2 Award in Safeguarding Adults and Adults at Risk (610/0822/9)
    YMCA Level 3 Award in Emergency First Aid at Work (603/1902/1)
    YMCA Level 3 Award in First Aid at Work (603/1903/3)

    UniteLearningManual
    Anatomy and physiology for exercise and fitness professionals (H/650/4852)✔️✔️
    Providing a positive customer experience to exercise and fitness participants (J/650/4853)✔️✔️
    Principles of physical activity, exercise, and training approaches to develop fitness and health (K/650/4854)✔️✔️
    Health screening, risk stratification and scope of practice (L/650/4855)✔️✔️
    Health awareness and lifestyle management (R/650/4857)✔️✔️
    Supporting clients in a gym-based environment (T/650/4858)✔️✔️
    Plan, deliver and evaluate gym-based training (Y/650/4859)✔️
    Plan, deliver and evaluate group circuit training (F/650/4860)❌✔️
    Nutrition for physical activity and exercise (F/650/6219)✔️✔️
    Consultation and assessment for personal training (K/650/4863)✔️✔️
    Plan, deliver and evaluate personal training (M/650/4865)✔️✔️
    Plan, deliver and evaluate outdoor training (J/650/4862)✔️✔️
    Business acumen for health and fitness professionals (F/650/7416)✔️✔️

    For more information on resource and resource bundle pricing

    Visit our Fees page

    Benefits of YMCA Awards endorsement

    Realise extra value from existing, non-regulated training programmes

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