YMCA Awards
Level 3
QN: 603/3504/X
Curriculum Active
YMCA Level 3 Diploma in Exercise and Fitness Instructing, and Personal Training (Practitioner)
Official qualification regulated by Ofqual, awarded by YMCA Awards. Classified as a Occupational Qualification. Total guided learning hours: 618 hours.
Qualification Level
Level 3
Awarding Body
YMCA Awards
Syllabus Units
21 Units
Guided Hours
618 hrs
Instant access to interactive lessons, quizzes, and spaced revision.
Course Syllabus & Study Modules
Complete breakdown of verified curriculum topics and learning objectives.
1
Anatomy and Physiology for Exercise and Fitness Instructors
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Know the structure and function of the circulatory system
- Understand the structure and function of the respiratory system
- Understand anatomical terminology
- Understand the structure and function of the skeleton
- Understand joints in the skeleton
- Understand the muscular system
- Understand the life-course of the musculoskeletal system and its implications for special populations exercise
- Understand the structure and function of the Digestive system
- Understand energy systems and their relation to exercise
- Understand the nervous system and its relation to exercise
2
Applied anatomy and physiology
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand optimal posture, causes of postural deviations and spinal conditions and the impact of exercise
- Understand the structure and function of the musculoskeletal system
- Understand the effects of exercise on the musculoskeletal system and disease processes
- Understand the structure and function of the cardio-respiratory system
- Know the structure and function of the Nervous system and the effect of exercise on neuromuscular connections
- Know the structure and function of the Endocrine system
- Know the classifications of energy systems and how they are utilised during exercise
3
Bespoke exercise programme design
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand how to screen clients prior to a personal training programme
- Understand how to select and implement client assessments
- Understand methods of static and dynamic fitness assessment
- Understand methods of postural assessment
- Understand how to monitor and review client progress
- Understand how to set and adapt meaningful SMART goals linked to client’s individual needs, wants and motivators
- Understand how to plan a safe personal training programme with clients
- Understand the use of alternative environments and activities in programme design
- Understand the safe design and delivery of small group personal training sessions
- Be able to collect and analyse health screening and fitness assessment information to inform programme design and delivery
4
Business acumen for a successful Personal Training Practice
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand marketing strategies and techniques in planning and promotion
- Understand how to sell Personal Training services to clients directly
- Understand how to communicate the benefits of the Personal Training service
- Know the components and the purpose of a Business
- Plan relevant to a Personal Training business
- Understand how to legally set up a business as a Personal Trainer
- Understand financial requirements when setting up and running a health and fitness business
- Be able to plan, market and sell health and fitness services
5
Customised exercise programme instruction and communication techniques
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand fitness training techniques that are suitable for a personal training session
- Understand how to observe and monitor clients during sessions
- Understand the legal and ethical responsibilities of a personal trainer when working with clients
- Understand the principles of best practice for a personal trainer
- Be able to plan and prepare personal training sessions
- Be able to prepare clients for personal training sessions
- Be able to safely instruct and support clients during the session
- Be able to monitor clients and adapt programmes accordingly
- Be able to bring exercise sessions to an end
- Be able to reflect on providing personal training sessions
- Be able to reflect on own professional practice as a Personal Trainer
- Be able to reflect on own professional practice a Personal Trainer
6
Gym- based programme delivery and professional instruction
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand how to deliver gym inductions and gym-based sessions to a range of clients
- Be able to prepare self and equipment for inductions and exercise sessions in the gym environment for individuals and groups
- Be able to introduce individuals and groups to the gym environment
- Be able to instruct gym-based exercise
- Be able to supervise clients undertaking gym-based exercise
- Be able to bring a gym-based exercise session to an end
- Be able to reflect on providing gym-based exercise
7
Gym-based programme planning and preparation
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand the importance of adapting communication techniques when dealing with customers with differing needs
- Understand how to collect client information to plan gym-based exercise
- Understand how to use client information to plan gym-based exercise
- Understand how to plan gym-based exercise for a range of clients
- Be able to collect and use information to plan a gym-based exercise programmes for a range of clients
8
Lifestyle Management and Health Awareness
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand how to promote a healthy lifestyle
- Understand the importance of healthy eating
- Understand how to support clients to adhere to exercise/physical activity
9
Nutrition to support physical activity
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand the principles of nutrition
- Understand the influence of nutrition on health
- Understand key nutritional guidelines and evidence-based recommendations and how they can be applied to individual clients
- Understand the relationship between nutrition and physical activity
- Understand how to collect information relating to nutrition
- Understand how to use nutritional information
- Be able to identify and analyse nutritional information to identify clients dietary habits
- Be able to apply the principles of nutrition to a physical activity programme
10
Plan and deliver group circuit training
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand how to plan group circuit training sessions
- Understand how to use music for group circuit training sessions
- Understand specific principles in providing group circuit training sessions
- Be able to plan a group circuit training session
- Be able to prepare to instruct a group circuit training session
- Be able to introduce a group circuit training session to participants
- Be able to deliver a group circuit training session
- Be able to bring a group circuit training session to an end
- Be able to reflect on providing a group circuit training session
11
Plan and deliver group exercise to music: freestyle
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand how to plan group exercise to music sessions
- Understand how to develop choreography for group exercise to music sessions
- Understand how to use music for group exercise to music sessions
- Be able to plan a group exercise to music session
- Be able to prepare to instruct a group exercise to music session
- Be able to introduce a group exercise to music session to participants
- Be able to deliver a group exercise to music session
- Be able to bring a group exercise to music session to an end
- Be able to reflect on providing a group exercise to music session
12
Plan and deliver group fitness walking
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand the benefits of walking programmes for all levels of fitness
- Understand how to plan a group fitness walking session
- Be able to plan a group fitness walking session
- Be able to prepare to lead a group fitness walking session
- Be able to introduce group fitness walking sessions to participants
- Be able to lead a group fitness walking session
- Be able to bring a group fitness walking session to an end
- Be able to reflect on providing a group fitness walking session
13
Plan and deliver group indoor cycling
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Know the benefits of group indoor cycling
- Understand health and safety in relation to group indoor cycling
- Understand the principles and variables used within a group indoor cycling session
- Understand how to monitor and improve participant performance during group indoor cycling sessions
- Understand how to use music during group indoor
- Be able to plan safe and effective group indoor cycling sessions
- Be able to prepare to instruct a group indoor cycling session
- Be able to prepare participants for a group indoor cycling session
- Be able to instruct a group indoor cycling session
- Be able to bring a group indoor cycling session to an end
- Be able to reflect on providing a group indoor cycling session
14
Plan and deliver group step exercise to music
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand the history of group step exercise to music
- Understand the safety requirements when teaching group step exercise to music sessions
- Understand how to develop choreography for group step exercise to music sessions
- Understand how to plan group step exercise to music sessions
- Be able to plan a group step exercise to music session
- Be able to prepare to instruct a group step exercise to music session
- Be able to introduce a group step exercise to music session to participants
- Be able to deliver a group step exercise to music session
- Be able to bring a group step exercise to music session to an end
- Be able to reflect on providing a group step exercise to music session
15
Plan and deliver group studio resistance training
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand the benefits of group studio resistance training for all levels of fitness
- Understand the safety elements of using equipment in studio resistance training sessions
- Understand specific principles in providing studio resistance training sessions
- Understand how to plan a group studio resistance training session
- Be able to plan a group studio resistance training session
- Be able to prepare to instruct group resistance training sessions
- Be able to introduce group resistance training session to participants
- Be able to deliver a group studio resistance training session
- Be able to bring a group studio resistance session to an end
- Be able to reflect on providing a group studio resistance session
16
Plan and deliver group Water-based exercise
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand the benefits of group water-based exercise
- Understand the range of equipment commonly used in group water-based exercise sessions
- Understand key features of the pool environment that affect session planning
- Understand specific principles when developing group water-based exercise sessions
- Understand how to plan group water-based exercise sessions
- Be able to plan a group water-based exercise session
- Be able to prepare to instruct a group water-based exercise session
- Be able to introduce the group water-based exercise session to participants
- Be able to deliver a group water-based exercise session
- Be able to bring a group water-based exercise session to an end
- Be able to reflect on providing a group water-based exercise session
17
Plan and deliver kettlebell training
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand the history and origins of kettlebell training
- Understand the benefits of kettlebell training
- Understand health and safety considerations for kettlebell training
- Understand how to incorporate kettlebell training into resistance sessions
- Be able to plan kettlebell training sessions
- Be able to prepare for kettlebell training
- Be able to instruct kettlebell training
- Be able to communicate effectively
- Be able to reflect on providing kettlebell training
18
Plan and deliver suspended movement training
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand the history and origins of suspended movement training
- Understand the benefits of suspended movement training
- Understand health and safety considerations for suspended movement training
- Be able to plan suspended movement training sessions
- Be able to prepare for suspended movement training sessions
- Be able to instruct suspended movement training sessions
- Be able to communicate effectively whilst instructing suspended movement training sessions
- Be able to reflect on suspended movement training sessions
19
Principles of planning and delivering group exercise
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand how to plan group exercise sessions for a range of participants within scope of practice
- Understand how to use participant information to plan group exercise sessions
- Understand how to prepare activity area and equipment for group exercise sessions
- Understand how to use music to enhance group exercise
- Understand how to introduce group exercise sessions to participants
- Know a variety of skills and characteristics of an effective group exercise instructor
20
Promoting wellness through client motivation and interaction
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand components of a healthy lifestyle and factors that affect health and wellbeing
- Understand psychological factors that can influence change to an individual’s lifestyle
- Understand a range of health conditions and medically controlled diseases
- Know pre-exercise health screening methods
- Understand a range of theories/approaches that can motivate positive behaviour change
- Understand how to professionally interact with clients and relevant professionals
- Know how to seek evidence-based/reputable health and wellbeing advice
21
Providing a positive customer experience in the exercise environment
Verified
Key Learning Objectives:
- Understand customer needs and expectations
- Understand the principles of customer service
- Know how to engage with customers
- Be able to prepare and maintain the exercise environment
- Understand the importance of professionalism in the health and fitness sector
- Understand operational and legislative procedures within the exercise and fitness facility
- Understand how to control risks in an exercise environment
- Understand how to safeguard children and vulnerable adults
- Understand processes to support a health and fitness business
Regulatory & Verification Details
- Qualification Number (QN)
- 603/3504/X
- Regulated Status
- Available to learners
- Awarding Body
- YMCA Awards
- Qualification Type
- Occupational Qualification
- Operational Start
- Sept 2018
- Operational End
- Jul 2026