Sport: Gym Based

Qualifications

Active IQ Level 1 Award in Fitness and Physical Activity
Active IQ Level 2 Award In Instructing Kettlebells
Active IQ Level 2 Award in Studio Cycling
Active IQ Level 2 Award in Instructing Suspended Movement Training
Active IQ Level 2 Certificate in Gym Instructing
Active IQ Level 3 Diploma in Personal Training  

What do the courses involve?

Active IQ Level 1 Award in Fitness and Physical Activity
This qualification is designed to provide learners with an understanding of the principles of exercise and fitness, healthy eating and the active leisure industry.

Active IQ Level 2 in Instructing Kettlebells
The aim of this qualification is to train learners, who already have knowledge and skills in fitness instruction, to a professionally competent level to plan and deliver safe and effective kettlebell exercises and training sessions.
  
Active IQ Level 2 Award in Studio Cycling
This qualification offers fitness instruction to a professionally competent level to plan and deliver safe and effective group cycling sessions.

Active IQ Level 2 Award in Instructing Suspended Movement Training
The qualification on instructing suspended movement training aims to plan and deliver safe and effective suspended movement exercises and training sessions.

Active IQ Level 2 Certificate in Gym Instructing
This qualification provides learners with the knowledge and skills to be able to plan, deliver and supervise safe and effective exercise programmes within a gym or health club environment. During the qualification learners will cover:

• Anatomy, physiology and nutrition and how they relate to exercise and fitness
• Health and safety in the fitness environment
• The skills to conduct client and group inductions in a gym-based environment and support exercise adherence and a healthy lifestyle
• The skills to plan, instruct and supervise safe and effective exercise and physical activity sessions
• Professionalism for fitness instructing 
• Personal and professional development
• Delivering exceptional customer service

Active IQ Level 3 Diploma in Personal Training
The aim of this qualification is to develop further knowledge of anatomy and physiology applicable to personal training. Topics include:

• Lifestyle and medical factors that affect wellbeing
• Effective communication skills for client consultations to encourage healthy lifestyle behaviours and strategies for change
• Skills to plan and conduct physical activity sessions with different types of clients in a variety of environments with a range of resources
• Legal and professional requirements for personal training
• How to set up and manage a personal training business on a self-employed basis if they wish to
• How to manage, evaluate and improve own performance 

Requirements

• Level 1:
  An interest in fitness or experience in the fitness industry would be an advantage but entry requirements can be discussed individually during your Pre-Entry Assessment.
  
  
• Level 2:
  Ideally the candidate will hold a Level 1 in Fitness and Physical Activity or similar.
  
  For the gym instructing, candidates should have experience of gym-based exercise, including free weights. The course requires physical exertion and individual participation is essential, therefore, a degree of physical fitness is necessary. There is also an element of communication (discussing, presenting, reading and writing) involved and learners should have basic skills in communication pitched at Level 2.
  
  
• Level 3:
  Learners must hold a suitable Level 2 qualification in gym instructing. The course requires physical exertion and individual participation is essential, therefore, a degree of physical fitness is necessary. There is an element of communication (discussing, presenting, reading and writing) and mathematics involved, so learners should have basic skills in communication and mathematics pitched at Level 2 (as a minimum). 

Teaching methods

We employ strategies for the teaching of theoretical, practical and assessment elements of the course based on individualised experiential learning that allows the trainees to operate on an equal footing to those of mainstream providers. Staff will identify individual needs and provide solutions to aid the trainee with building confidence, mobility, spatial awareness and communication skills.

For Levels 2 and 3, the trainee has excellent opportunities for development of work based practical skills with the provision of evening classes in which they can assist, under supervision, in a state of the art facility where all equipment is Inclusive Fitness Initiative (IFI) accredited.

Work based learning

At Level 1,  opportunities include working as part of a team in running the gym, for example on gym inductions, fitness testing and personal training Every student does some part-time work experience through the year and takes part in a dedicated week of work experience. For this course, work experience within a sports centre or gym would be advisable.

For those studying at Level 2, there are excellent work based learning opportunities in thePoint4 fitness suite, which has a membership comprising students, staff and the general public. Students have opportunities to work with fully qualified fitness professionals and experience a wide range of physical activities and classes that are offered to members.

At Level 3, students have opportunities to work with fully qualified fitness professionals and experience a wide range of physical activities and classes that are offered to members Students have to identify and work with Case Studies, designing and monitoring a 12 week progressive fitness programme. This provides an extremely valuable and unique opportunity for the candidate to gain experience of working with a wide variety of fitness professionals, groups and individuals of different ages, gender, ability and disability, which would be difficult to replicate in any other setting.

Assessment Methods

• Level 1
  Coursework/Project
  Portfolio of Evidence
  Practical Demonstration/Assignment
• Level 2
  Coursework/Project
  Portfolio of Evidence
  Practical Demonstration/Assignment
• Level 3
  Courswork/Project
  Multiple Choice Examination
  Practical Demonstration/Assignment
  Portfolio of Evidence

Duration

One to three years depending on the course

Where will it take me?

Level 1: Most Active IQ Level 1 qualifications lead on to Level 2 qualifications culminating in careers in personal training, instructing and fitness.
  
Level 2: On completion of the course you may decide to seek work within the industry, progress on to a higher level sport programme or combine the qualification with compatible qualifications. Fitness Instructor, Personal Trainer or Sports Massage.

Level 3: You may decide to seek work within the industry, progress on to a higher level sport programme or combine the qualification with compatible qualifications.