Courses and qualifications

Fitness qualifications at the University of Brighton

The University of Brighton now offers gym and fitness qualifications. Offering quality face-to-face courses with online resources to support your next step as a fitness professional. Led by our experienced and qualified tutors, the course will be delivered at the University of Brighton Falmer Campus. You’ll get hands on practical experience utilising both gym and classroom facilities.

Our University of Brighton fitness courses and qualifications are fully endorsed by the leading awarding body Active IQ. This is a recognised qualification with the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA), the professional development body for the UK’s sport and physical activity sector.

Active IQ - Why study with us

• Industry recognised qualification
• In person training and support by our experienced industry professionals
• Online additional resources
• Use of our leading facilities for a practical, hands on course
• Allocated tutor to support throughout your course

University of Brighton Active IQ Level 2 Fitness Coach Qualification

Start your journey in the fitness industry with our Level 2 Certificate in fitness coaching.

Delivered face-to-face both in the classroom and gym this course is designed for aspiring fitness professionals, providing the essential skills and knowledge required to design and deliver effective gym-based workouts.

This qualification paves the way for a rewarding career, empowering you to inspire clients to achieve their health and fitness goals with confidence and competence.

CIMSPA endorsed with 10 CIMSPA CPD points.

Study format: 40 hours face to face plus e-learning

Suitable for: Those just starting out in the gym and fitness industry

Cost: £799 (£699 to University of Brighton students)

Course Format:

• Part-time: 1 evening (3 hours) per week for 13 weeks
• Full-time: Monday- Friday 9am-530pm intensive (1 week)

Qualification Number (QN): 603/2692/X

Entry Requirements: N/A

Course Content: Principles of anatomy, physiology and fitness, Professionalism and customer care for fitness instructors, Health and safety in the fitness environment, Conducting client consultations to support positive behaviour change, Planning and instructing gym-based exercise

Assessments: Multiple choice paper, portfolio of evidence, practical teaching assessment

Further Information: S.Holliday@brighton.ac.uk

University of Brighton Active IQ Level 3 Personal Training Qualification

Unleash your potential and deliver personal training with confidence.

Our University of Brighton Level 3 Certificate in Personal Training will enhance your understanding of fitness principles but will also equip you with the practical skills needed to design and execute effective training programmes, tailored to individual client goals.

You’ll receive face-to-face training at our University of Brighton Falmer Campus utilising the gym and classroom facilities.

This qualification paves the way to a successful career in personal training.

CIMSPA endorsed with 10 CIMSPA CPD points.

Study Format: 80 hours face to face plus e-learning

Suitable for: Those looking to undertake personal training.

Cost: £999

Booking: S.Holliday@brighton.ac.uk

Course Format:

• Part-time: 1 evening (3 hours) per week for 26 weeks
• Full-time: Monday- Friday 9am-530pm intensive (2 weeks)

Qualification Number (QN): 603/4113/0

Entry Requirements: L2 Gym Instruction

Course Content: Applied anatomy and physiology for exercise, health and fitness, The principles of nutrition and their application to exercise and health, Understanding lifestyle, health, well-being and common medical conditions, Delivering client consultations and health and fitness assessments, Personal training for individuals and groups in a range of environments, Professionalism and business acumen for personal trainers, Nutrition for sport and exercise performance

Assessments: Multiple choice paper, portfolio of evidence, practical teaching assessment

University of Brighton Active IQ Combined Level 3 PT Diploma

This is the above 2 qualifications combined. Price: £1699 (£1599 UoB students)

Your course tutor

Sam Holliday is the lead for fitness related courses at Sport Brighton. With years of experience you will be guided through your course from sign up to completion. Read below some testimonials from Sam's previous students. 

For the past 10 years Sam has been delivering CIMSPA accredited internationally recognised fitness qualifications (including L2 Gym Instructor and L3 Personal Trainer) for industry leading training providers, also writing training courses, CPD workshops and delivering webinars and educational articles for industry press.

Sam also brings extensive health and fitness experience gained from operating as a successful personal trainer in London and Surrey for many years working with professional athletes, celebrities, international sport stars and the wider general public.  During his career he has also achieved tremendous success in senior management roles in education and at David Lloyd, Virgin Active, Fitness First and in the corporate sector.

Above all, Sam prides himself on motivating his clients to achieve incredible goals and supporting new and experienced fitness professionals improve their knowledge and skills to maximise their success in the industry.

Testimonials

"Sam - A Truly Exceptional Tutor - Nothing short of 5*

I cannot express enough how grateful I am to have had Sam as my tutor for my Level 2 and 3 exercise qualifications. From the very beginning, Sam proved himself to be a fantastic leader, guiding us with in-depth detail and thorough understanding of the course content. His approach to teaching is not only highly informative but also incredibly supportive - he is always there to assist, making complex topics easy to grasp.

What sets Sam apart is his approachable nature; his friendliness instantly puts students at ease. He creates a positive learning environment where you feel comfortable asking questions and seeking guidance. Sam's dedication to his students' success is evident in every lesson; he is meticulous in providing course content and ensures that everyone understands the material fully.

I can confidently say that Sam is the best tutor I have ever experienced, and I would highly recommend him to anyone seeking to advance their qualifications. Thanks to Sam's guidance and expertise, my business has flourished over the past eight years. From running a booming personal training business to also establishing a successful fitness & wellbeing retreat company, I owe a significant part of my journey to Sam's support during my studies. Without his help, I may not be where I am today.

If you're looking for a tutor who genuinely cares about your success and has the skills to get you there, Sam is the one you need. Thank you, Sam, for everything - you have been instrumental in helping me achieve my dreams! " Fiona Dean - Level 4 Personal Trainer, owner of teamfi & xplr-retreats

"Working with Sam was not only a great introduction to the PT world, but he also gave me the support and guidance that I needed to reach my final goal and overall dream…owning my own PT studio." Pete Buckland, Owner Phys Training, East Preston, West Sussex

"I owe a lot of my 15 year career in fitness to Sam's training, mentoring and guidance. He taught me my very first L2 fitness course and he hired me as a fitness tutor myself 8 years later. I can't think of anyone better to have helped me to develop my skills as a fitness instructor, personal trainer and fitness tutor/assessor. Sam has a clear, concise delivery style making the subject matter accessible, interesting and fun. Making the choice to train with Sam is taking the best possible first step into becoming a fitness professional. What Sam doesn't know about fitness and delivery, isn't worth knowing!!!" Debbie Francis, Personal Trainer, Studio Manager, Fitness Tutor & Assessor

"My career as a Personal Trainer took a significant jump forward when I met Sam, who was instructing the Level 3 Personal Trainer course that I was enrolled on. Sam's exceptional teaching skills and deep passion for health and fitness quickly made him a mentor I admired.

After earning my qualifications, I was fortunate to join Sam's team at Virgin Active Rustington. Under his guidance, I honed my skills and developed a strong foundation for my career. Sam's support and mentorship were invaluable as I progressed to a managerial role at another club and ultimately launched my own fitness business. Without his expertise and encouragement, I wouldn't be where I am today." Tim Arnold Fitness manager, Virgin Active, Owner & Founder Peak Performance Sussex Limited

"Sam is the ultimate professional who can tailor his approach to the needs of the individual. He is a fantastic role model, knowledgeable, approachable, and is able to facilitate learning as well as physical development. I would highly recommend his services."  Stacey Lumbard, International Athlete & Secondary school teacher