Our courses

Our range of YMCA Awarding courses allows you to start your career journey in whatever field you feel most drawn to, with scope to expand into others.

Before enrolling in any of our courses, we strongly recommend getting in touch with us directly and filling out our enquiry form to assess your suitability, preferred learning methods and availability. We do not advertise specific course dates, as we prefer to communicate directly with our students in order to create a bespoke experience that best suits their requirements.

Current available courses

Level 2 Courses

YMCA Awards Level 2 Certificate in Group Exercise Instructing

Meet the CIMSPA industry requirements to become a Group Exercise Instructor.

    • Planning, delivering, and evaluating group exercise sessions

    • Developing choreography and using music

    • Health screening and risk stratification

    • Principles of physical activity and training approaches

      Learners will be required to choose a specific pathway to specialise in:

      - Circuit Training
      - Freestyle Exercise to Music
      - Step Exercise to Music
      - Studio Resistance Training
      - Indoor Cycling
      - Fitness Walking

    • Questions and answers

    • Worksheets

    • Applied case studies

    • Session planning documents

    • Observation of practical skills

    • Evaluation documents

  • Aged 16+

  • £795

YMCA Awards Level 2 Certificate in Gym Instructing

Meet the CIMSPA industry requirements to become a Gym Instructor

    • Maintaining health, safety, and hygiene in the gym

    • Supervising and supporting clients

    • Planning, delivering, and evaluating gym-based exercise programmes

    • Questions and answers

    • Worksheets

    • Exercise induction portfolio

    • Session planning documents

    • Observation of practical skills

    • Evaluation documents

  • Aged 16+

  • £795

YMCA Awards Level 2 in Anatomy, Physiology and Fitness Principles (Online Course)

An online standalone course in Anatomy and Physiology, for EMD UK Professional Membership

  • To achieve the YMCA Level 2 Award in Anatomy, Physiology and Fitness Principles for EMD UK Professional Membership, learners must complete 2 mandatory units.

    Fundamentals of anatomy and physiology for exercise and fitness professionals (H/6507/417)
    Principles of physical activity, exercise, and fitness (L/650/9760)

    This qualification can lead to further training at the same level to gain employment to deliver a broader range of exercise genres and increase scope of practice. For example:

    YMCA Level 2 Diploma in Exercise and Fitness: Group Exercise Instructor (Professional Studio Instructor) 
    YMCA Level 2 Certificate in Exercise and Fitness: Group Exercise Instructor 
    YMCA Level 2 Diploma in Exercise and Fitness: Gym Instructor 
    YMCA Level 2 Diploma in Exercise and Fitness: Gym Instructor and Personal Trainer 
    YMCA Level 2 Award in Mental Health Awareness and Understanding Approaches to Support Individuals 
    YMCA Level 2 Award in Safeguarding Adults and Adults at Risk 
    Emergency First Aid at Work 
    First Aid at Work 

    • Questions and answers

    • Worksheets

  • Aged 16+

  • TBC

Level 3 Courses

YMCA Awards Level 3 Diploma in Exercise and Fitness: Personal Trainer

Meet the CIMSPA industry requirements to become a Personal Trainer.

    • Consulting and assessing clients' needs

    • Planning and delivering personal training sessions

    • Marketing your personal training business

    • Anatomy and physiology

    • Nutrition for physical activity

    • Business acumen for fitness professionals

    • Questions and answers

    • Client consultation and assessment

    • Nutrition case study

    • Creation of a progressive exercise program

    • Observation of practical skills

    • Showcase presentation

    • Professional discussion

    • A minimum of a Level 2 Certificate in Instructing

    • Aged 16+

  • £1,350

YMCA Awards Level 3 Diploma in Exercise and Fitness: Gym Instructor and Personal Trainer

Meet the CIMSPA industry requirements to become a Gym Instructor and Personal Trainer.

  • 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


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

    • Consultation, assessment and induction processes in a gym-based environment

    • Maintaining safety and hygiene in the gym-based environment

    • Using client information to plan gym-based exercise

    • Principles for planning and designing gym-based exercise and group circuit training sessions for a range of clients

    • Delivering gym-based exercise and group circuit training sessions

    • Reviewing sessions and reflecting on practice

    • 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

    • A minimum of a Level 2 Certificate in Instructing

    • Aged 16+

  • £1,995

YMCA Awards Level 3 in Supporting
Participation in Physical Activity: Perinatal

Meet the CIMSPA industry requirements  and expand your expertise to support exercise and physical activity for antenatal and postnatal clients.

    • Anatomical and physiological changes during pregnancy

    • Nutritional requirements for antenatal and postnatal participants

    • Planning and delivering safe exercise programmes

    • Maternity care pathways

    • Knowledge questions

    • Applied case study questions

    • Session planning documents

    • Observation of practical skills

    • Evaluation documents

    • A minimum of a Level 2 Certificate in Instructing. This can be any sport/exercise or fitness qualification mapped to a CIMSPA occupational professional standard, for example:

      Group exercise instructor
      Gym instructor
      Personal trainer

    • Aged 16+

  • £795

YMCA Awards Level 3 Diploma in Instructing Pilates Matwork

By completing this qualification, learners will meet CIMPSPA industry requirements to become a Pilates matwork Instructor.

  • Learners will cover the following content:

    • Anatomy and Physiology
      Anatomy and physiology for Pilates and yoga professional OR Anatomy and physiology for exercise and fitness professionals

    • Customer experience
      Providing a positive customer experience to support a Pilates business OR
      Providing a positive customer experience to exercise and fitness participants

    • Health awareness and lifestyle management
      Health awareness and lifestyle management for Pilates professionals OR
      Health awareness and lifestyle management

    • Pilates Matwork
      Health screening, risk stratification and working within scope of practice

    • The history, origins, and fundamentals of the Pilates method

    • Plan, deliver and evaluate Pilates matwork sessions and programmes

    • Questions and answers on Anatomy and physiology for Pilates and yoga professional

    • Presentation and professional discussion

    • Personal practice

    • Exercise analysis worksheet and professional discussion

    • Plan, deliver and evaluate a group Pilates-based matwork session (observed delivery) with professional discussion

    • Bespoke client work project with professional discussion

  • Aged 16+

    Have experience of participating in Pilates Matwork sessions

  • £1,495

YMCA Awards Level 3 in Education and Training

This qualification offers an introductory overview of teaching. It’s suitable for various trainees, including: Non-teaching individuals seeking a basic understanding, current teachers looking to enhance their skills, and assessors aiming to gain teaching experience.

    • Understand the teaching role and responsibilities in education and training

    • Understand ways to maintain a safe and supportive learning environment

    • Understand the relationships between teachers and other professionals in education and training

    • Understand the types and methods of assessment used in education and training

    • Understand how to use constructive feedback, keep records and involve learners and others in the assessment process

    • Understand quality assurance and the legal and good-practice requirements in relation to assessment

    • Be able to plan, deliver and evaluate inclusive teaching and learning Be able to facilitate one to one and group learning and development.

  • There are 9 assessment elements across the 6 units; the appropriate ones will depend on your choice of units. The following elements cover all the available options; you will need to identify from the assessment plan which will be relevant to you.

    • Assessment element 1 – Article

    • Assessment element 2 – Knowledge questions

    • Assessment element 3 – Micro-teaching session

    • Assessment element 4 – Presentation/worksheet (facilitate learning and development for individuals)

    • Assessment element 5 – Observed teaching session (facilitate learning and development for individuals

    • Assessment element 6 – Presentation/worksheet (facilitate learning and development in groups)

    • Assessment element 7 – Observed teaching session (facilitate learning and development in groups)

    • Assessment elements 8 & 9 – Worksheet

  • There is no formal prerequisite apart from minimum age of 16 and then desire to teach in the subject for which you are qualified in. Someone who is great at art can do this qualification to then become a teacher in art.  A qualified plumber can do this qualification to then start teaching learner how to become a plumber. 

  • £550

YMCA Awards Level 3 in Nutrition for Physical Activity & Exercise (Online Course)

This qualification provides learners with knowledge and skills to provide clients with reliable, evidence-based nutrition and healthy eating guidance.

  • This qualification provides learners with knowledge and skills to provide clients with reliable, evidence-based nutrition and healthy eating guidance. Working within their scope of practice they will be able to assist their clients in understanding the relevance of official guidelines to their individual personal food preferences and needs, directing those individuals who participate in physical activity and exercise to reputable sources of information when required.

    This qualification is mapped to, and fully endorsed against, the Association for Nutrition (AfN) competence framework: Nutrition for Fitness and Leisure (Intermediate Level).

    It is also recognised by the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMPSA), receiving 10 CPD points.

    • Assessment workbook

    • Information resources

    • Case study

  • This qualification has been designed for learners 16 years and over and who are able to communicate effectively with individuals and groups.

  • £350

First Aid Courses

Emergency First Aid At Work (1 Day)

The Emergency First Aid at Work course is ideal for lower risk businesses, in line with the Health and Safety (First Aid) regulations 1981.

    • First Aid Priorities

    • Managing Incidents

    • Basic Life Support

    • Examination of a Casualty

    • Unconsciousness

    • Control of Bleeding

    • Burns and Scalds

    • Regulations

    • First Aid Kits

    • Recording and Reporting


    This course can be booked by individuals and larger groups of up to 12 people.

  • Certification is dependent on successful continuous assessment of the learner, there is no final exam. Those learners who complete the course and are deemed to have reached the required standard are issued with a certificate. This will be valid for three years. Under the current guidelines it is strongly recommended that first aid trained staff attend a half-day update every twelve month, which we also [offer]. 

  • None

  • £95

Paediatric First Aid (1 Day)

The aim of this qualification is for the learner to develop the knowledge and practical competencies required to deal with a wide range of paediatric first aid situations.

    • Roles & Responsibilities of the First Aider   

    • Assessing an Emergency Situation & Prioritising Action

    • Unresponsive Casualty (Not Breathing) - Infant & Child

    • Unresponsive Casualty (Breathing) - Infant & Child

    • Choking - Infant & Child

    • Seizures & Fevers

    • Burns, Bleeds & Shock

    • Anaphylaxis

    • Asthma

    • Bites & Stings & Minor Injuries

    • Suspected Fracture

    • Neck//Back & Head Injuries

    • Diabetes

    • Meningitis

    • Poisons

    • Electric Shock

    • Extreme Temperatures


      This course can be booked by individuals and larger groups of up to 12 people.

    • Portfolio of evidence 

    • Observation of practical skills

    Practical assessments are carried out during the classroom sessions, followed by an additional online assessment. Upon successful completion, delegates can print or download their certification. The certification is valid for three years and complies with HSE and Ofsted standards.

  • None

  • £95

Coming soon in 2025

YMCA Awards Level 1 in Body Image and the Relationship to Wellbeing

This qualification will help the learner understand and appreciate the concept of body image and explore some of the positive lifestyle choices they can make to help them lead a healthy and active lifestyle.

    • Understanding the influences of body image

    • What is meant by self esteem

    • Understanding ways of building confidence and self esteem

      Understanding how active leisure pursuits contribute to fitness

    • Understanding the range of active leisure pursuits available to them

    • Understanding the benefits and components of a balanced diet

    • Being able to participate in a range of active leisure pursuits

    • Being able to review a range of active leisure pursuits

    • Being able to prepare a healthy meal

    • Worksheet

    • Multiple choice questions

    • Creating a leaflet/pamphlet

    • Activity log

      Plan and prepare a healthy meal

  • Aged 16+

  • £295

Coming soon

YMCA Awards Level 2 in Instructing Suspended Movement Training

With content links to national occupational standards, employers recognise this qualification prepares learners to plan and deliver safe and effective suspended movement training.
With CIMSPA CPD points, it can also be used towards members’ annual Continuous Professional Development (CPD) requirements.

  • TBC

    • Worksheet

    • Session plan

    • Observation

    • Session evaluation

  • Learners must be aged 16+ with an existing gym-based fitness qualification (e.g. YMCA Level 2 Certificate in Gym Instructing).

    Since the course requires physical exertion and individual participation, a degree of physical fitness is necessary.

  • £225

Coming soon

YMCA Awards Level 2 Award in Instructing Kettlebell Training

By completing this qualification, learners will meet industry requirements to plan and deliver safe and effective kettlebell training sessions. With content links to national occupational standards, employers recognise this qualification prepares learners to plan and deliver safe and effective kettlebell training.
With CIMSPA CPD points, it can also be used towards members’ annual Continuous Professional Development (CPD) requirements.


  • By completing this qualification, learners will meet industry requirements to plan and deliver safe and effective kettlebell training sessions. With content links to national occupational standards, employers recognise this qualification prepares learners to plan and deliver safe and effective kettlebell training.

    With CIMSPA CPD points, it can also be used towards members’ annual Continuous Professional Development (CPD) requirements.

    • Worksheet

    • Session plan

    • Observation

    • Session evaluation

  • Learners must be aged 16+ with an existing gym-based fitness qualification (e.g. YMCA Level 2 Certificate in Gym Instructing).

    Since the course requires physical exertion and individual participation, a degree of physical fitness is necessary.

  • £225

Coming soon

YMCA Awards Level 2 in Group Exercise Instructing: Indoor Cycling

By completing this qualification, learners will meet industry requirements to become a Group Exercise Instructor in Indoor Cycling, as set out within the CIMSPA professional standard.

  • The purpose of this qualification is to enable learners to develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours to professionally prescribe, plan and deliver safe and effective group cycling programmes within a gym, health club or outdoor environment. Learners will study group Indoor Cycling.

    Completing these qualifications allows learners to access jobs instructing group Indoor Cycling exercise classes/sessions for their chosen discipline.

  • TBC

  • To be eligible to complete our Level 2 Award in Group Exercise Instructing Indoor Cycling, learners must have previously completed a qualification endorsed against one of the following CIMSPA professional standards.

  • £195

Coming soon

YMCA Awards Level 3 in Assessing Vocationally Related Achievement

The aim of this qualification is to develop the knowledge and skills of those who assess vocational skills, knowledge and understanding in environments other than the workplace (e.g. classroom, training environment).

    • Principles and requirements of assessment

    • Different types of assessment method

    • Providing appropriate feedback following assessment

    • Planning and performing assessments, involving learners and others

    • Quality assurance of the assessment process Legal and good practice requirements.

    • Knowledge questions

    • Portfolio of evidence

    • Professional discussion

    • Observation Tasks/projects

  • Learners for this qualification must be aged 19 and above and have access to learners (candidates), who are on a vocationally-related training programme, and who they will be able to assess in the training environment.

  • £550

Coming soon

YMCA Awards Level 2 in Delivering Chair-Based Exercise 

This qualification recognises the skills, knowledge and competence required of an individual in order to work in an unsupervised capacity, including the values and principles of adult social care and the ability to plan and deliver chair–based exercise to either disabled adults or frailer older adults.

    • The values and principles of adult social care

    • Knowledge and understanding of chair-based exercise and its value with adults in care and community settings, including frailer older adults and disabled adults

    • The difference between chair-based exercise and physical activity

    • The impact of body systems changes associated with ageing, disability and inactivity

      The structure and content of a chair-based exercise session

    • Planning safe and effective chair-based exercise session for frailer older adults or adults with disabilities

    • Delivering safe and effective chair-based exercise session for frailer older adults or adult with disabilities

      Reflecting upon safe and effective chair-based exercise sessions for frailer older adults or adult with disabilities

    • Worksheets

    • Summative observation of practical skills

  • An understanding of body systems (e.g. Level 2 Anatomy and Physiology for Exercise and Fitness Instructors or similar). Alternatively, this can be covered on-programme in addition to the qualification.

  • From £295 ( Please not there is an additional cost if you require the Level 2 Anatomy & Physiology) 

Coming soon

YMCA Awards brings over 20 years of expertise in education, health, and wellbeing. Their qualifications are UK-regulated and globally recognised, reflecting a commitment to high standards and excellence. They work closely with industry professionals, employers, and training providers to ensure their offerings create impactful, life-changing opportunities.

With more than half a million qualifications awarded, YMCA Awards has helped 300,000 individuals advance their careers and achieve their goals.

It’s never too late, so Why Weight?

Enrol in one of our courses now, or enquire for more information.