Personal trainers work with a range of clients, helping them reach their health and fitness goals – including losing weight, strength training, and improving endurance.

If you’re passionate about the fitness industry and want to enjoy a rewarding career with plenty of opportunities, becoming a personal trainer is an excellent investment into your future.

You’ll need to complete a Level 3 Personal Training Diploma, which prepares you to work with clients in gyms or health centres or run your own business.

You’re probably wondering how long it will take to become a personal trainer. This guide will cover just that and explain how you can get qualified quickly.

How long will it take to become a personal trainer? TL;DR

The average time it takes to become a personal trainer depends on how long you study and whether you’re learning full or part-time. While some people complete the course in as little as four weeks, others may take months.

Ultimately, it’s about your learning style, spare time, and whether you’re balancing work or other commitments.

Full-time course versus part-time course

If you already hold a Level 2 certification and want to develop your personal training career, you can choose between full and part-time study. While both have their benefits, it’s important to think about what you can realistically manage and what your preferred learning method is.

If you take the full-time course, you can qualify within weeks—most people take between four and eight weeks. However, part-time study will take longer, with the average time being 12 weeks to six months.

How long will it take for a new fitness professional?

If you’re new to the fitness industry, you’ll need to gain a Level 2 qualification before you can take the Level 3 Personal Trainer Diploma.

Most people start with the Level 2 Gym Instructor course, which covers foundational fitness principles and lets you find entry-level employment in gyms and health centres. In general, the course takes between 2 and 12 weeks, and you can complete your personal training diploma upon completion.

When you study with The Fitness Circle, you can also complete the Online Personal Training Course, which combines the L2 Gym Instructor and L3 Personal Trainer Diploma into one convenient learning journey.

Which factors might impact how long it takes to become a personal trainer?

Everybody is different, and multiple factors might impact the time it takes to become a personal trainer. Understanding these factors allows you to plan in advance and enjoy a seamless learning process.

Your existing knowledge

If you’ve already worked in the health and fitness industry and have advanced knowledge of the principles, you should be able to complete the personal training course quickly.

Individuals with A-levels or degrees in sports science or topics that cover human anatomy and physiology in depth will be able to understand complex personal training principles.

Self-motivation

Every learner is different; some people prefer to go all in when studying, while others are more likely to pace themselves. However, motivation is key to staying on track with the course and becoming a qualified personal trainer that clients want to work with.

It’s easy to get distracted, but you’ll need to learn how to channel your energy into learning and set yourself realistic targets for each module.

Current commitments

Everyone has commitments, and the best thing about online personal trainer qualifications is how they fit into your schedule. Knowing how to fit the diploma into your schedule means you can plan your study around your work and family commitments.

Creating a schedule that sets time aside each week for studying is always beneficial. Remember, going at your own pace is better than rushing through the course, as it ensures you’ll complete each module and gain advanced knowledge from it.

Your course provider

The training provider you choose will also define how long it takes you to complete the course, as it depends on how much support they offer. At the Fitness Circle, we provide personal training courses that cover advanced sports and physical activity principles.

Aspiring personal trainers can benefit from our online course that fits around your schedule and enjoy ongoing support from expert tutors. We’re here to ensure you have the fitness education needed for a rewarding career.

Whether you use the provided resources

Our fitness courses come with tutor support from experienced personal trainers and a range of high-quality learning materials designed to simplify your journey.

From real-world case studies to quizzes and premium manuals, you can benefit from a complete learning experience – in an online setting. We also have mock papers to help you with any practical assessment.

How long will it take to find employment?

Once you complete your online learning experience and have the necessary qualifications, you can find employment. There’s no way to say how long this will take, as it depends on whether you’re already working in a gym or health centre.

Many employers will offer promotions for qualified personal trainers, but training with a reputable provider can give you access to opportunities. Other personal trainers who studied with The Fitness Circle have progressed to working in the UK’s biggest gyms, including Virgin Active and Nuffield Health.

There’s also the opportunity to become a self-employed personal trainer and start a freelance business.

Once you find employment, you can look forward to a lucrative salary. Personal trainers earn around £30,000 a year, but it depends on how many clients you have and whether you start your own business.

Are you ready to begin your fitness education?

When you become a personal trainer, you can look forward to lucrative career opportunities and the opportunity to make a difference in each client’s life.

We’ve helped many personal trainers develop their skills and go on to find work in prestigious gyms and fitness centres – now we’d love to support your career goals.

Studying with The Fitness Circle gives you access to:

• The essential skills you’ll need to become a reputable personal trainer.
• An internationally recognised personal training diploma.
• High-quality training from fitness industry professionals.
• An online course that ensures you won’t miss out on the face-to-face learning experience.
• The opportunity to gain real-world experience.

Ready to invest in a successful career? Please book a free call today.