Eight CIMSPA endorsed UK providers compared on study format, tutor support, career support and what you get after you qualify, so you can see where they genuinely differ.
David Francis
Head of Education · 12 June 2026 · 13 min read
Reviewed by
Victoria Zimmer
Two decades in Pilates, and the author of Create's yoga course
For more information on our content creation process, view our Editorial Policy.
With the wide variety of personal training courses in the UK, it is no surprise that choosing the right one can feel overwhelming. This article compares the UK’s leading providers across reputation, learner support, course offering, career opportunities and study format.
If you are looking to become a personal trainer in the UK, the most important thing is choosing a course that is CIMSPA endorsed, delivered by experienced tutors and backed by real career support. The providers below all meet that standard, but they differ significantly in how they deliver, how much they cost and what they offer after you qualify.
Before we get to the courses, here is what makes one of them one of the best.
For a personal training course to be considered one of the best, it needs to be accredited by an officially recognised body in the UK fitness industry.
There are more than 20 awarding bodies, but most UK employers and gym owners only recognise personal training qualifications from Ofqual regulated awarding bodies. YMCA Awards, Active IQ and Focus Awards are three of the awarding bodies regulated by the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation (Ofqual).
The Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) does a different job. It is the professional body that sets the standards awarding bodies and training providers have to meet.
The best personal training courses come from providers that are endorsed by CIMSPA and regulated by Ofqual. All the providers listed below meet that standard.
How the eight providers compare on the things that differ most between them.
| Provider | Study format | Career support | Notable extras |
|---|---|---|---|
| Create | Fully online | In-house recruitment and gym partnerships | 7 day tutor support, 72 hour marking promise, 100% money-back guarantee |
| Future Fit | Blended, online plus workshops | Job board, guaranteed interviews | CPD modules included |
| Study Active | Online plus optional workshops | CV mentoring and guaranteed interviews | Fast-track option and expert tutor access |
| HFE | Online or in person | CV Connect platform | Extensive tutor access and recognised employers |
| OriGym | Online, part time or full time | Job board, CV workshops | Unlimited exam resits |
| Train Fitness | Online, in person, live virtual | Career Concierge and career tools | MentorMe programme, live learning labs |
| The Fitness Group | Online plus gym assessments and workshops | Mentorship plus local and national job support | Expert tutor workshops and business workshops |
| PT Academy | Online or in person | Unlimited job interviews | Free gym membership and CPD course bundles |
Study formats, career support and extras as published by each provider. Course prices change often and vary by format and payment option, so check the current price directly with the provider.
Create is a multi-award-winning fitness education provider offering CIMSPA endorsed and Focus Awards accredited personal training courses studied fully online. The Level 2 and 3 Combined Personal Trainer Diploma has no set start or assessment dates, so you study at your own pace around your life. It is the first and currently only Level 3 PT course in the UK mapped directly to the CIMSPA professional standards, and it is recognised by every major gym chain in the UK including PureGym, David Lloyd, Virgin Active and Anytime Fitness.
The curriculum covers anatomy and physiology, programme design and periodisation, nutrition and weight management, client consultations, and how to build a successful PT business.
Reputation and reviews. Create is rated 4.8 on Trustpilot with a 98.8% learner satisfaction rate. Reviewers consistently highlight the support, attention and efficiency of the tutor team. Read Create learner stories here.
Course offering. Create offers a Level 2 Certificate in Gym Instructing, a Level 3 Diploma in Personal Training, and a range of combined and specialist courses including a Level 4 Strength and Conditioning Diploma, Pilates instructor qualifications, and a range of CPD specialisms including female coaching, pre and post natal, and menopause.
Class format. Courses are delivered entirely online. Practical assessments are recorded at your own facility and uploaded to the Create platform for review. There are no fixed timetables, no required campus visits and no waiting for a cohort to start.
Support for learners. The tutor team is available 7 days a week by email, with most queries answered the same day. Assessment submissions receive personalised video feedback within 72 hours, and 1:1 tutor calls can be booked at any point during the course. Find out more about why learners choose Create.
Career opportunities. Create has an in-house recruitment process and partnerships with leading gym chains across England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, which helps graduates access roles as soon as they qualify. Explore Create’s gym partner network and career pathways.
Prerequisites. There are none for the Level 2 and 3 Combined Personal Trainer Diploma. You must be at least 16 years old to enrol.
» Looking to stand out as a PT? Check out these career specialisations
With over 30 years of experience, Future Fit offers Ofqual regulated and CIMSPA accredited personal training courses covering the knowledge and skills needed to build a fitness career.
Future Fit uses a custom-built learning platform and recorded workshops. Courses cover anatomy and physiology, PT programming and coaching, nutrition and weight management, core training and exercise for fat loss.
Reputation and reviews. Future Fit courses receive positive reviews, particularly on course quality and learner support. A small number of reviewers have noted concerns about tutor responsiveness.
Course offering. A Level 2 Gym Instructor course, a Level 3 Personal Trainer course, a Level 4 Personal Trainer course and a Level 5 Personal Training and Nutrition course.
Class format. A combination of e-learning and practical workshops across multiple UK locations.
Support for learners. A support team answers questions, and the blended format lets learners put theory into practice during workshops.
Career opportunities. A career accelerator package with access to a job board used by health and fitness clubs across the UK.
Prerequisites. Learners must be at least 16 years old. A Level 2 Gym Instructor certificate is required for Level 3 courses.
Study Active was named UK Active Education Provider of the Year for 2023/2024. It offers CIMSPA endorsed fitness education courses by e-learning with 24/7 access, covering topics from anatomy to cardiovascular and resistance training.
Reputation and reviews. Reviews are generally positive. Reviewers highlight the course structure and supportive tutors.
Course offering. A Level 2 Certificate in Gym Instructing and a Level 3 Diploma in Personal Training, plus a Level 4 Advanced Personal Training Diploma and RSPH Level 4 Nutrition.
Class format. E-learning with the option of one to one workshops and assessments with a Master Tutor. A fast-track group training option is also available.
Support for learners. Live and on-demand support from tutors by email, Teams and telephone.
Career opportunities. Career support, mentoring, free CIMSPA CPD points and a guaranteed interview at a national gym.
Prerequisites. None, though an active interest in fitness and some gym experience is recommended.
Looking to get hired as a personal trainer? Check out these personal trainer interview questions.
With over 15 years of experience, Health and Fitness Education (HFE) offers internationally recognised, CIMSPA endorsed personal training courses developed with input from physiotherapists, doctors, dietitians and nutritionists.
Learners can choose between attended and online courses. Content covers anatomy and physiology, principles of exercise and fitness training, and advanced fitness training methods.
Reputation and reviews. HFE courses mostly carry 5 star reviews, with reviewers highlighting tutor professionalism and responsive support.
Course offering. A Level 2 Certificate in Gym Instructing and a Level 3 Certificate in Personal Training, plus Level 3 Exercise Referral, Level 3 Business Acumen for Personal Trainers, a Level 4 Diploma in Coaching Body Transformations and a Level 4 Obesity and Diabetes certificate.
Class format. Both online and face to face.
Support for learners. A learning support team available by phone, email, video call and webinar.
Career opportunities. The CV Connect platform provides access to employment opportunities with major health club chains in the UK, alongside graduate discounts and offers.
Prerequisites. Most Level 3 HFE courses require a Level 2 Gym Instructor qualification or equivalent.
The Fitness Group Education operates across the UK, Asia, Europe and the United Arab Emirates. Courses are certified by Active IQ and endorsed by CIMSPA. Learners get an e-learning platform, a library of recorded lectures, and the option to complete practical assessments online or at their local gym.
Reputation and reviews. Reviews are generally positive, with reviewers highlighting how attentive their tutors were.
Course offering. A Level 2 Gym Instructor course and a Level 3 Personal Trainer course, plus Level 3 Exercise Referral, Level 3 Supporting Pre and Postnatal Clients with Exercise and Nutrition, and a Level 4 Certificate in Physical Activity and Weight Management for Obese and Diabetic Clients.
Class format. An online learning platform, with the choice of attending tutor workshops or recording the practical assessment by video at your own gym.
Support for learners. Daily tutor support, and CIMSPA CPD points on completion.
Career opportunities. Business skills workshops and one to one career mentorship, using a local and national network to help graduates secure interviews.
Prerequisites. None for Level 2, but a Level 2 certificate is required before starting Level 3.
OriGym was the British Fitness Awards Training Provider winner in 2024. It offers a range of CIMSPA endorsed and Ofqual regulated personal training courses covering industry fundamentals through to advanced material.
Reputation and reviews. OriGym has a strong collection of positive reviews, with reviewers noting how far tutors go to make sure learners get value.
Course offering. A Level 2 Gym Instructor course, a Level 3 Personal Trainer course and a Level 4 Personal Trainer course, plus Level 4 Obesity and Weight Management and a Level 4 Certificate in Advanced Nutrition.
Class format. Online classes, part time weekend practical workshops and assessments, or full time direct learning from tutors.
Support for learners. Tutors are available 24/7, and learners can retake elements of the course as many times as needed.
Career opportunities. A job board exclusive to learners and alumni, plus CV workshops and mock interviews led by employment specialists.
Prerequisites. None for the Level 2 Gym Instructor course, though learners must be 16 or older. A Level 2 qualification is required for Level 3.
With around 15 years of experience, PT Academy has the largest number of assessment centres of any UK training provider. It offers CIMSPA recognised and Ofqual regulated Level 2 to Level 4 courses with the option to tailor your programme. Courses are assessed using practical examinations and assessment workbooks.
Reputation and reviews. PT Academy has a number of 5 star reviews, with learners highlighting the attention to detail from the first enquiry call through to graduation.
Course offering. A Level 2 Certificate in Fitness Instruction, a Level 3 Certificate in Personal Training, a Level 3 Diploma in Exercise and GP Referral, a Level 4 Certificate in Advanced Personal Training and a Level 4 Certificate in Strength and Conditioning.
Class format. Online or in person.
Support for learners. Recognised CPD courses are included with its packages, as well as free gym membership at partner gyms.
Career opportunities. Career support and guaranteed job interviews on graduation.
Prerequisites. None to enrol on the PT Academy personal training course.
Train Fitness offers CIMSPA recognised personal training qualifications with a structured, step by step roadmap provided at enrolment, so progress is mapped out from the start.
Reputation and reviews. Reviews are positive, with learners appreciating the support, flexibility and structure.
Course offering. A combined Level 2 Gym Instructor and Level 3 Personal Training Practitioner Diploma, plus Specialist and Master Diplomas that add further Level 3 and Level 4 qualifications.
Class format. Three options, in person, live virtual and distance learning.
Support for learners. A MentorMe programme with Success Coaches, who are qualified personal trainers, alongside live learning labs and a progress toolkit.
Career opportunities. A Career Concierge for every learner after graduation, covering CV work, employer connections and launching a PT business.
Prerequisites. No fitness prerequisites, though learners with an existing Level 2 Gym Instructor qualification may be exempt from some sections.
Course prices change often and vary by study format, payment option and whatever promotion is running, so we have not published provider prices here. Get the current price directly from each provider before you commit. Awards, pass rates, review scores and satisfaction figures quoted above are as published by the providers themselves and have not been independently verified. Accreditation can also change, so confirm the specific qualification on the Ofqual register before you enrol.
All eight providers offer CIMSPA endorsed qualifications that are recognised by UK gyms and employers. The right choice depends on your learning style, budget, timeline and what you want from your career after you qualify.
If you want a fully online course with a support structure you can lean on, meaning same day tutor responses, 72 hour marking, personalised video feedback and placement support through a national gym partner network, then Create’s Level 3 Personal Trainer course is the one to look at first. It also comes with a 100% money-back guarantee.
Explore the full range of Create personal training courses, read learner stories from Create graduates, or find out why learners choose Create.
Migrated into the structured article format. Provider prices removed pending verified sourcing, Create's own price replaced with a live course CTA and the free price guide, three duplicate inline promotional panels consolidated into one, and a note added on what the comparison does not cover.
David Francis
Head of Education
David has 15 years in the fitness industry, from personal trainer to higher education lecturer. He holds an MSc in Strength and Conditioning, managed the Level 3 programme at YMCAfit and led seven higher education sport programmes at Moulton College.
Reviewed by Victoria Zimmer, Two decades in Pilates, and the author of Create's yoga course.
More about David →
