Exercise Specialist Courses and Qualifications

In order to enrol on a specialist Level 4 course, you must already hold, or be working towards a Level 3 Diploma in Exercise Referral (or equivalent). Don't worry however if you haven't yet booked your place on this course because we have a variety of packages below that combine and discount the Level 4 and exercise referral qualifications when they are booked together.

As a Level 4 Exercise Specialist a number of employment and career opportunities are open up. A popular career path is to work in a formal exercise referral scheme, providing specialist exercise instruction to clients referred by their GP.

Other opportunities also include working privately with patients suffering from these specific conditions, working with weight management groups, physiotherapists, chiropractors and podiatrists to provide specialist exercise advice. It’s perhaps important to stress here that even when you’ve completed these qualifications, you’ll still be required to work alongside clinicians and other members of the medical community.

This largely depends on the specific pathway you select. Generally, speaking, you'll gain a deep understand of your chosen medical condition and how to effectively program physical activities for individuals with said conditions.



You’ll also learn about the medications used to control these conditions, their side effects and how to assess and monitor patients’ progress throughout their exercise journey. These qualifications really are packed with lots of advanced knowledge and skills to enable you to meet the specific needs of their target population.

Our Level 4 courses are certificated by Active IQ and are fully recognised by all fitness industry employers. The Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs) also endorses these programmes and awards 20 CPD upon successful completion. When combined with the appropriate Level 3 credentials and the required number of professional practice hours, you'll be able to gain the title of a Specialist Exercise Instructor with REPs.

Additionally, if you are a graduate with a relevant bachelor’s degree, and a member of the British Association of Sport and Exercise Science (BASES), your Level 4 REPs status will also make you eligible to become a BASES Certified Exercise Practitioner.

As a HFE student you’ll be supported continuously throughout the course. During the home-study phase of the programme, you’ll have a dedicated Learner Support Tutor who will guide you through your course. The practical element of the course is delivered by a team of highly qualified and experienced fitness industry and medical professionals.

In addition to our team, these courses are also extremely well resourced. You’ll receive training manuals, awarding winning online learning materials, mock exams, interactive worksheets, video lectures and much more. Our support and resources really are second to none.

These qualifications are designed for exercise professionals (not doctors) so you don’t have to worry about failure. All of the content that you need to know is provided and our team of expert tutors will explain exactly what you need to do – all you need to do is work hard and follow the programme.

The Level 4 Exercise Specialist courses do not have knowledge-based assessments and so you don’t have to worry about passing any tricky exams. What you will, however, need to do is develop a sound understanding of the relevant medical conditions and your ability to assess, design and instruct exercise to patients with these conditions effectively.