The next generation of personal training

Ground-breaking content. Unrivalled support. Real career opportunities.

HFE tutor in gym teaching lunge
HFE tutor in gym teaching lunge

World-class online personal training courses

Internationally recognised and CIMSPA endorsed online personal training course with over 100 hours of online practical and theory content. This is the industry's most advanced and comprehensive online PT programme that is written and presented by fitness and clinical experts.

Not just a PT course

We specialise in developing and delivering industry-leading qualifications for exercise professionals and our online personal trainer courses are no exception! When you train with HFE, even with our fully online programmes, you'll get the opportunity to learn from the best because our fully online PT courses feature theory lectures and practical workshops by some of the most experienced and qualified professionals in the business, including doctors, dieticians, registered nutritionists and physiotherapists.

  • Internationally recognised

    You'll receive an internationally recognised, OFQUAL regulated (YMCA Awards) qualification that is recognised around the world. It's also fully endorsed by CIMSPA and highly sought after by all fitness industry employers.

  • Self paced learning

    Sometimes life just gets in the way and that's why our online personal training courses allow you up to 12 months to achieve with options to extend.

  • Live support

    Our dedicated team of learning support tutors will be available via phone, email or Zoom whenever you have a question. No question is too big, small or complicated and access is completely unlimited.

  • Flexible payment options

    We believe in providing all our students with an open and honest pricing model. That’s why all of our students pay the same low-cost every time for their online personal training courses. If you pay all your course fees promptly, you'll get a 5% discount on the course price. However, don't worry if you can't and you need to spread the cost over 6 or 12 months because our payment plans are completely INTEREST FREE.

HFE student smiling in gym

A world-class personal training learning experience

To become a truly world-class PT, you need to have the perfect blend of knowledge, understanding and skills. Our online personal training courses are as in-depth as they come and feature a range of theory and practical subjects to help you get ahead in this exciting and rewarding profession.

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Expert theory lectures

Our online personal training courses include an extensive range of on-demand theory lessons presented by leading clinicians, including doctors, dieticians, nutritionists and physiotherapists, to help you master the science of PT.

Practical training on mackbook mockup

Online practical workshops

From fitness assessments, exercise techniques, instructor skills, advanced programming and much more, our online course includes a wide-range of practical sessions to give you the PT skills you need to succeed.

Individual online personal training qualifications

Your personal training career is in your hands, so if you'd prefer to take the step-by-step approach, take a look at our individual online personal training courses.

Level 2 Gym Instructor is the industry's most popular entry-level fitness qualification

Level 2 Online Certificate in Gym Instructing


This is the industry's most popular online entry-level qualification and a must-have if you want to advance your fitness career become a gym instructor or personal trainer. Gym instructing is typically the first step for those looking to become a PT.

Personal trainer using boxing gloves and pads with a client

Level 3 Online Certificate in Personal Training


A Level 3 personal training qualification specifically designed for those already holding a Level 2 Gym Instructor qualification. This qualification is essential if you want to step-up and achieve the coveted to PT status.

Cutting-edge course content

All of our online personal trainer course content is written and presented by subject specialists. The content is available in both print and digital formats and our support team will work with you to ensure that you are making good progress…. All subjects are presented in a logical and layered format, allowing you to build on prior learning as you progress through the online course.

  • Anatomy and physiology

    - Anatomical terminology
    - The skeletal system
    - The muscular system
    - Cardiovascular system
    - Respiratory system
    - Endocrine system
    - Nervous System
    - Bioenergetics

  • Nutrition and weight management

    - Digestion
    - Healthy eating principles
    - Macronutrients
    - Micronutrients
    - Analysis of dieting trends
    - Weight management strategies
    - Creating a nutritional plan
    - Analysing a client's diet

  • Planning and delivering personal training

    - Health screening
    - Risk stratificatin
    - Goal setting
    - Motivational interviewing
    - Consultation skills
    - Fitness assessments
    - Progressive exercise programming

  • Advanced training concepts and methods

    - Advanced warm-up methods
    - Advanced resistance training
    - Advanced CV training
    - Core stability training
    - Functional training
    - Advanced flexibility methods
    - Advanced cool-down methods

  • Business acumen for personal training

    - Types of business
    - Business planning
    - Why businesses fail
    - Tax and financial planning
    - Basic bookeeping kills
    - Cashflow forcasting
    - SWOT analysis
    - PETTLE analysis
    - Marketing skills for PT

Physiotherapist lecture content on iPhone screen

*Images and videos are for illustration purposes and may not depict specific course materials.

Personal training extras and exclusives

We're all about adding value to our students which is why our personal training courses are never just courses...When you train with HFE, you'll have access to a wide range of exclusive products, services and discounts that you simply cannot get anywhere else. Some of these are featured below.

CV Connect on iPhone screen

CV Connect

Whether you're looking for a full-time PT job or a part-time hustle, we'll help you get your CV 'connected' with hundreds of health, fitness and leisure employers in your area once you're qualified. Our directory includes thousands of fitness clubs across the UK so you won't have to go far to get your dream PT job.

HFE instructor with client on TRX suspension

FREE TRX course

We have an exclusive partnership with TRX and when you enrol on any of our PT courses, we'll provide you with a FREE TRX instructor course to help you get your career off the ground and diversify your skills.

Supporting your journey

We pride ourselves on our dedicated 5-star support team. When you enrol onto our online personal training course, you'll get a dedicated support tutor who will be with you every step of the way, during your course and beyond. Studying online doesn't mean you're studying alone, you can have as much or as little help as you need from your support tutor and you can contact them in the best way to suit you, including:

  • Phone calls

  • Emails

  • Video calls

  • Webinars

HFE support tutor on phone in HFE head office

One personal training career
Infinite possibilities

Our online personal trainer courses are designed to open doors. Join our PT graduates working with the world's leading gyms, health clubs, boutique studios and PT management companies.

The Gym Group Logo
GLL Logo
Virgin Active gym logo
Places Leisure logo
Nuffield logo
David Lloyd clubs logo
Your Personal Training logo
NHS logo

FAQs about our online PT courses

Looking for more information about our online personal training courses? We've answered the most frequently asked questions.

  • How are the online personal trainer courses different from the face-to-face ones?

    Essentially, there is only one main difference between our online personal training course and our face-to-face personal training course and that’s how the qualification is achieved.

    As this course doesn’t require you to attend practical training at one of our nationwide venues, all of the learning can be completed from the comfort of your own home, at your own pace. When the time comes, theory assessments are completed online, within LES (Learner Engagement System). With regards to the practical assessments, these are completed in your own gym, so you’ll be required to film yourself with a friend or family member as your client.

    In no way will you be disadvantaged because you’ve chosen to do an online course. You’ll still have access to print and digital manuals, and unlimited support. We’ve also included a wealth of other learning resources including over 70 online lectures, over 60 practical training videos and exclusive PT Business Mastery content from world-leading personal trainer Matt Roberts.

  • How do I complete my theory and practical assessments?

    All of the theory assessments are completed online within our LES (Learner Engagement System). The theory parts of the course are completed as open-book, multiple-choice workbooks spanning the length and breadth of the programme. These workbooks can be completed as many times as you need to pass them. There’s no booking or re-assessment fees involved.

    After the theory workbooks have been completed, you can start to think about the practical side of things. For your practical assessments, you’ll need to be in a gym environment and have a friend or family member with you to act as your client. You’ll then film your sessions (a tablet or smartphone is more than sufficient) and submit them to your Learner Support Tutor for marking.

  • What learning resources are available when I study?

    The simple answer to this question is… everything that’s included with our face-to-face personal trainer courses and more. From the moment you enrol, you’ll be assigned a Learner Support Tutor who is on hand Monday – Friday via phone or email. Their support is unlimited and they’ll be able to answer any questions you may have.

    Alongside this, you’ll also receive 24/7 access to LES, the Learner Engagement System. This innovative online platform is where you’ll find a wealth of learning resources including practice quizzes, workbooks and over 70 online video lectures and over 60 practical training videos. Essentially, everything you need to truly bring the course to life. As an exclusive to our online personal training courses, we’ve also included PT Business Mastery. Presented by Matt Roberts, one of the world’s most accomplished personal trainers, these video lectures will guide you through a range of topics all centred around starting a personal training business.

    Accompanying LES and the online resources we provide are seven comprehensive training manuals and these are supplied as both print and digital versions, the latter being available via the HFE app. These manuals are bespoke and have been written and designed by our team of in-house experts.

  • What are my payment options?

    We don’t want anything standing in the way of you enrolling onto our online personal training courses and that’s why we have an open and honest pricing model.

    If you’d like to get everything sorted upfront then we provide a 5% discount when you pay for the course in full. Alternatively, you can spread the course of your online PT course with our 0% interest 6 and 12-month payment plans. With either option, you can secure your place for just £250.

  • Do you offer guaranteed interviews and jobs?

    We’ve produced a comprehensive guide to guaranteed interviews and jobs for personal trainers that you should read if you’d like more information about those practices. Essentially, it’s not something we’ve ever engaged with because we firmly believe you should be in complete control of your career.

    Instead of pushing you down a certain path or recommending specific employers or employment routes, we’ve created CV Connect. This is a truly game-changing way for our personal training graduates to secure their dream job. As you soon as you’ve completed your online personal trainer course, you’ll instantly unlock access to CV Connect within LES (Learner Engagement System).

    From here, all you’ll need to do is upload your CV, search for employers in our area and apply directly. There are no recruitment agencies or other gatekeepers to deal with, just a direct path to thousands of employment opportunities with the likes of UP Fitness, Pure Gym, Your Personal Training, David Lloyd, Fitness First and many more.

    As part of our online personal trainer course, we’ve also included PT Business Mastery. This is a series of exclusive video lectures from Matt Roberts, one of the world’s best personal trainers. It’s a perfect resource for those who really want to take things into their own hands and start a personal training business.

  • How long will it take to qualify as a personal trainer?

    When it comes to becoming a personal trainer, we want you to have as much flexibility and freedom as possible and that’s why you have up to 12 months to complete our online personal training courses. We’ve been delivering courses for well over ten years and our interactions with thousands of students have taught us everyone is different and everyone learns at a different pace. A ‘one size fits all’ approach simply doesn’t work and the structure and content of our online PT course reflects that.

    Our in-depth study guide provides a month-by-month breakdown of all the topics you’ll need to cover and it’s a great way to structure your learning. Your dedicated Learner Support Tutor will also be on hand over the phone or via email throughout your studies. If you need any guidance at all, at any stage, they’ll be able to provide it.

    What matters most is not how quickly you complete your online PT course, but the effort, energy and enthusiasm you put into your studies. Ultimately, it’s the way you’re going to get the most enjoyment out the experience as well.

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