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Exercise for Every Body
Discover fresh approaches for adapting and delivering fully-inclusive exercise programmes
Enquire todaySpecial Populations Courses
Today's exercise professionals must be equipped with the skills to meet the needs of an increasingly diverse population, including older adults, pregnant women, and clients with disabilities.
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Courses
- Level 3 Exercise Referral Diploma
- Level 3 Nutrition for Physical Activity
- Level 3 Anatomy and Physiology
Key Content
- Anatomy and Physiology for Exercise and Health
- Pathophysiology of a Range of Medical Conditions
- Medications, Effects and Contraindications
- Nutritional Strategies for Health, Exercise and Physical Activity
- Consultation Skills and Motivation Strategies
- Teaching Exercise to Referred Clients
- View details
Extras
- CV Connect
- 12 months ongoing career support
- Learn more
- 8-10 weeks to qualify
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CloseKey Content
- Level 3 Exercise Referral Diploma
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Courses
- Level 3 Exercise Referral Diploma
- Level 3 Exercise for Older Adults
- Level 3 Pre and Postnatal Exercise Instructor
Key Content
- Pathophysiology of a Range of Medical Conditions
- Medications, Effects and Contraindications
- Medicolegal Considerations in Exercise Referral
- Consultation Skills and Motivation Strategies
- Adapting and Teaching Exercise to Older Adults
- Adapting and Teaching Exercise to Pre and Postnatal clients
- View details
Extras
- CV Connect
- 12 months ongoing career support
- Learn more
- 12-14 weeks to qualify
ClosePayment Options
CloseKey Content
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Courses
- Level 3 Exercise Referral Diploma
- Level 3 Nutrition for Physical Activity
- Level 3 Anatomy and Physiology
- Level 3 Pre and Postnatal Exercise Instructor
- Level 3 Exercise for Older Adults
Key Content
- Anatomy and Physiology for Exercise and Health
- Pathophysiology of Various Diseases and Medical Conditions
- Nutrition for Exercise, Health and Physical Activity
- Motivational Strategies and Consultation Skills
- Planning, Teaching and Adapting Exercise for Older Adults
- Planning, Teaching and Adapting Exercise for Pre and Postnatal Clients
- View details
Extras
- CV Connect
- 12 months ongoing career support
- Learn more
- 14-16 weeks to qualify
ClosePayment Options
CloseKey Content
- Level 3 Exercise Referral Diploma
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Get Connected
As soon as you complete a course with HFE you'll unlock CV Connect, the new way to instantly connect you directly with the UK's leading gyms and health clubs.
CV Connect
Using CV Connect is as simple as uploading your CV, selecting the employers in your area and pressing send.
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Career Support
Our tutors have been there and seen it all before, so they're in prime position to guide you as you begin your personal training journey.
12 Months of Expert Guidance
The course is over but support continues, we're here to offer 12 months ongoing career advice if you need it.
Our Special Populations Courses. Your Way.
Where will you make the greatest impact? Who do you want to serve?
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Level 3 Exercise Referral Diploma
£425.00
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Level 3 Exercise for Older Adults
£295.00
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Level 3 Pre and Postnatal Exercise Instructor
£295.00
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Level 3 Exercise for Disabled Clients
£375.00
One Career. Unlimited Possibilities.
Join our special populations graduates working with some of the world's leading gyms and health clubs.
We're Here Wherever You Are
Enter your postcode for your nearest venue
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Exercise Referral
Location Practical Attendance Dates Price Cardiff – Llanishen 19-20 Jan (2019)
£425.00
Book now Manchester – Ashton 9-10 Feb (2019)
£425.00
Book now York 16-17 Feb (2019)
£425.00
Book now London – Russell Square 2-3 March (2019)
£425.00
Book now Doncaster – Rossington 16-17 Mar (2019)
£425.00
Book now Cardiff 6-7 Apr (2019)
£425.00
Book now Manchester – Ashton 13-14 Apr (2019)
£425.00
Book now London – City 27-28 Apr (2019)
£425.00
Book now Walsall 27-28 Apr (2019)
£425.00
Book now York 25-26 May (2019)
£425.00
Book now Show more Doncaster – Rossington 15-16 Jun (2019)
£425.00
Book now Manchester – Ashton 22-23 Jun (2019)
£425.00
Book now London – City 29-30 Jun (2019)
£425.00
Book now Cardiff 13-14 Jul (2019)
£425.00
Book now Walsall 3-4 August (2019)
£425.00
Book now Manchester – Ashton 17-18 August (2019)
£425.00
Book now York 31 Aug-1 Sept (2019)
£425.00
Book now London – City 7-8 Sept (2019)
£425.00
Book now Doncaster – Rossington 14-15 Sept (2019)
£425.00
Book now Manchester – Ashton 19-20 Oct (2019)
£425.00
Book now Cardiff 19-20 Oct (2019)
£425.00
Book now Walsall 9-10 Nov (2019)
£425.00
Book now London – City 23-24 Nov (2019)
£425.00
Book now London – City 14-15 Dec (2019)
£425.00
Book now -
Pre and Postnatal
Location Exam Date & Time Price N/A N/A
N/A
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Disabled Clients
Location Practical Attendance Dates Price Home Study All you need to is complete the case study and VIVA interview
£375.00
Book now -
Older Adults
Location Exam Date & Time Price N/A N/A
N/A
You Deserve the Best
And so do your clients... that's why our courses are designed and delivered by a team of clinical and technical experts.
FAQs
Do I need any previous qualifications?
These qualifications are designed for current fitness professionals, therefore you will need to hold a Level 2 Certificate in Fitness Instruction. Additionally, once you have completed your qualification, you can only teach exercise in the context of your qualifications (gym, exercise to music, circuit training etc).
If you are considering the Level 3 Diploma in Exercise Referral, we also recommend that you hold a Level 3 Certificate in Personal Training – while this isn’t mandatory, it will help you greatly with the programme and will enable you to focus exclusively on the medical conditions element of the course. The exercise referral course cost does not include the Anatomy and Nutrition modules which must also be completed to achieve this qualification.
Can I combine different special populations courses?
Absolutely – this is quite common. With diseases relating to inactivity being at almost epidemic levels, more and more people are now in need of specialist exercise advice. Many of these people may in fact present more than one medical condition, so it’s wise to develop a broad and deep understanding in this area.
Our all-inclusive Special Populations Diploma is a programme which offers the greatest value. This combines Level 3 Exercise Referral, Level 3 Pre and Postnatal and Level 3 Exercise for Older Adults into a single competitively priced package.
What will I learn on my special populations course?
This ultimately depends on the pathway and courses that you select. Generally speaking:
Exercise Referral is concerned with planning and structuring exercise for clients that have been referred to an exercise professional from their GP, and requires a deep understanding of a wide-range of medical conditions, including: obesity, diabetes, low back pain, arthritis, high cholesterol, stress, anxiety and high blood pressure.
Exercise for Older Adults is concerned with adapting exercise programmes to the specific needs of elderly and less able clients – this also involves developing a broad understanding of common medical conditions affecting this group of people.
The Exercise for Pre and Postnatal clients explores how exercise can benefit pregnant women and new mothers, and what is and isn’t appropriate.
To get an in-depth look at what each course entails, click on the relevant course page below.
Will I be able to find work once I've qualified?
The demand for those who have the knowledge to work with special populations has never been higher. To give some context: between 1985 and 2015, the number of UK citizens aged 65 or over increased by 20% to 10.3 million; there are approximately 600,000 registered births every year; and the World Health Organisation (WHO) continues to report that obesity is a worldwide epidemic.
Due to these growing trends, finding clients affected by the above statistics has perhaps never been easier.
Are these recognised qualifications?
All of our special populations courses are certificated by YMCA Awards, the industry's most widely sought after awarding body. These programmes are also accredited by the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs) who issue 20 CPD points per course for those who graduate – furthermore, it is possible to achieve Level 3 status with REPs after completing the Exercise Referral Diploma.
What progression routes are available once I qualify?
A popular progression route is to combine special populations qualifications with something like yoga and Pilates because many exercises for both of these disciplines can be adapted to a person's individual physical needs.
Level 3 Exercise Referral is a prerequisite for Level 4 exercise specialist qualifications, such as Low Back Pain and the Obesity and Diabetes Certificate – these are also a common progression routes.
