Level 3 BTEC National Extended Certificate in Sport and Fitness

Course Content

The content of this qualification has been developed in consultation with employers and professional bodies so that the content is appropriate and consistent with current industry practice. It will allow learners to enter employment directly in the health and fitness sector. Higher-education institutions have also been consulted to ensure that the qualification allows appropriate progression for those aspiring to go on to higher level study. This qualification provides the knowledge and develops the skills and application required for professional accreditation with the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs) and the Chartered Institute of Management for Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) Gym Instructor and Personal Trainer standards. It is also mapped to the Personal Trainer Apprenticeship Standard. The Gym Instructor Standards are a prerequisite for all professional roles in the sector. On successful completion of the qualification, learners will be qualified to apply for membership of CIMPSA and REPS. This means that the qualification has broad recognition by employers and allows progression to a wide range of roles in the sector. Members of REPs are protected with specialist insurance that includes public liability and personal accident cover, which supports self-employment activities. Learners are able to continue to develop their careers through industry-endorsed Continuing Professional Development programmes.

Learners taking this qualification will study seven mandatory units:

• Unit A: Careers in the Sport and Active Leisure Industry
• Unit B: Health, Wellbeing and Sport
• Unit C2: Fitness Skills Development
• Unit D2: Personal Trainer Skills Development
• Unit 2: Self-employment in Sport and Physical Activity
• Unit 4: Nutrition for Physical Performance
• Unit 21: Business and Technology in Personal Training.

The mandatory content allows learners to develop technical skills in working with groups and individual clients in a health and fitness environment. The Personal Training Skills Development unit extends learners’ skills and knowledge to work with individual clients to develop training sessions and programmes that meet clients’ individual needs and help them to achieve their training or health goals. The Nutrition for Physical Performance unit will help to support learners in giving nutritional advice and guidance to clients to further support them in achieving their health goals such as losing excess body fat, or sporting goals such as being able to compete in a marathon. The Business and Technology in Personal Training unit helps learners to develop business acumen and to learn how to use technology effectively. This will support them in setting up and managing their own personal training business, which is a popular employment route for many professionals working as personal trainers. The mandatory units together cover the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to enter employment as a personal trainer