Gym Instructor course
Anatomy and physiology, principles of exercise, health and safety on the gym floor, and instructing individuals and small groups through resistance and cardiovascular training.
Level 2 & 3 Personal Training Diploma · Edinburgh
Cost, Dates & Entry Requirements — Personal Trainer Course Edinburgh
A CIMSPA-approved, Ofqual-regulated personal trainer course in Edinburgh that combines self-paced online theory with 40 hours of mentored gym practice in Gorgie, Edinburgh. This page covers the course structure, entry requirements, cost, intake dates and where it can take your career.
10Weeks
40Gym hours
8–12Students
Level 2 & 3Diploma
Course overview
What is the Edinburgh PT Academy course?
The Edinburgh PT Academy course is a CIMSPA-approved, Ofqual-regulated Level 2 Gym Instructor and Level 3 Personal Training Diploma delivered across 10 weeks in Edinburgh. It is a genuine in-person personal training course in Edinburgh — a practical alternative to an online-only PT course.
Students complete essential theory through the AITP Student Hub and attend 40 hours of in-person learning at 545–551 Gorgie Rd, Edinburgh EH11 3AR. The gym sessions focus on movement screening, coaching communication, programme design, energy systems and the business skills required to start a PT career.
Every cohort is led by James McKeen, who brings 22+ years of fitness-industry experience, alongside Ewa, a qualified sports and remedial massage therapist. Each intake is capped at 8–12 students so both tutors can observe practice, give direct feedback and support individual development.
On this page: Level 2 vs Level 3 · Entry requirements · Cost & payment plans · Intake dates · Venue & transport · Career outcomes · FAQs
Level 2 & Level 3
What each qualification covers.
Edinburgh PT Academy teaches the Level 2 Gym Instructor course and the Level 3 Personal Training Diploma as one combined 10-week programme, so you progress straight through without a gap between them. Whether you're searching for a level 2 gym instructor course in Edinburgh or a level 3 personal trainer course in Edinburgh, both are taught here together — not as separate bookings.
Personal Training Diploma
Client consultation and screening, advanced programme design, periodisation, nutrition for goals, behaviour change, and the business of working as a self-employed personal trainer.
Recognised across the UK
The diploma is approved by CIMSPA and regulated by Ofqual, the standard employers and insurers expect. It qualifies you to work in any UK gym or independently.
Entry requirements
Who can join the course.
The course is built for career changers and working adults. You do not need any previous fitness qualifications or industry experience to start.
- You are 18 or over at the start of the intake.
- You have a reasonable level of general fitness and can take part in practical gym sessions.
- You can follow English-language teaching, reading and written assessment.
- You are ready to practise, accept direct feedback and prepare between sessions.
If you already hold a Level 2 Gym Instructor qualification, tell us in your application and we will advise on the right starting point.
What makes it different
Built for readiness, not box-ticking.
The qualification matters. The ability to coach safely, clearly and confidently matters just as much.
Movement screening
Learn to observe posture, squat, hinge, shoulder movement, balance, core control and cardiovascular capacity.
Coaching practice
Demonstrate, explain, coach and affirm with real-time feedback in a professional gym environment.
Programme design
Make clear decisions about goals, frequency, exercise selection, load, volume, rest and tempo.
Career execution
Ethics, pitching, and the business side of coaching — the parts most courses skip.
How the course works
A connected learning experience.
Online study prepares you for each gym session. Gym practice turns information into professional judgment.
Learn the theory
Use the AITP Student Hub for essential lectures, exercise videos, guest masterclasses and digital resources.
Practise in the gym
Apply each concept through demonstrations, screening, coaching tasks, case studies and feedback.
Build your system
Leave with a repeatable approach to assessment, programme design, client delivery and career setup.
Cost & payment plans
Course fee: £1,850, all-inclusive.
The total investment in the course is £1,850. It is all-inclusive — there are no separate exam, registration or portal charges.
- The full 10-week course and 40 hours of in-person studio practice.
- All online theory, with lifetime access to the digital portal resources.
- Mentorship, shadowing opportunities and access to the Academy's professional network.
- Business education and career support.
- The CIMSPA-approved, Ofqual-regulated qualification and assessment.
Two ways to pay: pay £1,850 in full, or spread it over three interest-free monthly payments of £616.67 with Klarna — 0% APR, subject to status, UK residents aged 18 or over. Payments are processed securely through Stripe and a 14-day cooling-off period applies from purchase.
Both buttons open a secure Stripe checkout. Want to talk it through first? Book a free discovery call, contact the Academy, or message the team on WhatsApp.
Intake dates
When the next course starts.
Intakes run through the year. Because every cohort is capped at 8–12 students, places are limited and popular start dates fill early.
To hear the next available start date and hold a place:
- Submit an application with your preferred intake.
- Or book a discovery call to talk through timing with James.
Applying does not commit you to a place — it starts a conversation so both sides can check the fit.
Venue & transport
Where the course is taught in Edinburgh.
Practical sessions take place on a permanent gym floor at 545–551 Gorgie Rd, Edinburgh EH11 3AR.
The venue is well placed for personal training in Edinburgh and is easy to reach from Gorgie, Fountainbridge, Dalry, Slateford, West Edinburgh and the city centre. Frequent buses run along Gorgie Road, Slateford station is a short walk, and there is on-site parking for anyone driving in from West Lothian, Livingston, Fife or further afield across Scotland.
Who the course is for
For serious future personal trainers.
This course is designed for people who want a recognised qualification and the practical ability to use it well.
- You want to become a qualified personal trainer in Edinburgh.
- You value hands-on practice alongside flexible online theory.
- You are willing to receive feedback and develop your coaching.
- You want to understand clients, not simply memorise exercises.
- You want a clearer foundation for building a sustainable PT career.
After you qualify
Where a Level 3 diploma can take you.
The course includes business setup, pricing and client acquisition, so you finish with a plan for the work, not just the certificate.
Employed PT
Work as a personal trainer in a commercial or boutique gym in Edinburgh or anywhere in the UK.
Self-employed PT
Rent floor space, build your own client base and set your own rates as an independent trainer.
Online coaching
Deliver programming and accountability remotely, using the screening and programme-design system from the course.
Gym instructor roles
Use the Level 2 qualification for gym-floor, induction and class-based instructor positions.
In-person vs online
Why practical hours matter.
An online-only personal trainer course can deliver theory and an exam pass. It cannot give you supervised coaching practice with real feedback.
Flexible and online
Work through anatomy, nutrition, programming and business content at your own pace in the AITP Student Hub.
40 hours in the gym
Screen movement, demonstrate lifts, coach a session and adapt on the spot while a tutor watches and corrects.
Ready for real clients
You leave able to run a first session with confidence, not searching for a mentor after you have already qualified.
Course questions
Personal trainer course Edinburgh — FAQs
How long is the personal trainer course in Edinburgh?
The course runs for 10 weeks and includes 40 hours of in-person gym learning alongside self-paced online theory.
What is the difference between the Level 2 and Level 3 qualification?
Level 2 Gym Instructor covers anatomy, physiology, gym-floor safety and instructing individuals and groups. Level 3 Personal Training Diploma adds client screening, advanced programme design, nutrition, behaviour change and running a PT business. Edinburgh PT Academy teaches both as one combined course.
Do I need qualifications or experience to start?
No prior fitness qualifications are required. The course is designed for career changers and working adults and takes you from Level 2 foundations to the Level 3 diploma. A good level of general fitness and a genuine interest in coaching people are what matter most.
How much does the personal trainer course cost?
The total cost of the course is £1,850, all-inclusive — covering the 10-week course, 40 studio hours, mentorship, lifetime portal access, business education, career support and the CIMSPA-approved qualification. You can pay in full or spread it over three interest-free monthly payments of £616.67 with Klarna (0% APR, subject to status). A 14-day cooling-off period applies.
When is the next intake?
Intakes run through the year with each cohort capped at 8–12 students, so places are limited. Submit an application or book a discovery call to hear the next available start date.
Where is the course delivered?
Practical sessions take place at 545–551 Gorgie Rd, Edinburgh EH11 3AR, with easy access from Gorgie, Fountainbridge, West Edinburgh, Slateford and the city centre.
How large is each intake?
Every intake is capped at 8–12 students to protect coaching quality and meaningful individual feedback.
Is there online learning?
Yes. Enrolled students use the AITP Student Hub for lectures, exercise demonstrations, guest masterclasses and digital learning resources, then apply that theory in the gym.
What qualification will I work towards?
A combined Level 2 Gym Instructor and Level 3 Personal Training Diploma, approved by CIMSPA and regulated by Ofqual and recognised across the UK fitness industry.
What does CIMSPA-approved and Ofqual-regulated actually mean?
CIMSPA (the Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity) is the professional body that sets occupational standards for personal trainers and gym instructors, and that most UK gyms and insurers require for employment. Ofqual is the UK government body that regulates the qualification itself, confirming it meets a recognised national standard. Together, they mean this diploma in personal training is externally verified — not an in-house certificate — and is recognised directly by employers and insurers across the UK.
What can I do after I qualify?
Graduates work as employed personal trainers in commercial gyms, self-employed PTs renting gym space, online coaches, or in gym instructor and class-based roles. The course includes business setup, pricing and client acquisition.
Can I do the course part time around a job?
Yes. The 10-week structure is designed for working adults and career changers, with self-paced online theory and practical sessions timetabled around typical working hours.
Is an in-person course better than an online personal trainer course?
Online-only courses can deliver theory but cannot give you supervised coaching practice. Edinburgh PT Academy pairs flexible online theory with 40 hours of mentored gym practice so you leave able to coach real clients, not just pass an exam.