EQF LEVEL 4

Personal Training

Competences: – at the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the responsibility and autonomy to:

• Design and manage individualised exercise plans, ensuring they comply with safety standards and guidelines.
• Supervise and monitor clients during exercise sessions, ensuring correct technique and adherence to prescribed plans.
• Advise clients on realistic fitness goals based on thorough assessment and negotiation of their individual’s needs.
• Ensure comprehensive fitness plans that integrate medical considerations and align with overall health objectives.
• Provide basic nutritional guidance to support athletic performance and recovery within the scope of practice.

Knowledge – at the end of the module/unit the learner will have been exposed to the following:

• Define key exercise physiology principles and describe their relevance in designing effective exercise plans.
• Identify and categorise various components of fitness, such as cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, flexibility and body composition.
• Compile a list of principles of training adaption and explain how each principles influences exercise plans design and client progression.
• Recall and recite safety guidelines and considerations necessary for prescribing exercises to diverse populations, including special considerations for older adults and individuals with chronic conditions.
• Sequence exercise progression and regression techniques based on client capabilities and goals, demonstrating an understanding of gradual intensity adjustment and modification.
• Define macronutrients (carbohydrates, proteins and fats) and their basic roles in athletic performance and recovery
• Describe the fundamental hydration strategies for athletes.

Skills – at the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the following skills:

• Apply exercise physiology principles and client assessments to design personalised exercise plans tailored to specific fitness goals and health conditions.
• Practice and demonstrate correct exercise techniques and modifications for various fitness levels and abilities, ensuring sage and effective client participation.
• Plan and conduct fitness assessments, including cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, flexibility, and body composition measurements, to inform exercise prescription.
• Create and apply strategies for progressively increasing exercise intensity and regressing exercises as needed based on client feedback, ensuring continual adaptation and improvement.
• Safety protocols and guidelines when supervising exercise sessions, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of clients during exercise prescription and instruction.
• Provide basic nutritional recommendations to support athletic performance and recovery, including guidance on macronutrient intake and hydration strategies

5 contact hours, 5 placement/practice hours, 14 self study hours, 1 assessment hour. Total:25 learning hours

Competences: – at the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the responsibility and autonomy to:

• Ensure a comprehensive understanding of human anatomy, enabling them to effectively explain anatomical structures and functions to clients during fitness assessments and exercise instruction.
• Monitor and interpret physiological response to exercise, applying this knowledge to adjust training plans and ensure optimal performance and health outcomes for clients.
• Monitor and interpret physiological responses to exercise, applying this knowledge to adjust training programs and ensure optimal performance and health outcomes for clients.
• Collaborate with healthcare professionals to integrate anatomical and physiological insights into holistic fitness plans, fostering interdisciplinary approaches to client well-being and fitness achievement.

Knowledge – at the end of the module/unit the learner will have been exposed to the following:

• Describe the anatomical structures and physiological functions of the musculoskeletal system, including bones, joints, muscles, and their roles in movement and stability.
• Identify and explain the major organs of the cardiovascular system, such as the heart, blood vessels, and lungs, and describe their function in delivering oxygen and nutrients during exercise.
• Recall and differentiate between the anaerobic and aerobic energy systems, explaining how each contributes to energy production during different intensities and durations of exercise
• Name and describe the components of the respiratory system, including the lungs, diaphragm, and respiratory muscles, and explain their roles in gas exchange and oxygen delivery to tissues during exercise.
• Sequence the process of digestion and nutrient utilisation, describing how nutrients are broken down, absorbed, and utilised to support energy production and muscle function during physical activity.

Skills – at the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the following skills:

• Apply knowledge of muscle anatomy to correctly demonstrate exercise techniques, ensuring optimal muscle activation and client safety.
• Plan and design individualised exercise programs based on their understanding of anatomical variations and physiological responses, catering to specific client needs and goals.
• Operate and utilise fitness assessment equipment effectively to measure and evaluate physiological parameters such as heart rate, blood pressure, and body composition, ensuring accurate data collection for plan design.
• Prepare and present educational materials on anatomy and physiology topics relevant to fitness training, demonstrating effective communication skills and enhancing client understanding of exercise principles.
• Create and implement bio-mechanically sound exercise modifications for clients with specific anatomical considerations or limitations, ensuring exercises are safe, effective, and aligned with individual capabilities.

5 contact hours, 5 placement/practice hours, 14 self study hours, 1 assessment hour. Total:25 learning hours

• Competences: – at the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the responsibility and autonomy to:
• Describe the key components and methodologies used in comprehensive fitness assessments, including cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, and body composition.
• Identify and explain normative data and benchmarks used in fitness assessments, enabling them to interpret client results and set appropriate fitness goals.
• List and explain the principles of exercise prescription, including specificity, overload, progression, and individualisation, to design effective and safe exercise plan.
• Recall and differentiate methods for assessing cardiovascular fitness, such as VO2 max testing, submaximal tests, and heart rate monitoring, and their applications in fitness testing.
• Steps involved in designing a personalised fitness plan, from initial assessment through program development, to ongoing evaluation and modification.
• Describe periodisation strategies, including macrocycles, mesocycles, and microcycles, and explain how they are applied to optimise training adaptations and prevent plateauing in fitness plans.

Skills – at the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the following skills:

• Plan, design, and conduct comprehensive fitness assessments using appropriate protocols, and equipment, demonstrating proficiency in data collection and analysis.
• Create personalised exercise programs based on fitness assessment results, incorporating principles of exercise prescription to optimise client-specific goals and needs.
• Operate and utilise various fitness assessment equipment effectively and safely, ensuring accurate measurements and data collection during fitness testing.
• Prepare and deliver clear and comprehensive fitness plans to clients, including exercise routines, progression strategies, and nutritional recommendations, demonstrating effective communication and motivational skills.
• Evaluate client progress and modify fitness plans as needed based on ongoing assessment results and client feedback, ensuring continuous improvement and adaptation to changing fitness levels and goals.

5 contact hours, 5 placement/practice hours, 14 self study hours, 1 assessment hour. Total:25 learning hours

Competences: – at the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the responsibility and autonomy to:

• Supervise and monitor exercise sessions effectively, ensuring clients adhere to proper technique and safety guidelines.
• Advise clients on correct exercise technique and form, providing clear demonstrations and instructions to optimise exercise effectiveness and minimise injury risk.
• Create personalised exercise programs and adapt them based on client progress, goals, and feedback, demonstrating autonomy and responsibility in program design and implementation.
• Collaborate with clients to set realistic fitness goals, provide ongoing guidance and support, and empower clients to achieve their desired outcomes through effective coaching and motivation.

Knowledge – at the end of the module/unit the learner will have been exposed to the following:

• Describe the bio-mechanical principles underlying effective exercise technique, including leverage, force application, and joint mechanics.
• Identify major muscle groups, their anatomical locations, and their functions during exercise movements.
• List and explain different exercise modalities, including resistance training, cardiovascular training, flexibility exercises, and functional movement patterns.
• Recall and recite safety guidelines and risk management strategies relevant to exercise instruction, ensuring client safety during exercise sessions.
• Sequence the steps involved in progressing exercise intensity and complexity, ensuring gradual adaptation and avoiding overtraining or injury.
• Describe motivational techniques and coaching strategies used to enhance client adherence and performance in exercise plans.

10contact hours, 10 placement/practice hours, 28 self study hours, 2 assessment hour. Total:50 learning hours

Competences: – at the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the responsibility and autonomy to:

• Ensure compliance with legal regulations and ethical standards governing the fitness industry, demonstrating responsibility and accountability in professional practice.
• Advise clients on ethical considerations related to fitness programs, confidentiality, informed consent, and professional boundaries, ensuring ethical conduct in client interactions.
• Manage professional relationships with clients, colleagues, and stakeholders in the fitness industry, fostering collaboration, trust, and effective communication.
• Create and implement ethical guidelines and policies for fitness practices, ensuring fair treatment of clients and maintaining integrity within professional settings.

Knowledge – at the end of the module/unit the learner will have been exposed to the following:

• Define and describe professional standards and ethical guidelines relevant to the fitness industry, including codes of conduct, scope of practice, and legal responsibilities.
• Identify and explain legal considerations specific to fitness professionals, such as liability, negligence, contracts, and employment laws.
• List and discuss ethical principles governing client relations in fitness, including confidentiality, consent, professionalism and cultural sensitivity.
• Recall and recite industry regulations and compliance requirements for fitness facilities and professionals, ensuring adherence to standards and practices.
• Describe strategies for conflict resolution and negotiation in fitness setting, emphasising communication skills, mediation techniques and ethical decision-making.
• Explain the importance of continuing professional (CPD) in maintaining competency, staying updated with industry trends, and enhancing ethical practice in fitness.

Skills – at the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the following skills:

• Apply ethical principles to conduct client consultations, demonstrating empathy, confidentiality, and respect for client autonomy.
• Demonstrate legal compliance in designing fitness programs, ensuring adherence to safety regulations, liability considerations, and contractual obligations.
• Plan and implement ethical decision-making processes in resolving professional dilemmas, considering stakeholder perspectives and ethical guidelines.
• Create and present professional documentation, including client contracts, informed consent forms, and health assessment records, ensuring clarity and legal validity.
• Operate within their scope of practice, demonstrating competence in recognizing and referring clients for issues beyond their expertise, while maintaining professional boundaries.
• Collaborate effectively with multidisciplinary teams, integrating diverse perspectives to promote holistic client care and ethical practice in fitness settings.

5 contact hours, 5 placement/practice hours, 14 self study hours, 1 assessment hour. Total:25 learning hours