Health, Exercise and Fitness Practitioner - Level 2 (Year 1)

• 4 GCSEs at grade 3 or above, including English and maths

You may also undertake an interview with a panel made up of college staff and employers within the fitness and leisure industry.

Upon successful completion of this course you will achieve a Level 2 Health, Exercise and Fitness Practitioner.

You will also gain the following extra qualifications:

• Active IQ - Level 2 Technical Occupational Entry in Fitness Coaching
• Active IQ - Level 2 Technical Specialist in Instructing Circuit Training
• Active IQ - Level 2 Award in Understanding Nutrition, Performance and Healthy Eating (Active IQ)

You will also have the opportunity to undertake a nationally recognised lifeguard qualification.

• Anatomy and physiology for exercise
• Principles of fitness training
• Principles of nutrition and lifestyle
• Health and safety in a fitness environment
• Professionalism and customer care
• Conducting client consultations
• Planning and delivering fitness sessions
• Leisure team operations

• Practical sessions
• Classroom settings
• Work placements
• One-to-one tutorials
• Role play

• Portfolio
• Practical assessments
• Presentation
• Exams

You will gain valuable weekly work experience in local gyms and leisure centres through our partnerships with GLL, Elswick Community Pool and Gym, and RISE.

During your half‑day placement, you’ll build hands‑on skills in coaching, customer service, health and safety, and supporting the day‑to‑day running of fitness facilities.

You’ll also have opportunities to work towards extra enrichment such as lifeguard training, rota-based duties and specialist industry qualifications.

Employers are actively involved in interviews and programme delivery, helping you grow your confidence, make professional contacts and develop the skills needed for Newcastle’s expanding health and fitness sector.

You will develop your English and maths skills throughout the course, using them in practical, industry‑focused tasks.

You’ll strengthen your English through writing session plans, completing client consultations, keeping placement logs, producing reflective evaluations and communicating professionally with customers and colleagues.

You’ll use maths in real‑world fitness contexts, such as tracking client progress, calculating sets, reps, loads and heart‑rate zones, managing timings and understanding basic business and health data.

If you need to resit English or maths, you’ll study these alongside your course.

Upon successful completion of this course, you could progress onto a Level 3 Health, Exercise and Fitness Practitioner course.

If you are aged 16-18 when you begin your course you are likely to be eligible for free tuition. Detailed information can be found within the financial support section.