How Long Does it Take to Become a Personal Trainer?

The answer to ‘how long does it take to become a qualified personal trainer?’ depends on a range of factors, such as the study method you choose and your course provider.

In this article, we cover all of these factors so you can get an accurate idea of how long it will take you to qualify:

• How Long Does it Take to Get Qualified as a Personal Trainer?
• How Long Do You Have to Study to Become a Personal Trainer?
• How Long Does it Take to Get Certified as a Personal Trainer?
• Choosing the Right Course Provider Impacts How Long it Takes to Become a Personal Trainer?

But before we start, get qualified in the right way with OriGym's Personal Trainer Diploma! This industry-leading course is fully Ofqual-regulated and endorsed by CIMSPA, guaranteeing that you'll receive the highest standard of training.

Download our free course prospectus to see how else you can break into the fitness industry.

How Long Does it Take to Get Qualified as a Personal Trainer?

To work as a PT in Ireland, you will need the following qualifications:

• Level 3 Gym Instructor
• Level 4 Personal Trainer

If you already have a Level 3 qualification, you can enrol straight onto the Level 4 course and qualify as a personal trainer quicker than somebody starting from scratch.

If you don’t have any fitness qualifications, the quickest and cheapest way to complete both the Level 3 and Level 4 courses is by studying a Personal Trainer Diploma.

Check out our guide to becoming a personal trainer here or keep reading to learn exactly how long it takes to get qualified!

How Long Do You Have to Study to Become a Personal Trainer?

One of the main factors that determines how long it takes to become a personal trainer is the type of study method you choose. Depending on the type of course you choose and how quickly you study, the length of time will vary.

How Long Does it Take to Become a Personal Trainer With an Online Course?

An online course means you complete the entirety of the course virtually, without any in-person workshops or classroom learning. 

The average time to complete our Level 4 Personal Trainer Course online is 8 weeks and 16 weeks for our Personal Trainer Diploma.

Studying online gives you the greatest level of flexibility as you can learn completely at your own pace. This means you can complete the course even quicker than the average times above.

Plus, you will still have access to our tutor support team 7 days a week for any questions you have during the course. 

How Long Does it Take to Get Certified as a Personal Trainer?

Study method is not the only factor to consider when wondering ‘how long does it take to become a qualified personal trainer?’

There are lots of personal factors and circumstances that will vary from each individual person, which we will explore in detail below!

#1 - Whether You Do The Work

It may sound obvious, but the more time and effort you’re willing to put into the course, the quicker you will complete it!

This is particularly true for the online study option as this is focused on independent learning. But don’t worry, you’re never completely alone! Here at OriGym, we have a team of expert tutors on hand to help you with any questions you have on the course.

#2 - How Much Free Time You Have

Another factor to consider when wondering how long to become a personal trainer is how much free time you have. 

With an online course, the focus is on independent study. This means for those who have plenty of free time, our course can be completed at a faster rate. Whereas those with other commitments can work around them, taking as long as necessary as there are no set deadlines.

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Enjoying this article so far? Here’s 3 more for you:

• What Does a Personal Training Course Involve?
• Being a Personal Trainer: Pros & Cons
• Should I Become a Personal Trainer?

#3 - Your Level of Self Discipline

Another major factor that will impact the answer to ‘how long does it take to become certified as a personal trainer?’ is how much self-discipline you have.

Again, this is particularly important if you’re studying online, as you will need to be self-motivated in order to complete the virtual elements of the course. This includes dedicating time to your pre-existing commitments in order to study. 

The more self-discipline and determination you have, the quicker you will complete the course.

#4 - Your Existing Knowledge

Your existing knowledge of health and fitness is an important thing to consider when asking ‘how long do you have to study to become a personal trainer?’

​​For example, if you have a degree, an A-Level, or a GCSE in a related topic such as Sports Science, you will already have a strong foundation of knowledge to start your course. 

Therefore, you’ll already be familiar with a lot of the course content, so you’ll likely complete it more quickly than someone completely new to the subject.

#5 - How You Utilise Resources

A good course provider such as OriGym will provide students with a range of high-quality learning resources to help them complete the course. 

Our range of online resources on our award-winning eLearning platform includes:

• Online lectures
• Videos
• Quizzes

If you choose to take advantage of these resources and contact your tutors for help and advice, you’ll complete your course at a much faster pace.

#6 - Whether You Pass First Time

With a 98% average first-time pass rate on our Level 4 Personal Training course, OriGym fully supports our students and is dedicated to getting each one the best possible results.

However, not everything goes to plan and passing the first time is not guaranteed. 

If you have to retake your assessment, you will need to account for the time to rebook according to the availability of your training provider.

Naturally, this can prolong the time it takes to qualify, however this does not mean that you should rush the process. Take your time to complete any assessment or coursework to the best of your ability. 

Choosing the Right Course Provider Impacts How Long it Takes to Become a Personal Trainer

As we have said, choosing a reputable and accredited course provider can really change the answer to ‘how long does it take to become a personal trainer?’

Here are some of the key factors you should consider if you want to become a personal trainer quickly:

#1 - How Many Times You Can Resit Exams

As we have said, you may not always pass your assessment the first time.

Some course providers will have a limited number of resit opportunities and even charge for each resit.

Many also have limited availability for assessment dates, so you may have to wait a while before you can resit.

However, here at OriGym, we offer unlimited free resits to students and always have a wide range of assessment dates and locations available, meaning you can qualify faster! 

#2 - How Much Tutor Support You Receive

If you’re asking ‘how long do you have to study to become a personal trainer’, high-quality support from your tutors both during and after studying makes a huge difference!

For example, look for a course provider that offers a consistent amount of tutor support and check when this is available.

At OriGym, our tutor support is available 7 days a week, during working hours, evenings and weekends, via phone, email or chatbox.

This means you can get help wherever and however you need it, speeding up the process of completing the course!

#3 - Turnaround Time For Assessments

Another thing that can impact how long it takes to become a qualified personal trainer is how quickly tutors mark your work. 

No matter how quickly you complete your coursework, if tutors are slow in giving you feedback and results, it will delay the time it takes you to qualify.

This means when you’re enquiring about a course, you should ask about the turnaround time for coursework feedback.

#4 - How Long You Have to Complete the Work

How long you have to complete the course is another thing to enquire about when choosing a course provider. This is especially important if you’re planning on taking an online course alongside existing family or work commitments.

At OriGym, we give our students 2 years to complete the course. So even if you want to qualify fast, you have more flexibility if other commitments get in the way!

#5 - Post-Course Support

If you’re asking ‘how long does it take to become a personal trainer?’, you should certainly consider the level of support you receive after the course is over.

A good course provider will help you find a job as a personal trainer or give you advice on starting your own business as a freelance personal trainer.

For example, here at OriGym, our post-course support includes CV advice, business tips and a guaranteed interview at one of our many corporate partner gyms across the country! 

Before You Go!

Now you have a clear answer to the question, ‘how long does it take to become a personal trainer’, it’s time to start your career in the best way with our Personal Trainer Diploma.

Remember, OriGym is the best course provider for getting you qualified fast- without sacrificing high-quality training! Enquire today or download our free course prospectus for more information.