- CIMSPA Recognised
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- Guaranteed Post Course Interviews
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Level 4 Diploma in Exercise Referral
Qualify around your existing fitness business to become an exercise referral specialist. Distinguish yourself from the crowd, where less than 5% of personal trainers possess this qualification, which can open doors with gaining clients through the medical sector.
If you're an individual that enjoys helping people, driven and is looking to advance your client base by helping those whom suffer from ongoing medical concerns and working with GPs and medical experts to expand your client base.
Study the Exercise Referral course online via OriGym's multi award-nominated training platform on a timescale and pace that suits you. OriGym supports all our exercise referral students with 7 days per week distant support with a dedicated team of qualified exercise referral professionals and teachers to help you every step of the way.
This course is recognised by CIMSPA and fully accredited by Focus Awards who qualify thousands of fitness professionals each year. OriGym's exercise referral qualification is internationally renowned and can be taken anywhere in the world.
Find out more about the Level 4 Exercise Referral Diploma by making an enquiry or downloading our latest prospectus.
Online
8 weeks (Average)
Focus Awards, CIMSPA
Make an enquiry about this course
Available Packages
Deluxe Personal Trainer Package
- Level 3 Certificate in Fitness Instructing
- Level 4 Diploma in Personal Training
- Level 4 Diploma in Exercise Referral
- Level 5 Certificate in Obesity Control
- Level 5 Nutrition in Weight Management & Athletic Performance
- From:
- €2,199.00
- €4,295.00

- Myofascial Release CPD
- Body Weight Training CPD
- Business & Marketing CPD
- Medicine Ball Training CPD
- Advanced Training Systems CPD
- Postural Analysis CPD
- From:
- €2,199.00
- €4,295.00

About the Exercise Referral Course
The Exercise Referral course or GP Referral qualification as it used to be known is a qualification very popular amongst fitness professionals. It will allow you to write tailored programmes with members of the public that suffer from specific medical issues that affect their ability to exercise, such as arthritis, diabetes, osteoporosis, asthma amongst others.
The exercise referral certification is particularly popular as it is the natural stepping stone and mandatory qualification for many fitness professionals and personal trainers required before moving onto certain Level 5 specialist qualifications. Once the GP Referral course has been signed off, you can then progress onto Level 5 courses, such as Level 5 Obesity and Weight Management and Level 5 Lower Back Pain Management and achieve the prestigious Level 5 status and market yourself as a master trainer.
Expand your fitness business through working with practitioners and medical specialists to boost your income from referrals in addition to being able to deal with clients that other fitness professional insurance will not cover. With more and more Health care companies, gyms and insurance companies hiring personal trainers for their services, they're also now requiring the Level 4 exercise referral qualification in order to work with their clients making the demand for this course ever-growing.
Course Info
Course Length: You can complete the exercise referral certification at a speed that suits with you, with an average time for completion of 8 weeks.
Entry Requirements: Students must be at least 16 years old to enrol and have successfully obtained at minimum the Fitness Instruction qualification.
Accreditations: The Level 4 Exercise Referral course is awarded by Focus Awards and is recognised by CIMSPA.
Cost: 799 Euros with no additional costs pertaining to certification, examinations or re-sits.
Offer & Payment Options: Finance is available, which can be spread over 12 months on a 0% interest basis.
What You’ll Qualify With: Once you have completed the course you will receive:
- 10 CIMSPA points
- Level 4 Diploma in Exercise Referral
Find out more about the Level 4 Exercise Referral Diploma by making an enquiry or downloading our latest prospectus.

Study Options
The exercise referral certification is studied largely online via OriGym's multi-award nominated learning platform, "Student zone". The day you enrol you will receive your digital learning pack and will be granted access to your course and you can immediately start working through the course modules and learning material, which consists of videos, interactive e-learning, eBooks, exercise library and online lectures. You will get access to our 7 days per week tutor support, which is manned by a team of exercise referral specialists and certified teachers and assessors.
At OriGym we appreciate you may have a busy schedule, lifestyle and already have paying personal training clients, thus you can take as little or as long as you desire to complete qualifications all around your personal circumstances.
Once you have completed the online learning material you will be able to book in to for your practical assessment, which can be completed at any of our National Training Centres.

Assessments
In order to complete the Level 3 exercise referral course, you need to complete both theory and practical based assessments which are outlined below. You will also have to complete all the online course modules that have mini-assignments and multiple-choice interactive quizzes to demonstrate your learning retention and competence.
The assessment process for the Level 3 Exercise Referral qualification is as follows:
- Multiple choice open book online exam on anatomy and physiology - 90% pass mark required
- Multiple choice open book online paper on the application of nutrition - 90% pass mark required
- Practical assessment on delivering a programme for a patient of exercise referral
If you have already completed the Level 3 in Personal Training or the equivalent Level 4 EQF personal training course, you may be exempt from the theoretical examinations, but you will still need to complete all the online course modules.

Prerequisites
The OriGym GP and Exercise Referral course is a Level 4 course, therefore, you must have achieved a Level 2 qualification before enrolling. It is recommended that you have a Level 3 qualification too; however, this is not mandatory.
If you do not have a Level 4 qualification, you will be required to add additional modules: Level 4 Anatomy and Physiology and Level 4 Nutrition for Physical Activity.
You must also be at least 16 years of age to enrol.

Accreditations
This Level 4 Exercise Referral course is fully recognised and accredited by the following bodies:
- Awarded by Focus Awards and regulated by Ofqual
- CIMSPA (Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity)
OriGym's core ethos is qualifying top quality graduates and not applying extra charges that our competitors do, to getting where you want to be. Re-sits therefore are free for both theory and practical assessments. If, however you do fail a practical assessment and are an online student, you will be required to attend a practical workshop prior to re-booking for us to help you fully prepare for your re-sit. These workshops are held out of one of our national assessments centres in Dublin, Cork or Limerick.
On successful completion of the course you will receive an internal certificate within 2 weeks that you can take to insurance companies and employers to enable you to start work.
If you have paid the course off in full or are on a finance plan via Duologi your certificate will arrive within 6 weeks of course completion. If you're on a in-house payment plan and have not yet fulfilled the full course balance your certificate will only be posted when the remaining balance has been cleared.
Certificates are posted within 6 weeks of course completion, providing you have paid off your course balance. If you have a large package consisting of multiple qualifications, we may release qualifications early at OriGym's discretion.
To enrol onto a gym instructing, exercise to music, exercise referral, sports massage or a personal trainer course you need to be a least 16 years of age. If you're looking to move onto more advanced Level 5 courses, you need to be 18 years old or above.
OriGym allows individual course levels to be completed up to 2 years. If you have or looking to purchase a combination package of multiple qualifications this will mean you get 2 years from the moment you start each respective level.
For CPD fitness courses there is no expiry date, thus you can complete them as soon as you qualify or years down the line.
Health and fitness qualifications do not need renewing; however, government changes can influence the need for qualifications to be updated, this tends to happen every 15-20 years. In this instance you can come back and pay for the new modules you're missing.
If you have enrolled onto an intensive personal trainer course and wish to switch the course start date you may do so as long as you give a 7 days’ notice or more prior to your course commencements. There must be space available on the alternative course before you will be allowed to switch courses.
OriGym is proud to not apply unwarranted additional fees for resources, certification, registration, examinations or re-sits. The only admin fees within our course packages are for when you book a workshop, assessment or CPD course and do not show up as you have prevented another student from attending. Aside from this, which is easily avoided by cancelling there is no other additional charges.
Virtually all degrees miss key mandatory modules within their degree that count towards your qualification. All qualifications achieved through other forms of study must map across against National Occupational Standards and some can be signed off under ‘recognition of prior achievement’ (RPA) and ‘recognition of prior learning’ (RPL).
This being said, the process of approval from the governing body can be tedious, which is why many students actually find it quicker to complete the modules in full as opposed to waiting.
As soon as you have completed your relevant qualification and obtained the required insurance, which you can do over the phone and then you can start legally training clients.
OriGym is proud to qualify 7,000 fitness professionals each year across Ireland and the UK. We have been nominated for multiple awards including “Training provider of the Year” in 2017 and 2018 in addition to being a finalist for "The Most Innovative Provider" at the Active Training Awards.
OriGym also is a Trustpilot partner, the largest and most trustworthy review platform in the world to showcase hundreds of genuinely satisfied customers.
OriGym is also an IS9001 certified business which means our systems and processes have been external certified and only a few training providers in the world have this accolade.
Additionally, OriGym has partnerships with some of the biggest gym chains in Ireland and the UK including JD Gyms, Sports Direct and DW Fitness First, helping to place over 90% of graduates into work within weeks of qualifying. Additionally, we run the academies for these companies as well as partnerships with the MOD (Ministry of Defence) and QMU University all whom trust OriGym with their training, so you know you can too.
All course enrolments are performed over the phone. This is to ensure you have enrolled onto the correct package and learning method that you intended it. You can call us on 01704 870 439 or Freephone on 0800 002 9599 to get started.
At OriGym we believe in making affordable training available to all. We do not apply or include fees for exams, re-sits, registrations, certifying or apply admin fees that are rife with our competitors. Additionally, we own many of our own training centres, thus cutting out venue hire costs that other providers place upon their students enabling us to offer the most cost-effective courses in Ireland.
It is not required to be qualified in first aid to become a personal trainer in a gym or freelance. Many providers include First Aid in their packages without giving you the choice, which inflates the price of the diploma. At OriGym we believe in giving you the choice, so we partner with multiple first aid companies that we can point you in the right direction for if this is a further qualification that you wish to pursue.
CIMSPA (Chartered Institute of Management of Sport and Physical Activity) is a chartered institute, that recognises and accredits qualifications in the physical activity sector. Launched in 2011, CIMSPA was awarded chartered status to provide support and unified voice for all fitness professionals.
CIMSPA ensures standardisation of quality training across the industry and helps the general public make informed decisions to the quality of service they are purchasing.
OriGym is proud not just to have recognised training by CIMSPA but being a "CIMSPA Development Partner" to help increase quality of training and development within the sector.
Yes, OriGym has supported many students in the past and present that have some form of physical disability. We deliberately partner with gyms and venues that have disabled access to not disadvantage such students.
OriGym will determine at point of enrolment the extent of your physical capabilities to ensure the course is a good fit for you. If we do not deem the course a good fit, we have the right to decline the enrolment on the grounds of being in the student’s best interests.
If you lose your certificate within 3 years of completing your course you can order a new one, but there is a 40 euro fee, plus postage to order a new one. If you lose your certificate past the three years you will need to request a new one from the appropriate awarding body your qualification was obtained via.
If you enrol in an online course or a blended part-time course you will sit your theory exams online through our state of the art technology. You can sit these assessments as soon as you feel ready to do so.
If you have enrolled in a full-time course, you will sit assessments within a classroom-based setting under exam conditions.
For the following courses, you will sit two theory exams online, and will also be required to complete coursework, a case study and practical assessment.
- Level 3 Fitness Instructor Course
- Level 4 Personal Trainer Course
- Diploma and Advanced Diploma in Personal Training
- Level 3 Exercise to Music Course
- Level 4 Exercise Referral Course
- Level 3 Fitness Instructing, Level 4 PT Diploma, ETM, Exercise Referral
- Online & Blended full time courses
For CPD courses, you will complete an observed practical assessment where you will display competency and understanding of the course content.
For Teaching & Assessing courses, you will be required to complete a video assessment for the teaching aspect, and a practical assessment for the assessing aspect.
For the Level 5 Obesity & Diabetes Control course, you will be required to complete a portfolio as your assessment.
For the Level 5 Lower Back Pain course, you will be required to complete a portfolio as well as undertake a practical assessment.
OriGym prides itself on not just being a course provider but offering a comprehensive post course support programme that is unrivalled by any competitor both in Ireland and Internationally.
As soon as you complete your course, OriGym's recruitment team will arrange a career consultation with you, help you construct your CV, giving you templates to work with and then manual review it for you and providing feedback to ensure its spot on.
Then we will distribute your CV in accordance to your post code to secure interviews whether that being for gym instructing, personal training or sports massage positions. OriGym has the largest network of corporate partners in Ireland and can guarantee interviews at most of them.
We will even provide you with interview support over the phone or email in addition to giving you some useful resources that you can use that will help you during the interview process.
Take full advantage of OriGym's extensive alumni, which allows you to get exclusive discounts on gym equipment, clothing, supplements and more.
OriGym offers a range of learning styles to suit the way you learn best. This means you can always find room for your studies. You can learn online, combine online with face-to-face workshops or take our full-time classroom and gym based courses.
Prior to enrolling onto the Level 4 GP Referral course you will need to have obtained a Level 3 fitness qualification in either Exercise to Music or Fitness Instructing in gym.
The Level 4 Exercise Referral qualification has two theory assessments, that are open book and have a 90% pass rate required. You will need to complete examinations on Anatomy and Physiology and Application of Nutrition. If you're already a qualified Level 4 Personal Trainer, you will be exempt from these assessments as your Level 4 PT certificate covers these two modules.
UNRIVALLED CAREER SUPPORT
Join hundreds of our qualified exercise referral instructors working with leading health organisations.
Secure your dream job after graduation with guaranteed interviews with leading organisations including the NHS, BUPA and Nuffield Health.
Receive detailed advice on developing your CV, preparing for interviews and presenting yourself to potential employers.
Hundreds of exclusive discounts including supplements, clothing & insurance to help you excel as an exercise referral instructor.
Testimonials

Heather Hacking
Founder of Heather Hacking PTFantastically Structured & Well Organised
As a mother of three children after spending the past nine years building her career as a solicitor, Heather made the decision to follow a life-long passion for health, wellness and fitness, and pursue a career as a personal trainer.
Studying part-time with OriGym to fit around family and work, I achieved my Level 3 Gym Instructor and Level 4 Personal Training qualifications. I found OriGym’s courses to be fantastically structured and well organised, and my tutor Andy Tsang was brilliant - he taught me so much!
After graduating I started my fitness business with the sole purpose of empowering women, both physically and mentally. My business has now been shortlisted as a finalist in the ‘Breakthrough Personal Trainer’ category at Northern Ireland’s Health & Fitness Awards 2019 - I am so thrilled! I am very grateful to OriGym for giving me such a great foundation to launch my business from.

Sue Evans
Fitness Instructor & Personal TrainerI love my new career!
Before joining OriGym, Sue worked in a gym as a Membership Sales Advisor. Many new members asked if Sue would be willing to train them, but as she wasn't qualified, she had to keep turning them down. Researching several companies, Sue enrolled on OriGym's Personal Training Diploma and has never looked back!
I researched many fitness courses but kept coming back to OriGym. I felt a good vibe from the team and the owners Luke and Steph are friendly & down to earth. I loved how involved they were in the courses! The course itself was AMAZING! The staff and teachers were fantastic, I really felt that they cared about me and my progress, going above and beyond what I had ever expected from them.
I’m now a confident Personal Trainer working for an international gym chain. The future looks so bright for me; I’m even enquiring about doing a season on a Cruise ship as part of the Royal Caribbean fitness team! OriGym has helped to make my dreams come true.
PAYMENT OPTIONS
You can pay in affordable monthly instalments with 0% finance available and we will not ask for guarantors.
Payment plans designed to be flexible and convenient for you, meaning you can focus on enjoying your course!
Our exercise referral courses start from just 799 Euros, with guaranteed interviews and strong potential earnings after.