BA (Hons) Fitness Management and Personal Training (Full Time)

Gain wide-ranging practical experience to give yourself a competitive edge in the job market.

Course overview

The BA (Hons) Fitness Management and Personal Training degree at Southampton Solent University will provide you with practical experience, theoretical knowledge and industry-recognised awards for a successful career in management within the health and fitness industry.

In addition to the core practical skills, you will gain key business and management knowledge. You will make use of our state-of-the-art teaching gym, where you will train individual clients in a safe and supportive environment.

The course provides entry to the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs), the independent public register for qualified professionals. Membership of REPs is a requirement of the Fitness Industry Association (FIA) Code of Practice and assures employers that you have the appropriate skills to do the job.

Industrial focus

In your final year, you can specialise in subjects relevant to your interests and career aspirations. You will also promote your work at a showcase event to a selection of employers.

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Course content

Year 1

Six core units:

• Operation and Management of Fitness Facilities 1
• Principles of Health, Fitness and Nutrition
• Client Appraisal and Assessment
• Gym Training
• Introduction to Exercise Psychology
• Industry Practice and Research.

Year 2

 Five core units and one option unit:

• Operation and Management of Fitness Facilities 2
• Research Methods for the Leisure Services Industries
• Customer Service, Marketing and Sales
• Advanced Training Principles
• Work-Based Professional Studies.

Options:

• Exercise Psychology (Behaviour Change)
• Exercise Programming for Older Adults
• Sports Massage
• Group Exercise
• Physical Activity and Public Health Interventions
• Event Organisation
• Diet and Nutrition
• Project Management Skills
• Innovation and Creativity for Entrepreneurs
• Employment and Society
• Learning and Development.

Year 3

Four core units and two option units:

• Project (two units)
• Professional Practice in Personal Training
• Strategy for Business.

Options:

• Exercise Programming for Medically Referred and Disabled Clients
• Advanced Sports Massage
• Sports Nutrition and Performance
• Sport Development
• Leadership
• Professional Skills
• Sports Conditioning
• Critical Management Thinking
• Cross Cultural Management
• Human Resource Management
• Complementary Therapies for Sport
• Electronic Marketing
• Employee Relations
• Small Business Enterprise
• Physical Education. 

Why choose this course?

• Gaining specialist skills working with clients with a range of medical conditions will enhance your employment prospects.
• Use our extensive and newly built sport science laboratories, including a state-of-the art dedicated teaching gym.
• Meets the newly revised National Occupational Standards in exercise and fitness ensuring that your qualification is both up-to-date and relevant to the needs of employers.

Assessment

Written assignments, practical simulations, in-course tests, case studies, reflective portfolios, group work, reports, presentations, exams and even the production of fitness training DVDs.

REPs fees

Please note that this course is subject to an additional compulsory fee of £300 in the first year and £200 in the second year for professional body (REPs) qualifications.

Key career skills

Presentation, project management, communication, evaluation and problem solving.

Projects/work experience

A six-week fitness industry placement will provide invaluable work experience that will further enhance your employability. This may be with a large fitness operator or a smaller independent club, local authority or other organisation.

Graduate profile

Chris Jones, Professional Head of Physiology at Nuffield Health

“The great advantage of the degree is how much practical experience you gain. Upon graduating, I already had two and a half years' gym experience – with most degrees you won't get that till after graduating. I gained a well rounded understanding of health and fitness, from the importance of nutrition to how behavioural changes affect performance. The multifaceted approach of Solent is a real strong point.

“My role at Nuffield Health is to oversee the recruitment, training, governance, clinical practice and development of the national physiology team,” he explains. "I make sure what they are doing is safe and effective and their investigations and advice get the desired results. I also help develop new products and put together specific health care plans for the healthcare market.

“Within the Nuffield Physiology team, we prefer applicants to have at least two years in a health-related environment, such as a fitness or personal training role. If they do their degree at Solent, then there is a strong chance they'll have this experience when they graduate.”

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