YMCAFit x PerformX 2026 – Join Us at the UK’s Leading Fitness Conference and Exhibition this February
Get Your FREE Ticket today!
We’re extremely excited to officially announce our partnership with PerformX 2026, the UNMISSABLE Business of Fitness event!
PerformX Live is the UK’s leading fitness conference and exhibition and 2026 is set to be its biggest year yet.
Now in its fifth year, PX26 will unite more than 6,000 industry leaders: from C-suite decision-makers and independent gym owners to PTs and performance coaches. Across four powerful content stages, you’ll hear from the world’s leading voices and leave with a crystal-clear view of the trends shaping the next 12 months — including GLP-1 and longevity to fitness racing and much more.
You’ll learn directly from some of the best minds in fitness, including Phil Learney, Ollie Marchon, Matt Peacock, Oliver Patrick, and many more still to be announced.
And the best part? You can attend completely FREE — for two days of learning, connection, and serious professional growth.
How fitness professionals can build an online brand that converts
Personal training is all about people – listening to clients, understanding their goals, and keeping them motivated as they work towards lasting results.
But while face-to-face coaching is at the heart of the fitness industry, more trainers than ever are expanding their reach online.
If you’re looking for fitness career growth, you’ll need to build a strong digital PT brand. This will help you attract new clients, boost your credibility, and turn your passion into a thriving online business.
Here’s how you can create a brand identity, make the most of social media, and use marketing to convert followers into loyal clients.
Why online branding matters for fitness professionals
As a personal trainer, selling yourself is just as important as your qualifications. The fitness world is competitive. Standing out means showing potential clients who you are and what makes you different.
Your clients are one of your most powerful marketing tools. Sharing their success stories through testimonials, progress photos, and case studies highlights the real results you can deliver. Always ask for permission before using their content. Celebrate their hard work proudly as genuine results and positive word of mouth build social proof and credibility faster than any advert can.
Social media can be a true game-changer when it comes to building your brand and reaching a wider audience. Frequent, authentic posts, whether short videos or workout tips, place you as a trusted expert. Written reviews are valuable, but photos and videos create stronger connections and have a lasting impact.
Having a solid foundation in your training programmes allows you to spend less time creating new workouts from scratch and more time doing what truly matters – building relationships, marketing your business, and helping your clients achieve lasting results.
Crafting your unique fitness brand identity
Whatever makes you different from other trainers, whether that’s your approach, energy, or your client results, which is your unique selling proposition (USP) – and should be at the centre of all your content. Shout about it!
To enjoy fitness career growth, build authority and stay current. Read the latest research, attend industry conferences, and complete continued professional development (CPD) courses.
YMCA fit’s CPD courses could help you take your PT career to the next level. There’s short courses, specialisms and career changers for expanding into new areas
We also have Online Coaching CPD, to help you confidently coach clients from anywhere and gain the skills to succeed online.
Ultimately, when people view you as an expert, they’re far more likely to trust you and invest in your services.
To start advertising online, you don’t need a huge budget to create a digital PT brand logo. Tools like Canva make it easy to design consistent branding for your website, social media, and leaflets. Use the same colours, fonts, and imagery across all of your brand. You could even consider your new logo on your training tops!
Social media strategies for PTs
Social media is key. Create accounts on major platforms such as Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok, and update them regularly with short posts, workout videos, or behind-the-scenes content.
Video is a powerful tool. A study in Forbes, showed that viewers retain up to 95% of information from a video compared to only 10% from text – so it’s an excellent way to educate and inspire potential clients.
Don’t be afraid to show your personality. People connect with people so share a glimpse of your daily routine as authenticity builds trust.
Selling online training and memberships
Once you’ve started to build a following, you can turn your online presence into a source of income. Offer online coaching, fitness plans, or membership programmes tailored to your audience.
Make sure your website clearly explains your services, pricing, and what clients can expect. A professional site with simple navigation and clear calls to action will help turn casual browsers into paying clients.
Offer newsletters and free resources, such as downloadable guides or mini-workouts videos, as these are great ways to capture new leads and stay connected with your audience between sessions.
Must-have marketing skills for PTs
Fitness should be for everyone. Make sure your tone, imagery, and training style feel inclusive for clients of all ages, genders, and fitness levels. When people feel welcome and supported, they’re more likely to stay loyal and recommend you to others.
Your energy, sense of humour and communication style are a massive part of your brand. Whether it’s your storytelling on social media or the tone of your emails, being authentically you will make your brand more relatable and memorable.
Make sure your digital PT qualifications are listed on your website to reassure potential clients that you’re experienced and credible. Transparency builds confidence – and confidence converts.
Building an online brand as a fitness professional isn’t just about great visuals or clever posts – it’s about connection. When you share your knowledge and highlight real results, you’ll attract clients who trust your expertise.
Why Becoming a Group Fitness Instructor Could Be the Best Decision You Ever Make
Enrol on the course that has been changing lives for over 40 years
If you’ve ever found yourself smiling through an aerobics class, loving the beat of a dance workout, or watching your favourite instructor thinking, “I’d love to do that,” then maybe it’s time to take the leap.
Becoming a qualified Group Fitness Instructor isn’t just about leading a class — it’s about inspiring others, building confidence, and turning your passion for music and movement into a truly rewarding career. And with YMCAfit’s newly updated Exercise to Music (ETM) course, there’s never been a better time to start.
What Is the YMCAfit Exercise to Music Qualification?
The Level 2 Certificate in Exercise & Fitness: Group Exercise Instructor (ETM) is perfect for anyone who wants to teach freestyle, music-driven group fitness classes. Whether you dream of leading workouts in gyms, studios, or community settings, this qualification gives you the skills, knowledge, and confidence to deliver safe, creative, and inclusive sessions.
You don’t have to be a professional dancer — this course is about rhythm, cueing, and creating energy in the room. You’ll cover everything from anatomy and physiology to choreography, session planning, and music selection.
By the end, you’ll be able to plan, deliver, and evaluate a full 45–60-minute class — bringing your unique personality and flair to the studio.
A Smarter, More Flexible Way to Learn
YMCAfit’s new ETM course has been designed with flexibility and real-life learning in mind. You’ll benefit from a blended format that fits around your schedule:
Online learning via Suada – work through engaging interactive modules at your own pace.
Tutor-led webinars – live sessions to deepen understanding and connect with peers.
Practical training days – face-to-face in London or fully online for hands-on practice.
Final assessment – deliver your own ETM session live or via video submission.
With high tutor contact, ongoing feedback, and an affordable cost of £695 (deposit £250), this is one of the most accessible, CIMSPA-endorsed group exercise qualifications in the UK.
Meet Your Tutor: Adrian Walters
If anyone knows what it takes to make a class come alive, it’s Adrian Walters — one of YMCAfit’s most experienced Group Exercise Tutors.
Adrian’s journey with the YMCA began back in 2005 as a volunteer circuit training teacher at Central YMCA Club. Eighteen years later, he’s taught, managed, and inspired thousands, with his last role as Programme Manager overseeing all club operations.
But before the fitness industry, Adrian was a professional dancer and choreographer, working with top TV shows and pop artists — including 13 series of Stars in Their Eyes!
“After retiring from dance, moving into group exercise just made sense,” he says. “I love the studio energy — the music, the movement, the teamwork, and, most importantly, the fun. Let’s face it, the biggest barrier to exercise is that people find it boring — my mission is to change that!”
Now running his own PT business and tutoring all Group X disciplines, Adrian brings a mix of professional flair, infectious enthusiasm, and real-world experience to his teaching.
“When I’m not tutoring or teaching, you’ll still find me on a dance floor with friends — maybe not as late as I used to, but I’ll always love music and movement!”
Why Choose YMCAfit?
With over 40 years of training expertise, YMCAfit has shaped generations of fitness professionals — from PTs and Pilates teachers to yoga instructors and group exercise leaders. What sets this course apart is its personal touch: supportive tutors, interactive learning, and a genuine focus on helping you succeed.
After qualifying, you’ll open doors to opportunities in indoor cycling, studio resistance, circuits, and advanced CPDs — or even progress to Level 3 Personal Training.
Ready to Start Your ETM Journey?
If you’ve ever dreamed of turning your love for music, movement, and motivation into a career — this is your moment. The YMCAfit Exercise to Music qualification gives you everything you need to teach with confidence, inspire others, and make fitness fun for everyone.
Maybe it’s something deeper—something that grounds you, lifts you, and connects you to yourself and others. If you’ve ever stepped off the mat feeling inspired, empowered, and curious about sharing that experience with others, then yoga teacher training could be your next big step.
And if you’re looking for an accredited, supportive, and life-changing qualification in the UK, YMCAfit’s Level 3 Diploma in Teaching Yoga (Practitioner) is one of the most trusted and accessible routes to becoming a certified yoga instructor.
Why Choose YMCAfit for Your Yoga Teacher Training?
YMCAfit has been a leader in health and fitness education for over 35 years. OurLevel 3 Diploma in Teaching Yoga isn’t just about learning to lead classes—it’s about transforming your understanding of yoga and cultivating the confidence to share it authentically with others.
This Ofqual-regulated, CIMSPA-endorsed qualification is internationally recognised, meaning you’ll be ready to teach in gyms, studios, community centres, or even launch your own yoga business.
You’ll develop a deeper connection to your own practice while gaining the professional skills to guide others safely, inclusively, and compassionately.
Course Overview: Learn. Grow. Teach.
The YMCAfit yoga diploma is designed for real-world readiness. Over several weeks, you’ll move through a blend of:
Live tutor-led training days (in person or online)
Interactive eLearning modules via YMCAfit’s Suada platform
Independent study, teaching journals, and practical assessments
You’ll explore yoga’s foundations—alignment, sequencing, pranayama, meditation, anatomy, and philosophy—while learning how to design classes that are safe, inclusive, and deeply meaningful.
By the end of your journey, you’ll understand not just how to teach yoga, but why yoga works—physically, mentally, and energetically.
Key Features at a Glance
9 Tutor-Led Training Days
Flexible Learning Options (Online & In-Person)
Interactive Digital Platform (Suada for A&P)
Ongoing Tutor & Peer Support
CIMSPA-Endorsed Qualification
Comprehensive Final Assessment
Affordable Entry Point – from £1,100
Who It’s For?
Open to anyone passionate about sharing yoga—no advanced flexibility required. You’ll need to be 16+, comfortable using online platforms, and ideally have at least two years of personal practice. Authenticity and curiosity matter most.
What You’ll Learn
Gain the confidence to teach safe, effective yoga for all levels. You’ll master:
Core asanas, pranayama, and meditation
Class sequencing and modification
Yogic philosophy and anatomy
The use of props, verbal cueing, and hands-free guidance
You’ll also create and deliver a 10-session yoga programme and complete your final teaching assessment—either live in London or online.
Whether your goal is to teach in a studio, build an online yoga brand, or bring yoga to your community, this course sets the foundation for a fulfilling career in wellness.
Course Structure and Support
Your learning journey is thoughtfully structured for balance and support:
Weeks 1–3: eLearning (Anatomy & Physiology)
Weeks 4–12: Weekly tutor-led days (Yoga practice, philosophy, and teaching techniques)
Weeks 15–20: Submit progressive teaching plans, final assessment, and reflective journal
Each student benefits from expert guidance, peer connections, and access to digital learning tools. You’re never alone on your path to becoming a teacher.
Meet Your Tutor: David Marques
Leading the course is David Marques, an experienced yoga teacher and educator with over 15 years of dedicated practice. Trained at the Sivananda Yoga Vedanta Centre in Austria, David blends traditional yoga philosophy with modern movement principles.
He teaches a signature Holistic Hatha Yoga Flow, a mindful, functional approach that integrates anatomy, breathwork, and the energetic aspects of yoga. David’s compassionate, trauma-aware teaching style supports learners from all walks of life, helping them grow in both confidence and self-awareness.
With advanced training in Yin, Restorative, Vinyasa, and Mindfulness, plus qualifications in Thai Yoga Massage and Sports Massage, David brings a holistic understanding of the body and mind to every class he leads.
A Stepping Stone to a New Career
Graduates of YMCAfit’s Level 3 Diploma in Teaching Yoga Walk away with more than a qualification—they leave with a community, professional confidence, and purpose.
With 10 CIMSPA CPD points and national recognition, you’ll be well-positioned for roles in studios, leisure centres, retreats, or private teaching.
Many alumni go on to build thriving yoga businesses or integrate their skills into complementary fields such as fitness, wellness, and holistic health.
Yoga is more than a physical practice—it’s a journey of presence, compassion, and connection. If you’re ready to deepen your practice, empower others, and turn your passion into purpose, YMCAfit’s Level 3 Diploma in Teaching Yoga offers an accessible, accredited, and truly transformational path.
🧘♂️ Your mat has been your sanctuary. Now, it can be your platform.
Why sports massage & mobility training are essential for PTs
Sports massage and mobility training are all about helping your clients move better, recover faster, and perform at their best.
Releasing tight muscles, improving joint range, and boosting flexibility are all things your clients need to stay active and injury-free.
What makes these techniques so effective is how they complement everyday movement, whether it’s reaching a top shelf in the supermarket or setting off down a running track.
In this blog post, we’ll break down the benefits of massage and sports therapy and what qualifications you need to bring them safely into your UK practice.
How sports massage benefits personal training clients
You could choose sports massage as a career in itself or complete a qualification as part of your continuing professional development (CPD). Whichever option you go for, it will provide you with the knowledge and the skills to offer multiple benefits to your clients.
Sports massage manipulates soft tissue – muscles, tendons, ligaments, skin and fascia – to support those engaged in regular physical activity.
It helps correct imbalances from repetitive strain or trauma, and when applied before or after exercise, can boost performance, speed recovery, and reduce injury risk.
Let’s take a look at the benefits:
Injury prevention and recovery – sports massage reduces muscle tension, corrects imbalances, and aids rehabilitation. By helping prevent strains and speeding recovery, therapists play a key role in keeping athletes active and mobile.
Mental and physical wellbeing – massage therapy supports relaxation, stress relief, and better sleep, improving both body and mind. Clients benefit from greater resilience, mood, and focus.
Knowledge of the body – training would deepen your understanding of anatomy, equipping you to assess and treat issues effectively – a huge benefit to clients – whilst enhancing existing expertise in health or fitness.
Performance enhancement – by boosting circulation, flexibility, and recovery, sports massage helps athletes reach peak condition and maintain it over time.
The connection between mobility and performance
Injuries are an inevitable part of sport.
Imagine being hampered by a minor sprain or incident requiring surgery. Recovery isn’t just physical – the mental and emotional impact can be just as challenging.
Mobility training improves flexibility, posture, balance, and stability while reducing injury risk and stiffness. It’s all about helping people move efficiently and with more ease through a range of motions.
The benefit for your clients is that it enhances performance, supports joint and muscle health, and promotes lifelong functional movement for healthy aging and an active lifestyle.
Flexibility is slightly different as this only concerns muscle lengthening, whereas mobility can incorporate movement through a whole host of motion.
Qualifications needed for sports massage and mobility training
Sports massage qualifications allow you to work with teams, in clinics or gyms, or run a private practice. Getting trained is a great way to complement working as a personal trainer.
There are two main ways to qualify as a sports massage therapist; a 3-year degree course with an academic approach or a Sports Massage diploma.
The Next Gen Sports Massage course, developed with the Association for Soft Tissue Therapists (SMA) and endorsed by the GCMT, qualifies you to work as a Sports Massage Therapist and gain insurance for private practice or in clinics alongside physiotherapists, chiropractors, and osteopaths.
It runs for 19 weeks with two study options – full time weekdays or part time at weekends. If you’re successful you’ll graduate with the skills to treat soft tissue dysfunction, minor injuries, and muscular tension through deep tissue techniques.
The Level 4 Diploma works as a stand-alone qualification or as CPD for fitness professionals, such as personal trainers and gym instructors, expanding the services you can offer clients.
How to incorporate sports massage into your PT business
For personal trainers, adding sports massage to their services creates a more complete approach to client care.
By easing recovery and minimising downtime, it helps clients train consistently and reach their goals faster, while also enhancing overall satisfaction with their training experience.
A key advantage is injury prevention. Regular massage keeps muscles flexible, relieves tension, and highlights potential problem areas before they develop into strains, sprains, or overuse injuries.
By offering massage and sports therapy, trainers can support clients in staying healthy and injury-free, making it especially valuable for athletes and those involved in demanding, high-intensity training.
To add this to your offering as a service – perhaps straight after a PT session or instead of – you must ensure you have the correct insurance.
Insurance protects fitness professionals from personal financial risk if a client makes a claim for injury or damages.
The most important cover is Public and Teacher Liability Insurance, which safeguards you against claims arising from client injuries during training or damage to third-party property.
Why This Qualification (and Tutor) Could Transform Your Career
In today’s health and fitness world, it’s no longer enough to just help clients lose weight or build muscle. Nearly half (48%) of UK adults live with at least one long-term condition (LTC)—and one in five are living with two or more. Conditions such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, musculoskeletal disorders, mental health challenges, and even cancer are part of the lived reality for millions.
For fitness professionals, this represents both a challenge and a huge opportunity. The ability to support these individuals safely, inclusively, and effectively doesn’t just expand your client base—it changes lives.
That’s where the YMCAfit Level 3 Diploma in Supporting Clients with Long-Term Conditions comes in.
Why Specialising in Long-Term Conditions Matters
Working with clients who have LTCs is about more than adapting exercises—it’s about improving quality of life, building confidence, and supporting holistic wellbeing. Fitness professionals trained in this area are better equipped to:
Design safe, effective programmes tailored to specific conditions
Support clients managing multiple health challenges
Recognise when to refer to other professionals
Deliver inclusive, evidence-based coaching that empowers every client
By specialising, you’re not only helping people who are often underserved in fitness—you’re also future-proofing your career with a skillset that’s in growing demand.
Long-Term Conditions vs Exercise Referral: What’s the Difference?
Both qualifications sit at Level 3 and share some overlap, but there are important differences:
Feature
Exercise Referral
Long-Term Conditions Qualification
Last Updated
2018
2020
Scope of Practice
Focused on referral schemes via GPs/local services
Any clients managing controlled LTCs—including mental health, dementia, cancer survivors
Career Flexibility
Best for roles within referral programmes
Ideal for independent trainers, health coaches, rehab PTs
If you’re planning to work strictly within an Exercise Referral scheme, that course may still be relevant. But for those who want the flexibility to work independently and support a wider range of clients, the LTC qualification offers far more scope and impact.
Meet Sarah Bolitho: Your Course Tutor
A qualification is only as good as the people behind it—and you couldn’t ask for a better tutor than Sarah Bolitho.
With over 30 years in the industry, Sarah has managed major Exercise Referral schemes, developed national qualifications, written books, hosted the Creating Active Lives podcast, and delivered training across the UK.
Her mission? To empower fitness professionals to confidently and compassionately support clients across all backgrounds and health challenges.
Known for her warm, vibrant teaching style, Sarah blends real-world expertise with a passion for behaviour change and holistic wellbeing. And yes—she’s even been spotted hiking the countryside in a tiara, proving fitness can (and should) be joyful.
When you learn from Sarah, you’re not just gaining a qualification—you’re being mentored by one of the industry’s true pioneers.
What You’ll Learn on the Course
The YMCAfit Level 3 Diploma in Supporting Clients with Long-Term Conditions runs over 12 weeks and combines flexibility with interactive learning. You’ll cover:
Condition-specific knowledge: 10+ LTCs, including cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, neurological conditions, and more
Anatomy & physiology: Understanding the impact of conditions on movement and exercise capacity
Behaviour change coaching: Practical strategies for supporting long-term adherence and lifestyle change
Programming & case studies: Real-world application for building safe, effective training plans
And let’s be honest, it’s a brilliant way to stand out. More and more women are actively seeking out fitness professionals who “get it.” Earning a menopause qualification shows not just that you’re skilled, but that you care.
Course Format
4 live virtual classroom sessions with Sarah and peers
Access to a digital learning platform packed with resources
Ongoing tutor support throughout
Assessments completed flexibly in your own time (written tasks & case studies)
Unlimited attempts at online assessments
This isn’t box-ticking CPD—it’s a transformational qualification that will equip you to confidently work with a diverse, growing client base.
Who Is This Course For?
This course is designed for:
Personal trainers who want to expand their client base and work more inclusively
Pilates, yoga, and group exercise instructors supporting ageing populations or clients with LTCs
Health coaches and rehab PTs who want broader scope of practice
Fitness professionals returning to the industry and looking to future-proof their skills
You’ll need a Level 2 or 3 fitness qualification—but more importantly, a passion for making fitness accessible and meaningful to all.
Why This Qualification Matters More Than Ever
The reality is simple: long-term conditions are on the rise, and so is the need for skilled, compassionate fitness professionals who can help. Completing this qualification isn’t just about adding letters after your name—it’s about stepping up to support a huge (and growing) part of the population.
As Sarah says: “This course isn’t just about training bodies—it’s about changing lives.”
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you want to expand your expertise, increase your impact, and become part of the movement towards inclusive, future-focused fitness, this is your opportunity.
Supporting Women and Championing Change with the YMCAfit Menopause Course
Discover why YMCAfit tutor Danielle, took the Menopause Qualification and why it’s essential for PTs, yoga teachers, and instructors supporting midlife women.
With over 12 years of experience in the health and fitness industry, I bring passion, expertise, and heart to everything I do. At YMCAfit, I wear a few hats, supporting students, tutoring across multiple courses, and assessing learners as they grow into confident, capable fitness professionals.
My background spans a wide range of specialisms, but one area that’s always been close to my heart is inclusive training. I’ve worked extensively in personal training for individuals with both mental and physical disabilities, and one of my proudest moments was supporting athlete Sophie Etheridge in her historic achievement—completing the first adaptive solo swim across the English Channel using only her arms. That experience reminded me of the power of personalised, compassionate coaching.
I’m also a long-time lover of group exercise. For over 11 years, I’ve delivered classes that bring people together through movement and motivation. The buzz, the energy, the shared smiles, it’s where fitness meets friendship, and it’s still one of the most rewarding parts of my career.
When I’m not teaching, you’ll usually find me outdoors, making art, or wrangling my four wonderful children in what I lovingly call the “beautiful chaos” of everyday life. It’s colourful, it’s messy, and I wouldn’t change a thing.
Why I Got Menopause Qualified (And Why You Might Want To Too)
Let me ask you something:when was the last time you truly understood what your clients going through menopause are experiencing?
If you’re a personal trainer, yoga teacher, or Pilates instructor like me, chances are you’ve worked with dozens of women in their 40s, 50s, or 60s. You’ve probably heard about energy crashes, mood swings, joint pain, weight gain, or the feeling of not recognising themselves anymore. I know I have. And while I’ve always wanted to help, I’ll be honest, there was a time when I wasn’t sure how to help effectively.
Menopause isn’t just a phase, it’s a significant life transition that brings complex physical and emotional challenges. Hormonal shifts can impact everything from bone health and heart function to mental wellbeing, sleep, and motivation. And yet, despite all of this, most fitness professionals have never received formal training on how to support women during this stage of life.
This qualification fills that gap.
You’ll learn how to:
Understand the biological stages of menopause and their health impacts
Modify training programmes to reduce risks and support hormonal changes
Deliver inclusive, safe, and empowering sessions that meet your clients where they are
Best of all, it’s mapped to the CIMSPA professional standard for working with women and girls, so you know it’s not just theory, it’s practical and industry-relevant.
Why It’s So Valuable for PTs, Yoga Teachers & Pilates Instructors
We work closely with clients, often in one-to-one or small group settings, which puts us in a unique position to spot the signs of menopause and adapt our approach.
This training gives you tools to:
Reduce injury risks linked to joint pain or osteoporosis
Support clients dealing with fatigue, anxiety, or brain fog
Create workouts that ease menopause symptoms and promote long-term health
Build a space where women feel strong, supported, and understood
And let’s be honest, it’s a brilliant way to stand out. More and more women are actively seeking out fitness professionals who “get it.” Earning a menopause qualification shows not just that you’re skilled, but that you care.
About the Course
The YMCAfit menopause qualification is delivered fully online, making it flexible and accessible. Over eight weeks, you’ll attend four live webinars with expert tutors, supported by the Suada digital learning platform. The course includes three assessments—presentations, professional discussions, and a case study, designed to help you apply your knowledge in real-world contexts.
No textbooks. No fluff. Just career-enhancing, practical training that will deepen your coaching and expand your impact.
A Bigger Mission
For me, this isn’t just a qualification, it’s part of a wider mission to put women’s health where it belongs: front and centre.
Too often, menopause is something clients quietly “deal with” while struggling through workouts that don’t serve them. I want to be the kind of coach who listens, adapts, and empowers. Someone who helps women feel strong, seen, and supported during one of life’s biggest transitions.
If that’s the kind of coach you want to be too, I can’t recommend this course enough.
Enrolment opens soon and I’ll be delivering the course in October. Maybe I’ll see you in class?
30 Years of Expertise in Perinatal & Specialist Fitness Training
If you’re looking to learn from one of the most experienced and passionate fitness tutors in the UK, meet Lesley Smyth — YMCAfit’s perinatal training expert.
With over 30 years in the health and fitness industry, Lesley has qualifications across Levels 2, 3, and 4, including Personal Training, Group Exercise, Pilates, Yoga,Perinatal Fitness, and Older Adult Fitness. She’s also an experienced presenter in specialist areas such as obesity and diabetes, equipping trainers to support clients with long-term health challenges.
But her true specialism, and greatest passion, lies in helping fitness professionals work confidently with pregnant and postnatal clients. As a mother of five and grandmother to twelve, Lesley’s personal journey deeply shapes her professional approach. She knows first-hand the physical, emotional, and psychological changes women experience during this life stage, and she’s committed to ensuring trainers are equipped to offer safe, supportive, and empowering guidance.
“I first entered the fitness industry to set a positive example for my children. Over the years, I became known for being approachable, trustworthy, and genuinely invested in my clients’ wellbeing. Those values still guide every course I teach.”
Why Lesley Still Teaches Perinatal Training After 27 Years
She’s taught hundreds—if not thousands—of learners, and has seen them leave with not only the skills to adapt training safely for pregnant and postnatal clients, but also the confidence to become a trusted resource in their communities.
About the YMCAfit Perinatal Fitness Course
The YMCAfit Level 3 Award in Supporting Participation in Physical Activity – Perinatal course is designed for Personal Trainers, Yoga Teachers, Pilates Instructors, and other exercise professionals who want to:
Adapt programmes for pregnant and postnatal clients
Understand the physiological changes across each trimester and the postnatal period
Know when and how to refer clients to other professionals
Build strong, supportive, and trusting client relationships
Course structure:
4 live, tutor-led webinars (weekend mornings)
2-4 hours of study per week
Access all resources online via our platform, Suada
Assessments include written tasks and two practical case studies
With flexible study options, it’s ideal for busy professionals looking to add a specialist skill without pausing their current work!
Who Should Enrol?
You’ll need a Level 2 or 3 fitness qualification and industry experience, but most importantly, you’ll need curiosity, compassion, and a commitment to inclusivity.
This course is perfect if you want to:
Stand out in the fitness industry with a sought-after specialism
Support clients through pregnancy and beyond
Deliver evidence-based, safe, and effective sessions
Why Learn from Lesley?
Lesley’s approach blends decades of experience, academic expertise, and genuine empathy. Her teaching is warm, clear, and rooted in real-world application, meaning you’ll graduate feeling prepared, capable, and ready to make a meaningful impact.
For Lesley, this isn’t just a course — it’s a way to shape the future of inclusive, supportive fitness.
Ready to train with Lesley and make a difference in your clients’ lives?
Functional fitness to fascia training – the next big trends in fitness CPD courses
In the ever-evolving world of fitness, staying on top the latest trends is vital.
As new methods continue to emerge, fitness professionals who embrace these will be best positioned to lead, inspire, and grow their client base.
In this blog, YMCAfit will explore the top continuous professional development course trends shaping the rest of 2025 and beyond, from the rise of functional fitness to the growing impact of fascia-focused training – and how personal trainers can expand their skills, stay relevant, and elevate their coaching.
Evolution of functional fitness in the industry
Functional fitness is all about training your client’s body for real life. Think of it as movement with purpose – lifting, twisting, reaching, bending – normal things you expect your body to do on a daily basis. Things like carrying your shopping, racing about with the kids or running up the stairs.
What is making functional fitness training so popular is how natural it feels. There are no complicated routines for clients to master. Simply help them build strength and stability through exercises that their body already knows.
It’s effective, and accessible to everyone, regardless of their fitness level.
To stay ahead when it comes to fitness trends, professionals should be placing more emphasis on mental health and wellbeing. Functional fitness is a large leap on from six-packs, severe diets and shedding pounds. And because people are starting to care more about how they feel and move – not just how they look – functional fitness is becoming a revolution.
It’s an empowering way to train the body to handle everyday tasks more efficiently and safely and without discomfort.
For many clients, their goal might simply be to improve balance, stay flexible, and move with more ease. Others might be aiming to undo the strain of time hunched over a desk. And those people will find functional fitness fantastic for better posture, joint health, and core strength.
With more people spending their days sitting down and stressed, there’s a growing awareness around mobility, posture, and joint health. Functional fitness directly addresses these issues, offering strength, stability, and relief from stiffness – especially when they spend long hours at a laptop.
Whether they need to recover from an injury, chase after toddlers, or simply stay independent, functional movements are designed to meet your clients where they are.
Why fascia training is gaining popularity
A new approach currently making waves is that of helping people move more freely, feel less stiff, and perform at their best, both in everyday life and in fitness training.
It’s called fascial training, and it’s quickly becoming a go-to for those looking to support their body from the inside out.
If you’ve had clients complain about stiffness, tension, or unexplained aches, you might have talked to them about fascia – the web-like layer of connective tissue that surrounds muscles, organs, bones, and joints – rather like a full-body stretch of cling film that gives a body shape and structure.
It can often get tight and restricted, leading to limited mobility and pain. But through gentle, intentional movement, including things like dynamic stretching, foam rolling, or certain types of yoga, fascia training helps keep this essential system hydrated, flexible, and healthy.
Many people, and not just sports people, are benefiting from shortened recovery times following heavy competition or exercises, with many experiencing better posture, improved range of motion, fewer aches, and a greater sense of ease in moving about each day.
One method within this training type that is becoming incredibly popular with personal trainers is fascial release, in which pressure is placed on the restricted tissue via a foam roller or ball. This technique can relieve stiffness and help drain lymphatic fluids, as well as reduce swelling.
How CPD courses help PTs stay competitive
Those looking to stay ahead when it comes to fitness trends in 2025, should consider CPD courses. By adding an extra strand of body knowledge to your bow, you can shape your business’ future and increase your earning potential.
Investing in your future via our CPD courses means you can gain the necessary skills and knowledge you need to help your clients live healthier, happier lives. You’ll be better equipped to work with a wider range of clients, from athletes to older adults and even those in post-rehab.
Clients trust trainers who invest in their own growth – and that leads to better retention and word-of-mouth referrals.
Recommended CPD courses for 2025 and beyond
There are plenty of CPD courses to consider if you want to challenge your clients and stay ahead with fitness trends in 2025.
YMCAFIt offers a Supple Strength course, which is a mindful, full-body workout that blends elements of yoga, Pilates, and body conditioning to improve posture, core stability, and overall alignment.
This holistic approach focuses on both mental engagement and physical control, offering a powerful yet accessible way to stretch, strengthen, and stabilise the body.
In this course, you’ll learn how to design and deliver effective Supple Strength classes that help clients enhance their balance and confidence.
We also offer a one-day Total Barre® Foundation Course that equips instructors with the essential tools to design safe, effective, and versatile barre workouts tailored to clients of all abilities and goals.
You’ll be introduced to the six Total Barre Principles—core movement fundamentals that form the foundation for each exercise.
Through hands-on experience and guided exploration, you’ll learn how to apply these principles to promote dynamic stability, optimal mobility, and efficient, mindful movement.
By the end of the course, you’ll be ready to deliver energising, biomechanically sound barre classes with confidence and creativity.
YMCAFit Announced as Founding Partner of New Personal Training Course Comparison Platform
Discover Which Personal Training Course
YMCA Fit Announced as Founding Partner of New Personal Training Course Comparison Platform – Which Personal Trainer Course (WPTC)
YMCA Fit, a respected leader in fitness education and training, has been announced as one of the founding partners ofWhich Personal Trainer Course (WPTC) – a new comparison platform developed to help future fitness professionals make informed choices about their training providers.
WPTC serves as an unbiased and reliable guide for aspiring personal trainers, listing only CIMSPA-endorsed providers. The platform aims to offer clear, accurate comparisons, giving users confidence in selecting a course that meets both their career aspirations and industry benchmarks.
By joining WPTC as a founding partner, YMCA Fit stands alongside a group of providers committed to raising standards and ensuring quality in personal training education across the UK. The partnership reinforces YMCA Fit’s ongoing mission to support learners through accessible, evidence-based, and accredited training pathways.
“We’re proud to be involved in this initiative from the very beginning,” said Katherine Holl, Head of YMCA Fit. “Our goal has always been to empower fitness professionals with the tools, knowledge, and qualifications they need to thrive. Partnering with WPTC aligns perfectly with our values—supporting transparency and helping learners navigate the education landscape with clarity and confidence.”
WPTC’s Managing Director, James Luscombe, welcomed the partnership: “YMCA Fit brings decades of experience and a genuine passion for learner development. Their reputation for delivering impactful education makes them an ideal founding partner, and we’re thrilled to work together toward a more transparent and informed future for personal training education.”
The collaboration highlights a shared vision to elevate access, transparency, and consistency within the fitness training sector—ensuring the next generation of personal trainers enters the industry well-equipped and well-informed.
Keep an eye out for updates on new course launches, by following us on our socials!
