Competitions built around this model—such as HYROX—have helped drive its rapid growth and inspire athletes around the world. As more clients begin training for these events, personal trainers are adapting their coaching methods to support this new wave of performance-focused fitness.

At YMCAfit, our Hybrid Fitness Coach CPD course has been designed to help trainers develop the knowledge and practical skills needed to coach athletes in this exciting and rapidly expanding space. But what exactly is hybrid fitness—and why is it becoming such a big part of the future of training?

Hybrid fitness is all about combining strength and endurance training within the same programme. Instead of focusing on one aspect of fitness alone, hybrid training develops well-rounded athletes who are strong, resilient, and capable across multiple physical demands.

A typical hybrid training session might include:

• Running intervals
• Rowing or Ski Erg work
• Squats, lunges, and strength training
• Carries and sled pushes
• High-intensity functional movements

This balanced approach helps clients build complete athletic performance, rather than specialising in a single fitness component.

Competitions such as HYROX, ATHX, Obstacle Course Racing, and CrossFit all showcase the hybrid training model, combining endurance challenges with demanding functional workouts.

One of the reasons these events have become so popular is their accessibility. While competitive in nature, many hybrid fitness events place strong emphasis on personal achievement and progress, creating an inclusive environment where athletes of all abilities can take part.

Hybrid fitness has grown rapidly in recent years, particularly in the UK. As more people take part in events like HYROX, gyms and coaches are increasingly adapting their training programmes to support clients preparing for competition.

In fact, the number of HYROX-affiliated gyms in the UK increased from just 18 to more than 120 in a single year—a clear sign that hybrid fitness is quickly becoming a major part of the fitness landscape. For personal trainers, this shift presents a fantastic opportunity. Clients are looking for coaches who understand the demands of hybrid competitions and can help them train effectively for strength, endurance, and functional performance all at once.

How Personal Trainers Can Stay Ahead

To succeed in today’s evolving fitness industry, personal trainers must continue to expand their knowledge and coaching skills.

Hybrid fitness requires an understanding of multiple training methods—from strength programming and conditioning work to recovery strategies and competition preparation.

Continued Professional Development (CPD) courses are one of the most effective ways to stay ahead. At YMCAfit, our practical training courses are designed to help coaches develop the expertise needed to support clients training for modern fitness challenges.

By investing in CPD, trainers can:

• Expand their coaching skillset
• Increase confidence working with performance-based clients
• Offer more specialised services
• Stay relevant in a rapidly evolving fitness industry

That’s where YMCAfit’s Hybrid Fitness Coach CPD Course comes in!

The Hybrid Fitness Coach CPD course provides the tools and knowledge needed to guide clients through the physical demands of functional fitness competitions like HYROX, ATHX, Obstacle Course Racing, and CrossFit.

Throughout the course, you will learn how to coach key competition movements and develop effective training strategies that help athletes perform at their best.

The course covers:

• Coaching erg-based movements including RowErg, SkiErg, and BikeErg
• Improving running efficiency and endurance performance
• Mastering functional competition exercises such as wall balls, burpees, sled work, farmers carries, rope climbs, and box jumps
• Designing structured training programmes tailored to hybrid fitness events
• Supporting athletes with tapering strategies, nutrition guidance, and recovery planning

By the end of the course, you will be equipped with the skills and confidence to coach athletes preparing for functional fitness competitions.

Meet Your Tutor

“Alongside my teaching work, I am a qualified strength and conditioning coach and an Associate Member of the UK Strength and Conditioning Association. I have worked with individuals across a range of sports and have a particular interest in performance-based training and long-term athletic development.

I remain actively involved in competitive sport and currently compete in indoor rowing, which continues to shape my coaching philosophy by combining practical experience with evidence-based sport science.

Academically, I hold a PGCE, a Master’s degree in Education Leadership, and a Postgraduate Certificate in Applied Sport and Exercise Science.

Having spent many years working and training within the industry, I’ve seen how coaching philosophies and training methods evolve over time. I enjoy combining that experience with evidence-based practice to help others develop the knowledge, confidence, and coaching ability needed to support their own clients and athletes.”

Katherine Holl is a highly respected leader within the health, fitness and education sector, with over 20 years’ experience shaping high-quality training provision both in the UK and internationally. Her career spans public, third-sector and commercial environments, including senior leadership roles across Europe and the Middle East, giving her a truly global perspective on fitness education and workforce development. 

As Head of YMCAfit, Katherine leads the strategic direction of the curriculum, ensuring it remains innovative, inclusive and responsive to the evolving needs of the industry. She is deeply committed to quality, learner progression and safeguarding, with extensive experience guiding teams through external inspections and embedding robust quality assurance practices. 

She actively champions female leadership, inclusive practice, and lifelong participation in physical activity. Her dedication is reflected in undertaking YMCAfit’s menopause qualification, equipping fitness professionals to support women with empathy, evidence, and care, while breaking down stigma around life-stage health issues. 

Her teaching and leadership practice ensures that qualifications are accessible, supportive, and responsive to diverse client needs. Drawing on her experience across further education, independent training providers, and international academies, Katherine shapes YMCAfit qualifications to build a skilled, confident, and compassionate fitness workforce. 

Even in a senior strategic role, Katherine stays hands-on, working directly as a Group Fitness Instructor at Brunel YMCA. This dual perspective—strategic and practical—allows her to lead with authenticity, credibility, and a deep understanding of both learners and practitioners. 

Katherine is widely respected for motivating teams, driving continuous improvement, and championing education as a force for social impact. Her work embodies the YMCA’s values and demonstrates how the fitness industry can improve lives, strengthen communities, and empower women locally, nationally, and globally. 

With extensive experience as a fitness tutor, assessor, and internal quality assurer, Katherine delivers a wide range of industry-recognized qualifications, from Gym Instructor and Personal Training to Yoga, Indoor Cycling, and Nutrition. Her teaching practice emphasizes women’s health, inclusive delivery, and learner wellbeing, ensuring that every qualification reflects best practice and diverse client needs. 

Through her leadership, Katherine continues to shape a fitness workforce that is skilled, confident, and compassionate—ready to support women and communities with care and expertise. 

This International Women’s Day, let us follow Katherine’s example: invest in women, share knowledge, and create opportunities that uplift others. Every act of giving—whether mentoring, advocating, or supporting female participation in fitness—helps build a stronger, more inclusive industry where everyone can thrive. 

The Next Generation Level 3 Diploma in Exercise and Fitness has been designed with direct employer input, ensuring learners graduate with the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to thrive in today’s fitness industry. 

This CIMSPA-endorsed dual qualification enables learners to meet industry standards to work as both a Gym Instructor and Personal Trainer, covering everything from anatomy and physiology to client consultations, programme design, and business skills. This the course blends: 

• Tutor-led face-to-face training days 

• Live online webinars 

• Independent study via YMCAfit’s interactive digital learning platform 

• On-demand, open-book theory assessments 

• Practical, real-world assessments that reflect the role of a fitness professional 

Because were dedicated to ensuring anyone who is eager to make a change and begin a new career can, we give you the option of either full-time or part-time study! Get the same quality, support and industry recognised qualification at YOUR pace.

It’s structured, supportive, and flexible — ideal for learners balancing study alongside work or other commitments. 

After completing her Master’s in Education, Abbee has dedicated her career to creating engaging, inclusive, and meaningful learning experiences. She has supported learners and educators alike — from mentoring teaching staff and observing practice, to internal verification and maintaining high-quality standards across qualifications. 

Her passion shines particularly strongly in Anatomy and Physiology, an area many learners find challenging but essential for long-term success in health and fitness careers. 

“I love helping learners deepen their understanding of anatomy and physiology — not just to pass assessments, but to build lasting knowledge they can confidently apply throughout their careers.” 

Abbee is known for creating positive, supportive, and collaborative learning environments, where learners feel motivated, confident, and fully supported — whatever their starting point. 

One of the standout features of the Level 3 Diploma in Gym Instructing and Personal Training is the level of tutor support available. Learners benefit from:

• A dedicated tutor throughout the qualification 

• Regular progress checks and drop-in sessions 

• Clear assessment plans and staged assessments to support timely achievement 

• A digital learning experience that includes videos, quizzes, flashcards, and peer interaction

• Abbee’s background in quality assurance and internal verification means learners are guided not only to succeed, but to meet national standards with confidence.

More than just a qualification 

This course is about more than ticking boxes — it’s about preparing learners for real-world success. From delivering gym-based sessions to planning personal training programmes and learning how to market yourself as a professional, the qualification supports learners to develop technical skills alongside communication, confidence, and professionalism. 

And when Abbee isn’t supporting learners? You’ll likely find her out running (often after her children!), exploring new places through travel, enjoying great food, or sourcing the perfect strong coffee — she’s a self-confessed coffee connoisseur! 

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. 

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. 

• 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 

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. 

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. 

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. 

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.