CIMSPA Education Partner badge featuring a circular design with the text "Quality Assured Enhancing" and three blue stars.
white badge stating "10 CIMSPA CPD Points Endorsed" with a crown icon at the top, indicating professional development accreditation.

Exercise For Older Adults

Level 3 Award Supporting Participation in Physical Activity – Older Adults

£340

  • 6 weeks

  • RQF accredited through YMCA Awards & CIMSPA Endorsed

  • Online blended learning

Book my place

Recognised and Credible

Our CPD’s are mapped to CIMSPA professional standards and valued by employers throughout the fitness industry.

Learning your way

Our CPD courses combine self paced online study and live tutor-led teaching in either F2F on webinar format.

Developed by Experts

This CPD has been created by a team of experienced and well-qualified team who are experts within their field and meets industry best practice. 

The Future of Fitness Includes Older Adults

Expand your client base by specialising in exercise for older adults—one of the fastest-growing demographics in the UK. With over 11 million people aged 65 and over and projections estimating that by 2043, nearly a quarter of the population will be over 65, the demand for tailored exercise programs is greater than ever. 

This course equips you with the skills to design and deliver fun, safe, and effective fitness sessions that cater to the unique needs of older adults, helping them stay active, independent, and healthy.

The Supporting Physical Activity for Older Adults CPD is an excellent complement to any other fitness qualifications you may hold, such as Personal Training, Yoga, Pilates, or Exercise to Music. The skills you learn can be used to teach group exercise classes or in one-on-one sessions with your older adult clients.  

Stay ahead of the curve by tapping into this thriving market!  

Please note that this qualification is designed to help you train older adults who are in overall good health. If you’d like to work with older adults who have mobility issues or serious health conditions, additional qualifications are recommended. 

Course Overview

Upgrade Your Skills. Unlock Your Future

Technical Skills

Adapt your routines for a growing demographic. Get qualified to teach exclusive classes for older adults and expand your earning potential.

Career progression

Gain the potential to earn more and increase your employability. Broaden your client base and help boost your earnings. Learn the skills and knowledge to build a longstanding career.

Support & confidence

Taught by experienced and industry-qualified tutors who will provide guidance and support throughout the course. Unparalleled support online, over the phone and in person.

Fully accredited

Our courses are internationally-recognised, Ofqual regulated and endorsed by CIMSPA, and their legitimacy will never be questioned.

Entry Requirements

Course Format

Accessible, convenient learning that works for you

Online

4 live tutor-led online sessions delivered by well-qualified, experienced industry professionals
eLearning Modules and online webinars through the interactive Suada learning platform
4 assessment tasks, including open book questions on Suada, information resources, and 2 case studies

YMCAfit Achieves Enhancing Status Across All CIMSPA-Endorsed CPDs

Enhancing Status recognises training that goes beyond professional standards, developing key skills such as communication, professionalism, adaptability, and client-centred practice. Achieving this status across our CPD portfolio reflects YMCAfit’s commitment to not just meeting industry expectations—but exceeding them.

Course Overview

What you will learn

  • Ageing and the effects of the ageing process
  • Healthy ageing and the role of physical activity and exercise 
  • Risks and contradictions to exercise 
  • Guidelines for best practice when delivering physical activity and exercise with older adults 
  • How to screen and assess older adults prior to participation in exercise 
  • Programming and adapting exercise for older adults 
  • Reviewing planned programmes for older adults 
Older man lifting a red dumbbell overhead while being assisted with arm stretch by a trainer in a gym setting.

Assessment

  • Open book knowledge tests
  • Case studies
  • Information resources
  • Independent research opportunities
Two older adults doing push-ups on mats in a bright gym with fitness equipment in the background.

Qualification

  • Next Generation Level 3 Award in Supporting Participation in Physical Activity – Older Adult
Group of four mature adults in sportswear outdoors, carrying yoga mat and water bottle, posing with arms around each other.

Entry requirements

  • You must be over 16 years of age.
  • Learners must have an accredited Level 2 (e.g. Gym Instructor or ETM) or Level 3 (e.g. Personal Trainer, Yoga, Pilates) to complete this course.
  • Where a prerequisite qualification has been achieved more than 3 years ago, learners will be required to supply additional evidence to verify their current competency, such as a CV, supporting statements from a manager and clients, and evidence of training undertaken in the last 3 years.
Older man smiling in gym

Ready to take the next step in your fitness career?

Secure your place on the next YMCAfit Exercise for Older Adults course today — get in touch now and start your journey with industry-leading tutors. 

Book my space

PT Courses Near You

We deliver our face-to-face courses from state-of-the-art venues across England. This course is currently running from:

Online

To find the best date and location for you, speak to one of our experienced course advisors.

Upcoming Dates

Online

Book My Place 

Simply complete the form below and one of our expert course advisors will be in touch shortly to get you enrolled. Start your future, today! 

Speak to a Course Advisor

Data protection

We will use these details to respond to your enquiry. Our Privacy Policy sets out how we will use and look after your data. If you would like to be contacted in the future about other services that may be of interest, please select the option below. You can opt out at any time by contacting Central YMCA.

Frequently asked questions

How is this course taught?

Our older adult course is delivered through live online tutor led sessions supported with eLearning which is hosted on Suada and independent study. You must have access to a laptop/desktop/ipad and reliable WiFi.

How many hours of study are expected per week?

On average, learners will need to complete 4-6 hours of independent study per week which includes online learning and completion of assessment activities.

What course resources will I be provided with?

Every learner will have access to Suada, our digital interactive learning platform. Your tutor will also provide you with further recommended reading. There is no manual available for this qualification, the resources are all digital via Suada.

Do I need to find a client for my case study?

No, case study clients must meet certain criteria, therefore you will be provided with a client profile on which to base your case study.

Explore other trending qualifications