Around 4 minutes to read · Updated 7 September 2026
Published by Serious Sports Training Academy
At a glance
- Compare the exact award and your starting qualification before comparing course packages.
- Confirm the teaching location and practical attendance for the specific route.
- Request current fees and inclusions directly; SSTA dates are confirmed once the course fills.
- This is SSTA’s own guide, not an independent ranking or a claim that one provider is best.
Compare the same starting point
First write down your existing qualification, including its title and awarding organisation. The Active IQ Level 3 Personal Training route identified by SSTA requires a suitable Level 2 gym or fitness instructing qualification. Personal gym experience does not automatically replace that prerequisite.
A package containing a Level 2 foundation and Level 3 progression will involve a different commitment from a Level 3-only course. Ask each provider which awards are included and how they check entry eligibility. If you need the foundation, discuss SSTA’s Level 2 route rather than assuming it is part of the PT fee.
Check the practical location behind the provider name
The examples below are a research starting point for Sussex applicants, including a Hampshire option for people comparing across the county boundary. They are not a complete list of providers or proof of a place on a current course. Public pages were checked on 7 September 2026; confirm the details for the route you intend to take.
Scroll sideways to compare the columns. Row labels stay visible.
| Provider | What the public information establishes | What to check next |
|---|---|---|
| SSTA | Personal training course information with teaching in Chichester, West Sussex | Accepted Level 2 award, current practical attendance, assessment and cohort process |
| University of Brighton / Sport Brighton | Public gym and fitness qualification information | Current course route, applicant eligibility, practical venue and admissions arrangements |
| Future Fit — Portsmouth | Provider describes PT workshops in Portsmouth and e-learning | Exact package, awards, compulsory workshop attendance and suitability for your starting point |
Ask how practice becomes assessment evidence
Find out how teaching, your own practice and assessment fit together. Ask what a tutor observes, what feedback you receive and what happens if you need another attempt. The existence of an online learning area does not tell you how much supervised practical work is included.
Keep guided learning, total qualification time and the practical attendance timetable separate when providers describe hours. Ask for the actual arrangement you are buying rather than treating the largest number as the best course. Confirm any work or caring commitments against the planned attendance before deciding.
Compare the whole commitment privately
Collect a written explanation of tuition, registration, materials, assessment, reassessment, travel and any optional extras. We do not publish SSTA course prices here; admissions can provide the current fee and inclusions for your route.
Course dates and the timetable at SSTA are confirmed once the course fills. Ask how that process fits your availability and wait for confirmation before booking non-refundable travel. A provider’s advertised delivery pattern is not evidence that another provider uses the same format.
Make graduate support specific
Ask which support will be available after your course and what job it helps you do. Application guidance, business teaching and booking tools are different benefits. None is a guarantee of employment, clients or income.
SSTA’s Graduate Business Hub and Business Launch Workshop are separate parts of the support conversation. Confirm the availability and terms for your course, including when any platform access starts and how long it lasts. Judge the actual offer alongside the teaching and award, rather than treating a feature list as the qualification itself.
Common questions
Frequently asked questions
Does this page rank providers from best to worst?
No. It is a comparison framework published by SSTA. The provider examples show different research options; the best fit depends on your entry qualification, attendance needs and intended work.
Do I need Level 2 before the SSTA PT route?
The Active IQ Level 3 route identified by SSTA requires a suitable Level 2 gym or fitness instructing qualification. Ask admissions to check your exact certificate.
Is the Portsmouth option a Sussex teaching venue?
No. Portsmouth is a Hampshire option included for applicants considering nearby counties. SSTA’s venue described here is in Chichester, West Sussex.
Sources and further reading
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