Courses
Sports Massage, Personal Trainer & Nutrition Courses
Course route finder
Which training route fits your next step?
Sports massage is taught in person in Chichester, and Personal Training is studied online with in-person assessment. Compare the starting requirements and practical focus before requesting current course information.
Our flagship courseFlagship practical route
Level 3 Sports Massage
Build consultation, treatment and professional foundations for responsible Level 3 sports massage practice.
No specific prior qualification; physical readiness and Level 3 communication skills are expected
Online study£999 course only · Online study
Personal Training
Study Personal Training online for £999 and attend in person only for assessment. Build on your suitable Level 2 fitness qualification.
Suitable Level 2 Gym Instructing or Fitness Instructing qualification
Online studyStarting without a fitness qualification
Level 2 Gym Instructor
Start with the gym instruction foundation before progressing to Level 3 Personal Training. Study online and attend in person for assessment.
Gym and free-weight experience recommended; confirm entry and participation requirements
Qualification details being confirmed
Explore this coursePractical trainingPlanned advanced route · £1,997.99
Level 4 Sports Massage
A planned progression from Level 3, with practical training in Chichester. The exact award, syllabus and dates are being confirmed.
A Level 3 sports massage qualification
Qualification details being confirmed
Explore this courseProgression
Level 4 is a progression route after an appropriate Level 3 Sports Massage qualification, not a peer foundation route.
Course comparison
Find your starting point
The comparison separates verified qualification facts from details SSTA still needs to confirm.
Open the courses you want to compare. Each shows the same four questions.
Level 3 Sports Massage
- Starting point
- No specific prior qualification; physical readiness and Level 3 communication skills are expected
- Practical focus
- Consultation, treatment techniques, client care and safe professional scope
- Qualification
- Active IQ Level 3 Technical Specialist in Sports Massage Therapy (Diploma)
- Current details
- £1,997.99, or a £197.99 deposit and monthly instalments · Dates confirmed once the group fills
Personal Training
- Starting point
- Suitable Level 2 Gym Instructing or Fitness Instructing qualification
- Practical focus
- Client assessment, programme design, coaching and nutrition guidance within scope
- Qualification
- Active IQ Level 3 Technical Occupational Entry in Personal Training (Diploma)
- Current details
- £999 · Online learning · Attendance only for assessment. Check your Level 2 qualification and assessment dates.
Level 2 Gym Instructor
- Starting point
- Gym and free-weight experience recommended; confirm entry and participation requirements
- Practical focus
- Gym instruction, exercise planning and professional responsibilities
- Qualification
- Exact qualification and awarding details to be confirmed
- Current details
- Online study · Attendance only for assessment · Confirm current enrolment, exact award and fee
Level 4 Sports Massage
- Starting point
- A Level 3 sports massage qualification
- Practical focus
- Planned: advanced assessment and treatment planning (syllabus to be confirmed)
- Qualification
- Exact qualification and awarding details to be confirmed
- Current details
- Planned course · £1,997.99 · In person in Chichester · Exact award and dates not yet confirmed
| Compare | Level 3 Sports Massage | Personal Training | Level 2 Gym Instructor | Level 4 Sports Massage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Starting point | No specific prior qualification; physical readiness and Level 3 communication skills are expected | Suitable Level 2 Gym Instructing or Fitness Instructing qualification | Gym and free-weight experience recommended; confirm entry and participation requirements | A Level 3 sports massage qualification |
| Practical focus | Consultation, treatment techniques, client care and safe professional scope | Client assessment, programme design, coaching and nutrition guidance within scope | Gym instruction, exercise planning and professional responsibilities | Planned: advanced assessment and treatment planning (syllabus to be confirmed) |
| Qualification | Active IQ Level 3 Technical Specialist in Sports Massage Therapy (Diploma) | Active IQ Level 3 Technical Occupational Entry in Personal Training (Diploma) | Exact qualification and awarding details to be confirmed | Exact qualification and awarding details to be confirmed |
| Current details | £1,997.99, or a £197.99 deposit and monthly instalments · Dates confirmed once the group fills | £999 · Online learning · Attendance only for assessment. Check your Level 2 qualification and assessment dates. | Online study · Attendance only for assessment · Confirm current enrolment, exact award and fee | Planned course · £1,997.99 · In person in Chichester · Exact award and dates not yet confirmed |
Course facts at a glance
| Course | Level | Format | Fee | Where taught or assessed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Level 3 Sports Massage | Level 3: Active IQ 610/3925/1 | In person, groups of up to 10 | £1,997.99, or a £197.99 deposit then 3 × £600, 4 × £450 or 6 × £300 (same total) | Taught in person in Chichester; the venue for each group is confirmed in writing before you pay |
| Level 4 Sports Massage | Level 4: awarding body being confirmed | In person; needs an appropriate Level 3 first | £1,997.99 | Taught in person in Chichester; the venue for each group is confirmed in writing before you pay |
| Level 2 Gym Instructor | Level 2: ask SSTA to confirm the exact award | Online study with in-person assessment; confirm current enrolment | Not yet published | Studied online; assessed in person (ask SSTA where) |
| Level 3 Personal Trainer | Level 3: Active IQ Personal Training Diploma; needs a suitable Level 2 first | Online learning; attend in person only for assessment | £999, course only | Studied online; assessed in person (ask SSTA where) |
| Nutrition | The qualification, fee and format will be confirmed by the end of November 2026. Register your interest to hear first. | |||
Your next step
What follows Level 3 Sports Massage?
Progression should follow your existing qualification and intended scope. Ask SSTA to check your starting qualification before making plans around Level 4.
Specialist and supporting routes
Explore the wider course list
Nutrition course details are still being confirmed. Register interest without assuming a cohort is open.
In-person training takes place in Chichester, West Sussex. Plan travel and attendance. Studying at the University of Chichester? See the Level 3 sports massage information for University of Chichester students. There are no other venues yet, but a group may run in another South or South East town if enough local learners register: register your town. Training a team? Book a group for your staff. Unsure which prerequisite applies? Ask a course question. Planning your study? Use the free course planning resources.