GLOBAL PERSONAL TRAINER® ADVANCED CERTIFICATION PROGRAM

PERSONAL TRAINER & PILATES EQF 4
GLOBAL PERSONAL TRAINER®
ADVANCED CERTIFICATION PROGRAM
GLOBAL PERSONAL TRAINER® (40 h online learning + 42 h practical training in the gym)

Early Bird Price:
€1980

Price:
€2080

Instalment Price:
€436 x 5

  COURSE DATES

Global Personal Trainer® – your complete pathway to a professional, international fitness career

The Global Personal Trainer® Programme is an advanced training pathway for those who want to work professionally in the fitness industry, both locally and around the world.

Three professional qualifications. One complete trainer.

Global Personal Trainer® brings together the three key competencies every great trainer needs:

Gym Instructor: your foundation
The essential base. Safe, effective training, correct technique and a solid understanding of how the body moves. Everything else is built on this.

Nutrition Advisor: your nutrition essentials
The must-have knowledge about nutrition that helps your clients build healthy habits, recover well and achieve results that last.

Personal Trainer: your professional toolbox
The tools that set the best trainers apart: consultations, assessments, personalised programming, technique correction, motivation and the confidence to coach anyone, anywhere.

Together, they give you everything you need to work as a complete, confident and truly professional trainer.

Become a fully certified Global Personal Trainer

Whether you’re just starting your professional journey or looking to take your skills to the next level, this programme gives you everything you need to work confidently as a personal trainer, online and face-to-face.

How the course works

Global Personal Trainer® is a hybrid course that combines:

  • flexible online learning: all the theory is available on our e-learning platform, so you can study at your own pace, whenever it suits you
  • 6 days of hands-on practical training: where knowledge turns into real coaching skills

You can choose the format that fits your life best:

  • Intensive: all 6 practical days within one week
  • Weekend: one day a week, on a Saturday or Sunday

Everything else is online. All the theory is on our e-learning platform – including the four modules of the PFS Fitness Nutrition Adviser® (Nutrition Introduction, Fitness Supplementation, Nutrition for Specific Groups and Weight Management). The Nutrition Adviser qualification is included in the price of this course.

See course dates & book

Six practical days that make all the difference

This is where the magic happens, and where we put quality above everything else.

Days 1–3: seeing training through a trainer’s eyes
The first three days run alongside our Gym Instructor group, but your role is different. You’ll be practising as a personal trainer. You’ll learn to see why clients make mistakes, what causes them and, most importantly, how to fix them quickly and effectively. And you’ll learn to correct them step by step, so the improvement stays with your client for good.

Already completed the Gym Instructor course with ProFi? Then you come back for Days 1 and 2 once more – this time in the role of a personal trainer. You already know the exercises; now you learn how to teach them: how to see why a client makes a mistake, how to correct it step by step and how to coach the exercise clearly. You then continue with Days 4–6 of the Personal Trainer programme.

Days 4–6: your personal trainer skillset
The final days are intense, focused and packed with the practical skills that help you stand out in the fitness market. You’ll leave with tools you can use with clients straight away.

Your practical training programme

Day 1 Introduction to Gym Training – Practical Session at the Training Venue
Day 2 Free Weights & Functional Equipment – Practical Session at the Training Venue
Day 3 PFS 3 Recovery Courses in 1® (Stretching | Foam Rolling | Fascia Training)
Day 4 PFS 3 Functional Courses in 1® (Suspension Training | Resistance Bands | Fitball) – Practical Session at the Training Venue
Day 5 PFS 3 Postural Assessment in 1® (Correction | Core Stability | Healthy Back) – Practical Session at the Training Venue
Day 6 Live Coaching, Evaluation & Graduation – Practical Session at the Training Venue

All practical sessions take place at our training venue.

Pay once – come back as many times as you want. You can repeat the practical days of this programme as many times as you like, at no extra cost – to refresh your skills, gain more practice or build confidence.

Every practical day is a full 8-hour specialisation

Days 3, 4 and 5 are complete CPD courses of 8 hours each, and you receive a separate CPD diploma for each of them. A class lasts one hour – our courses give you a full day on each specialisation, so you can start delivering it straight away.

Quality comes first

At ProFi Fitness School, we’d rather teach you properly than teach you quickly. Small practical groups, experienced international educators and plenty of real coaching practice mean you get the attention, feedback and confidence you need to succeed.

You won’t just finish the course with a certificate. You’ll finish it ready to coach.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need a Gym Instructor qualification first?
No. The Global Personal Trainer® Programme already includes the Gym Instructor and Fitness Nutrition Adviser® qualifications.

I already did the Gym Instructor course with ProFi. What do I attend?
You come back for Days 1 and 2 to learn how to teach and correct the exercises as a personal trainer, then continue with Days 4–6.

Is the theory online?
Yes. All theory, including the four Nutrition Adviser modules, is on our e-learning platform with lifetime access.

How many practical days are there?
Six – either in one intensive week or one day a week at weekends.

Can I repeat the practical days?
Yes. You pay once and can come back as many times as you want, at no extra cost.

Ready to take the next step?

If you’re serious about becoming a personal trainer who truly makes a difference, we’d love to welcome you on the Global Personal Trainer® Programme.

“Start your journey to becoming a certified, confident, and in-demand personal trainer—anywhere in the world.”

For Bookings & Inquiries:

Michael Doocey
General Manager, ProFi Fitness School
office@profi-fitness.ie
+353 860 723 820

Do I need any previous qualifications?

Formally, no. You can join the Global Personal Trainer® Programme without any previous qualifications, as Gym Instructor is already built into the course.

However, we do recommend having a previous fitness qualification, or at least solid training experience, before you start. It means you’ll arrive with a strong foundation and get much more out of every practical day.

Which path is right for me?

We want every student to succeed, so we’ll always recommend the path that suits you best:

  • If you already have training experience, you’re ready to go straight into the Global Personal Trainer® Programme and gain all three qualifications in one complete pathway.
  • If you’re completely new to training, we recommend starting with the Gym Instructor course first. Give yourself some time to put your knowledge into practice in the gym, and then come back for the Global Personal Trainer® Programme. You’ll get far more out of it, and you’ll coach with much more confidence.

Did the Gym Instructor course first? When you join the Global Personal Trainer® Programme, you attend Days 1 and 2 again – this time learning how to teach and correct the exercises as a personal trainer – and then continue with Days 4–6. All theory, including the Nutrition Adviser modules, is on the e-learning platform and included in the programme.

Not sure which option is right for you? Get in touch and we’ll gladly help you choose.

Who is this course for?

The Global Personal Trainer® Programme is ideal for people who:

  • love fitness and want to turn it into a career
  • want to help others reach their goals and genuinely change lives
  • are outgoing, motivated and eager to keep growing their knowledge
  • want to work one-to-one, in small groups or online
  • want a qualification that stands out to employers and clients
  • dream of building their own personal training business

Learning support

If you have any learning difficulties or disabilities, please let us know when you register. We’ll make sure you get the support you need to learn comfortably and succeed.

82 hours of learning. One complete pathway.

Global Personal Trainer® is a hybrid course with 82 hours of learning in total, divided into two structured stages. You’ll start with flexible online lessons and then put everything into practice during hands-on training in the gym, so every piece of theory becomes a skill you can actually use with clients.

We’ve built it this way for one reason: quality. The second stage builds directly on the first, so by the time you finish, you’re not just qualified. You’re ready.

Stage 1 – Self-Paced Online Learning

Study at your own pace on our dedicated e-learning platform, with more than 40 hours of recorded lessons.

  • Lifetime access: your course materials stay with you for good.
  • Free updates: every new update and every new topic we add is included in the price of your course. The platform keeps growing, and so does your knowledge.
  • Stress-free quizzes: each lesson ends with a short completion quiz. No grades, no pressure and unlimited retakes at no extra cost.

You’ll build the core foundations every personal trainer needs:

PFS Functional Anatomy & Physiology®
Understand how the human body moves and works during exercise, the foundation of everything you’ll do as a trainer.

PFS Client Management®
Learn postural assessment and movement analysis, so you can understand your clients’ needs and spot imbalances early.

PFS Exercise Technique®
Master correct form for a wide range of strength and functional exercises, keeping clients safe while getting the best results.

PFS Mobility & Flexibility® Theory
Discover how mobility and flexibility support overall fitness and help prevent injury.

PFS Cardio Fitness Programming® Theory
Learn how to design effective cardiovascular programmes for different fitness levels and goals.

PFS Nutrition Introduction®
Get to grips with the fundamentals of nutrition and the key role it plays in helping clients reach their goals.

PFS Fitness Supplementation®
What works, what doesn’t, and how to advise clients sensibly and responsibly.

PFS Weight Management®
Evidence-based strategies for fat loss, muscle gain and long-term weight maintenance.

PFS Nutrition for Specific Groups®
How to adapt training and nutrition to your clients’ age, goals and individual needs.

PFS Body Shaping Trainer®
Explore body transformation strategies that combine tailored training with the key principles of fat loss, muscle toning and client motivation.

PFS Mindset & Stress Management®
Learn how mindset coaching and stress management help clients overcome obstacles and make lasting lifestyle changes.

PFS Mentorship & Growth Strategy®
Plan your professional future with structured mentorship and proven strategies for building a successful, sustainable fitness business.

Stage 2 – Hands-On Practical Training in the Gym

Six days of practical training at the training venue, where everything you have learned online comes to life:

Day 1 Introduction to Gym Training – Practical Session at the Training Venue
Day 2 Free Weights & Functional Equipment – Practical Session at the Training Venue
Day 3 PFS 3 Recovery Courses in 1® (Stretching | Foam Rolling | Fascia Training)
Day 4 PFS 3 Functional Courses in 1® (Suspension Training | Resistance Bands | Fitball) – Practical Session at the Training Venue
Day 5 PFS 3 Postural Assessment in 1® (Correction | Core Stability | Healthy Back) – Practical Session at the Training Venue
Day 6 Live Coaching, Evaluation & Graduation – Practical Session at the Training Venue

Already completed the Gym Instructor course with ProFi? Then you come back for Days 1 and 2 once more – this time in the role of a personal trainer. You already know the exercises; now you learn how to teach them: how to see why a client makes a mistake, how to correct it step by step and how to coach the exercise clearly. You then continue with Days 4–6 of the Personal Trainer programme.

Why our approach works

Many courses teach theory. Some teach practice. We make sure you get both, done properly: flexible online learning you can return to for life, followed by small-group practical training in the gym where you get real attention and honest feedback from experienced educators.

That’s the ProFi standard. Quality first, always.

“We recommend our best students to employers who are looking for great trainers. So come ready to impress us.”

At ProFi Fitness School, our exams aren’t there to catch you out. They’re there to make sure you leave the course genuinely ready to work with clients, because quality is what our name stands for. We’ll support you every step of the way.

How you’re assessed

Your Personal Trainer (EQF Level 4) Diploma is assessed in two parts: interim assessments during the course, and a final examination on the last day.

1. Interim assessments

Throughout the course, you’ll complete short practical and theoretical assessments. Your scores count towards your final result, so your hard work along the way really pays off.

If you don’t pass an interim assessment the first time, don’t worry. You’ll simply repeat it. We’ll explain the details of each assessment at the right stage of the course.

2. Final examination day

The final examination takes place on the last day of your practical training and includes:

Theory

  • PFS Anatomy & Physiology: 72 multiple-choice questions
  • Personal Trainer Principles of Practice: 72 multiple-choice questions

A short sample test is available, so you can see what the questions look like before the exam.

Practical
A practical exam in the gym, where you present your training programme and coach your client through each part of the session, as described below.

Practical Personal Trainer exam format

Client Introduction
Introduce yourself to your client and briefly explain the plan for the session.

Warm-Up (5 minutes)
You’ll be assessed on:

  • choosing the right activities and demonstrating correct range of movement
  • joint mobility
  • appropriate intensity
  • conditioning exercises
  • active stretching exercises
  • teaching points
  • correcting errors

Present and Teach 9 Exercises (10 minutes)
Your external assessor will tell you which exercises to demonstrate. You’ll show how to perform them correctly and safely, using the gym equipment.

Present 2 Training Methods for 1 Exercise (2 minutes)
Choose two of the following:

  • Pyramid Training
  • Isometric Training
  • Super Series
  • German Volume Training
  • Cheating Reps

Alternative Exercises (5 minutes)
Your external examiner will choose four exercises from this list:

  • Shoulder Press
  • Leg Press
  • Triceps Kickback
  • Squat
  • Plank
  • Lat Pulldown
  • Cable Chest Fly
  • Lunge
  • Press-Up

Cardio (5 minutes)
This can take place after your warm-up or towards the end of your exam. You can use one of the following machines:

  • Exercise Bike
  • Treadmill
  • Rower
  • Cross Trainer

You’ll be assessed on:

  • machine set-up and demonstration
  • correcting errors
  • increasing intensity
  • fartlek or interval training

Cool-Down and Static Stretching (3 minutes)
Demonstrate static stretches for:

  • quads
  • hamstrings
  • back
  • chest
  • arms

All exercises must come from those covered in the Gym Instructor and Personal Trainer manuals, so everything you need is already in your course materials.

PFS Nutrition Adviser® examination – included in the programme

The Nutrition Adviser exam helps you bring together everything you’ve learned in the course. It includes:

  • real-life case studies
  • a practical class using body-fat calipers
  • an end-of-course multiple-choice test with 64 questions

You’ll also have short pop quizzes throughout the course. They’re not there to put pressure on you. They help us spot any areas you find tricky early on, so you get all the help and support you need to succeed.

Exam procedures and repeats

For full details on examination procedures and repeats, please see our Terms and Conditions.

CERTIFICATION

Internationally recognised. REPs Ireland accredited.

When you complete the Global Personal Trainer® Programme, you don’t just leave with new skills. You leave with qualifications that open doors, in Ireland and internationally.

Main qualifications

Gym Instructor
EQF Level 3 | NFQ Level 4

Personal Trainer
EQF Level 4 | NFQ Level 5

PFS Fitness Nutrition Adviser®
EQF Level 3 | NFQ Level 4

Ireland completed the referencing of the Irish National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) to the European Qualifications Framework (EQF) in 2009.

Plus three CPD diplomas

Alongside your main qualifications, you’ll also receive three CPD diplomas from the specialist courses included in your practical training:

  • PFS 3 Recovery Courses in 1® (Stretching | Foam Rolling | Fascia Training)
  • PFS 3 Functional Courses in 1® (Suspension Training | Resistance Bands | Fitball)
  • PFS 3 Postural Assessment in 1® (Correction | Core Stability | Healthy Back)

That’s a strong, well-rounded portfolio that shows employers and clients you’ve invested in real, practical expertise.

Examination

An exam is required to complete the programme. You’ll find all the details in the EXAM tab above.

Accreditation

This course is accredited by REPs Ireland and recognised internationally through ICREPs, the International Confederation of Registers for Exercise Professionals.

REPs Ireland ensures its standards are mapped to, and wherever possible meet, the relevant international standards. This means REPs Ireland members can have their professional status recognised by other national registers around the world.

A qualification you can be proud of

At ProFi Fitness School, quality matters more than anything. Our certifications reflect real knowledge and real practical skills, because your clients deserve a trainer who is properly prepared.



Places on our courses are limited, and we keep our practical groups small so every student gets proper attention. That’s why places are allocated strictly on a first-come, first-served basis, with no exceptions.

Securing your place

  • To secure your place, payment should be made when you register.
  • You have 5 calendar days from registration for your payment to reach us.
  • If we haven’t received your payment within those 5 days, your place will be offered to someone who has already paid. If places are still available, you’re welcome to register again.
  • The 5-day period cannot be extended. You also can’t register again for the same course while your first 5 days are still running.

Early Bird payments

If you register at the Early Bird price but your payment doesn’t reach us within 5 calendar days, your booking will move to the Regular Price, as set out in our Terms and Conditions. No exceptions can be made.

Payments not completed before the course starts

If you’ve registered at the Regular or Early Bird price and we haven’t received the full amount before the course begins, your booking will be moved to Instalment payments.

PAYMENT OPTIONS

Early Bird
Available on selected courses, dates or locations only. Where it’s shown, the offer ends 28 calendar days before the course starts.

If you see an Early Bird offer, we’d recommend acting quickly. It’s a great way to secure your place on the course at a special price.

Regular Price
Payment must be made in full and reach us before the course starts. Please allow time for bank transfers to go through, as places are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, as explained in our Payment Rules.

Instalments
Prefer to spread the cost? Depending on the course, you can pay in 3 to 5 instalments. You’ll find the exact number of instalments for your course during registration, and full details are set out in our Terms and Conditions.

PAYMENT METHODS

Once you register, we’ll guide you through the payment process step by step. You can pay by:

  • Bank transfer
  • PayPal
  • Credit or debit card

Please note that we don’t accept cash payments.

Need help?

If you have any questions about payment, please check our FAQ page first. If you still need help, just get in touch through the Contact section and we’ll be happy to help.

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