HFI Training Ltd – where industry meets academia

At HFI we believe in having the best of both worlds – academic and industry-based qualifications. These two pathways seem to have developed independently but HFI have always endeavored to create a balance between the two, with respect for both. We have been especially focused over the past 10 years since we began offering vocational qualifications within universities. We will keep trying!

If you are not sure whether already deliver courses at your university or would like to express an interest in us hosting courses there please go to the current universities list.

If you know HFI already offer courses at your universities then go to the particular course (eg level 2 gym instructor) and you will find your course there.

HFI was borne out of academia 20 years ago and has since built an excellent reputation within UK universities and the fitness industry alike. Unlike other training providers, we understand both the academic and the industry routes. We understand that the best fitness professionals should have a balance of the two – simple as that!

HFI specialise in assisting academic establishments to increase the employability of their sport, exercise of health-related graduates, allowing them to do so without compromising academic rigor. However, as we are also firmly based within the fitness industry, we can understand why employers demand specific skill sets from fitness professionals, which degrees lack.

HFI’s recognised industry qualifications and the more academically challenging ACSM certifications provide the full range of degree add-on qualifications to enhance the employability of sport, exercise and health-related degree and MSc graduates. The health fitness industry basic qualifications (Level 2,3,4) are directed towards the fitness industry and personal training but can also enable undergraduates to gain valuable related work experience during their degree study years. Sport/exercise graduates or 3rd years with ACSM HFS qualification will be granted provisional Level 3 status with REPs and this group can take HFI graduate FAST-TRACK to full Level 3 Personal Trainer without having to take the Level 2 gym qualification

The ACSM Health Fitness Specialist qualification also is a credible industry qualification which allows graduates to gain the BASES accreditation as a Certified Exercise Practitioner.

The ACSM Health Fitness Specialist qualification is the perfect degree partner and is a more generalised health / fitness / sports medicine qualification, highly regarded and well recognised within the NHS, private medical companies and sports organisations. We can offer your students a greatly reduced rate for the ACSM Certification.

We offer the full range of courses to universities and we can advise you and your university faculty about the most popular and employment-enhancing qualifications for sport/exercise/health-related degree undergraduates.

HFI Training is the vocational training partner of choice for universities because we are the innovators in this area and because our tutors all have both academic and vocational backgrounds, and so are able relate to undergraduates and graduates, providing a much more effective learning environment.

ACSM is the academic, research-based organisation with the most stringent certification structure in the world. The ACSM CPT is the fitness industry standard and is academically above the UK Level 3. The ACSM CPT is seen as an academic personal trainer qualification for those who are already qualified at Level 3 in the fitness industry.

The ACSM HFS is the postgraduate health fitness qualification accepted as a degree enhancer across many health and sport related industries. The ACSM HFS is also accepted as a post-degree level, academic personal trainer and special populations qualification for those who are already qualified at Level 3 or 4 in the fitness industry.

Bases accept ACSM HSF as an industry qualification to gain accreditation as a BASES CEP (Certified Exercise Practitioner).

Motivational Interviewing is a 1-day practical workshop for any heath or sports-related undergraduate aiming to work in a role where behaviour change or adherence to treatment or a training regime is the desired outcome.

The ACSM Clinical Exercise Specialist is a masters degree level qualification for those who have gained an undergraduate degree and more than 500 hours of phase 2 clinical cardiac, pulmonary and metabolic exercise rehabilitation experience.

ACSM Registered Clinical Exercise Physiology is a masters degree level qualification for those who have gained more extensive experience in phase 2 clinical cardiac, pulmonary and metabolic exercise rehabilitation experience.

Qualifications We Currently Offer to Universities

HFI Certified Fitness Instructor CFI2 - Level 2 REPs certificate in gym instructor (contains optional 100 hours work placement unit)

HFI Certified Personal Trainer CPT3 - Level 3 REPS certificate in personal training. Relevant to those wishing to go into personal training industry (must have level 2 initially). The Level 3 PT ASSESSMENT only route for PT qualification is a popular and cost-effective method for Level 2 qualified gym instructors who have graduated and are currently working, or may be in the future, as gym instructors.

HFI Motivational Interviewing – Motivational Interviewing certificate suitable to any qualified sport, fitness or health practitioner (eg personal trainer, health advisor, sports therapist, physiotherapist).

ACSM Certified Personal Trainer – an additional academic qualification to the Level CPT3, it has a deeper and broader syllabus. This prestigious qualification can give the edge over the other newly qualified PTs.

ACSM Health Fitness Specialist - broader health fitness qualification relevant to non-gym industries e.g. ‘local authority activity advisor’; private medical company; working for a sports authority e.g. Sport England. This is also considered an advanced personal trainer/GP referral for a qualified Level 3 PT.

ACSM Clinical Exercise Specialist - for the exercise graduate wanting to work as a hospital-based clinical (cardiac/pulmonary) exercise specialist.

There are currently various format options which determine the cost of the on-campus courses. Universities can incorporate any of these qualifications as external courses with very little internal organisation. Some establishments incorporate these as short-courses and raise revenue for the department or university in general.

Call Alison Hall at HFI now to talk about you can increase your universities’ revenue and employment statistics.