Scammed by a Fake Personal Trainer Qualification?

Get Genuine Support and Start Over with Real, Accredited Training

If you’ve been scammed by a fake personal trainer course or paid for a gym instructor qualification that turned out to be worthless, you’re not alone — and there is a way forward.

Every year, countless aspiring fitness professionals fall victim to rogue training providers offering non-accredited personal trainer qualifications or fake fitness certifications. These scams can leave you out of pocket, emotionally drained and unsure where to turn next.

But you don’t have to give up on your dream of becoming a qualified personal trainer.

What Happens When You’re Scammed by a Fake Fitness Course?

Being misled by an illegitimate training company can feel overwhelming. Maybe you received a certificate that isn’t recognised by CIMSPA (Chartered Institute for Sport and Physical Activity), and therefore, employers or insurance providers. Maybe the course disappeared halfway through or you received your certificate only to be subsequently told it wasn’t valid. This leaves you questioning everything. I have had many phone calls from people in this position and I am putting together a list of rouge personal training certificate traders.

These scams are more common than most people realise. They often promise:

  • Fast-track PT qualifications with no study or assessments

  • “Fully accredited” courses — with no real awarding body

  • Extremely cheap prices that seem too good to be true

  • No support, follow-up, or contact after payment

If any of this sounds familiar, I want you to know this: you are not to blame. And more importantly, you can still become a qualified, respected fitness professional — the right way.

How To Check if a Qualification is Valid

There are a few steps to checking that the course you intend to do it going to be valid to use for CIMSPA registration, employment and insurance purposes.

  1. Ask the training provider (company selling the qualification) what the name of the limited company who you will be paying is.
  2. Check who the directors are and how long this limited company has been in business at Companies House . Limited companies can go into liquidation at any time and start up again immediately under different name. They can also get their friends or relatives to be the company directors so you need to be sure how exactly who is behind the company you are paying.
  3. Ask the training provider (company selling the qualification) who are their “Awarding Body”. For example HFI’s awarding body is Focus Awards who are recognised by CIMPSA. Be sure to get this in writing from them.
  4. Ask the training provider what the qualification title AND qualification code is.  For example HFI’s personal trainer qualification is called Focus Awards Level 3 Diploma Practitioner in Personal Training (RQF) and the qualification code is 603/5233/4. Be sure to get this in writing from them.
  5. Call the awarding body and ask if this training provider is one of their training centres.
  6. Call CIMSPA to ask if this awarding body and qualification (title and code) are recognised by them and so will get you fully registered with them as a “Personal Trainer Practitioner.”
  7. Contact Alison at HFI to double check that qualification you intend to do it going to be valid.

I Help People Who’ve Been Scammed by Rogue PT Training Providers

I work with people who’ve been tricked by fake personal training providers and help them rebuild their path to a real fitness career.

Here’s how I can support you:

✅ Free Qualification Check

Not sure if your certificate is valid or recognised? I’ll help you verify what you’ve got — and what it really means.

✅ Clear, Honest Advice

I’ll give you straight answers about your situation and your options. No jargon, no sales pitch, just facts and support.

✅ A Path to Real, Accredited Certification

I’ll help you find a route into a legitimate, fully accredited fitness qualification that employers and insurers will recognise.

✅ Personalised Support from Someone Who Cares

This isn’t a call centre or a faceless business. I care about people like you, and I want to help you succeed in fitness — the right way.

Why You Can Trust Me

HFI has been in business for over 30 years offering recognised qualifications. I’m a qualified PT and education provider with a background in supporting aspiring fitness professionals — especially those who’ve been misled by unauthorised PT training schemes.

I’ve seen firsthand the damage caused by scam fitness courses, and I’ve helped many people rebuild with confidence, credibility, and proper qualifications that open real career doors.

Take the First Step — Contact Me Today

If you’ve been affected by a fake personal trainer course, or even if you just have doubts about your current qualification, please reach out. Your message is confidential, and there’s no obligation.

Let’s talk — and get you back on track with real support and honest guidance.

📩 Contact Me – Alison Hall from HFI Training for private & confidential support or just to let me know the name of the company and any personnel you know works for them.

📧 Email: alison@hfigroup.com
📱 Phone or message: 0330 043 6787

For help with consumer legal matters please also contract Citizens Advice (CAB.)

The information provided on this page is for general guidance and informational purposes only. It does not constitute legal advice. If you have concerns about fraud, misrepresentation, or your legal rights, you should seek independent legal advice from a qualified professional.

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