Plan individual and small group exercise and fitness sessions

This standard is about conducting consultations and planning safe, effective and inclusive exercise and fitness sessions for apparently healthy adults, including individuals and small groups.

It applies to instructors working in gym-based, small group or supervised active leisure environments. The instructor gathers and interprets participant information, agrees goals, plans structured sessions and provides wellbeing and lifestyle guidance within own scope of practice.

The role includes planning sessions that are appropriate to participant needs, abilities, confidence levels, available equipment, environment and organisational requirements.

P1 Meet participants in a professional, welcoming manner and build rapport using clear, positive communication.

P2 Gather relevant information on participants’ goals, fitness background, lifestyle habits, confidence levels and readiness to take part.

P3 Analyse participant information to identify how exercise sessions can support wellbeing, confidence, safe participation and long-term positive activity behaviours.

P4 Provide wellbeing and lifestyle guidance within own scope of practice.

P5 Agree general goals with participants based on their needs, preferences and confidence levels.

P6 Identify the equipment required for the session and plan how it will be used safely and correctly.

P7 Identify hazards and assess risks associated with the equipment, environment and participant factors.

P8 Plan structured sessions that include warm-up, main activity and cool-down, using realistic timings.

P9 Plan suitable progressions, regressions and alternatives that support safety, confidence and participation.

P10 Select suitable exercises that promote safe technique, appropriate intensity and enjoyment.

P11 Record session plans accurately in line with organisational and legal requirements.

P12 Refer or seek guidance from relevant professionals when participant needs fall outside own scope of practice or competence.

K1 Relevant legislation and organisational policies, including health and safety, safeguarding, risk assessment and data protection.
K2 The limits and scope of practice, knowing when to refer or seek guidance from relevant professionals.
K3 Anatomy and physiology relevant to safe exercise selection and planning.
K4 Components of health-related fitness and how they relate to accessible exercise planning.
K5 The benefits of physical activity for overall wellbeing and the risks of inactivity.
K6 Suitable sources of healthy lifestyle information that are appropriate to participants and within own scope of practice.
K7 Principles of behaviour change and how to help participants form sustainable activity habits.
K8 How to gather participant information appropriately using screening, consultation and observation.
K9 How to interpret participant goals and use them to shape suitable session content.
K10 Safe use and operation of common gym equipment, including fixed resistance, free weights, cardiovascular and functional equipment.
K11 How to plan safe use of equipment for participants, including correct set-up, load selection and technique.
K12 The importance of planning realistic timings, appropriate structures and achievable progressions.
K13 How to identify hazards and assess risks within gym or group-training environments.
K14 How to securely record participant information and session plans.

Apparently healthy
Individuals with no known medical conditions or risk factors that would require specialist assessment or medical referral before participating in exercise.

Scope of practice
The defined limits of responsibility and competence within a role, including when referral to other professionals is required.

Small group
A supervised session involving a limited number of participants, typically enabling the instructor to monitor individuals and maintain safe technique and engagement. Group size should be proportionate to the environment and activity and allow effective supervision within scope of practice typically no more than 5 participants.

SKAEAF5 & SKAEAF22