How to Get a Free Level 3 Personal Trainer Course Without a Loan or Apprenticeship
Looking to become a qualified personal trainer, but don’t want to take out a loan or commit to an apprenticeship? You’re not alone.
Many people search for a free personal trainer course or a way to gain their Level 3 Personal Trainer qualification without the usual financial or time constraints. The good news? It’s possible—but not widely known.
In this post, we break down what your options really are when it comes to government funded personal training courses—and how Functional Skills UK offers one of the few fully funded alternatives.
Why Most PT Courses Aren’t Truly “Free”
If you’ve done any research, you’ll notice most providers offer two funding routes:
1. Advanced Learner Loans
These are government-backed loans used to pay for eligible Level 3 qualifications. You don’t pay upfront, but once your income exceeds around £27,000, you start making repayments.
While helpful, this still means taking on debt—something not everyone wants.
2. Apprenticeships
This option is fully funded by the government—but only if you’re employed in a suitable role. Apprenticeships typically last over a year and combine work with study.
These are great for some, but not ideal if you’re looking to retrain independently or don’t have access to an employer in the fitness industry.
Is There a Government Funded PT Course With No Loan or Apprenticeship?
Yes—but:
The Level 2 Gym Instructing qualification is fundable through the Adult Skills Fund (ASF). This means eligible learners can complete the first step toward becoming a personal trainer without taking on a loan or going through an apprenticeship.
However, the Level 3 Personal Training course is not funded through ASF or Skills Support for the Workforce (SSW). Instead, it is currently only available through Skills Bootcamps, which are short, intensive training programmes funded by the government and designed to lead directly into employment.
So while it’s possible to access fully funded training to become a gym instructor, progressing to Level 3 as a personal trainer typically requires either:
-
Enrolling in a Skills Bootcamp (where funding is available in select regions), or
-
Self-funding the course, sometimes with the option of an Advanced Learner Loan
In short: Level 2 is fundable via ASF, and Level 3 is only fundable through Personal Training Bootcamps — not through ASF or SSW.
Functional Skills UK: A Different Option
At Functional Skills UK, we’re one of the few training providers in England currently offering a fully government funded Level 3 Personal Trainer course:
- No loan required
- No apprenticeship needed
- No repayment—ever
This course is available to eligible learners through regional funding streams. If you’re aged 19 or over, live in an eligible area, and are not already on another funded course, you may qualify.
⚠️ Please note: Funding is limited and may not be available at the time you’re reading this. We may also not have a course running immediately. However, you’re still welcome to sign up—we’ll get in touch as soon as funding or course dates become available in your area.
Training is delivered by experienced tutors and includes practical elements, assessments, and nationally recognised certification.
Final Thoughts: Your Path to Becoming a Personal Trainer—Free
Most providers offering “free” personal trainer courses still rely on loans or employer apprenticeships. While these are valid options, they’re not for everyone.
Functional Skills UK offers a rare alternative—a completely free Level 3 Personal Trainer course, funded by the government and designed for individuals ready to retrain or upskill on their own terms.
👉 For more information and to see if we have any courses running, visit this page. Even if no course is currently running, you can still register your interest—we’ll notify you as soon as a place becomes available.
