Level 3 Nutrition for Sport and Exercise Performance Course
- CIMSPA endorsed (10 CPD points)
- Fully online with flexible study
- Huge offers! 35% off!
- Evidence-based, annually reviewed content
- Entry requirements: L2 gym instructor or equivalent
- Total learning hours: 70 (Guided learning hours: 24)
- CIMSPA endorsed (10 CPD points)
- Fully online with flexible study
- Huge offers! 35% off!
- Evidence-based, annually reviewed content
- Entry requirements: L2 gym instructor or equivalent
- Total learning hours: 70 (Guided learning hours: 24)
Level 3 Nutrition for Sport & Exercise
Course Aim
The primary aim of this course is to provide learners with a solid foundation in nutritional science, current dietary recommendations, and the specific nutritional requirements of physically active individuals. The course enables learners to apply this knowledge effectively within exercise and health settings, supporting client wellbeing while recognising professional boundaries and referral pathways
Our sports nutrition courses also explore how nutrition supports different training goals by examining daily energy and nutrient requirements, lifestyle factors, and the potential risks associated with poor nutrition practices. On completion, learners are equipped to analyse dietary habits and support client wellbeing through informed, responsible nutrition guidance.
Industry Leading Qualifications
About this Level 3 Nutrition Course
Course Structure & Units
The course is structured into seven key units, each building progressively to develop applied nutritional understanding:
Unit 1: Sourcing Reliable Nutrition Information
This unit develops critical thinking skills to help learners distinguish credible, evidence-based nutrition information from misinformation. Learners explore reliable sources, recognise red flags in nutritional claims, and understand the importance of evidence-based practice and professional roles within nutrition.
Unit 2: Key Nutritional Terminology in Fitness and Health
Learners are introduced to essential terminology related to health, wellbeing, diet, nutrition, and nutrients. This unit establishes a shared language and conceptual framework for discussing nutrition confidently and accurately with clients.
Unit 3: Essential Nutrients for Optimal Health
This unit examines macronutrients and micronutrients in detail, including carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, fibre, water, antioxidants, and phytochemicals. Learners explore nutrient functions, food sources, and their role in maintaining health and supporting physical performance.
Unit 4: Nutrient Use in Physical Activity
Learners explore how nutrients are metabolised and utilised during exercise and recovery. This includes energy systems, hydration strategies, and how nutritional needs vary according to activity levels, training demands, and performance goals.
Unit 5: Nutrition Plans for Client Objectives & Specific Populations
This unit focuses on applying nutritional principles to different client goals and populations. Learners consider individual needs, lifestyle factors, and adaptations required for diverse groups while remaining within scope of practice.
Unit 6: Factors Contributing to Obesity and Diabetes
Learners examine the multifactorial causes of obesity and diabetes, including lifestyle, behavioural, nutritional, and physiological factors. The unit also explores associated health risks and the role of nutrition and physical activity in prevention and management.
Unit 7: Dietary Analysis and Improvement Strategies
The final unit develops practical skills in evaluating dietary habits, identifying areas for improvement, and supporting clients with realistic, sustainable dietary changes that align with health and exercise goals.
Outcome for Learners
By completing this course, learners will be able to:
- Use reliable nutritional information confidently and responsibly
- Explain key nutrition concepts clearly to clients
- Understand how nutrients support health, exercise, and recovery
- Analyse dietary habits and suggest evidence-based improvements
- Integrate nutrition principles into exercise and lifestyle programmes
- Work safely within professional boundaries and referral guidelines
Qualification Endorsement
Support for the Level 3 Award in Nutrition for Sport and Exercise Performance has been provided by leading professional bodies within the health and fitness industry. These endorsements confirm that the qualification meets recognised industry standards and supports learners in progressing responsibly and professionally.
- This is a CIMSPA Endorsed Course Award, demonstrating alignment with industry expectations for knowledge, skills, and professional conduct within sport and exercise nutrition.
- UK Active support reflects the relevance of this qualification within the wider health, fitness, and physical activity sector.
Why complete a Level 3 Nutrition Course?
A Level 3 Nutrition Course provides a strong foundation for anyone looking to advance in the field of sports and exercise nutrition. By completing this course, you’ll gain the essential skills to analyse dietary habits, understand nutrient requirements and create tailored nutrition plans for clients with a variety of fitness goals. Whether you’re already a fitness professional or just starting out, this qualification opens doors to new career opportunities.
This course is also a perfect stepping stone toward becoming a fully qualified nutritionist. If you’re curious about what it takes to become a nutritionist, check out our detailed guide on what a nutritionist does. To explore how to progress in this field, including further qualifications, visit our how to become a nutritionist page. And, if you’re interested in the earning potential, our nutritionist salary UK guide offers valuable insights.
Starting with this Level 3 qualification can be your first move toward a rewarding career in nutrition, helping others achieve their fitness and health goals.
Level 3 Nutrition Course Entry Requirements
To begin studying on this sports and exercise nutrition course, learners must hold: Level 2 Certificate in Gym Instructing and Level 3 Award in Nutrition.
Online Study Offers
- UK Pricing - £178.75 (
£275) - Pay by Credit or Debit Card Today.
FAQs
At The Fitness Group, we’ve always prided ourselves on letting students learn in the way that best suits them. We know that other commitments, such as full-time work for some students, means that attending in-person classes isn’t possible. For others, in-person classes are the preferred option.
That’s why we always let our students attend their courses in a way that matches their needs. If you choose to study the Level 3 Nutrition for Sport & Exercise course through in-person classes, you will study in-class from Monday to Thursday, with Friday being a dedicated self-directed study day.
If you find it easier to study online, you have daily live virtual classes, e-learning resources, and recorded lectures that you can access whenever you have the time. No other provider of personal trainer courses offers such ambitious flexibility regarding how you study.
Since all of our courses are accredited by CIMSPA, they are internationally recognised. So once you've completed your Level 3 Nutrition for Sport & Exercise Course, you can start providing nutrition advice to your clients wherever they’re based. Now that personal trainers can work with clients worldwide, having an internationally recognised diploma means unlimited access to global clients who know they can trust you.
When you work as a personal trainer, the more skills you can pass on to your clients, the more you can charge and the longer you can keep those clients. Giving them guidance on what they eat and drink means that you are adding another valuable skill to your service offerings. That’s great for branding and marketing, and it’s always helpful to add to your skillset. And when you study with The Fitness Group, you're also getting a level of support that you can’t find with any other provider.
If you are looking for flexible sports nutrition courses to attain your Level 3 Personal Trainer Nutrition certification, then choosing The Fitness Group will help you achieve your goals.
We offer tailored fitness education on a full-time, part-time or completely online basis. You can work around existing commitments, use our intensive courses or work at a pace that suits you — all with the full support of our knowledgeable, friendly and experienced tutors.
Our sports nutrition courses are accredited by the fitness industry’s leading bodies, and all our trainees get access to business skills tuition and support for job applications and interviews. We are rated excellent on Trustpilot and work hard to create a learning environment that provides many types of fitness qualifications.
Our sports nutrition courses aim to ensure our learners gain the knowledge and skills to provide advice for sport and exercise as well as gain an internationally recognised qualification.
During our sports nutrition courses, students will study all aspects of sports and exercise nutrition.
We deliver our nutrition for sport and exercise courses online or as a part-time or full-time course, depending on what you need. The entry requirements are that all learners must hold a Level 2 Certificate in Gym Instructing. However, all learners with a Level 3 Personal Training diploma are also eligible for our sports nutrition courses as it is more advanced than the Level 2 Gym Instructing course.
As several governing bodies accredit our sports and exercise nutrition courses, it is the ideal qualification for those seeking a career in sports nutrition. It is recognised by Ofqual, CIMSPA, UK Active and REPs (Register of Exercise Professionals).
Anyone interested in nutrition for sport and exercise who has the prerequisites can start studying immediately with our online study option.
All sports and exercise nutrition coursework can be completed online within your Learner Achievement Portfolio.. There are no practical delivery requirements.
The Fitness Group is dedicated to ensuring that our sports and exercise nutrition courses are accessible and useful so that our learners become confident to deliver enhanced sports and exercise nutrition advice to a range of clients.