Following the cross-party Health and Social Care Committee’s Healthy Ageing inquiry, physical activity has received a new level of recognition among decision-makers.
Report findings recommend exercise as the fundamental support for the UK’s ageing population, likening its impact to that of medication.
Other recommendations include the strengthening of links between the NHS and leisure providers to tackle accessibility issues. It also suggests exercise programme audits within care homes and the encouragement of social prescribing of physical activity as a core, routine offering (UK Parliament, 2026).
That is why we’ve featured five courses to support your older clients with physical activity as a form of preventative or prescriptive treatment. These courses form part of your continued professional development and comprise of in-person and online learning to help keep your options flexible. Plus, we’ve signposted further relevant resources to allow you to develop and apply your knowledge.
CPD
1. Next Generation Level 3 Award in Supporting Participation in Physical Activity – Older Adults
Provided by YMCAfit
10 CIMSPA CPD points
The older adult population continues to grow, and specially tailored exercise classes have become increasingly popular. Throughout the course, you’ll learn a variety of ways you can adapt your training methods to deliver exercise programmes to this population in a way that is fun, safe and effective for them.
What you’ll learn:
- What you’ll learn about:
- Ageing and the effects of the ageing process
- Healthy ageing and the role of physical activity and exercise
- Risks and contradictions to exercise
- Guidelines for best practice when delivering physical activity and exercise with older adults
- How to screen and assess older adults prior to participation in exercise
- Programming and adapting exercise for older adults
- Reviewing planned programmes for older adults
2. Nutrition for Older Adults
Provided by Future Fit Training
4 CIMSPA CPD points
Learn about specific nutrient requirements and be able to apply healthy eating principles to enable older adults to live a full, active lifestyle, preserving independence.
Following completion of this course, individuals will be able to improve their personal training offering by specialising as a nutritional adviser for older adults.
What you’ll learn about:
- The process of ageing
- The Eatwell Guide
- Malnutrition
- Screening for malnutrition
- Nutritional interventions in the prevention and management of malnutrition
- Dietary considerations in common conditions that affect older people
- Eating for longevity
3. Arthritis and Osteoporosis
Provided by FitPro
2.5 CIMSPA CPD Points
This introductory course is designed to give you practical knowledge to allow you to work confidently with clients or class participants who have arthritis or osteoporosis, covering the symptoms, causes, diagnosis and treatment of the most common forms of arthritis.
Covering the physiology of osteoporosis, risk factors, screening and treatment, the course explains the importance of appropriate exercise interventions. It also provides practical programming examples for a clear understanding of what should and shouldn’t be included in an exercise programme for someone with arthritis or osteoporosis.
What you’ll learn:
- Gain key background knowledge about arthritis and bone health (osteoporosis)
- Understand risk factors and treatment for these conditions
- Have information around safe and appropriate exercise options
4. Pilates for Older Adults
Provided by Future Fit
10 CIMSPA CPD Points
To successfully coach older adults through Pilates, you need the ability to adapt exercises, understand age-related conditions and apply safe, effective programming with confidence. Whether you’re teaching in group settings or working one-to-one, your impact relies on being able to modify movements, support individual needs and motivate clients in a way that promotes long-term wellbeing.
This course builds on your existing Level 3 Diploma in Instructing Mat-Based Pilates, equipping you with the practical skills and knowledge to safely and effectively deliver Pilates to older adults, broadening your client base and enhancing the impact of your teaching.
What you’ll learn:
- The impact of ageing and the various systems of the body
- The impact of exercise and the risks associated with inactivity, such as falls
- Nutrition in older adults
- Behaviour change, factoring in the potential barriers
- Gain a clear understanding of your legal responsibilities when working with older adults, including safeguarding, informed consent, and scope of practice
- How to carry out appropriate assessments to identify physical capabilities, limitations and individual needs
- How to implement safe and effective interventions – tailored Pilates adaptations that support mobility, strength, balance and overall functional health in later life
- Pilates-specific exercise applications, adaptation and modification and how to modify Pilates to chair-based exercises
- Explore osteoporosis, menopause, arthritis, joint replacement, cardio-metabolic conditions, asthma and neurological conditions
5. Functional Strength for Ageing Populations
Provided by FitPro
3 CIMSPA CPD Points
Delve into the role of strength training in developing and maintaining functional capacity for the mid-life to older adult age group. Providing an overview of the latest research-based evidence, the course covers key topics to support you in delivering sessions for older clients.
What you’ll learn:
- Functional strength in the context of ageing
- Current evidence for strength training in older populations
- Common barriers, safety and medical considerations
- Exercise prescription for key functional strength patterns
- Exercise prescription for functional mobility
- Exercise prescription for balance and falls prevention
- Exercise prescription for functional power and speed
Discover more CPD
More endorsed courses – find training and CPD opportunities to support you throughout your career in sport and physical activity.
Visited Endorsed Training Directory
Training Academy – discover the highest quality training and development opportunities with courses endorsed and mapped to our sector professional standards, provided by organisations that have achieved CIMSPA’s highest quality assurance outcomes.
Your CPD Library –there’s a variety of complimentary learning available via your CIMSPA Dashboard. Visit ‘My CIMSPA partner offers’, then ‘Your CPD Library’ for different ways to maintain your professional status and earn valuable CPD points including SkillGate, our eLearning platform, complimentary learning from our partners and other skill development opportunities.
FitPro* – explore the FitPro online education platform from your home or on the go and stay relevant in the sector.
Not a FitPro member yet? You can access FitPro via your CIMSPA Dashboard. Log in and look under the ‘My CIMSPA partner offers’ tab, then ‘Discounts’ and click ‘FitPro’ to get started.
*Only eligible membership categories.