The GP Exercise Referral scheme uses the power of movement to support health and well-being. It’s a system that connects individuals with medical conditions to tailored fitness programmes… helping them feel better, move more, and regain control of their health.
This blog will walk you through the essential parts of the GP Exercise Referral scheme… and what steps to take next as a Fitness Professional.
If you’re a fitpro considering becoming a GP referral instructor… this could be the start of something big.
What is the GP Exercise Referral Scheme?
The GP Exercise Referral scheme is a structured healthcare programme. It gives people access to safe, guided physical activity that’s adapted to their specific needs. It all starts with a GP or other healthcare professional recognising that a client would benefit from specialist support.
When someone fails a PAR-Q, it doesn’t mean they’re not allowed to exercise—it just means they need support from someone who understands how to work with their condition. The GP Exercise Referral pathway ensures this by connecting them with an instructor qualified to deliver exercise that considers their health status, medications, and goals.
This kind of referral shows the GP believes the client is ready (not just physically, but also mentally) to begin making positive lifestyle changes. That includes movement, behaviour change, and even guidance around nutrition.
Once referred, a qualified GP Referral Instructor assesses the individual to understand their risks, limitations, and goals. They build a personalised plan, making adjustments along the way to ensure it remains safe and effective. The aim is always the same: to improve quality of life and help manage a clinical condition with the right type and amount of movement.
👉 LEARN MORE about the clinical conditions qualification HERE
Empowering Patients with Medical Conditions
The GP Exercise Referral scheme can be life-changing for people managing conditions like obesity, diabetes, heart disease, low back pain, or depression. Tailored activity (combined with support for behaviour change and nutrition) can reduce symptoms, improve mental health, and even reduce reliance on medication.
This isn’t about a quick fix or a generic plan. It’s about giving individuals the tools and support they need to feel better and stay better. As a GP Referral Instructor, your job is to make the plan feel doable, enjoyable, and personal. You’re not just improving health…you’re improving confidence, self-belief, and daily life.
The best results come when a client feels empowered, understood, and supported. That’s what makes the GP Exercise Referral scheme such a valuable part of public health.
👉 LEARN MORE about the clinical conditions HERE
Who Can Be Referred?
The GP Exercise Referral scheme is open to individuals with long-term conditions or certain risk factors that increase their chances of developing health issues. These might include high blood pressure, obesity, poor mental health, or a family history of heart disease.
But it’s not only about diagnosed conditions. Lifestyle also plays a big role. Someone with a sedentary lifestyle, low fitness levels, or an age-related decline in movement might also be referred. In fact, older adults and those with low activity levels are some of the most common referrals.
Each referral is based on individual needs and the professional judgement of the GP or healthcare team. Once they’re referred, the scheme then connects them to a qualified fitness professional or registered gym/ leisure centre.
What Happens in a GP Exercise Referral Programme?
Most GP Exercise Referral programmes run for around 12 weeks, though some—like the Wales National Exercise Referral Scheme—can last up to 16 weeks. These aren’t just exercise sessions. They’re structured, progressive plans tailored to each individual’s health, goals, and capacity.
The instructor regularly checks progress and adapts the plan along the way. At the end of the programme, the client is reviewed. This includes an assessment of their attendance, progress, and outcomes. It’s not about being perfect—it’s about participating, learning, and making change.
And when clients stay consistent, the benefits can be huge: better health markers, improved movement, reduced pain, greater independence, and more energy.
Becoming a GP Exercise Referral Instructor
As a fitness professional, becoming a GP Exercise Referral Instructor gives you the chance to make a real impact. You’ll be trained to work with clients who need extra support, both inside the NHS scheme and privately.
You’ll work closely with healthcare teams, designing and delivering sessions that are safe, helpful, and evidence-based. It starts with a foundation: you need to be a Level 2 Fitness Instructor or Level 3 Personal Trainer first.
Then, through the GP Exercise Referral qualification, you’ll learn how to adapt exercise programmes for clients with specific health conditions. You’ll gain the knowledge and confidence to work with medications, understand signs and symptoms, and build a plan that feels achievable for your clients.
👉 LEARN MORE about the clinical conditions HERE:
The training includes modules on anatomy, client communication, motivational coaching, and clinical health conditions. But it’s not just theory, you’ll practice applying what you’ve learned to real-world case studies, so you feel confident when working with real people.
And when you finish? You won’t just have a certificate, you’ll have the skills and confidence to support clients who need you the most.
👉 LEARN MORE about the clinical conditions HERE:
Why GP Exercise Referral Matters
The GP Exercise Referral scheme is more than a system—it’s a lifeline for many clients who don’t know where to start or feel nervous about exercise. It gives them the right guidance, at the right time, in a way that supports their overall well-being.
As a qualified instructor, you’re not just helping someone “get fit.” You’re improving health, longevity and inspiring a commitment to a new lifestyle…. That’s something worth being part of.
👉 Ready to learn more about the GP Exercise Referral qualification?
- Watch our 25-minute FREE training showing the difference between Exercise Referral and Long Term Conditions HERE
- Learn More about the course and join us HERE
How to get qualified?
Become a specialist in offering health-related activity advice and supporting clients who fail a PAR-Q or have Health Conditions.
This is your opportunity to set yourself apart from other FITPROs, expand your knowledge, and confidence, and link up with healthcare professionals.
Dedicated to More
Hayley “GP Exercise Referral” Bergman
Parallel Coaching
P.S. You can also find us on the following platforms:
Instagram: Follow Now
Facebook: Like Our Page Here
YouTube: Subscribe Here
More Long-Term Conditions Blogs: HERE