Origym Level 3 Personal Trainer Assessment

What Really Happens at the Level 3 Personal Trainer Assessment (Origym)

If you're prepping for your Level 3 Personal Trainer assessment, you’ve probably seen all sorts of advice floating around online. I found some helpful, some confusing, and some just contradictory. So I wanted to share my actual experience with Origym, including what went well, what threw me off, and what I’d recommend to anyone going through it.

Only Two of Us on the Day

Different to my Gym Instructor assessment (where there were 8 of us), there were meant to be three of us, but one person didn’t turn up...so it was just me and one other! That meant the day moved quickly, and we both got to leave earlier than planned. Still, we each delivered a full 45–60 minute session, so it wasn’t rushed or cut short, if anything, it was a bonus to have more space and less waiting around.

I Went Second (Again!) 

Just like my Gym Instructor assessment, I went second. Watching someone else go first helped me mentally prepare and settle into the environment, BUT this time the person ahead of me was really nervous, and I could feel that energy rubbing off on me. It’s a good reminder to stay grounded in your own prep and not absorb someone else’s stress.

Same Trainers, Same Supportive Vibe

The assessor was the same as last time, and honestly, he was really helpful again. Supportive, clear, and genuinely rooting for us to pass. They’re not there to trip you up, they want to see you coach confidently and safely. If you make little mistakes, they’ll give you space to recover and explain.

Advanced Training Systems

I was asked to demo:

• Negatives - I used Lat pull down

• Forced reps - I used Leg extension

• Pre-exhaust - I did Chest press and fly

It's worth noting... Pre-exhaust threw me off,  I got nervous, mixed up and got flustered. The assessor asked me to pause and explain how it worked, and once I talked it through, he said, “Great, now just demo that". I did and got it right. So even if you mess up, you can recover, just make sure you understand the concept behind each system, even if you don’t end up demoing all of them.

Core Exercise Confusion Lift List vs Real Life

One part of the assessment involved showing progression/regression of a core exercise. I chose Russian Twists (because I’d seen others do it online), but was asked to explain it using Bicycles instead, as those are on the official lift list and Russian Twists aren’t. I was able to explain it clearly and passed, but it was a bit confusing compared to what I’d read in Facebook groups. Also, I’d seen people say “don’t do plank,” but the person I was the client for did plank and it was totally fine. It’s safe, effective, and easy to coach. Don’t overthink it!

My advice: Check with your assessor beforehand if you’re unsure.

Less Pressure to remember a big list of exercises than Gym Instructor, but still a Step Up

The general structure and expectations were similar to the Gym Instructor assessment, but this felt like the next step up. There was less pressure to remember every single lift, and more focus on how you coach, communicate, and adapt. As long as you've got an idea of some of the exercises you prefer to do for each system then you will be just fine. 

The feedback I got was really useful, it’s the kind of stuff that will genuinely help me when I’m training clients. I can’t imagine anyone walks away without feedback. It’s part of the process.

My Top Tips for PT Assessment Success

• Know every Advanced Training System (even if you don’t demo it, you might be asked to explain it)

• Practise your session with a real person beforehand & be ready to adapt and explain things clearly

• Don’t stress about chats that you’ve seen online, ask your assessor if you’re unsure

• Expect feedback and embrace it! It’s all really valuable!

If you’re heading into your assessment soon, I hope this helps you feel more prepared and less overwhelmed, and if you need help planning your session or breaking down the lift list, I’m always happy to chat.