Company

Academy of Sports GmbH

About the Company

Founded in 2005 and headquartered in Backnang, Academy of Sports GmbH is a certified educational institute specializing in vocational training for the fitness, health, and management sectors. The provider offers flexible online distance learning programs alongside traditional on-site courses, with online study serving as its primary educational focus. More than 50,000 participants have completed courses, which include over 50 ZFU-approved distance offerings and DEKRA-certified qualifications.

Study Programs

Academy of Sports GmbH offers a focused portfolio of vocational education, trainer licensing, and continuing professional development programs spanning several health, wellness, and management disciplines. Its educational areas encompass Fitness, Nutrition (Ernährung), Coaching and Communication (Coaching und Kommunikation), Fitness and Sports Management (Fitness- und Sportmanagement), E-Sports (E-Sport), Naturopathy (Naturheilkunde), and in-company vocational training (Ausbildung), alongside options leading toward academic credentials. The catalog features 50 state-approved distance learning courses recognized by the Staatliche Zentralstelle für Fernunterricht (ZFU), complemented by modular workshops and qualification pathways supported by public funding programs such as the Bildungsgutschein under AZAV certification. In the fitness and management fields, the institution delivers structured graded licenses and specialist qualifications. Fitness offerings include the fundamental and advanced trainer designations Fitnesstrainer B-Lizenz and Fitnesstrainer A-Lizenz, alongside programs for Personal Trainer, Personal Coach, Sporttherapeut, and Trainer für Sportrehabilitation. Additional specialized qualifications cover Seniorentrainer, Bodybuilding Coach, Laufcoach, Marathon Trainer, and Rückenschullehrer. Within fitness and sports business administration, prospective professionals can prepare for advanced commercial credentials, including the chamber of commerce qualifications Geprüfter Betriebswirt IHK and Fitnessfachwirt, as well as emerging industry qualifications such as E-Sport Manager IHK. In the nutrition and coaching divisions, students can progress through modular credentials starting with the basic Ernährung C-Lizenz and advancing to the professional Ernährungsberater B-Lizenz and comprehensive Ernährungsberater A-Lizenz. Specialized nutrition pathways include Ernährungsberater für Sportler A-Lizenz, Ganzheitlicher Ernährungsberater, Veganer Ernährungsberater, and Medizinischer Ernährungsberater, as well as targeted training for chefs and personal coaches. The coaching department prepares students for roles such as Life Coach, Mentaltrainer, Motivationstrainer, Stresscoach, and cross-industry communication trainer. Naturopathy programs provide training for the Heilpraktiker examination and specialized applications such as Homöopathie im Sport, while the vocational sector provides commercial training paths including the qualification as Sport- und Fitnesskaufmann. The majority of programs at Academy of Sports are designed as entirely location-independent distance learning courses delivered through the proprietary Online-Campus using study guides, instructional videos, interactive Web Based Training (WBT) modules, and evening live online seminars that replace conventional on-site seminar requirements. While digital distance education constitutes the primary delivery method, classical on-site training formats are also conducted for selected tracks. Depending on the completed track, graduates receive industry-recognized certificates, graded diplomas, certificates of participation, trainer licenses, or formal IHK credentials, with graduation documents also available in English upon request.

Application Procedure

Prospective students can enroll online and start their distance learning courses at any time without waiting periods. While introductory courses require only an internet-enabled computer, advanced programs require relevant prior qualifications, such as a Fitnesstrainer B-Lizenz for the A-Lizenz, or specific practical training qualifications and a first aid certificate. Relevant previous qualifications can be recognized and credited toward advanced certification tracks. Every distance learning course includes a 14-day free trial period. Enrolled students can shorten or extend their standard study duration without paying additional fees. Contract cancellations and statutory withdrawals can be submitted through dedicated online forms. Tuition fees can be paid as a single lump sum at the start of studies or broken down into flexible monthly installments. Because the Academy of Sports is an AZAV-certified provider, eligible participants can receive up to 100 percent funding through an education voucher from the Federal Employment Agency or the Jobcenter, which covers tuition, learning materials, and public transit costs. Selected IHK management programs, including Geprüfter Fitnessfachwirt, Geprüfter Fachwirt für Prävention und Gesundheitsförderung, and Geprüfter Fachwirt im Gesundheits- und Sozialwesen, qualify for Aufstiegs-BAföG assistance. This state funding combines direct grants and low-interest KfW loans that cover up to 75 percent of study and examination costs. On request, graduation documents can also be issued in English.

Regular courses from Academy of Sports GmbH need no formal application: choose your course below, enroll via the link on the course page and pay the fees, and you are enrolled.