Active Education
Active Education is a Norwegian-founded, privately-held educational institution offering accredited personal trainer, nutrition, and fitness certification programs across campuses in Norway, Bali, and Spain, plus online, serving aspiring and working fitness professionals.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2004
- HeadquartersOslo, Norway
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Active Education does
Active Education AS is a privately-held Norwegian educational institution founded in 2004 that provides accredited personal trainer (PT) and fitness professional certification programs, primarily serving aspiring and working fitness professionals in Norway and the broader Nordic market. The company's core offering is the Årsstudium Personlig Trener (annual PT program awarding 60 study credits), complemented by nutrition counseling, mental training/coaching, prehab/rehab, and sports medicine specializations, plus shorter courses in group training instruction, pregnancy training, and youth training. Programs are delivered through a multi-format model: physical campuses in Oslo (Norway, HQ), Bali (Indonesia, since 2009), Gran Canaria, and Fuengirola (Spain), as well as fully online and hybrid formats with physical gatherings in Oslo.
The underlying technology is a proprietary online learning platform providing on-demand video lectures, live streams, interactive learning assignments, and an exam management system accessible via student login, with Microsoft Teams used for student communication. Academic accreditation is secured through partnerships with Universitetet i Innlandet and Norges Høgskole for Helsefag, which award study points that enable Norwegian student loan (Lånekassen) eligibility. The faculty includes PhDs, medical doctors, physiotherapists, Olympic athletes, and prominent coaches such as Erik Bertrand Larssen, with a mandatory 3-week supervised internship at partner gym chains as a distinctive practical component.
Revenue is generated primarily through upfront tuition fees (kr. 89,800 for the full PT program) with interest-free installment plans via SVEA Finans. Go-to-market is product-led growth: students discover the school through content marketing (blog, podcast, webinars), enroll directly online, and convert via free study counseling sessions. Employer-side partnerships with all major Norwegian gym chains (SATS, Mova, Fresh Fitness, Nordic Wellness, Fitness24seven) provide job placement, reinforcing enrollment demand. The company is bootstrapped, founder-managed, and operates without external investment or parent company.
Active Education firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Active Education
- Legal name
- Active Education AS
- Website
- https://activeeducation.no
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2004
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Active Education is a Norwegian-founded, privately-held educational institution offering accredited personal trainer, nutrition, and fitness certification programs across campuses in Norway, Bali, and Spain, plus online, serving aspiring and working fitness professionals.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Active Education industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Fitness Education & Professional Certification
- NAICS
- Sports and Recreation Instruction (61162), Sports and Recreation Instruction (611620)
- SIC
- Services-Educational Services (8200)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Fitness & Exercise Training Education (Strength, Cardio, Mobility) (EDAAAHAB)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Health Coaching & Lifestyle Coaching Education (EDAAAHAG), Functional Fitness & Mobility Training (HSADAAAD), Health, Wellness & Lifestyle Noncredit Programs (EDAAAEAH)
Keywords
Where Active Education is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Oslo
- HQ country
- Norway
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices4 records
Markets served
Active Education business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Tuition fees – PT and specialty education programs: Students pay tuition upfront or via installment plans (SVEA Finans) for one-year programs and shorter courses in personal training, nutrition counseling, mental coaching, prehab/rehab, and specialty topics. Revenue is one-time per program cohort.
- Short courses and workshops: Shorter-format courses such as Group Training Instructor, Training During/After Pregnancy, and Training and Nutrition for Children & Youth are sold as one-time fee courses.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Full PT education program (Årsstudium PT + Kostholdsveileder) |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Rentefri delbetaling 6 months |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Rentefri delbetaling 12 months |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Rentefri delbetaling 24 months |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Active Education product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Active Education is a Norwegian private educational institution that delivers accredited personal trainer (PT), nutrition counselor, and sports-medicine certification programs. Offerings include a one-year Årsstudium PT (60 study credits), standalone PT-Basis modules delivered across campuses in Norway, Bali, and Spain, and short specialization courses covering prehab/rehab, manual medicine, mental coaching, group training instruction, and training during/after pregnancy. Programs are available in 100% online, hybrid (online plus physical gatherings in Oslo), and international campus formats.
Product overview
Active Education is an educational institution offering fitness and health professional certification programs. The core product portfolio centers on Personal Trainer (PT) education in multiple formats: full-year Årsstudium PT (60 credits), PT-Basis standalone courses, and Nutrition Counselor certifications. Programs are delivered through flexible formats including campus-based learning in Bali, Norway, and Spain, as well as 100% online options. Advanced specialization modules include Prehab & Rehab, Manual Medicine, and Sports Medicine. Short courses cover Group Training Instruction, Training During/After Pregnancy, and Training/Nutrition for Children & Youth. All programs offer optional academic credit pathways through university partnerships. The institution also produces educational content through its ACTIVEPODDEN podcast and 'Ukens øvelse' video series.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Årsstudium Personlig Trener (Annual PT Program) Comprehensive one-year PT education program combining PT-Basis and Nutrition Counselor modules, awarding 60 study credits through university partnerships. Includes a 3-week supervised internship and is delivered in-person (Oslo) or 100% online.
- Prestasjonspsykologi, Coaching & Mental Training Specialized program covering performance psychology, coaching methodology, and mental training techniques for sports and fitness professionals, with instructor Erik Bertrand Larssen.
- PT Basis – Bali Personal trainer basic education program conducted at the Bali campus in Indonesia with Norwegian staff and lecturers; combined with an 8-week Bali experience.
- Kostholdsveileder – Bali Nutrition counselor certification program delivered at Active Education's Bali campus in Indonesia.
- PT Basis – Spain (Gran Canaria) Personal trainer basic education program at the Monte Feliz campus in Gran Canaria, Spain, including a 14-day campus stay option.
- PT Basis – Spain (Fuengirola) Personal trainer basic education program at the Fuengirola campus in Spain.
- PT Basis – Online/Norway Personal trainer basic education program delivered 100% online or via physical gatherings in Oslo, Norway.
- Kostholdsveileder – Online/Norway Nutrition counselor certification program available online for students in Norway.
- Prehab & Rehabtrener Advanced specialization for PTs to prevent, adapt, and safely follow up clients with injuries or pain conditions. Delivered 100% web-based.
- Spesialist i manuell medisin (Specialist in Manual Medicine) Advanced specialization in manual medicine aimed at healthcare and fitness professionals seeking higher-level clinical expertise.
- Spesialist i Idrettsmedisin (Specialist in Sports Medicine) Advanced specialization in sports medicine for fitness and sports industry professionals.
- Instruktør gruppetrening (Group Training Instructor) Short-format certification course for aspiring group training instructors at fitness centers.
- Trening under og etter graviditet (Training During and After Pregnancy) Specialized course on safe, research-based training and guidance for pregnant and postpartum women, covering physiological changes and adapted programming.
- Trening og kosthold for barn og unge (Training and Nutrition for Children and Youth) Course on training, play, and nutrition adapted to children and adolescents at different developmental stages, with focus on safe physical activity and healthy habits.
Quantifiable outcome
- Several thousand students trained in 15+ years
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Active Education
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Active Education technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Active Education partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.
- Universitetet i Innlandet (Inland Norway University of Applied Sciences)coreActive Education's accredited study programs award 30 study points per semester through the university's validation system. Students receive official transcripts and degree certificates through this partnership, enabling Lånekasse funding eligibility.
- Norges Høgskole for Helsefag (Norwegian University College for Health Sciences)corePartners with Active Education to provide study points (30 per semester) for accredited PT and nutrition programs. Handles issuance of transcripts and academic documentation for students.
- SVEA FinanscoreProvides rentefri (interest-free) installment payment plans for tuition fees: 6, 12, or 24 months interest-free, extendable to 60 months. This is the primary payment solution for students who cannot pay tuition upfront and do not want to rely solely on Lånekasse disbursement timing.
- SATScoreMajor Norwegian gym chain with trainee and recruitment agreements with Active Education. Actively recruits graduates; several SATS trainers earn over 1 million NOK annually. Active Education is officially endorsed by SATS as a preferred PT education provider.
- MovacoreNorwegian gym chain with active recruitment partnership with Active Education. Considers Active Education graduates highly attractive candidates and encourages students to apply for positions.
- Fresh FitnesscoreNorwegian gym chain with active partnership. Views Active Education graduates as attractive PTs due to innovative and solid PT education, experienced lecturers, and high academic quality in both physical and online instruction.
- Europe Active / EREPSmajorEuropean certification body. Active Education graduates receive international certifications through EREPS, enabling employment recognition across Europe. Listed as a key partner on Active Education's partner page.
- Virke (Trade and Employers' Confederation)majorNorwegian employers' organization for the fitness sector. Virke authored the 2019 national industry standard raising PT requirements to 1-year education. Active Education's programs meet and exceed this standard, and Virke is listed as a partner.
- Nordic WellnessminorNordic gym chain listed as a partner on Active Education's partner page, indicating a recruitment relationship.
- Fitness24sevenminorNorwegian gym chain listed as a partner on Active Education's partner page, indicating a recruitment relationship.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Active Education competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine): Major US-based PT certification and continuing-education brand with global reach; competes for the same persona of career-switchers seeking recognized personal training credentials.
- NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association): Global credentialing body for strength coaches and PTs offering internationally recognized certifications (CSCS, NSCA-CPT); competes indirectly with Active Education by giving aspiring trainers an internationally portable alternative credential.
- ACE Fitness: US-headquartered, internationally recognized PT and health coach certification body; competes in the European market for aspiring trainers seeking portable credentials and continuing education.
- ISSA (International Sports Sciences Association): Large-scale, online-only international PT certification provider; competes on price and convenience for aspiring PTs in Norway and other European markets where Active Education operates.
Direct peers
- TrainMe FITNESS EDUCATION: Norwegian-based personal training and fitness education school; competes head-to-head with Active Education for the same aspiring-PT persona in Norway, offering accredited PT and nutrition programs.
- AFPT (Academy of Fitness & Personal Training): European PT education provider offering online and in-person certifications across multiple countries; directly competes with Active Education in the certified personal trainer instruction space, serving aspiring trainers with similar curriculum and delivery formats.
Regional players
- PT Academy Sweden (PT-Akademin): Sweden's main private PT education provider; comparable PT and nutrition coaching curriculum sold to the same Nordic target market via campus and online delivery, providing direct competition in Active Education's emerging Swedish expansion.
Emerging players
- Fitness Education Group (FEG): Multi-brand fitness education group (including Australian Fitness Academy); comparable in offering campus-based and online PT/nutrition programs with similar student-outcome messaging and gym employer partnerships.
- The PT Academy (MyHealthCoach/European Fitness Academy): European fitness education startup offering online personal training and nutrition certifications; partial overlap with Active Education's online offerings for new entrants in fitness careers across Europe.
Others
- Virke Trening: Norwegian employers' confederation for the fitness sector that authored the 2019 PT industry standard; not a competitor but a regulatory and channel ecosystem participant that legitimizes Active Education's programs and indirectly constrains lower-quality competitors.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Active Education social profiles
Digital presenceActive Education financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Active Education leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
Active Education funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Active Education M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Active Education
What does Active Education do?
Active Education is a Norwegian private educational institution that delivers accredited personal trainer (PT), nutrition counselor, and sports-medicine certification programs. Offerings include a one-year Årsstudium PT (60 study credits), standalone PT-Basis modules delivered across campuses in Norway, Bali, and Spain, and short specialization courses covering prehab/rehab, manual medicine, mental coaching, group training instruction, and training during/after pregnancy. Programs are available in 100% online, hybrid (online plus physical gatherings in Oslo), and international campus formats.
Is Active Education a public or private company?
Active Education is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Active Education founded?
Active Education was founded in 2004. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Active Education based?
Active Education is headquartered in Oslo, Norway, in the Europe region.
How does Active Education make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Tuition fees – PT and specialty education programs are the primary driver. The others are short courses and workshops.
Who are Active Education's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are NASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine), NSCA (National Strength and Conditioning Association), ACE Fitness and ISSA (International Sports Sciences Association). Direct peers are TrainMe FITNESS EDUCATION and AFPT (Academy of Fitness & Personal Training). PT Academy Sweden (PT-Akademin) is listed as a regional player. Emerging players are Fitness Education Group (FEG) and The PT Academy (MyHealthCoach/European Fitness Academy). Virke Trening is listed as an others.
Does Active Education have an API?
No public API is recorded for Active Education.
What industry is Active Education in?
Active Education's product category is Fitness Education & Professional Certification. Its primary akta.pro industry code is EDAAAHAB, Fitness & Exercise Training Education (Strength, Cardio, Mobility), with a secondary code of EDAAAHAG, Health Coaching & Lifestyle Coaching Education. Its NAICS code is 61162 and its SIC code is 8200.