The APTC was formed in 1860 as the Army Gymnastic Staff.  It was renamed the Army Physical Training Staff in 1918 and was given its present corps status by Army Order 165 in 1940.

Based at the Army School of Physical Training (ASPT) in Aldershot, its instructors are attached to every battalion and regiment in the British Army.

It is not possible to join the APTC directly from civilian life.  Prospective PTIs must first join another regiment or corps and then qualify as Regimental PTIs after a nine-week course at the ASPT.  They then return to their own unit and only after further experience can they attend selection for the APTC.  If they pass the selection course they follow a 30-week intensive training course before qualifying as an APTCI and transferring to the APTC.

Olympic medallist Kriss Akabusi was a Warrant Officer Class 2 in the APTC and Kelly Holmes a qualified as a PTI.

In 2010 the APTC will be celebrating its 150th Anniversary.