Personal Fitness Trainer Specialist

Hours: 810 / Access Length: 12 Months / Delivery: Open, Mentor Supported
Retail Price: $3,525.00

Course Overview:

Personal Fitness Trainer – Level 1 contains essential information for students interested in a career as a personal trainer. This course provides an introduction to the profession along with coverage of exercise physiology, biomechanics, anatomy, motor learning, and nutrition. In this Personal Fitness Trainer – Level 1 course you will learn how to establish goals for clients and assess strength, flexibility, and risk as well as develop resistance, cardiorespiratory and flexibility training programs. Learn to be a Personal Trainer and change people’s lives!

After completing this course, you should be able to:

• Identify current trends in the field of personal training
• Comprehend biomechanics and nutritional needs for fitness
• Define coaching and behavior modification theory
• Identify the steps for an initial client screening and exercise program development
• Identify the principles for starting your own personal training business

Personal Fitness Trainer – Level 2 prepares you to take the ACSM's certification exam. This course elaborates on all major aspects of preventative rehabilitation and fitness programs. We provide students with the information necessary to address the knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSA) set forth by ACSM. The contributions of experts in the field are featured, showcasing their expertise in physiology, kinesiology, fitness, cardiology, pulmonary medicine, and epidemiology. The content of this course comprises both theoretical and practical physiological concepts, with related examples of exercise testing, training, and programming.

After completing this course, you should be able to:

• Comprehend exercise physiology, nutrition, and related common diseases
• Identify the steps to perform a health appraisal
• Identify the steps to perform various exercise assessments
• Identify factors to consider when forming an exercise prescription
• Comprehend the benefits and risks of regular exercise

Discover how muscles function as movers, antagonists, and stabilizers in the human body and fully understand concentric, eccentric, and isometric muscle contractions. This course in kinesiology explores the bones, landmarks, and joints of the body, and presents a thorough explanation of muscle function. It provides clinical applications related to key kinesiology concepts and clearly explains terminology needed for working in any rehabilitative practice field. This course includes a DVD with 60 minutes of video demonstrating all major joint actions of the human body.

After completing this course, you should be able to:

• Comprehend the fundamentals of structure and motion
• Identify the various joints in the body and their movement
• Identify the function and roles of the muscles in the body
• Comprehend the motion of muscles in the body
• Comprehend the importance of good posture and exercise

Nutrition Consultant training provides students with an understanding of how food nutrition contributes to the prevention of illness and the promotion of optimal health. Students learn to conduct in-depth diet and lifestyle evaluations and to advise individuals on food plans customized to each individual’s taste, temperament, and health goals. The fundamentals of whole food nutrition, digestive physiology, metabolism, nutritional biochemistry, and current research are presented. The nutritional terrain covered includes macronutrients, micronutrients, and phytonutrients, based upon current global research and application. Students are trained to work in the community in a wide variety of institutional, school, business, and private practice settings.

After completing this course, you should be able to:

• Comprehend how nutrition relates to overall health
• Identify the components of food and how it is used by the body
• Define vitamins and minerals and their role in the body
• Identify the nutritional needs throughout the lifespan
• Comprehend the role of nutritional therapy when treating disease

Course Outline:

Personal Fitness Trainer Module 1
Introduction to the Field of Personal Training

• The Current State of the Fitness Industry
• Exercise is Medicine
• Professional Career Environments
• Core Body of Knowledge
• Options for Personal Trainers
• Future Trends in the Fitness Industry
• Code of Ethics for ACSM Professionals
• Career Track for Professional Personal Trainers
• Becoming a Personal Trainer
• Areas of Specialization
• Establishing a Client Base 

Personal Fitness Trainer Module 2
The Science of Personal Training

• Anatomy & Kinesiology
• Musculoskeletal System
• Biomechanical Principles
• Key Terminology
• Applied Biomechanics
• 1st, 2nd, & 3rd Class Lever
• Effects of Gravity
• Angular Work & Angular Power
• External Torque, the Movement of Inertia, & Angular Acceleration
• Exercise Physiology
• Physiological Mechanism
• Cardiovascular & Respiratory Systems
• Muscular & Neurological Systems
• Nutrition & Human Performance
• Essential Nutrition Concepts
• Nutrients that Provide Energy
• Nutritional Considerations

Personal Fitness Trainer Module 3
Behavior Modification

• Bringing Coaching to Personal Training
• What is Coaching?
• Integrating Coaching Skills
• Understanding Behavior Changes
• Behavior Modification Theory
• Different Stages of Change
• Cognitive & Behavioral Change Processes
• Client Relationships
• Establish Credibility
• Maintaining Confidentiality
• Develop Trust & Being Present
• Give & Receive Feedback
• Model a Healthy Lifestyle
• Motivational Tools
• Appreciative Inquiry
• Setting SMART Goals
• Training the Whole Client
• The Behavior Change Pyramid

Personal Fitness Trainer Module 4
Initial Client Screening 

• The Initial Client Consultation
• Successful Client Relations
• Principles of Relationship Marketing
• Screening & Risk Stratification
• The Screening Process
• Health-History Evaluation
• Documentation
• Medical Clearance & Referral
• Client Fitness Assessment
• Heart Rate & Blood Pressure
• Body Composition
• CRF Assessment
• Muscular Strength Assessment
• Muscular Endurance Assessment
• Flexibility Assessment

Personal Fitness Trainer Module 5
Developing the Exercise Program

• Program Design
• Types of Training
• Functional Training
• Resistance Training Programs
• The Science Behind Resistance Training
• Resistance Training Modalities
• Machines versus Free-Weight Exercises
• Acute Program Variables
• Periodization of Exercise
• Cardiorespiratory Training Programs
• Exercise Intensity & Exercise Session Duration
• Designing Flexibility Programs
• Three Types of Stretching
• Flexibility Program Development
• Sequencing the Personal Training Program
• Exercise for Special Populations
• Programing for Older Adults
• Programing for Pregnancy & Postpartum
• Programing for Obese Clients

Personal Fitness Trainer Module 6
The Personal Training Business

• Business Basics & Planning
• Legal Issues & Responsibilities
• What Do Personal Trainers Do?
• Who Is Your Market?
• Designing Your Business
• Business Plan Elements
• Structuring Your Business
• Locating and Setting Up Your Business
• Operating in Cyberspace
• Setting Yourself Apart
• Start-Up Expenses & Financing
• Maximizing Your Human Resources
• Building Client Relationships
• Advertising & Marketing
• Fiscal Fitness
• Maintain a Client Base
• Be Your Own Advertisement

Personal Fitness Trainer Module 1
Advanced Preliminary Background Materials

• Functional Anatomy
• Biomechanics
• Exercise Physiology
• Nutrition
• Lifespan Effects of Aging & Deconditioning
• Pathophysiology of Cardiovascular Disease
• Treatment of Cardiovascular Disease
• Pathophysiology of Pulmonary Disease
• Treatment of Pulmonary Disease
• Pathophysiology of Metabolic Disease
• Treatment of Metabolic Disease
• Psychopathology

Personal Fitness Trainer Module 2
Health Appraisal, Risk Assessment & Safety of Exercise

• Pre-participation Health Screening
• General Overview of Risk Assessment
• Physical Activity Status
• Understanding Chronic Diseases
• Assessment of Physical Activity
• Nutritional Status & Chronic Diseases
• Assessment of Nutritional Status
• Psychosocial Status & Chronic Diseases
• Assessment of Psychosocial Status
• Body Composition Status
• Body Composition Assessment

Personal Fitness Trainer Module 3
Understanding Exercise Testing

• Pre-Exercise Testing Evaluation
• Cardiorespiratory Physical Fitness Assessments
• Other Health-Related Physical Fitness Assessments
• Muscular Fitness & Assessment
• Clinical Exercise Testing Procedures
• Diagnostic Procedures for Cardiovascular Disease
• Diagnostic Procedures in Patients with Pulmonary Diseases
• Diagnostic Procedures in Patients with Metabolic Diseases
• Occupational Assessments
• Functional Assessments
• Exercise Assessment in Special Populations
• Electrocardiography

Personal Fitness Trainer Module 4
Exercise Prescription - Part 1

• Cardiorespiratory Exercise Prescription
• Musculoskeletal Exercise Prescription
• Adaptations to Cardiorespiratory Exercise Training
• Adaptations to Resistance Training
• Group Exercise Programming
• Weight Management
• Exercise Prescription & Medical Considerations
• Exercise Prescription in Patients with Cardiovascular Disease

Personal Fitness Trainer Module 5
Exercise Prescription - Part 2

• Exercise Prescription in Patients with Pulmonary Disease
• Exercise Prescription in Patients with Diabetes
• Exercise Prescription for Patients with Comorbidities
• Exercise Prescription for People with Osteoporosis
• Exercise Prescription for People with Arthritis
• Exercise Prescription in Special Populations
• Exercise Prescription for Women & Pregnancy
• Exercise Prescription for Children & the Elderly
• Behavioral Strategies to Enhance Physical Activity Participation

Personal Fitness Trainer Module 6
Programmatic & Professional Information

• Principles of Health Behavior Change
• Health Behavior Counseling Skills
• Channels for Delivering Behavioral Programs
• Exercise Program Professionals
• Community Physical Activity Interventions
• Health & Fitness Program Development
• Health & Fitness Program Operation
• Clinical Exercise Program Development
• Clinical Exercise Program Operation
• Exercise Program Safety & Emergency Procedures
• Legal considerations for Exercise Programming

Personal Fitness Trainer Module 7
Health Appraisal, Risk Assessment & Exercise Testing

• Benefits of Regular Physical Activity
• Risks Associated with Exercise
• Pre-participation Health Screening
• Risk Stratification
• Pre-Exercise Evaluation
• Contraindications to Exercise Testing
• Purpose of Health Related Fitness Testing
• Basic Principles & Guidelines
• Clinical Exercise Testing
• Diagnostic Exercise Testing
• Exercise Protocols
• Interpretation of Clinical Exercise Test Data
• Diagnostic Value of Exercise Testing
• Prognostic Applications of the Exercise Test

Personal Fitness Trainer Module 8
The Exercise Prescription

• General Principles of Exercise Prescription
• Exercise Mode (Type)
• Components of the Exercise Training Session
• The FITT Principle
• Muscular Fitness
• Flexibility Exercise
• Neuromuscular Exercise
• Exercise Program Supervision
• Exercise Prescription for Pregnancy
• Exercise Prescription for Children & Adolescents
• Exercise Prescription for Older Adults
• Inpatient Rehabilitation Programs
• Outpatient Exercise Programs
• Exercise Prescription for Special Illnesses

Kinesiology Module 1
Fundamentals of Structure & Motion

• Major Divisions of the Human Body
• Major Body Parts
• Joints Between Body Parts
• Movement of Body Parts
• Regions of the Body
• Anatomic Position
• Location Terminology
• Planes & Their Corresponding Axes
• Classification of Bones by Shape
• Fracture Healing
• Cartilage Tissue
• Fascial Response to Physical Stress
• Properties of Skeletal Tissues
• Axial Skeleton
• Appendicular Skeleton
• Lower & Upper Extremities

Kinesiology Module 2
Skeletal Arthrology: Study of the Joints - Part 1

• Joint Action Terminology
• Overview of Joint Function
• Axial & Nonaxial Motion
• Roll, Spin, & Glide Movements
• Naming Joint Actions
• Classification of Joints
• Anatomy & Physiology of a Joint
• Joint Mobility versus Joint Stability
• Joints & Shock Absorption
• Menisci & Articular Discs
• Joints of the Axial Body
• Suture Joints of the Skull
• Temporomandibular Joint (TMJ)
• Spine & Spinal Joints
• Rib Joints
• Thoracolumbar Fascia

Kinesiology Module 3
Skeletal Arthrology: Study of the Joints - Part 2

• Joints of the Lower Extremity
• Pelvis & Pelvic Movement
• Intrapelvic Motion
• Lumbosacral Joint
• Hip Joints
• Effect of Pelvic Posture on Spinal Posture
• Angulations of the Femur
• Knee Joint Complex
• Patellofemoral Joint
• Tarsometatarsal (TMT) Joints
• Joints of the Upper Extremity
• Shoulder Joint Complex
• Sternoclavicular Joint
• Elbow Joint Complex
• Wrist & Hand Joint Complex
• Metacarpophalangeal Joints
• Interphalangeal Joints of the Hand

Kinesiology Module 4
Myology: Study of the Muscular System

• Anatomy & Physiology of Muscle Tissue
• Tissue Components of a Skeletal Muscle
• Sliding Filament Mechanism
• Nervous System Control of Muscle Contraction
• Myofascial Meridians & Tensegrity
• How Muscles Function
• 5 Step Approach to Learning Muscles
• Functional Group Approach
• Muscle Actions that Change
• Types of Muscle Contractions
• Concentric, Eccentric, & Isometric Contraction
• Relating Muscle Contraction
• Movement versus Stabilization
• Roles of Muscles
• Mover & Antagonist Muscles
• Concept of Fixation & Core Stabilization
• Support Muscles
• Coordinating Muscle Roles

Kinesiology Module 5
Muscles in Motion – Part 1

• Force of a Muscle Contraction
• Muscle Fiber Architecture
• Active Tension versus Passive Tension
• Classes of Levers
• Leverage of Resistance Forces
• The Skeletal Muscles
• Muscles of the Shoulder Girdle
• Muscles of the Elbow, Wrist & Finger Joints
• Muscles of Facial Expression
• Muscles of the Hip, Knee, Ankle & Toe Joints
• Types of Joint Motion
• Musculoskeletal Assessment
• Active versus Passive Range of Motion
• Resisted Motion
• Muscle Palpation

Kinesiology Module 6
Muscles in Motion - Part 2

• The Neuromuscular System
• Voluntary Movement versus Reflex Movement
• Reciprocal Inhibition
• Muscle Spindles
• Pain-Spasm-Pain Cycle
• Gate Theory
• Posture & the Gait Cycle
• Importance of Good Posture
• Ideal Standing Plumb Line Posture
• General Principles of Compensation
• Common Postural Distortion Patterns
• Muscular Activity during the Gait Cycle
• Basic & Advanced Stretching Techniques
• Principles of Strengthening Exercise
• Reasons for Exercise
• Exercise Program Design

Nutritional Consultant Module 1
Digestion, Absorption, & Metabolism

• Nutrition and Health
• The Science of Nutrition
• Digestion
• Absorption
• Metabolism
• Movement of Food Through Digestive Tract
• Carbohydrates
• Fiber
• Lipids
• Fatty Acids and Triglycerides
• Proteins

Nutritional Consultant Module 2
Essential Nutrients

• Vitamins
• B Vitamins
• Folate
• Thiamin
• Minerals
• Potassium
• Trace Elements
• Iron
• Water
• Electrolyte Balance
• Energy Balance
• Human Energy System

Nutritional Consultant Module 3
Nutrition & The Beginning of Life

• Personal Food Selection
• Food Safety & Food Processing
• Community Nutrition
• Family Economic Needs
• Nutrition During Pregnancy
• Nutrition During Lactation
• Maternal Nutrition & the Outcome of Pregnancy
• Nutrition for Normal Growth & Development
• Nutritional Requirements for Growth
• Age-group Needs
• Children and Adolescents

Nutritional Consultant Module 4
Nutrition Through the Lifespan

• Nutrition for Adults
• Adulthood: Continuing Growth & Development
• Adult Stages
• The Nature of Aging
• Nutrition and Physical Fitness
• Physical Activity
• Chronic Disease
• Obesity as a Disease
• Role of Nutrition in Clinical Care
• Metabolic Stress
• Nutritional Needs & Surgery

Nutritional Consultant Module 5
Nutrition & Disease Part 1

• Drug-Nutrient Interactions
• Nutrition Assessment
• Parenteral Nutrition
• Enteral Nutrition
• Tube Feeding Nutrition
• Home Nutrition Support
• Gastrointestinal Diseases
• Problems in the Digestive Process
• Coronary Heart Disease
• Hypertension & Vascular Disease
• Pulmonary Disease

Nutritional Consultant Module 6
Nutrition & Disease Part 2

• Diabetes Mellitus
• Nature of Diabetes
• Renal Disease
• Basic Kidney Function
• Medical Nutrition Therapy
• HIV & AIDS
• Medical Management
• Cancer
• Body’s Defense System
• Effects of Cancer on Nutrition
• Nutrition & Cancer

All necessary materials are included.

Certifications:

Upon successful completion of our Personal Fitness Trainer Level 1 and 2 courses, students will be prepared for an entry-level position as a Personal Fitness Trainer in a health & fitness setting and will be prepared to sit for the ACSM national certification exam to become a Certified Personal Trainer (CPT).

System Requirements:

• Cable and DSL internet connections are recommended for the best experience.

• CPU: 1 GHz or higher
• RAM: 2 GB or higher
• Resolution: 1280 x 720 or higher
• Speakers / Headphones
• Microphone (Webinar / Live Online sessions)

• Microsoft Windows 7 or 10 (Home, Pro)
• Mac OSX 10 or higher.
• Latest Chrome OS
• Latest Linux Distributions

NOTE: While we understand that our courses can be viewed on Android and iPhone devices, we do not recommend the use of these devices for our courses. The size of these devices do not provide a good learning environment for students taking online or live online based courses.

• Latest Google Chrome is recommended for the best experience.
• Latest Mozilla FireFox
• Latest Microsoft Edge
• Latest Apple Safari

• Office suite software (Microsoft Office, OpenOffice, or LibreOffice)
• PDF reader program (Adobe Reader, FoxIt)
• Courses may require other software that is denoted in the above course outline.