Online Certificate in Personal Fitness Training

PRLog (Press Release) – Oct 06, 2008 – This interactive, comprehensive Web-based Certificate program with an optional field internship elective course will allow students from around the world to fit courses into their busy work and home schedules.  The program is designed to prepare graduating students for a career working at medically-based fitness facilities, community wellness programs, personal training studios, physical therapy clinics, corporate fitness centers, and private and commercial health clubs.  

"More people are turning to personal fitness trainers to design exercise programs and serve as guides to combat obesity and obtain healthy lifestyles," said Ken Baldwin, M.Ed, Program Coordinator for the certificate program and past winner of IDEA’s Personal Trainer of the Year Award.  “Students will learn how to apply their client’s health history, goals, and abilities integrating exercise science curriculum and training techniques into a systematic model that teaches students to progress their clients of all ages through different training levels and phases,” said Baldwin.  

The Certificate Program is designed to supply essential educational pathways and career opportunities to those seeking to start a career in the emerging fitness/health industry, for established fitness professionals who desire advanced education, and for allied health and medical professionals from all fields seeking to broaden their careers to become full or part-time personal trainers/fitness instructors.  The personal fitness training certificate will include courses in Anatomy and Kinesiology, Exercise Physiology, Fitness Assessment Techniques, Designing Exercise Prescriptions, Business Administration for Personal Trainers, and the optional internship course. The certificate and elective internship course are offered three times per year in the Fall, Spring, and Summer semesters.

The growth in demand for a qualified personal trainer attests to the fact that this is a valuable, much needed service profession.  According to the U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau publication Occupational Outlook Handbook, overall employment for personal trainers is expected to increase 44% from 2002 to 2012.

The program is offered in partnership with the American Council on Exercise® (ACE), IDEA Health & Fitness Association, and Personal Fitness Professional (PFP).  ACE provides graduating certificate students a preferred discount on the ACE Personal Training Certification Exam and study materials.  IDEA has provided content/curriculum in the program; in addition, students receive a complimentary 6-month membership to the digital edition of IDEA Fitness Journal.  PFP is providing students with a 3 year free subscription, which includes 8 print issues per year, a bi-monthly e-newsletter, access to their digital magazine and an interactive website with blogs, polls, articles and much more.  

The Commission on Dietetic Registration (CDR), the credentialing agency for the American Dietetic Association (ADA) has approved the Certificate in Personal Training program for 150 Continuing Professional Education Units (CPEUs), the Advanced Certificate program for 90 CPEUs, and the Optional Field Internship Course for 60 CPEUs for both Registered Dietitian (RDs) and Dietetic Technician-Registered (DTRs).

Second Module classes begin on November 3rd.  To learn more or to register, please visit www.efslibrary.net to locate a school near you that offers the Online Certificate in Personal Fitness Training.