Personal Training Prep Course

The “Personal Trainer Prep Course” is designed to teach students the fundamentals of personal training. Additionally, the program will prepare students for a national fitness certification examination.

What is involved in the program?

Students will attend a weekly class session consisting of classroom presentations as well as hands-on practical exercises. The course will run for 10 weeks. Topics such as exercise physiology, anatomy, kinesiology, biomechanics, nutrition, health screening, testing and evaluation, motivation, components of fitness, exercise for special populations, injury prevention, emergency protocols, legal and professional responsibilities, adherence and motivation and legal responsibilities will all be covered. A personal trainer manual, written by the American Council on Exercise (www.acefitness.org), will be utilized in the course. Students will also be encouraged to attend fitness testing and fitness classes during the semester offered at The Freeman Center Trieshmann Health and Fitness Pavilion to gain applicable experience.

Successful completion of the national certification will give students the opportunity to apply for Personal Trainer positions at The Freeman Center upon receiving a national certification as well as Adult CPR/First Aid/AED certification (this training is regularly offered by The Freeman Center).

What is the time commitment?

The class will meet once a week for 10 weeks. Each class meeting will last 2 hours. The day of the week will be determined based on the discussions held at the Interest Meeting. The class is tentatively scheduled to begin in January and end the in April. Students will be encouraged to read chapters from the manual to prepare for each class. Study and preparation time for the national exam should be considered.

Where will the program be held?

The program will be held in The Freeman Center Trieshmann Health and Fitness Pavilion President’s Suite and/or Multipurpose Room.

What are the benefits of this program?

First, the program provides students with the opportunity to step into the fitness industry and learn about basic fitness principles. Second, it provides the potential opportunity for on-campus employment at The Freeman Center. Personal Trainers work with clients who have various fitness goals from weight loss to exercise instruction. Students could earn money while sharing something they are passionate about… exercise and fitness. Third, obtaining the national certification and gaining the work experience will be resume builders. Students will increase their opportunities to work at fitness centers during school breaks.

How much will this cost?

The cost for the training program will be approximately $95. This fee pays for the American Council on Exercise Personal Training manual, a fitness class pass and other operational costs. Students interested in pursuing the national certification should also budget for a cost of approximately $200. This fee would be paid directly to ACE. Other optional costs would include the statewide Fitness Expo held in February ($35 fee plus travel...). The 2008 conference will be held at James Madison University.

How do I get involved?

I If you are interested in the program, contact Lisa Wingfield, Trieshmann Health and Fitness Pavilion Director, at (757) 594-7882 or lwing@cnu.edu. You will be sent the brochure that will include a registration form. The brochure will provide more details about the program such as scheduled dates, curriculum and more. The class will be limited to 15 participants.

What happens after I obtain the national certification?

To keep the certification current and active, students must obtain Continuing Education Units (or Credits) (CEUs or CECs). The national organization offers workshops, home study courses and other ways to earn CEUs/CECs. Other ways to earn them include attending certain conferences/workshops offered by other organizations (such as AFAA, ACSM, etc.). Adult CPR/First Aid/AED certification would also provide CEUs/CECs. Earning CEUs/CECs is typically required by most certifications because it “forces” people to stay current in the field.