Certified Personal Trainer Prep Course
Sample Class Outline
Overall Course Objectives:
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To introduce students to the science and business of personal training
To prepare students to take a certification exam from one of the major certifying
organizations (i.e. NASM, ACE, NSCA, ACSM)
Specific Course Objectives:
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Understand and describe basic exercise sciences, including the muscular, skeletal,
nervous, cardiovascular and respiratory systems.
Understand physiological adaptations to resistance and aerobic training
Understand and describe functional anatomy, bioenergetics and biomechanics
Demonstrate proper execution of resistance, flexibility and aerobic exercise
Demonstrate the ability to design a complete exercise program, including resistance
and aerobic training
Understand how to conduct a client interview and health appraisal
Demonstrate how to conduct appropriate fitness assessment and testing
Understand the basics of sound nutritional principles
Understand the role of a personal trainer, including safety and legal issues
Understand how to work with clients with unique health needs
Learn the layout of and general information about the major certification exams
Course Schedule: For informational purposes only!
Date
Course Topic
Saturday
Introduction
Overview of personal training / course objectives
Exercise Sciences:
Muscular System
LAB – Sliding filament theory
Nervous System
Skeletal System & Connective Tissue
Cardiovascular System
Respiratory System
Overview of Tests: ACSM, ACE, NASM, NSCA
Tuesday
Functional Anatomy
Saturday
LABS – Functional Anatomy
Exercise Technique – Flexibility Training
Exercise Technique – Resistance Training
HANDS-ON – Chest exercises
Tuesday
Biomechanics
Saturday
LAB – Functional Anatomy
Bioenergetics
HANDS-ON – Back exercises
HANDS-ON – Shoulder exercises
Exercise Technique – Cardiovascular Activity
Tuesday
Resistance Training Adaptations
Aerobic Training Adaptations
Saturday
LAB – Functional Anatomy
Client Interview & Health Appraisal
LAB – Health appraisal
HANDS-ON – Cardiovascular activity
HANDS-ON – Arm exercises
HANDS-ON – Lower body exercises
Tuesday
FIELD TRIP – Juniper
Business, Safety and Legal Issues
Saturday
LAB – Functional Anatomy
Fitness Assessment & Testing
Postural analysis & testing
LAB – Fitness assessment & testing
HANDS-ON – Fitness assessments
Clients with Unique Programming Needs (if time permits)
Tuesday
Program Design – Resistance Training
Periodization
LAB – Resistance program design #1
Saturday
FIELD TRIP – BDAC
FIELD TRIP – Katie Mital’s studio
NASM’s OPT Model
ACE’s IFT Model
LAB – Resistance program design #2
LAB – Resistance program design #3
Program Design – Cardiovascular Training
LAB – Cardiovascular program design
Tuesday
FIELD TRIP – COCC Physiology Lab
Saturday
PEDORTHIST VISIT
Nutrition
HANDS-ON – Core and balance exercises
HANDS-ON – Flexibility exercise
Clients with Unique Programming Needs (cont.)
Tuesday
PHYSICAL THERAPIST VISIT
Clients with Unique Programming Needs (cont.)
Saturday
Exercise Psychology
Clients with Unique Programming Needs (cont.)
Plyometric and Speed Training
HANDS-ON – Plyometric exercise
Sample cPT tests
Tuesday
FIELD TRIP – XCel Fitness
Additional Topics, as time permits:
Supplementation