National Personal Training Institute
500 Hour Educational Program in Personal Training
Module A Syllabus
Day Class
Copyright  2014, by NPTI, Inc
Module Objective: The objective of the NPTI Module A is to prepare successful
graduates to pursue a career as a personal trainer. A certified personal trainer will
understand the Scope of Practice for Personal Trainers and work within that scope to
assist their clients in achieving their fitness goals.
Class Schedule:
Monday – Thursday: 9:30 am to 2:30 pm for 12 weeks
Prerequisites for NPTI:
 High School Diploma or GED Equivalent and
 Must be 18 years old and
 Must be cleared for physical activity by a doctor
Textbooks Used:
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NPTI’s Fundamentals of Fitness and Personal Training – Henriques
NASM Essentials of Personal Fitness Training, 4th Edition – Clark
Suggested Reference Books:
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Starting Strength, 3rd Edition – Mark Rippetoe
Strength Training Anatomy, 3rd Edition – Frederic Delavier
Grading System:
The grade for each module is composed of 4 equal parts, each worth 25% of the
total module grade. Module A counts for half of the students total GPA for the
NPTI Program. In order to complete the module the student must have a
cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher (70+), there may only be one grade of 1.0 (6069), and there can be no grades of 0.0 (59 or lower).
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Course 101 – Essentials of Personal Training 1
Course 203 – Understanding the Human Body
Course 305 – Advanced Concepts in Personal Training
Module A Final Exam
25%
25%
25%
25%
MODULE A: Weeks One – Twelve
Course 101: Fundamentals of Personal Training 1
This 60 hour course focuses on fundamental information necessary to be
successful as a personal trainer. Information covered includes focus on basic
musculoskeletal anatomy, key terms and definitions, scope of practice for personal
trainers and understanding the components of fitness, risk stratification and fitness
assessments, how beginners should train, common fitness formulas, and an overview of
nutrition. The specific muscles focused on are the muscles of the abs, obliques, and
lower back.
Week One
Introduction to class, Fundamentals Chapter 1: Components of Fitness
Fundamentals Chapter 6: Major Bones and Muscles
Fundamentals Chapter 18: Beginner Workout
Week Two
Fundamentals Chapter 3: Risk Stratification and Fitness Assessments
Nutrition Basics
Muscle Group: Rectus Abdominis, External and Internal Oblique, TA
Week Three
Fundamentals Chapter 2: Principles of Fitness
Bodyfat Measurements and Assessments
Muscle Group: Erector Spinae, Quadratus Lumborum
Test 1A Covering Weeks One through Three
Course 203: Understanding the Human Body
This 80 hour course goes into detail about how the human body works. The first
part of the course goes into detail on the anatomy and physiology of a muscle cell, the
physiological effects of exercise, and in depth information on how the body utilizes
carbohydrates and fats. The second part of the course focuses on biomechanics, joint
concerns during exercise, the value of free weights and machines, in depth look at how
the body utilizes protein and the concepts of energy balance and how to use food to
manipulate body weight. The muscles highlighted during this course are the chest, back,
shoulders, and rotator cuff.
Week Four
Fundamentals Chapter 6: Structure of the Muscle
Fundamentals Chapter 14: Carbohydrates
Muscle Group: Latissimus Dorsi, Teres Major
Week Five
Fundamentals Chapter 7: Nervous System
Fundamentals Chapter 14: Fat
Muscle Group: Pectoralis Major, Pectoralis Minor, Serratus Anterior
Test 2A covering Weeks Four and Five
Week Six
Fundamentals Chapter 10: Biomechanics
Fundamentals Chapter 14: Protein
Muscle Group: Deltoids
Week Seven
General physiological adaptations to training overview
Fundamentals Chapter 5: How to conduct a personal training session
Fundamentals Chapter 15: Metabolism
Muscle Group: Rotator Cuff
Test 3A Covering Weeks Six and Seven
Course 305: Advanced Concepts of Personal Training
This is the final course in Module A and it is 100 hours in length. It attempts to
bring together all of the information learned in the previous courses. The first part of the
course emphasizes how the body physiologically responds to exercise, the energy
systems of the body and how they work, the endocrine system and the role of hormones
in the body and the importance of water balance and digestion of food. The second part
contains new information that focuses on the regulation, use, application, benefits, and
side effects of common supplements and drugs in fitness, aspects of sports psychology,
how to create sample meal plans, and at the end of the course there is extensive review
for the Module A final exam. In addition to the students’ normal workouts during the
classes, they will be training each other in the gym during this course. The muscles
focused on during this course include the rhomboids, traps, biceps, triceps, and forearms.
Week Eight
Fundamentals Chapter 8: Energy Systems
Fundamentals Chapter 15: Water Balance
Muscle Group: Rhomboids, Trapezius
Week Nine
Fundamentals Chapter 9: Endocrine System
Fundamentals Chapter 15: Digestion
Muscle Group: Biceps Brachii, Brachialis, Brachioradialis
Week Ten
Ergogenic Aids
Fundamentals Chapter 16: Practical Application of Nutrition
Muscle Group: Triceps
Test 4A Covering Weeks Eight, Nine, and Ten
Week Eleven
Fundamentals Chapter 4: Setting Goals and Sports Psychology
Fundamentals Chapter 16: Practical Application of Nutrition
Muscle Group: Forearm Extensors and Forearm Flexors
Week Twelve
Module A Review
Fundamentals Chapter 16: Practical Application of Nutrition
Muscle Group: Upper Body Muscles Review
Module A Final: Covering Weeks One Through Twelve
Duties of the Instructor:
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The instructor is to arrive to class on time
The instructor is to be prepared for class once it begins
The instructor will maintain class order
The instructor will set the schedule for the class that day
The instructor will treat all students fairly
The instructor will grade and go over tests/projects in a timely manner
The instructor will try to present the material to fit a variety of learning styles
The instructor will cover and present the required material of the NPTI curriculum
The instructor will be available in the gym for questions or help
The instructor will dismiss class each day
Resource Center:
If you wish additional information on topics, you may check books out from the
school’s library. Don’t forget you can also use your own public library to find more
information. All NPTI students are eligible to use Tyson’s Pimmett Regional Library for
more information. See your instructor if you have any questions about this.
Assignments for Module A (additional assignments can be included):
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Research 3 specific fitness related websites and write a report on them
Analyze a sample day of food intake for its caloric value
Write a one month detailed workout program
Module A Syllabus
Day Class
Course 101 – Essentials of Personal Training 1
Length – 60 hours
NPTI’s Fundamentals Chapters:
Week
Exercise Theory
Nutrition
Anatomy
1
1 – Comp. of Fitness
Overview
6 - Basic Bones/Muscles
18 – Beginner W/O
2
3 – Risk Stratification
Overview
13 - Abs, Obliques
3
2 – Prin. of Fitness
Overview
13 - Erectors, QL
Test
1A
Test 1A, Practical Project, Practical Skills
Course 203 – Understanding the Human Body
Length – 80 hours
Week
4
5
6
7
NPTI’s Fundamentals Chapters:
Exercise Theory
Nutrition
Anatomy
6 – Muscle Cell
14 - Carbs
11 - Lats, Teres Major
7 – Nervous System
14 – Fat
11 - Pecs (2), Serratus
10 - Biomechanics
14 - Protein
11 - Delts
5 – Personal Training
15 - Metabolism
11 - Rotator Cuff
Test
2A
3A
Test 2A and 3A, Practical Project, Practical Skills
Course 305 – Advanced Concepts of Personal Training
Length – 100 hours
Week
8
9
10
11
12
NPTI’s Fundamentals Chapters:
Exercise Theory
Nutrition
Anatomy
8 – Energy Systems
15 – Water Balance 11 - Rhomboids, Traps
9 – Endocrine System
15 - Digestion
11 - Biceps
Ergogenic Aids
16 – Practical
11 - Triceps
4 – Setting Goals
16 – Practical
11 - Forearms
Module A Review
16 - Practical
Review Upper Body
Test
4A
Final
Test 4A, Practical Project, Practical Skills
All regular lecture tests will be on a Monday, unless otherwise noted. The Final will be on
Thursday, the last day of the module, unless otherwise noted.
During the course we will be focusing on several different practical applications, such as ball
training, interval training, non-traditional aerobic training, etc. In general each week from 4-12
will have a specific theme. Be on the Lookout for Wacky Wednesday Workouts. Generally on
Wednesdays we will do some unusual type of workout or a different type of fitness activity. This
might be for the first part of the workout or it might replace the entire workout.