Personal Fitness Trainer

Students learn about human anatomy, including the nervous, endocrine, reproductive, cardiovascular, lymphatic, respiratory, digestive, and urinary systems. Also covers the skeletal system, including bony landmarks and joints; the muscular system, including the origin, insertion, and function of the body's major muscles; and the integumentary system, including the skin, its functions, and pathologies.

The study of anatomy, biomechanics, and muscles, including the principles of human movement and the structure, function, and kinesiology of the extremities. Topics include the joints, bones, and muscles of the upper extremities and shoulders, and the origin, insertion, and action of the skeletal muscles. Students consider various exercise techniques to understand the kinetics of human motion.

Covers the basics of wellness and nutrition. Students describe the function of macronutrients, micronutrients, and hydration concepts, and discuss the Dietary Guidelines for Americans, calorie consumption, the laws of thermodynamics, and the pros and cons of nutritional supplements.

Personal trainers perform subjective, objective, and movement assessments with clients to deliver quality personal training. This course gives students a practical opportunity to develop and hone those skills and introduces training techniques for use in program-design courses. Students take the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Certified Personal Trainer exam during this module.

Students develop a functional understanding of nutrition as it applies to personal training, including the scope of practice of a nutrition coach, professional and ethical practices, and business tactics. Topics include macronutrient and micronutrient metabolism, special populations, and the basics of nutrition for goals such as weight loss, muscle gain, health, and performance, plus sport-specific nutrition and energy metabolism. Students take the NASM Certified Nutrition Coach exam during this module.

Covers the factors that regulate ventilation and influence the cardiovascular system and its role in maximum oxygen uptake, plus the integrity of the neuromuscular system. Topics include the principles of training and the adaptations that result from aerobic and anaerobic training, sports nutrition concerns, the role of biomechanics in performance, the muscular system and anatomy of human movement, and the science of levers and biomechanical equations.

Practical application of program design for sport-specific clients. Students design cardiorespiratory training programs, OPT programs, and programs for clients who participate in individual competition or team sports, applying the principles of integrated training to help clients achieve their established goals.

Presents an evidence-based approach to corrective exercise — the components of a comprehensive solution and the practical knowledge to develop and implement integrated strategies to improve common movement impairments. Prepares students to take NASM's Corrective Exercise Specialist credentialing examination. This course includes certification in CPR.

Students learn about the motions the Human Movement System produces and the forces that act on it. Includes planes of motion, joint motion, muscle actions, forces, force-couples, the force-velocity relationship, levers, length-tension relationships, and motor behaviors.

Students learn how to become successful business owners and build a successful career as a personal fitness trainer. Covers basic business principles, office productivity software, marketing materials, résumé development, business-plan development, licensing, and continuing education in the fitness industry.