The classroom component of our curriculum is designed to provide students with a thorough understanding of all facets of the personal training profession; from anatomy, physiology, exercise science, nutrition and exercise programming to the business side of the industry.

Our classroom is a professional, but informal environment in which students are encouraged to have fun while they learn. All lectures are taught using PowerPoint software and are available on-line.  We also bring in guest lecturers to discuss a wide variety of topics.

Anatomy and Physiology. Students will gain knowledge of the structure and function of the human body including the ability to describe the:

• Different muscle fiber types
• Macro and microstructures of a muscle.
• Sliding filament theory of muscular contraction
• Origin, insertion and primary and integrated actions of major muscles
• Primary energy systems and energy substrate depletion and restoration
• Terminology of human bioenergetics and metabolism related to exercise
• Basic concepts of endocrinology including hormonal responses to cardiovascular and resistance training exercise
• Anatomical and physiological characteristics of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems
• Movement terminology as related to joints including anatomical planes, axis of rotation and degrees of freedom
• Physiological changes and adaptations that occur in the human body related to aerobic, anaerobic and resistance training
• Differences in the body’s response to exercise based on age and gender and how to safely prescribe exercise programming while incorporating this information

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Nutrition. Students will understand and be able to provide information on:

• Macro and micro nutrients
• Popular and fad diet myths and realities
• Supplements and other performance enhancing substances
• The utilization of metabolic calculations and energy expenditure
• Nutritional needs related to health, performance and special populations

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Client Assessment. Students will understand the guidelines for and gain experience in pre-participation health screenings and risk stratification of clients including:

• The measurement of heart rate and blood pressure
• Body composition and aerobic capacity measurements
• PAR-Q, Medical Clearance and Client Self-Evaluation Forms
• Body movement screens including strength, balance and flexibility testing

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Business and Career Development, Insurance and Legal Issues. With the goal of improving their career and job placements prospects within the health and fitness industry, students will:

• Learn how to build and maintain a client base
• Gain knowledge on developing and protecting a business
• Be exposed to the many career paths related to personal training
• Gain experience in the marketing, design and sales of personal training related services including role playing
• Receive direction in career related tasks such as job searches, interviewing skills and the production of a resume and cover letter

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Special Populations. Students will understand the health concerns, exercise programming guidelines and required exercise modifications for clients with special issues including:

Stress, Cancer, Asthma, Obesity, Diabetes, Geriatric, Pregnancy, Adolescent, Musculoskeletal Injuries, Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Osteoporosis, Osteoarthritis, Rheumatoid Arthritis, Multiple Sclerosis, Spinal Cord Injuries, Lupus, Cerebral Palsy, Epilepsy.

Exercise Program Design. Students will learn to:

• Apply periodization in strength and conditioning programs
• Identify and modify high risk and contraindicated exercises
• Implement exercises using a variety of tools and modalities
• Arrange exercises in a training session according to their type
• Develop training programs that demonstrate an understanding of human bioenergetics and metabolism
• Understand the general techniques involved in properly performing and spotting resistance training exercises
• Design, implement and supervise exercise programs for clients based on real-world scenarios and case studies
• Determine training frequency based on training status, load, volume, exercise type and other concurrent exercises

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Aerobic Training: Student will be able to:

• Describe the various types of aerobic endurance programs
• Discuss the factors related to aerobic endurance performance
• Assign aerobic endurance exercise intensity levels and understand the various methods used to monitor these levels
• Select appropriate aerobic endurance training guidelines based on frequency, training status, fitness goals and recovery requirements

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Sports-Specific Training. For clients interested in improving sport-related performance, students will learn to:

• Evaluate the requirements and characteristics of a particular sport
• Assess a client for the purpose of designing a resistance training program
• Implement programming based on exercise type including upper and lower body plyometrics, speed and agility training and/or Olympic style weightlifting, sport specificity and equipment and time availability

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Biomechanics. Students will gain the ability to:

• Describe the factors contributing to human strength and power
• Distinguish the different types of musculoskeletal system levers
• Recommend ways to minimize injury risk during resistance training
• Analyze athletic movements and design movement-orientated and related exercise prescriptions

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Stretching and Warm-Up. Students will learn to:

• Identify factors affecting flexibility
• Perform manual stretching techniques
• Select and apply appropriate static and dynamic stretching methods

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Rehabilitation and Reconditioning. The student will:

• Recognize and understand the different injury types
• Learn the timing and events that occur in each phase of tissue healing
• Be able to prescribe appropriate exercises to assist in tissue repair and remodeling for a wide variety of musculoskeletal structures

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CPR and AED Certifications. Students will receive certification in:

• Cardio Pulmonary Resuscitation
• Automated External Defibrillator