Fitness Instructor
This award qualifies the individual to work as a Fitness Instructor within a gym environment. It prepares instructors to induct clients onto gym equipment and to plan and supervise their workouts.
Exercise and Fitness Knowledge is available via distance learning utilising workbooks and a fully interactive CD Rom.
If you think you may already have the knowledge required for this module, try the on-line Mock Theory Test - you may be able to get exemption from this module and just sit the final examination.
This is the ideal Fitness Instructor Training course to enable you to embark on a career as a gym instructor, , however many clubs require their Fitness Instructing staff to have the ability to teach exercise classes so for a more rounded Award you should consider the Professional Fitness Instructor Award.
The average completion time for this Award is 6-8 weeks.
If you already have work experience in a gym or have a qualification that is not nationally recognised you may be more suited to our Fastrack Fitness Instructor Award.
Assessment and Certification The award is assessed against the National Standards for Exercise and Fitness. Students will be required to sit a theory paper as well as completing a practical gym assessment. Successful completion will achieve the Lifetime Fitness Instructor Award and entry to at level 2.
Course Structure - Programme Modules Exercise and Fitness Knowledge This is a distance learning course supported by workbooks and a fully interactive CD Rom. If you think you may already have the knowledge required for this module, you may be able to get exemption from this module and just sit the final examination.
Concepts of Fitness
This element discusses the difference between total and physical fitness. Within this you will be able to describe the relationship between physical fitness and health related fitness and the components of each.
Bones and Joints
The anatomical structure of the skeleton and its physiological relationships to exercise and fitness. Bone structure and function is discussed along with the major joints of the body and their movement potential.
Muscles
The anatomical structure of the skeletal muscles and their physiological relationship to exercise and fitness. Identify major muscles and particular types of muscle (i.e Voluntary, Involuntary) and the basic structure of them. Kinesiology
The skills to analyse an exercise and identify the joints and muscles involved will be covered here. This is an essential skill for the instructor to be able to identify safe and effective exercises for an individual.
Energy Systems
Covers the physiological processes involved in the release of energy for muscular contraction and relates this to how significant it is in physical activity.
Nutrition
Food is central to our lives. Within this section you will identify and learn about the three energy nutrients in the body. The importance of vitamins, minerals and water and their function will also be covered. From this information students will learn how to advise effectively on weight management issues.
Cardiorespiratoy Systems
On completion of this element a basic understanding of the anatomical structure and the physiological function of the heart, lungs and circulatory system and their relationship to exercise activity and fitness will be gained. Gym Instructing
This is a four day practical course.
Programme Design
Knowledge will be provided to produce a planned programme in relation to a clients specific goals, likes and dislikes and health related issues.
Health Screening
A fundamental process, which provides the foundation to a programme. In order to plan appropriate activity over a period of time, there is a need to identify any reason for adaption to the programme or referral to medical professionals. Preparing people for exercise Within this component the specific components of a warm up are discussed and put into effect by each student planning and delivering a safe and effective warm up.
Resistance Training
An area covering both resistance and free-weights. The trainee instructor will learn a broad range of exercises and understand the basic principles of resistance programme design and delivery.
Cardiovascular Training
This subject teaches the trainee instructor the basic principles of cardiovascular training programmes and knowledge of the most frequently used cardiovascular machines in the gym.
Relaxation and Stretching
Enables the learner to understand the structure and content of an effective stretch component and cool down including the basic physiological adaptations that occur in the body and techniques for developmental stretching. Health and Safety
This area will provide the instructor with an understanding of the legal requirements of health and safety requirements within the working environment. Teaching Skills Discussed and practiced regularly to identify qualities of an instructor needed to assist in a successfully delivered session.
Assessment
Following the gym course assessment of the written gym plan and the practical delivery of this session will take place. This will be approximately two weeks after the course.
All components of the gym session will be planned in detail to show an understanding of the basic principles of programme design. The practical delivery allows the trainee instructor to demonstrate their teaching skills in the delivery of a safe effective session with a client. Please contact us for more information regarding the dates and locations of the assessments and taught element of the course.
