Level I Personal Training
Education and Certification Course

Anatomical, Kinesiological, Biomechanical, Physiological and Nutritional Pre-Requisites

The following basic guidelines represent the anatomical, kinesiological, biomechanical, physiological and nutritional competencies related to the body of knowledge needed for application in the personal training setting. Before proceeding in the Level I personal training course you should be able to demonstrate competence related to these basic guidelines.

In order to assist you in developing mastery of these concepts, selected educational references are listed as resources.

Be prepared to demonstrate competence by either oral or written evaluation prior to the start of the personal training course.

OSTEOLOGY

1. The personal trainer is able to describe the anatomical position.
2. The personal trainer is able to describe the three planes and axes of motion.
3. The personal trainer is able to identify the major joints of the human body and demonstrate their motions in each plane.
4. The personal trainer is able to recognize the limitations of the range of motion that results from inactivity, injury or disease.

MYOLOGY

1. The personal trainer is able to identify the major muscle groups, palpate their location and demonstrate their actions.
2. The personal trainer is able to explain basic kinesiological terms.
3. The personal trainer is able to explain the concept of muscles as synergists, agonists, antagonists and stabilizers.

KINETICS

1. The personal trainer is able to explain center of gravity, balance, stability and leverage.
2. The personal trainer is able to identify contraindicated exercises and makes safe alternative recommendations.

EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY

1. The personal trainer will be able to explain the exercise principles of intensity, frequency, intensity, time, type, overload, specificity, continuity, adaptation, and progression.
2. The personal trainer will be able to explain the characteristics of the health related, or functional, fitness factors of muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, cardiorespiratory endurance and body composition.
3. The personal trainer will be able to explain the characteristics of the motor, or athletic, fitness factors of power, speed, agility, balance, coordination and reaction time.
4. The personal trainer will be able to explain the characteristics of the energy systems; ATP-CP, anaerobic glycolysis and aerobic oxidative.
5. The personal trainer will be able to explain and demonstrate the flexibility conditioning principles of ballistic, static and proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation (PNF) stretching.
6. The personal trainer will be able to explain and demonstrate the muscular strength and muscular endurance conditioning principles of repetitions, sets and periodization as related to muscle hypertrophy and contractile theory.
7. The personal trainer will be able to explain the cardiorespiratory conditioning principles of aerobic threshold, target heart rate zones, anaerobic training, VO2 max testing, use of METS, perceived exertion, the talk test and the heart rate monitor.
8. The personal trainer will be able to explain the principles of body composition and weight management involving adiposity and fat cell theory, set point theory, thermogenesis and fluid balance.
9. The personal trainer will be able to explain the characteristics of the cardiorespiratory, nervous, skeletal and muscular systems and their physiological adaptations to exercise.
10. The personal trainer will be able to explain deconditioning and its effects.
11. The personal trainer will be able to explain physiological responses to temperature variations involving heat, humidity and cold.
12. The personal trainer will be able to describe the procedures related to hydration and the of prevention of dehydration and hyponatremia.

NUTRITION

1. The personal trainer will be able to explain how macronutrients and micronutrients contribute to food composition.
2. The personal trainer will be able to explain nutrient assimilation and utilization during exercise.
3. The personal trainer will be able to explain energy balance related to weight management.
4. The personal trainer will be able to explain heart healthy eating.
5. The personal trainer will be able to list and explain the US Dietary Goals.
6. The personal trainer will be able to explain the recommendations for and the use of dietary supplements and ergogenic aids.
7. The personal trainer will be able to explain acceptable consumer practices related to nutritional information and products.

SUGGESTED REFERENCES

• Kinetic Anatomy. Behnke, R.S. 2001 Human Kinetics.
• Sport Mechanics for Coaches 2nd Ed. 2004. Carr, G. Human Kinetics.
• Physical Best Activity Guide 2nd Ed. 2005. National Association for Sport and Physical Education. Human Kinetics.
• Purchase information www.humankinetics.com
• ACSM Resource Manual for Guidelines for Exercise Testing and Prescription 4th Ed. 2001. American College of Sports Medicine. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
• Purchase information 800.638.3030
• Fox's Physiological Basis for Exercise and Sport 6th Ed., 1998. Foss, M.L. & Keteyian, S.J. WCB McGraw Hill.
• Purchase information www.mhhe.com
• Nutrition: An Applied Approach 2005. Thompson, J. & Manore, M. Pearson Benjamin Cummings.
• Purchase information www.aw-bc.com
• Nutrition: Concepts and Controversies 8th Ed. 2000. Sizer, F.S. & Whitney, E.N. Wadsworth/Thomson Learning.
• Purchase information 800354.9706 www.wadsworth.com

PERSONAL TRAINING INSTITUTE

Entry Level Personal Training Education and Certification Course

48 hour curriculum covering classroom and in-gym instruction

• Understanding personal training
• Professionalism in the personal training business
• Developing a personal training philosophy
• The educational foundations of personal training
• Wellness components related to program design and delivery

• The business foundation of personal training
• Legal concerns
• Financial management skills
• Marketing, networking, advertising and promotional skills

• Goal setting
• Fitness assessments and evaluation of activity readiness
• Exercise testing - administration and application

• Designing effective health-related exercise programs
• Psychological, motivational and behavioral principles
• Utilizing adjunct health, wellness and medical services
• In-gym equipment and exercise practicum

• In-gym practical exam - personal trainer role play critique
• Written examination

• Cost is $400.00 inclusive (textbook, materials and examination)

Click the following title to download the curriculum:

Level I Personal Trainer Curriculum.