:: Certificate Programs

Personal Trainer Certificate Program

Course Details

DID YOU KNOW?? The U.S. Department of Labor projects that fitness trainers and aerobics instructors will be among the fastest growing careers through 2016, with a projected need for 298,000 new jobs over the next eight years. (U.S. Department of Labor’s Bureau of Labor Statistics, 2007).

If you have a passion for wellness and helping others reach their fitness goals, now is the ideal time to pursue a career as a Personal Fitness Trainer! As a personal trainer, you’re responsible for living a healthy lifestyle and encouraging the health of others. Make a career out of what you love: working out and staying fit!

The Personal Trainer Certificate Program prepares students by building their education and confidence in order to achieve success in a fitness career. Serious athletes often decide at some point to hire a personal trainer to help them excel. Personal trainers must know the way the body works and be able to apply proven methods that result in greater success in athletic endeavors.

The Personal Trainer Certificate Program is the only one of its kind, as we offer a true education for our students. This program is approved by IACET, ACE, the Board of Certification, and the American Occupational Therapist Association. Testing is also held during the final week of study, a method that is far more effective than the “in home” style tests administered by others.

Get in Shape While Helping Others Get Healthy!

Register for an info session

For more information about the program, visit the FAQs page or watch an info session.

photos of personal trainer with client, the UT Tower, and a man running

Course Prerequisites

  • Minimum 18 Years of age
  • High School Diploma or GED

Who Should Attend

Fitness enthusiasts or anyone seeking a new career in the health and fitness industry. This course is designed for fitness instructors, personal trainers, physical therapists, occupational therapists and assistants, and individuals who are currently training clients or would like to in the future. Whether it is for your clients or for yourself, all levels of expertise are welcome.

Outcomes

After successfully completing this course, students will be able to:

  • Understand and describe basic anatomy, kinesiology and exercise physiology.
  • Assess an individual’s level of fitness using ACSM guidelines.
  • Design and customize exercise programs.
  • Demonstrate proper execution of resistance, cardio-respiratory and flexibility exercises.
  • Identify and demonstrate at least one strength exercise for every major muscle group.
  • Explain ACSM and AHA recommendations for cardiovascular exercise.

Required Textbook

Fitness Professionals Handbook (6th Edition) is the required textbook and is available as a hardback book or eBook.

Hardback
By Edward Howley, Dixie Thompson
Hardback
Book 608 pages
ISBN-13: 9781450411172
$93.97 (includes tax, shipping and handling)

eBook
By Edward Howley, Dixie Thompson
This e-book requires the installation of Adobe Digital Editions. Read the access instructions.
© 2012
ISBN-13: 9781450423946
$46.00

Click here to purchase textbook.

Certificate Requirements, Scheduling, and Pricing

To achieve the National Personal Fitness Trainer Certification

  1. Completion Requirements:
    Students must earn a score of 70% or higher on all exams.
  2. Attendance is required and students are only allowed one excused absence. Students with an excused absence must complete any work assigned.
  3. Adult CPR is required for the certification to be issued.
  4. Students are also required to complete a 30-hour internship. All items must be completed within 12 months of the original course start date. The renewal period is based on the original course completion dates.

    5. Course Outline and Scheduling

    Classroom
    Thompson Conference Center
    6 - 9 p.m. Thursdays

    Session 1: Activity, Fitness, and Health and Beginning of Exercise Physiology
    Session 2: Exercise Physiology
    Session 3: Functional Anatomy and Biomechanics
    Session 4: Exercise Prescription for Health and Fitness
    Session 5: Behavior Modification and Program Administration / Management
    Session 6: Written Exam

    Practical
    Gym
    1:00 p.m. – 4:00 p.m. Saturdays

    Session 1: Health Appraisal, Body Composition and Cardiovascular
    Session 2: Fitness Assessments
    Session 3: Anatomy and Flexibility
    Session 4: Strength Training and Biomechanics Exercise
    Session 5: Program Design and Administration
    Session 6: Practical Exam

    Do You Want A Career That Gets You In Shape?
    For more information about the Personal Trainer Certificate Program at The University of Texas at Austin please contact Brittini Ellington at .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address) or call 512-471-4633.

    Future Term Courses and Enrollments

    Most certificate programs are offered three terms per year, spring, summer and fall. Individual workshops are offered at least once each semester. Information about upcoming courses is available when enrollment opens each term. Some certificate programs consist of individual workshops while others are cohort style programs, please contact the coordinator for more information.

    • Spring term: Enrollment opens in early October, workshops or certificate programs are offered January – May
    • Summer term: Enrollment opens in early March, workshops or certificate programs are offered June - August
    • Fall term: Enrollment opens in June, workshops or certificate programs are offered September - December

    Instructor(s)

    Coordinator(s)

    Questions about this course?

      512-232-4334
      .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)