FITNESS LEADERS CERTIFICATE VRE004

                    Kick Start an Exciting New Career as a Fitness Leader!

This course goes beyond the basics of what is required to become a Fitness Leader, so give yourself and your C.V. a competitive edge!

Our Fitness Leaders Certificate has more human biology than many other fitness courses available. We believe human biology knowledge is essential for Fitness Leaders and we've made it easily available to you as part of our course.  We know from experience how important it is for graduates to be armed with a range of knowledge to be distinguished in this career.

 So how does studying online through ACS work?

1.  Complete the Fitness Leader's Certificate Core Theory which incorporates key sections of Human Biology IA, Human Biology IB, and Health and Fitness I (and incorporates Exercise and Fitness Knowledge Level 1 & 2 requirements for the UK)

2.  Obtain a current First Aid Certificate from the Red Cross or St. John's Ambulance (or equivalent) that includes resuscitation

3. Complete one additional specialist module chosen from Aquafitness, Resistance Gym Supervision or Advanced Aerobics (an additional S1 fee code applies when you come to this module - see course fees for amounts).

4.  Sit and pass four examinations - one for each module

5. Complete 1 day practical assessment with London based Fitness Industry Education, on a day that suits you, to complete the practical component and achieve UK accreditation. 

Read on for information about the core part of the course:

The aim of the Core theory course is to elevate the standard of core knowledge and competency for people working in the field of fitness through the provision of a pre-service education program.

On successful completion of the core modules you will have developed:

• abilities in describing the nature and extent of the health and fitness industry,
• abilities in explaining exercise and its importance to health and fitness,
• skills in preparation and delivery of basic fitness programs,
• an ability to explain basic human anatomy and physiology, and
• and ability to describe bioenergetics and environmental aspects of human biology.

LESSON CONTENT - THE CORE

All the lessons of the core theory are divided into 4 units, 2 units in Part 1 and 2 units in Part 2.

PART 1

UNIT ONE – Anatomy and Physiology and Exercise; UNIT TWO - Biomechanics

UNIT THREE – Program Design and Performance; UNIT FOUR – Safety, Injury, and Body PhysiologyThe aim of specialty modules is to contextualise and expands the leaning process and competencies into one of the recognised registered categories.

BEYOND THE CORE

Upon successful completion of the course, the UK student can sit the Exercise and Fitness Knowledge I and II examinations via CYQ.

If you are studying this course from outside the UK you can still be awarded the Fitness Leaders Certificate (which is none the less valuable training), but the YMCA endorsed qualification cannot be awarded unless you sit your exam in the UK.

If you wish to complete and be awarded a Fitness Leaders Certificate by ACS, you must sit and pass Core examS, then complete a series of additional requirements after the core studies. See these requirements outlined at the top of this page.

MORE LESSON DETAIL AND AIMS:

LESSON 1 -INTRODUCTION TO HEALTH and FITNESS

AIM

a) To explain the nature of the health and fitness industries.

b) To explain the human body at a microscopic level, including the structure and function of cells, tissues, and membranes.

• The components of fitness
• Fitness
• Physical fitness
• Cardiovascular fitness
• Muscular strength and muscular endurance
• Flexibility
• Motor fitness

LESSON 2 - EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY

AIM

To explain the relationship between the body and health, fitness and exercise, with reference to physiological processes, including energy pathways during resting, work and recovery, and how energy is used in the human body to create work and power.

• The cardio-respiratory system
• The heart
• The cardiac cycle
• The vascular system
• Circulation
• Energy systems
• Energy
• The ATP cycle
• The phosphocreatine, lactic acid and aerobic energy systems

LESSON 3 - EXERCISE PRINCIPLES and CARDIORESPIRATORY PROGRAMMING

AIM

To explain the relationship between the body and health, fitness and exercise, with respect to risk involved in exercise.

• The cardio-respiratory system
  The heart
  The cardiac cycle
  The vascular system
  Circulation

LESSON 4  - PHYSIOLOGY SYSTEMS

AIM

a) To explain different physiological systems of the body.

b) To explain movement of materials in and out of living cells.

• Osmosis and Diffusion
• Digestive system
• Urinary system
• Endocrine system
• Respiratory System
• Breathing action

LESSON 5 - INTRODUCTION TO BIOMECHANICS

AIM

To explain features of the human skeletal system, and the human muscular system, in terms of structure and basic function.

• Bones and joints and Muscles and muscle actions
• The skeleton: Four types of bone; Factors affecting bone structure; The three types of joint; Synovial joints; Joint movement terms
• Muscles: Muscle group actions; Muscle group actions on the joint(s)

LESSON 6 -BIOMECHANICS and RISK

AIM

a) To evaluate body movements during different exercises.

b) To explain the human nervous system, in terms of structure and basic functions.

• Nervous system
• Training and risk
• Injury prevention tips

LESSON 7 - AQUAFITNESS

AIM

To develop an understanding of how aquafitness activities differ from other fitness activities.

• Physiology of an aqua fitness session
• Stretching
• Types of exercises
• The components of a warm up
• Components of a cool down

LESSON 8 - FITNESS PROGRAM DESIGN

AIM

To design fitness programs, which are both safe and effective, to fulfil specified requirements of an individual.

• Design process
• Developing Physique
• Basic Conditioning Exercises
• Cardiorespiratory (Aerobic) Endurance
• Structure of an aerobic training session
• Weight Training
• Qualities of A Professional
• Leadership Communication
• Communication Barriers

LESSON 9 - DELIVERING A FITNESS PROGRAM

AIM

To deliver a fitness program to a small group of clients.

• Customer service
• Communication skills
• Dealing with customer complaints
• Self Esteem
• Communicating for effective relationships
• Key communication strategies

LESSON 10 - ERGOGENIC AIDS TO PERFORMANCE

AIM

Explain ergogenic aids to body performance during activity/exercise.

• Ergogenic aids are substances which improve performance which can include: Drugs, Vitamins, Water, Warm up activity, and Motivational talks.

LESSON 11 - REGULATING BODY PHYSIOLOGY

AIM:

Explain body regulation processes

• The acid base balance
• The effect of changing atmospheric pressure
• Temperature regulation
• Acid Base balance
• Acidity

LESSON 12 - SAFETY, ETHICS, INJURY and GENERAL WELLBEING

AIM 

To manage the wellbeing of participants in a fitness program, including safety and injury.

• Ethical practice
• Safety and injury
• General wellbeing, which can cover psychological as well as physiological wellbeing.
• Sample Screening Questionnaire
• Sample Medical Clearance form

LESSON 13 - FITNESS PROGRAMS FOR SPECIAL GROUPS

AIM

To design fitness programs, which are both safe and effective, catering to needs of special populations (weight control programs, handicapped/disabled persons programs or for the elderly).

• Program management
• Exercise variables (frequency, duration, intensity)
• Four zones of training
• Programs for weight control and evaluation of cardiorespiratory endurance and muscular strength and endurance

WHY STUDY FITNESS THROUGH ACS?

CONTENT: ACS courses are longer, more in-depth, and cover more than what is prescribed for Fitness Leaders. In particular we offer more Human Biological Science.

EXCEPTIONAL TUTORS: In other fitness courses you may find you are being tutored by a tutor who holds only basic qualifications, and may have very little industry experience. ACS tutors by contrast hold university qualifications, and have extensive industry experience.

MORE OPPORTUNITIES TO UPGRADE YOUR QUALIFICATION: Because of our vast network of affiliated colleges, ACS graduates of the Fitness Leaders Certificate can obtain Fitness Leaders Registration in the UK, for additional fees and study.  Graduates can achieve additional qualifications and fitness leader registration with our affiliate, Fitness Industry Education.

SET YOUR SELF APART FROM THE COMPETITION! It is well known that the key to success in any career is to be different in some way to your competition. We offer just that to our graduates by designing a course that delivers to you a set of skills and knowledge that surpasses those of your “average fitness leader”. This course is for those who strive to be better than ordinary, and want to come out of their qualification with more specialised knowledge than other graduates. As with any career, a qualification will get you the interview, but it is your knowledge, attitude, capacity to do the job, and your uniqueness that will get you the job. Choose ACS and set yourself apart.  

Make your passion for health and fitness your new career!

This fantastic Fitness Leaders Certificate is aimed at anyone who would love to work in a gymnasium or health club as a qualified Fitness Leader.  

Accreditations
The course incorporates Exercise and Fitness Knowledge (EFK) Level 1 and 2 in the U.K.

This course will provide credits towards ACS Advanced Certificates or Diplomas, including the new Elite Fitness Certificate, all of which are accredited by IARC (International Accreditation and Recognition Council).

ACS has a fantastic affiliate based in London, Fitness Industry Education, who work with us to enable our graduates to obtain accredited fitness leader qualifications - a Central YMCA Qualification! Only one extra day of practical assessment and a small fee applies to upgrade and obtain additional, accredited qualifications. (Please note that although this course is available online to students in any location, UK accredited qualifications can only be awarded if studying in the UK).