Orientation Packet for Prospects Q & A A suggested step by step way to enter the fitness industry

Transcription

1 Orientation Packet for Prospects Q & A A suggested step by step way to enter the fitness industry Contact Information or

2 Dear Future Fitness Professional! Congratulations on taking this first step towards a rewarding career in fitness. We are pleased that you are considering taking this journey with us. Please take a moment to review the materials included in this orientation packet. It will help you become familiar with our high quality educational programs and the steps we recommend to help you achieve your professional goals. We also encourage you to visit our website at to learn more about our organization and educational offerings. W.I.T.S. is the number #1 choice of colleges and universities for fitness training programs and certifies thousands of fitness professionals each year. But don t just take our word for it! Hear what some of our graduates have to say about our programs in their personal testimonials found at the end of this document. Please feel free to contact us at or visit us online at We look forward to seeing you in class. Sincerely, Jay DelVecchio President, W.I.T.S.

3 WHY CHOOSE GAVILAN COLLEGE COMMUNITY EDUCATION & W.I.T.S. PARTNER PROGRAM? Classroom and Practical Training and Experience Gavilan College has a solid reputation for offering quality education since Since its inception 16 years ago, our partner program, the World Instructor Training Schools has raised the bar for certification. Rather than just written tests, workforce standards were developed and correlated with LIVE hands on training to mirror established medical and health profession board exams. The 9-week format allows students to learn and practice, which prepares graduates to successfully execute operational essentials to help clients be their best with the lifestyle changes they need. Approved For College Credit and International Continuing Education Units W.I.T.S. offers programs at hundreds of colleges and universities across the country and is a recognized education provider by the American Council on Education (ACE) and International Association of Continuing Education and Training (IACET.) W.I.T.S. successfully completed rigorous quality assurance processes and received approval and recognition for college credit and continuing education units (CEUs) for most certifications. Personal Trainer Certification - W.I.T.S. Has Raised The Bar For Comprehensive Program Credibility. W.I.T.S. rejects the fitness industry s traditional problematic home study and weekend crash certifications. Our curriculum has been developed and updated by education and fitness industry leaders and is taught by experienced instructors with education and fitness backgrounds and credentials. We hire the best professionals who will facilitate learning and communicate their passion for making a living helping others.

4 Practical Hands-On Training and Application W.I.T.S. wants our graduates to feel confident in their competence as a successful personal trainer. Knowledge is power, but only if you know how to apply it. W.I.T.S. will walk you through every step under the watchful eye of a LIVE instructor each week. Your student workbook includes a library of resources for you to use and weekly pop quizzes will help make sure you are digesting the material. Certification Comparisons - Comprehensive, Validated Testing Our graduates possess the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required to be a successful fitness professional. Similar to the medical profession, you will have two exams to receive your certification. Written: 100 multiple-choice questions. 70% or better required. Practical skills: Five sections you must demonstrate properly: health assessments, warm-up, stretching, upper body and lower body exercises. The practical exam is live using a mock client and role-play. 70% or better required in each section. Locations and dates - Student Support and Study Resources The live lectures and hands on practical labs include everything you need to excel. However, additional study aides are available for you. W.I.T.S students and graduates receive a special discount on educational DVD s and materials. You can purchase a DVD set for an entire certification course or just an individual class session. All of our DVD courses are taught by our veteran faculty and include drop down menus for easy navigation. Audio CD s of the lectures are available, so you can pop them in a player and study at any time or place you desire. Practice tests are available for purchase and help when preparing for the exam. Store - Direct Connection to Employment Our partner, W.I.T.S, has established partnerships with health clubs, recreation centers, wellness studios and gyms across the nation to serve as internship sites for our students. Once you have passed your exams, you will complete a 30-hour internship in the field, which will enable you fine tune your skills for employment, receive a great reference and possibly a job!

5 Course Syllabus Course Title: Personal Trainer Certification Course Description: This certification course prepares students to practice as a professional Personal Fitness Trainer. The course includes 16 hours of classroom learning, 16 hours of practical training, 4 hours of testing and a 30-hour internship taught over 9 weeks for greater retention. Topics include anatomy, biomechanics, exercise physiology, fitness testing and health assessment, nutrition, exercise prescription, equipment usage, special populations, legal and safety issues. Course Prerequisite(s): High school diploma or GED. Course Objectives: To provide students with the most current, foundational knowledge, training and competency testing to certify them to practice as professional certified fitness trainers. 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 and flexibility exercises. Demonstrate at least one strength exercise for every major muscle group. Explain ACSM and AHA recommendations for cardiovascular exercise. Textbook(s): Champaign, IL Howley, E.T. and Franks, R.D. (2007.) Fitness Professional s Handbook. 5 th Ed. Human Kinetics. Lesson Plan by week or session Classroom Lecture Session 1: Physical activity, health and health appraisals Session 2: Exercise physiology Session 3: Functional anatomy and biomechanics Session 4: Fitness evaluation, assessment and nutrition Session 5: Exercise prescription: Cardiovascular, resistance and flexibility Session 6: Special populations: Youth, children, older adults and women Session 7: Exercise leadership and behavior modification Session 8: Injury prevention and treatment and program administration Session 9: Written Exam Practical Session 1: Session 2: Session 3: Session 4: Session 5: Session 6: Session 7: Session 8: Medical history and screening lesson and presentation Interview techniques and goal setting lesson and presentation Fitness testing protocols: lesson and presentation Fitness testing protocols: practice and role playing Exercise prescription, equipment use: lesson and presentation Exercise prescription and equipment use: practice and role playing Resistance training techniques, program design: lesson and presentation Resistance training techniques, program design: practice and role playing

6 Session 9: Practical Exam Internship Directives: The mission of this program is to make this a final qualifier for a student to receive certification after the W.I.T.S. 9 week course and testing. A student must pass both their written and practical skills exam requirements to qualify for this stage. A student will find a source from their community to participate in a 30- hour practical internship. There is no cost to the student or the employer. This one of a kind program allows graduates to obtain valuable field experience before embarking on employment. No other certification offers this as a requirement except the World Instructor Training Schools. The internship is an essential part of professional preparation and training. The internship experience is designed to help students: 1. Observe professional PFT's and benefit from their experience and expertise. 2. Integrate classroom knowledge and theory with field experience. 3. Develop skills and competencies required for employment. (records, etc) 4. Strengthen interpersonal and communication skills. 5. Develop and demonstrate professionalism, confidence and competence. 6. Develop professional networks essential for career success. Once students have met the required list below, they must have the form signed by the supervising trainer / official. The form will be returned to W.I.T.S. for verification. The permanent wall and wallet certification will then be issued. The certification is good for 24 months before renewal qualifiers will be due. Required tasks to be completed by the end of the internship include: 1. Observe at least two client health and fitness assessments. 2. Observe at least three client training sessions. 3. Conduct at least one health and fitness assessment with supervision. 4. Conduct at least two client training sessions with supervision. These tasks represent the minimum requirements. Additional practice and learning is encouraged. Students will benefit from learning about the organization's mission; the facility and equipment; the organization s leaders, staff, members and clients; administration, finance, budgets and marketing; steps and strategies for career advancement; and other areas of interest. The internship should be customized to some extent based on student s goals and interests. Ideally, the internship will expose students to a variety of activities, clients and experiences.

7 World Instructor Training Schools "10" FAQ's 1. What s the difference between the W.I.T.S. certification courses verses others? First of all, most certifications are either a home study or a weekend style workshop course. The W.I.T.S. certification courses are based on a truer educational format. Our certification program consists of 16 hours of core knowledge lectures and 16 hours hands on practical training; and 3 hours knowledge and practical testing over a 9-week period. This format creates a much better learning experience and environment and ensures that the essential information is learned and retained rather than just memorized for a test at the end of class. 2. What if I sign up for the course and cannot attend all of the classes? No problem. A standard policy of the World Instructor Training Schools is that each student who signs up for one of our certification courses is allowed to miss 1 class. If more classes are missed a student has up to 12 months from the time that they signed up to complete any missed classes or sit through the entire class again free of charge by W.I.T.S. This will help you succeed with your original goal of becoming a fitness professional. 3. Can I get a refund? W.I.T.S. does not offer a cash refund. However exceptions may be considered in the case of a medical problem where a physicians order is presented in writing. If you are unable to complete the course, we are happy to grant you a 12 month grace period to enroll into another class. 4. How do I pay for the course? Colleges take registration directly in 99% of our sites. W.I.T.S. will accept check or money order through the or over the phone with credit card for those sites that register directly through us. 5. Do I have to pay in full or can I make payments? Payment in full must be received before the start of class. You will pay your class fee directly to the college or university. 6. Can I pay at the door on the first day of class? No. Again most registrations are paid directly to the hosting college or university and must be paid in full prior to the start of class. Required pre-registration helps ensure that the instructor is prepared with the correct number of study guides and materials. 7. Is the W.I.T.S. certification recognized nationwide? Yes! W.I.T.S. now has 195 schools (and growing) across the country and 8 in the UK. Host sites for our permanent year round schools include; community colleges, community education centers, public school systems, Bally Total Fitness, Gold s Gym, Powerhouse Gym, Y.M.C.A. s and many more. 8. What materials do I need for the W.I.T.S. certification courses?

8 Your course fee includes your 32 hours of training, student study guide, handouts, internship and the national examination. Your only additional cost is the textbook that you need to purchase. Please call the following for information on the textbooks: or in Virginia What certifications does W.I.T.S. have? World Instructor Training Schools has 6 certifications. They are, Personal Fitness Trainer, Group Aerobic Instructor, Aqua Fitness Instructor and Older Adult Fitness Trainer, Children s Fitness Specialist and Safe Return Post Rehab. 10. How long is the W.I.T.S. certification good for and how many CEC s (continuing education credits) do I have to have to re-certify? The W.I.T.S. certification is good for a 2 year period. In that 2 year period you need to obtain at least 10. Continuing Education Credits (CEC s). Out of those 10 Coca s 5 must be of lecture or researched based. In each students graduation packet there will be information on how to obtain your Coca s and how to renew.

9 W.I.T.S. Certification Courses and Workshops The certification courses have been listed in a suggested progressive order for optimal training and professional application in the industry. According to outside sources, including ABC NEWS and the US Labor Department, personal fitness training is one of the hottest jobs in the industry and is the flagship of our training programs. Prices vary depending on the colleges and universities overhead at each location. Workshops range from $55 for a 3 hour workshop to $99 for the 6 hour workshops. DVD s available for some home study. Personal Trainer Certification Course Description There is a shortage of personal trainers in the workforce. Come join this fun field and be a part of what ABC NEWS.com states as the 4th hottest job in the U.S. at a national average of $25 an hour. Whether a career move or for your own personal knowledge get all the information you need to become a Certified Personal Trainer. This challenging course is taught over a 8-week period for better retention and skill competency. The National Exam is held on the 9th week. This course is formatted as a 62-hour program and is comprised of 16 hours of lecture, 16 hours of practical training and a 30-hour internship. It covers topics including biomechanics, exercise physiology, fitness testing, equipment usage and health assessment. CPR/AED is needed to receive the certificate. W.I.T.S. is the only major certifying body in the country providing comprehensive practical training and internship components. Textbook is required and not included in course fees. * Call to order and start reading immediately { W.I.T.S. is an approved CEU provider for the Board of Certification for Athletic Trainers (BOC), the American Occupational Therapy Association (AOTA), National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage & Bodywork (NCBTMB), Veterans Training and Education, the International Association of Continuing Education and Training (IACET). The American Council on Education has recommended college credits for this course. Learning Outcomes After successfully completing this course, students will be able to: 1. Understand and describe basic anatomy, kinesiology and exercise physiology. 2. Assess an individual s level of fitness using ACSM guidelines. 3. Design and customize exercise programs. 4. Demonstrate proper execution of resistance, cardiorespiratory and flexibility exercises. 5. Identify and demonstrate at least one strength exercise for every major muscle group. 6. Explain ACSM and AHA recommendations for cardiovascular exercise. Course Information Hours: 62 hours Textbook required: Yes Title: Fitness Professional's Handbook 5 th Edition Authors: Howley & Franks authors 2007 ISBN #: 13: Retail Price: $ $5.97 tax/shipping/handling = $81.97 Publisher: Human Kinetics Ordering Information: Individual sales available through WITS at Bookstore Orders: Contact Human Kinetics at

10 W.I.T.S. Advanced Professional Certifications Offered Fitness Coaching for Fitness Professionals Fitness Management Certificate Safe Return Personal Trainer Program Older Adult Fitness Specialist Certification Children s Fitness Specialist Certification Group Fitness Instructor Certification Aquatic Instructor Certification W.I.T.S. Continuing Education Workshops These are in a suggested progressive order for optimal professional development as an industry professional. Advanced Weight Training Advertising and Marketing Success Flexibility for Performance Balls, Tubing and Plyometrics Nutritional Strategies for Performance Nutritional Concepts Running Well Step up to Step Cardio Boxing for Fitness Professionals

11 W.I.T.S. Graduates Reference Letters My name is Jo-Ellen (Joey) Morman, and together with my husband, Bob, we are the co-founders of The Fitness Connection, a personal training studio located in Killingworth, CT. The idea for developing a fitness training business came to us after spending most of our adult life making fitness and sports a priority life choice, second only to family and our mutual fondness for eating! At the time our idea was forming, neither of us had a Personal Training Certification, but we both have been actively involved in fitness since our early twenties. We regularly invest time into continuing education courses and seminars as well as selfstudy courses in all areas of health and fitness and we diligently integrate principles of exercise and nutrition into our own lifestyle. I decided to get certified in early 2003 and after extensive research on many,many certifying organizations; I finally decided to take the W.I.T.S. CPT course. I even went so far as to order the home study of another very high profile personal training organization and sent it back within 30 days because I was not impressed with the format or the course content. The W.I.T.S. program appealed to me because I liked the idea of being in a classroom setting and having the opportunity to get questions answered one-on-one. I was even more excited that the W.I.T.S. format included 15 hours in a gym setting focusing on practical skill development. I found no other organization that offered such a comprehensive format. I must admit that going through the course was not an easy 5 weeks. Anyone who has taken the W.I.T.S. CPT program is well aware of it intensity. At any rate, I completed it, became certified and immediately began taking on clients in my spare time. Last August, we opened The Fitness Connection. The facility is geared specifically to women and has been profitable from the first month. I now train fulltime and Bob has just completed the W.I.T.S. CPT course. Starting February 1st, we will be offering our services to both men as well as women. I truly believe that the W.I.T.S. program is what gave me the confidence to start training my own clients in my own facility without the structure of working for a gym or fitness center. One of those weekend crash courses or home study programs just wouldn t cut it for me. And, now that W.I.T.S. requires each student to complete an internship, in addition to passing the exam, I have an even higher regard for the W.I.T.S. program because of the thorough hands-on experience that each trainer gains. Thank you W.I.T.S. for a job well done. With your help, Bob and I are living our dream. We are sharing our knowledge and passion for fitness with whoever will listen and making a good living at the same time. What more can one ask for but to get up each morning loving what you do? Please visit our website at

12 A testimony to W.I.T.S Just taking a test for personal training is not enough You have to apply personal training. I have seen many certifications in the fitness field but never one like W.I.T.S. This certification took personal training to a new level. W.I.T.S Certification/Internship Program compromised of three interrelated variables- Core knowledge, application and experience. This training program guided you through the essentials of biomechanics/anatomy, Assessment, client responisbility/oblicgations and most importantly, client care. As an added bonus the program included going to the YMCA to apply and practice what you ve learned. Our instructor ensured that we learned good techniques/form, variety and safety all with a sense of humor. Since my graduation/certification I immediately secured my internship and then a full time job at Bally Total Fitness Health Club. I currently have 15 clients that are all making progress. (Can you believe I have a waiting list?) For anyone that has the heart for helping others in the field of health/fitness, I highly recommend W.I.T.S Personal Training Certification Program (Two of my friends I recommended it to- take their exams on Saturday.) My name is Pamela Colvin. And I am a Personal Trainer. Pamela Personal Trainer Bally Total Fitness

13 REGISTRATION FORM, Fall 2011 Gavilan College, Community Education (408) Name: Address: City: State: Zip: Day Phone: Evening Phone: Birth year: May we send you announcements? Yes No Where did you hear about us? Mail at home Word of mouth Brochure at library Newspaper Brochure at work Flyer Other: Start Date/Time Title of Course Fee Sat, 10/1-12/10 Personal Fitness Trainer Certification (Ages 18 & Up) $ Total Payment Options: Cash (exact change) Check Money Order Credit Card (MC/Visa) Checks or money orders payable to Gavilan College Check # Name on Check ($20 charge for returned checks) Visa MasterCard Exp Card# Cardholder Name Authorized Signature Billing Address if different from above Send registration form to: Gavilan College Community Education, 5055 Santa Teresa Blvd., Gilroy, Ca Class Schedule: Sat, 9am-2pm; 9 sessions starting 10/1-12/10 (no class 11/12 & 11/26) Room: APE120/121 for lecture from 9am-11am; Gym Fitness Room 12-2pm