Fitness and Health Promotion Offers Valuable Industry Certification Prep

Certain professions require more than a post-secondary credential before graduates can launch successful careers. For such industries, it is beneficial to attend a program that will allow you to either take the needed examinations through the offering or prepare you to take these examinations through an external organization. One such industry is fitness and health promotion.

At Centennial College, students who attend the Fitness and health promotion program complete their studies in two years and graduates with an Ontario College Diploma. However, to become reputable industry professionals, students must become certified personal trainers according to the CSEP-CPT requirements. canfitpro is the largest provider of education in the Canadian fitness industry. Founded in 1993, canfitpro delivers accessible, quality education, certifications, conferences, trade shows, and membership services. canfitpro's over 100,000 members include some of the world's finest fitness professionals, health club operators, industry suppliers, and fitness consumers. This program's students learn course material related to the canfitpro Personal Training Specialist certification.

How exactly does this fitness training program prepare students?

Admission Requirements: To ensure that students are serious about assisting individuals and groups to reach their highest potential for overall well being, there are admission requirements that they must meet. Academically, applicants are required to have an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, or mature student status (19 years or older); English Grade 12 C or U, or equivalent (minimum grade required) or take the Centennial College English Skills Assessment for Admission; and one Science Grade 11 or 12, C or U (minimum grade requirement) physics, Chemistry, Biology or Exercise Science or take a Centennial College Science Skills Assessment for Admission.

Curriculum: The topics in this program include anatomy and physiology, fitness assessment, leadership skills, injury management, nutrition, fitness marketing, health promotion, computer skills and cross cultural awareness. Additionally, students become adept in the most current functional-fitness training principles.

Facilities: It is important to note that students from this program are trained from Centennial College's Progress Campus. Aside from being the largest of the institution's locations, this campus houses the recently constructed Athletic and Wellness Center. It is a state-of-the-art facility with a 65,000-square foot gymnasium, an 80-meter indoor track, a climbing wall, a Wellness Treatment Centre, a cardio-fitness area with flat screen televisions, locker rooms and aerobic studios. As a result, some of the classes in this program take place in the Centre.

Hands-On Training: In the Athletic and Wellness Centre, students have the opportunity for Inter-professional student liaisons with other programs (for example, Police Foundations, Pre-service Fire and Paramedic students) to assist in the attainment of those programs' students' fitness assessment goals. Meanwhile, industry partnerships provide supervised field placement opportunities in the fitness industry.

Fitness and Health Promotion Includes A Range of Practical Experiences

Did you know that Centennial College's Progress Campus boasts a newly constructed Athletic and Wellness Center? Housed inside this facility are: a triple gym with cardio machines, fitness area, aerobics/wellness studios, an 80-metre indoor track, climbing wall, squash courts, spa, wellness treatment centre, locker rooms and outdoor soccer field. Not only does the modern facility benefit students looking to meet personal fitness goals, it is also a classroom for those in one very unique program.

The Fitness and Health Promotion program seeks to prepare students in just two years for fulfilling careers as fitness instructors, personal trainers, fitness consultants, wellness/fitness program developers who work in sectors such as community, corporate fitness, municipal recreation, retail fitness, hospitals and more.

And, while many people may view the job of a personal trainer as superficial, it actually goes a lot deeper than the skin. These professionals assist individuals in making healthy lifestyle choices that will reduce or prevent the occurrence of acute and chronic diseases by providing professional fitness assessments, recommendations for health and fitness exercise regimes and strategies to meet their health and wellness goals. As such, they must have knowledge of anatomy and physiology, fitness assessment, leadership skills, injury management, nutrition, fitness marketing, health promotion, computer skills and cross-cultural awareness. All of these areas are taught at Centennial College through courses that include: Fitness Assessment, Injury Assessment and Management, Nutrition, Exercise Prescription and much more.

Students apply their skills prior to graduation in a number of ways. For example, at the Athletic and Wellness Centre, students have the opportunity to complete inter-professional student liaisons with other Centennial College programs (i.e. Police Foundations, Pre-service Fire and Paramedic students). As part of their On Campus Field Placement, the purpose of these liaisons is to assist peers in the attainment of their fitness assessment goals and apply the knowledge Fitness and Health Promotion students have learned in their courses. Students may also have the opportunity to follow these "clients" throughout the year, providing fitness advice and assessment.

This fitness training program also includes an Industry Field placement. During the 240 hours that students spend in the field, they apply the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the program. Students are evaluated on their ability to deliver comprehensive, personable fitness appraisals, design appropriate fitness programming and evaluate their efforts using a best practices approach that showcases their leadership capabilities.

In addition to the Ontario College Diploma that they obtain upon graduation, students also have the opportunity to gain the skills necessary to become a certified personal trainer according to the CSEP-CPT requirements and learn course material related to the canfitpro Personal Training Specialist certification.

Fitness and Health Promotion Takes Holistic Approach to Training Students

Getting in shape on your own can be challenging for several reasons. You may not know techniques to get maximum results or perhaps you need a boost with motivation. That's where personal trainers, fitness instructors, fitness consultants and wellness/fitness program developers come in. These professionals are tasked with assisting individuals to make healthy lifestyle choices that will reduce or prevent the occurrence of acute and chronic diseases by providing professional fitness assessments, recommendations for health and fitness exercise regimes and strategies to meet their health and wellness goals.

At Centennial College's Fitness and Health Promotion program, students can train to enter the field in two years. This undertaking focuses on offering students practical training in both laboratory and placement settings so that they may gain a comprehensive academic grounding with the necessary skills to prepare for employment in community, corporate, municipal and retail settings in a wide array of positions.

For example, at Progress Campus, from which students study, is the newly constructed Athletic and Wellness Center. This location features a triple gym with cardio machines, fitness area, aerobics/wellness studios, an 80-metre indoor track, climbing wall, squash courts, spa, wellness treatment centre, locker rooms and outdoor soccer field. As such, students have ample opportunity for inter-professional student liaisons with other Centennial College programs (i.e Police Foundations, Pre-service Fire and Paramedic students). The purpose of these liaisons is to assist students in the attainment of their fitness assessment goals and apply the knowledge Fitness and Health Promotion students have learned in their courses.

Speaking of which, courses cover a range of topics such as anatomy and physiology, fitness assessment, leadership skills, injury management, nutrition, fitness marketing, health promotion, computer skills and cross cultural awareness. There is a strong focus on mental health as an essential part of a holistic approach to well being.

It is worth noting that students have the opportunity to gain the skills necessary to become certified personal trainers according to the CSEP-CPT requirements and learn course material related to the canfitpro Personal Training Specialist certification.

Once they complete this fitness training program, students will have a range of abilities, among which are:

• Using various tools and strategies to assess the fitness level, health issues and overall well-being of clients
• Designing, implementing and managing fitness and lifestyle programs and events
• Developing fitness, health and wellness programs to meet the needs and goals for diverse populations
• Communicating effectively with clients in scenarios involving fitness counseling, workshop presentations, group facilitation
• Analyzing current research trends and issues relevant to the fitness and wellness fields to make informed recommendations
• Providing comprehensive training and evaluation of fitness and wellness programs
• Assisting to come up with business plans for health and fitness programs, activities and facilities
• Developing and implementing risk management strategies for health and fitness programs, activities and facilities

Fitness and Health Promotion Programs in Canada

Staying fit is the latest mantra. There has been a revival of interest in physical fitness and exercise in last few years. Although the lifestyle of a majority of people is still sedentary but an appropriate approach to fitness and health promotion by industry professionals can encourage them to make dedicated efforts to stay fit and healthy.

Career Prospects for Health and Fitness Professionals

As the fitness industry is experiencing a boom, there is an increased scope for health and fitness professionals as far as their careers are concerned. They can build careers in the areas of fitness counselling and training, injury management, wellness program development and implementation, fitness marketing, fitness products marketing, and health and fitness consultancy.

The professionals can find employment in various industry sectors, including community, corporate fitness, municipal recreation, retail fitness and hospitals as fitness instructors, personal trainers, fitness consultants, wellness program developers, health and fitness counsellors, fitness product marketers or fitness assessors. Not only this, they can start their own business in fitness and health promotion industry.

Prerequisites for Building a Career

However, to build a rewarding career, they need to have undergone a formal education and training in this field. With this, they are also expected to have a relevant hands-on experience in counselling people, promoting fitness or developing wellness programs. A course in health and fitness promotion can help interested individuals in obtaining knowledge and skills necessary to build a career in this filed.

About Health and Fitness Training Programs in Canada

The two-year post-secondary health and fitness training programs in Canada are designed to meet the ever growing public demand for health and wellness counselling. The students are prepared for fulfilling careers assisting individuals and groups to reach their highest potential for overall well-being. They are exposed to the latest functional-fitness training principles.

The program is dedicated to help students build a strong foundation in health and wellness concepts, human physiology and biomechanics. They learn to assess fitness levels of individuals and develop fitness programs tailored to their individual needs.

In addition to this, the fitness programs offer them several hands-on learning opportunities at well constructed athletic and wellness centres located at the college campus and through industry partnerships that provide supervised field placements in the fitness industry.

Admission Requirements

In order to apply for a health and fitness promotion program, students will need to submit secondary school diploma certificate or equivalent and scores of English Grade 12 C or University or equivalent and one Science Grade 11 or 12 C or University or equivalent (physics, chemistry, biology or exercise science). After admission and before completion of the program, they are required to submit annual clear police check with vulnerable sector screening and complete a recognized course in CPR and in Standard First Aid.

Choosing the Right College

Although a number of colleges in Canada offer post-secondary health and fitness courses but not all provide real-world work experience to students, which is an essential condition to seek employment. Centennial College's fitness and health promotion program is one of the most prestigious programs in the country. It offers students hands-on experience through on-campus field placement and industry field placement. In addition, students of this program also have the opportunity to become certified personal trainers according to the CSEP-CPT requirements and learn course material related to the canfitpro Personal Training Specialists certification.

Fitness and Health Promotion as a Career Option

The demand for fitness and health promotion professionals is more than ever in the current times. It's expected to increase further in coming years, as Canadians have become more health conscious than before.

The health and fitness industry offers a wide range of career opportunities to professionals with formal education and training, and hands-on-experience. With an in-depth understanding of the latest functional-fitness training principles, health and wellness concepts, human physiology, nutrition and biomechanics, these professionals help people make healthy lifestyle choices.

In addition to this, the health and fitness professionals are expected to:

• Assess well-being of individual clients, using various tools and strategies
• Determine the fitness level and health issues
• Design fitness and lifestyle programs tailored to the specific needs of clients
• Implement and manage fitness plans
• Offer fitness counselling to the clients
• Work with clients helping them adopt health and fitness strategies to improve their health status and overall well-being
• Assist clients in maintaining a fitness regime
• Conduct workshop presentations and group facilitation
• Make people aware of fitness trends
• Promote health and fitness

Health and fitness industry is more structured and offers diverse career opportunities to professionals. Although the demand for professionals is high but the competition in job market is fierce. Those having a formal education and hands-on-experience have an edge over other professionals. Therefore, undergoing a formal and structured fitness training program is considered important for individuals considering building a career in this industry.

Fitness Training Programs in Canada

A number of colleges in Canada offer fitness and health promotion programs. Unfortunately, not all colleges have industry partnerships to provide students with supervised field placement opportunities in the fitness industry. The hands-on-experience plays a critical role in finding employment after course completion. Centennial College’s health and fitness program combines classroom learning, hands-on-laboratory experience, and a supervised field placement in health and fitness industry. A strong focus is on mental health, which is considered as an essential part of a holistic approach to well-being.

In addition, the college also offers students an opportunity for eligibility to earn nationally recognized certifications. They can also gain skills necessary to become certified personal trainers according to the CSEP-CPT requirements and learn course material related to canfitpro Personal Training Specialist certification.

Fitness and Health Promotion Program Details

The two-year health and fitness promotion program covers a wide range of subjects, including

• Health and wellness concepts
• Anatomy/physiology
• Fitness Assessment
• Health Promotion across Cultures/Life spans
• A wellness approach to stress management
• Leadership, counselling and communications
• Exercise physiology
• Personal training
• Injury assessment and management
• Biomechanics
• Fitness marketing/entrepreneurship
• Group exercise leadership
• Nutrition
• Fitness and wellness program management
• Health promotion and behavior change
• Exercise prescription

Upon course completion, the graduates are able to apply practices and procedures effectively to help clients meet their health, fitness and lifestyle goals. They can work as fitness instructors, personal trainers, fitness consultants or wellness/fitness program developers in diverse industry sectors including, but not limited to, community, corporate fitness, municipal recreation, retail fitness, hospital and spa.

Enrollment Guide

In order to apply for a health and fitness promotion plan, you will need:

• Secondary school diploma
  
• English Grade 12 C or University or equivalent
  
• One Science Grade 11 or 12 C or University or equivalent (physics, chemistry, biology or exercise science)

After admission, you are required to:

• Submit annual clear police check with vulnerable sector screening
  
• Complete and renew annually a recognized course in CPR
  
• Complete a recognized course in Standard First Aid

Planning Your Fitness and Health Promotion Career Path

How do you plan your career path given the myriad opportunities that health and fitness industry offers today?

First, explore all diverse possibilities associated with the field and select the one that best suits your interests. Second, learn about those necessary initial steps that may eventually lead you to a career path of your choice. Third, complete basic necessary formal education that is required to enter the world of work. Fourth, get a sense of what you enjoy doing the most and upgrade your skills to make your next career move in the health and fitness industry.

Evolution of Health and Fitness Industry

Not too long ago we all considered it be a field for those who were not very bright in studies. But now health and fitness industry has become more structured and sophisticated than ever. It now offers legitimate careers to individuals who have an inclination towards fitness training and health promotion. Qualified and well trained fitness professionals are in demand more than ever to help people make healthy lifestyle choices.

Career Outlook

They are employed with retail fitness businesses, health clubs, hospitals, municipal recreation and community organizations and corporate houses. Many individuals also establish their own businesses. The industry offers a wide range of career choices and individuals can pursue their careers as fitness instructors, personal trainers, fitness consultants and wellness/fitness program developers.

What Do Health and Fitness Professionals Do?

Health and fitness professionals are able to

• Assess the fitness levels and overall wellbeing of individuals
• Design, implement and manage fitness and lifestyle programs for them
• Provide fitness counseling, conduct workshops and group facilitation
• Help individuals adopt health and fitness regime to meet their personal fitness goals
• Help individuals make right lifestyle choices to ensure their optimal well being
• Support health promotion and fitness initiatives
• Develop health, fitness and wellness programs to meet diverse needs of individuals

Initial Steps That Help You Enter the Industry

Like all other traditional and non-traditional occupations, fitness and health promotion industry also requires individuals who have undergone a formal education and has in-depth awareness of anatomy and physiology, fitness assessment, health and nutrition, injury management, health promotion, fitness marketing and cross cultural awareness.

You need to at least have a diploma in fitness and health promotion. What you can do is enroll yourself into a fitness training program after completing secondary school. A number of colleges in Canada offer such programs to individuals who are interested in building a career in this industry. But make sure to enroll in a good college that offers you excellent field placement opportunities.

Minimum eligibility criteria to apply for a health promotion program in Toronto include a secondary school diploma or equivalent, English Grade 12 C or University, one Science Grade 11 or 12 C or University certificates or scores. The two-year course covers health and fitness concepts, approaches to stress management, exercise physiology, personal training, injury assessment and management, nutrition, health promotion and behavior change and exercise prescription. The program combines classroom learning and field placements.

Career Advancement

Once you enter the industry after completing your formal education, you get exposed to the actual working environment. Within a couple of years, you get a true sense of what you enjoy the most - personal training, group exercise, developing fitness programs, assessing behavior changes or injury assessment and management. You can consider doing an advanced course in the field of your choice and plan your next career move.

Fitness and Health Promotion Professionals Assist Entire Communities

Imagine being the person who helps someone make healthy lifestyle choices that will reduce or prevent the occurrence of acute and chronic diseases by providing professional fitness assessments, recommendations for health and fitness exercise regimes and strategies to meet their health and wellness goals. It is possible with training from Centennial College's Fitness and Health Promotion program. This offering, which is completed through two years of training, employs practical learning in laboratory and placement settings, and a comprehensive academic grounding to prepare students for employment in community, corporate, municipal and retail settings in a wide array of positions.

The courses cover a wide range of topics that allow for much hands-on experience thanks to the use of Centennial College's newly constructed Athletic and Wellness Center (located at Progress Campus) as well as field placement opportunities in the fitness industry. Here is a look at some of the standout courses of the offering.

Health and Wellness Concepts: As an overview course, this aspect of the program looks at the fundamentals and dimensions of fitness and wellness from a holistic perspective. While a strong emphasis is on behavior change and the benefits of engaging in fitness and health promotion activities, the course also covers content related to research methods and software applications to familiarize the student with the use of computer technology. As a hands-on aspect, students investigate software packages related to the fitness industry through a course assignment, which is presented to the class.

Nutrition: Nutrition is just as essential to health as fitness. As such, students study key nutrients that aid in maintaining a healthy body and lifestyle, the process of digestion and what effects digestion, as well as issues surrounding dietary supplements, weight management and the marketing of food.

Fitness Assessment (1 and 2): The first of these two courses focuses on various assessment strategies, tests and tools with practical hands-on application of both the assessment of and interpretation of testing activities. This course also provides students with an understanding of basic math calculations as needed for a career in the fitness industry. The second, meanwhile, helps students to further understand and perform various fitness appraisal methods and to promote a heightened proficiency in the execution of fitness assessments, the interpretation of assessment results, and the planning of appropriate fitness regimes based on the results.

Fitness Training (1 and 2): As this is a health promotion and fitness training program, these two courses are a natural fit. The first looks at the effective design, monitoring and comprehensive evaluation of various exercise regimes and how these programs enhance individual physical fitness status. The second assists students with acquiring the skills necessary to become a certified personal trainer according to the CSEP-PT requirements. During both courses, students benefit from instruction in a laboratory setting to acquire and then practice skills.

Fitness training program required to build a routine for a healthy lifestyle

It’s not a fad or a trend. It’s a lifestyle. Healthy living is about eating nutritious foods, maintaining an active lifestyle physically and mentally, and exercising regularly. Don’t get swallowed by the most popular diets or exercise regimes. Eat the foods you enjoy sensibly but incorporate a fitness training program in your life to help balance your healthy eating habits. Do the proper exercise routine for your body and embrace your healthy lifestyle.

The health benefits are clear when it comes to exercise. Lower risk in heart diseases and other severe illnesses, scientifically-proven boost in happiness, and suitable weight range are some of the advantages of taking up exercise. One good way to help you lead a regular exercise program is with a help of a personal trainer or fitness instructor. Not only will you develop the habit of exercising, but the individual attention will personalize what you and your body need. This profession is seeing a growth spurt as many people realize the importance of good health through exercise.

Centennial College realized the potential success of a career in fitness so it developed the Fitness and Health Promotion (9320) program to attract students wishing to learn more about fitness and build a career on this exciting health initiative. Students will learn a variety of methods in assessing and implementing health programs as they learn about health and wellness concepts, nutrition, and personal training. Everyone is invited to join will expect to complete the following tasks and courses for this program :-

• Applicants must first obtain a high school diploma or have a mature student status.
• They also need the following academic requirements: a grade 12 English credit and one Science high school credit in grade 11 or 12; if there are no credits obtained, an English and Science skills assessment tests are required.
• Enrolled students will complete a series of courses in four semesters, which starts in the fall intake.
• Anatomy and physiology concepts are studied, so students will understand how the body works, and they can integrate this knowledge as they prescribe exercises to their clients.
• Nutrition foundations will be explored, including sports nutrition, as fitness trainers work alongside nutritionists to combine exercise and healthy-eating into one successful program for clients.
• As a college program, students will get hands-on experience in acting as a fitness trainer during their supervised field placement in the final semester.
• Students will get the chance to be certified in a Standard First Aid course and a recognized CPR program, prior to their field placement.

As the number of interested people turn into healthier lifestyles, fitness professionals continue to be on demand. Centennial’s health promotion program prepares future fitness instructors and trainers on how to respond to a client’s individual needs and create a suitable exercise regimen. Centennial College graduates reap the benefits of useful classroom knowledge combines with industry practice on field placements. The Fitness and Health Promotion program holds a strong option for learners who wish to graduate with the skills and knowledge ready for the fitness industry.

Fitness and Health Promotion Program Guarantees Fulfilling Career

If you have an interest in a fulfilling career assisting individuals and groups to reach their highest potential for overall wellbeing, you should consider attending Centennial College’s Fitness and Health Promotion program in Canada. As part of an overall plan for wellness, health and fitness, graduates of the Fitness and Health Promotion Program can assist individuals to make healthy lifestyle choices that will reduce or prevent the occurrence of acute and chronic diseases by providing professional fitness assessments, recommendations for health and fitness exercise regimes and strategies to meet their health and wellness goals.

 

In order to apply for the Fitness and Health Promotion program, all you require is, at minimum, an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, or mature status (19 years or older); as well as the English Grade 12 C or U (minimum grade required) or equivalent, or skills assessment; and one Science Grade 11 or 12, C or U (minimum grade requirement) or skills assessment (Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Exercise Science).

One of the standout features of Centennial College’s Fitness and Health Promotion program is its balance of theory and practical application. As such, you will be led by expert faculty members to nurture your knowledge and skill development. Among the specific topics covered are anatomy and physiology, fitness assessment, leadership skills, injury management, nutrition, fitness marketing, health promotion, computer skills and cross cultural awareness - all while taking into consideration mental health as an essential part of a holistic approach to well-being.

Secondly, you will round out your training through various practical applications of skills. For example, because the Fitness and Health Promotion program is based at Centennial College’s Progress Campus, you will have access to the Athletic and Wellness Center where to you will have the opportunity for inter-professional student liaisons with students in programs such as Police Foundations, Pre-service Fire and Paramedic students to assist in the attainment of students’ fitness assessment goals.

Additionally, as a Fitness and Heath Promotion student you will partake in supervised field placement opportunities in the fitness industry. During these two experiences, you will apply what you have learned in your courses, network and obtain new knowledge from seasoned professionals. Prior to each program Field Placement, you require the following: an annual clear police check with vulnerable sector screening; successful completion of an annual renewal of a recognized course in CPR (health care provider level); as well as successful completion of a recognized course in standard first aid.

After two years in the fitness training program, you will obtain an Ontario College Diploma, have the opportunity to gain the skills necessary to become a certified personal trainer according to the CSEPT-PT requirements and also learn course material related to the canfitpro nutrition and wellness certification. You will also be fully trained to assess the fitness level, health issues and overall well-being of individual clients based on various assessment tools and strategies; apply effective practices to the design, implementation and management of fitness and lifestyle programs and events for individual clients intended to meet health, fitness and lifestyle goals; develop and implement risk management strategies for health and fitness programs, activities and facilities, and more. Visit Centennial College for more information.

Fitness and Health Promotion Program Opens Doors to Various Opportunities

Getting healthy is at the top of many people's list - and not just their New Year's Resolutions list. It's no wonder then that the demand for fitness professionals with a Fitness and Health Promotion Program educational background is expected to increase by 28 per cent by 2018. With Canadians making a commitment to their health, now is a great time to train for positions such as: fitness instructor, personal trainer, fitness consultant and wellness/fitness program developer. In these positions, Fitness and Health Promotion professionals assist individuals to make healthy lifestyle choices that will reduce or prevent the occurrence of acute and chronic diseases by providing professional fitness assessments, recommendations for health and fitness exercise regimes and strategies to meet their health and wellness goals.

Centennial College's Fitness and Health Promotion takes two years to complete and ensures students are ready to fulfill the above roles and responsibilities in vast areas such as: the community, corporate fitness, municipal recreation, retail fitness, hospital or business/entrepreneur. As such, it focuses on hands-on practical learning in laboratory and placement settings and a comprehensive academic grounding in areas such as: anatomy and physiology, fitness assessment, leadership skills, injury management, nutrition, fitness marketing, health promotion, computer skills and cross cultural awareness. The Fitness and Health Promotion also takes into account trending topics such as mental health as an essential part of a holistic approach to well being.

Help students obtain the best training possible is access to the newly-constructed Athletic and Wellness Center, where they can apply what they have learned to helping their peers meet their fitness goals. The use of this wellness centre also presents the opportunity for inter-professional student liaisons between this fitness training program and other offerings (i.e. Police Foundations, Pre-service Fire and Paramedic students) at Centennial College to assist in the attainment of students' fitness assessment goals.

As a final hands-on feature, the Fitness and Health Promotion boasts an industry field placement during which students apply the knowledge and skills acquired throughout the program in a safe and challenging real world setting. Prior to each field placement, students must acquire an annual clear police check with vulnerable sector screening; successfully complete an annual renewal of a recognized course in CPR (health care provider level); successfully complete a recognized course in standard first aid.

Upon completion of the Fitness and Health Promotion offering, students obtain an Ontario College Diploma and have the opportunity to gain the skills necessary to become certified personal trainers according to the CSEP-CPT requirements and learn course material related to the canfitpro nutrition and wellness certification.

Applicants to this fitness training program, must have completed at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, or mature status (19 years or older) In addition, they should have taken English Grade 12 C or U (minimum grade required) or equivalent, or skills assessment; as well as one Science Grade 11 or 12, C or U (minimum grade requirement) or skills assessment (Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Exercise Science).

Fitness and Health Promotion Impacts All Areas of Society

In a society that is becoming increasingly obese as exercising seems to decrease in importance, Fitness and Health Promotion professionals are more important than ever before. These professionals include: fitness instructors, personal trainers, fitness consultants, and wellness/fitness program developers. In their various roles, they assist individuals and groups to reach their highest potential for overall wellbeing in the community, corporate fitness, municipal recreation, retail fitness, hospitals, businesses and corporate fitness.


At Centennial College, students can complete a fitness training program in just two years. This offering prides itself on combining practical learning in laboratory and placement settings as well as theoretical lectures to offer students comprehensive academic grounding. In these Fitness and Health Promotion courses there is an emphasis on mental health as an essential part of a holistic approach to well being, anatomy and physiology, fitness assessment, leadership skills, injury management, nutrition, fitness marketing, health promotion, computer skills and cross cultural awareness. Among the specific Fitness and Health Promotion courses are: Health and Wellness Concepts (introduces students to the fundamentals and dimensions of fitness and wellness from a holistic perspective); Fitness Assessment (examines key elements required in evaluating the physical fitness status of individuals with various assessment strategies, tests and tools); A Wellness Approach to Stress Management (provides skills for immediate application that will contribute towards a life-long program of stress management); and more.


To ensure that they retain what they have learned, Fitness and Health Promotion students work with the college community at the newly constructed Athletic and Wellness Center located at Progress Campus. Here, they have the opportunity to assist in the attainment of fitness assessments goals of students from programs such as Police Foundations, Pre-service Fire and Paramedic.


The final aspect of Fitness and Health Promotion is Industry Field Placement during which students integrate and apply the knowledge and skill acquired throughout the program in a safe and challenging real world setting. Prior to each Fitness and Health Promotion field placement, students require: an annual clear police check with vulnerable sector screening; successful completion of an annual renewal of a recognized course in CPR (health care provider level); successful completion of a recognized course in standard first aid Aside from earning an Ontario College Diploma, Fitness and Health Promotion students have the opportunity to gain the skills necessary to become certified personal trainers according to the CSEPT-PT requirements and also learn course material related to the Canfitpro Nutrition and Wellness certification.


Applicants to the Fitness Promotion program must have completed at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, or have mature status (19 years or older). In addition, they are required to possess the English Grade 12 C or U (minimum grade required) or equivalent, or skills assessment; as well as one Science Grade 11 or 12, C or U  (minimum grade requirement) or skills assessment (Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Exercise Science).

Enter Fitness and Health Promotion Field After Two Years of Training

Those who are interested in assisting individuals to make healthy lifestyle choices that will reduce or prevent the occurrence of acute and chronic diseases by providing professional fitness assessments, recommendations for health and fitness exercise regimes and strategies to meet their health and wellness goals should consider applying for Centennial College’s Fitness Training Program. That’s because not only does this two-year offering result in an Ontario College Diploma, it also prepares students for positions as: instructors, personal trainers, fitness consultants and wellness/fitness program developers. These professionals may be hired in: their communities, corporate fitness, municipal recreation, retail fitness, hospitals and more. In addition, students of Fitness and Health Promotion have the opportunity to gain the skills necessary to become certified personal trainers according to the CSEPT-PT requirements and also learn course material related to the canfitpro nutrition and wellness certification.

But how does Fitness and Promotion get students from novices to lean, mean fitness machines? First and foremost, guided by faculty members who are experts in the field, students attend between five and seven courses per semester, which focus on mental health as an essential part of a holistic approach to well being, anatomy and physiology, fitness assessment, leadership skills, injury management, nutrition, fitness marketing, health promotion, computer skills and cross cultural awareness. These courses are actually designed around practical learning in laboratory and placement settings to offer students comprehensive academic grounding.

Because it focuses on offering students as much practical experience as possible, the Fitness and Promotion program sees students applying what they learn in the Fitness and Health Promotion courses at the newly constructed Athletic and Wellness Center located at Progress Campus. There is also opportunity for inter-professional student liaisons between Fitness and Health Promotion students and other programs (i.e. Police Foundations, Pre-service Fire and Paramedic students) at Centennial College to assist in the attainment of their fitness assessment goals.

Thanks to industry partnerships that provide supervised field placement opportunities in the fitness industry, students of Fitness and Promotion get to apply what they learn during two industry field placements. Prior to each program Field Placement, students require the following: an annual clear police check with vulnerable sector screening; successful completion of an annual renewal of a recognized course in CPR (health care provider level); as well as successful completion of a recognized course in standard first aid.

Among the abilities with which Fitness and Health Promotions students graduate are: assessing the fitness level, health issues and overall well-being of individual clients based on various assessment tools and strategies; applying effective practices to the design, implementation and management of fitness and lifestyle programs and events for individual clients intended to meet health, fitness and lifestyle goals; providing comprehensive training and evaluation of fitness and wellness programs to enable individual clients and groups to reach and maintain optimal well-being; and more.

To apply for the Health Promotion program, students must minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, or mature status (19 years or older). In addition, you must have completed the English Grade 12 C or U (minimum grade required) or equivalent, or skills assessment; as well as one Science Grade 11 or 12, C or U  (minimum grade requirement) or skills assessment (Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Exercise Science).

Follow Fitness Training Program for Healthy Body and Mind

As more Canadians take up a commitment to healthy living and overall wellness, the demand for fitness training programs and knowledgeable professionals is rising. To prepare for this new demand, Centennial College in Toronto is launching a two-year diploma program, called fitness training program in fall 2012.

This program will prepare graduates to become personal trainers and wellness experts. Personal trainers have the benefit of having a flexible work schedule and the freedom to  work in a variety of settings from corporate, on-site gyms, large fitness centres, boutique gyms or their own private practice. If an entrepreneurial path is your dream, this program will help you get there. In addition to traditional courses that you need for the industry like physiology and biomechanics, you will also study business courses like leadership, entrepreneurship, and fitness marketing that will better prepare you when you manage your clients and develop your own private practice.

In addition to the fresh, new course material, the facilities you’ll be working in are brand new too. In 2011 Centennial completed their 65,000 square foot Athletic and Wellness Centre (AWC). As a student, you’ll have complete access to this brand new, state-of-the-art facility. The eco-friendly building has floor to ceiling windows that flood the entire gym with natural light. It holds a rock climbing wall, squash courts, the latest fitness equipment, plasma TVs, aerobic studios, a sprawling basketball court, a spa, and an 80m track that circles the main workout floor.

When you’re outside the Wellness Centre, your hard work will be applied towards meeting the requirements for Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP) certification that is required to become a certified personal trainer. CSEP is recognized as the leading personal training association in Canada and is the only agency in Canada whose certified professionals are directly affiliated with expert researchers in the field. When you obtain this certification, you will be able to instantly show clients that you meet a high standard and can create a program that delivers results. Your studies will also include course material so that you can confidently pursue canfitpro nutrition and wellness certification.

College programs like this one are ideal because they get you the credentials you need to get ahead, and they also offer real-world placements to get your foot in the door. Most programs will typically have one field placement to allow you to gain real-world skills, explore your career and network before graduation. This program takes it a step further by offering two. The first will take place on-campus and involves a commitment of about four to six hours a week. During this time, you’ll be able to apply everything you learned in the classroom by working one-on-one with clients, providing assessments and advice to ensure they meet their personal fitness goals. Your clients may be employees of the college or students of other programs like Police Foundations. From there, you’ll move onto your second placement that’s 240 hours in the field with a real employer. During this time, you’ll further perfect your skills and have a chance to showcase your ability to design programs and leadership skills to a potential employer.

If you’re interested in starting a career as a fitness professional, you can find out more about what this exciting new program has to offer by clicking Fitness and Health Promotion.

Improve the Health of your Community by taking a Fitness and Health Promotion program

Fitness instructor, personal trainer, fitness consultant and wellness/fitness program developer - these are just some of the titles available to students who graduate from Centennial College’s Fitness and Health Promotion program. These professionals work in a field that helps to assist individuals to make healthy lifestyle choices that will reduce or prevent the occurrence of acute and chronic diseases by providing professional fitness assessments, recommendations for health and fitness exercise regimes and strategies to meet their health and wellness goals. Some places in which Fitness and Health promotion grads are employed include: their communities, corporate fitness, municipal recreation, retail fitness, hospitals and more.

Taking two years to complete, the Fitness and Health Promotion program uses practical learning in laboratory and placement settings and a comprehensive academic grounding to prepare students for the field upon graduation. In particular, courses cover topics such as anatomy and physiology, fitness assessment, leadership skills, injury management, nutrition, fitness marketing, health promotion, computer skills and cross cultural awareness. Throughout these courses there is expert faculty guidance as well as a strong focus on mental health as an essential part of a holistic approach to well being. In addition, students have the opportunity to apply what they learn in the Fitness and Health Promotion courses at the newly constructed Athletic and Wellness Center located at Progress Campus. There is also opportunity for inter-professional student liaisons between Fitness and Health Promotion students and other programs (i.e. Police Foundations, Pre-service Fire and Paramedic students) at Centennial College to assist in the attainment of their fitness assessment goals.

The final standout feature of the Fitness and Health Promotion program is an Industry Field Placement that sees students integrate and apply the knowledge and skill acquired throughout the program in a safe and challenging real world setting. Prior to each program Field Placement, students require the following: obtain an annual clear police check with vulnerable sector screening; successfully complete an annual renewal of a recognized course in CPR (health care provider level); successfully complete a recognized course in standard first aid.

Students of Fitness and Health Promotion have the opportunity to gain the skills necessary to become a certified personal trainer according to the CSEPT-PT requirements and also learn course material related to the canfitpro nutrition and wellness certification.

Applicants interested in the Fitness and Health Promotion offering must have completed at minimum an Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, or mature status (19 years or older) In addition, they must have completed the English Grade 12 C or U (minimum grade required) or equivalent, or skills assessment; as well as one Science Grade 11 or 12, C or U (minimum grade requirement) or skills assessment (Physics, Chemistry, Biology or Exercise Science).