Career Diploma in
Personal Trainer (Certified)

Fitness, physical activity, and health defined; why people do and don't exercise; the impact of physical activity on heart function and heart disease; how fitness affects hypokinetic and non-hypokinetic diseases; promoting wellness.

What to know before beginning physical activity; warm-ups; cool-downs; stretching; flexibility; preventing and treating soreness and injury; exercise principles for optimal fitness; fitness testing.

Physical activity and cardiovascular fitness; threshold of training and target zones for aerobic exercise; forms of aerobic and anaerobic exercise; evaluating cardiovascular fitness; fitness performance tests.

The benefits and types of flexibility exercises; 20 specific flexibility exercises; precautions to take before exercising; flexibility tests; ballistic stretches.

The truth about strength; principles of strength training; resistance training types and techniques; preventing injury; muscular endurance.

Examples of isotonic and isometric exercises for endurance and mild strengthening; examples of free weight and resistance training exercises; avoiding hazardous exercises; safe alternatives.

Measuring and evaluating fat; body composition and health; diet, physical activity, and fat; lifestyles, eating, and fat control; strategies.

Testing for skill-related fitness; sports, skills, fitness, and wellness; static postures; backaches; neck aches; posture and back/neck care; lifting and carrying; helpful back and neck exercises; planning an effective physical activity program.

Wellness defined; basic nutrition and good health; healthy lifestyles; dietary recommendations; sound eating practices; dispelling nutritional myths; recognizing quackery in nutrition.

Maximizing your studying and productivity.

Stress; tension; exercising for relaxation; developing physical skill; reinforcement; exercise fallacies; passive exercise; assessing exercise equipment and health clubs.

Key facts and considerations about smoking, drinking, and alcohol abuse; physiological and psychological effects of drugs; how addiction presents health risks.

HIV, AIDS, and a variety of other sexually transmitted diseases; reducing STD risks; exercise and cancer, diabetes, and other major diseases; how to reduce accidents.

Six basic nutrients for athletes; three keys to healthful living; exercise and the food pyramid; eat to your heart's content; the anti-cancer crusade; salt and its effect on high blood pressure; fiber; building strong bones: calcium and osteoporosis; the coffee controversy; nutrition facts for the pregnant athlete.

Don't skip breakfast; breakfast for dieters and champions; cereal alternatives; healthy lunches and dinners; dealing with snack attacks; sweets; the low-impact salad.

Sugars; carbohydrates; glucose; glycogen; smart diets for runners and body-builders; counting carbohydrates; protein needs and supplements; meat in your diet; protein for vegetarians; amino acids; the importance of fluids; sodium replacement; sports drinks and their benefits; avoiding muscle cramps and dehydration.

Proper nourishment before exercising; eating for endurance; sports bars; tips for the diabetic athlete; preventing chronic fatigue; electrolytes; fluids for recovery; vitamins vs. food; supplements for special situations; minerals; energy enhancers; caffeine in foods.

Body fat facts; measuring body fat; body image; at war with the scale; calories do count; meal timing; personalized food plans; thirteen tips for successful weight reduction; diets for athletes with weight limits.

Eating disorders among athletes; case studies; nutrition for the athlete with amenorrhea; the weight-gain diet; boosting calorie intake.

Proven techniques designed to help students find desirable fitness-related positions; résumé writing and interview tips.