EXSC 210 - Personal Training Preparation

3 Credit: (3 lecture, 0 lab, 0 clinical) 3 Contact Hours:

This course is designed to equip students with the knowledge and skills necessary to successfully prepare for and pass a personal training certification exam such as offered by the American College of Sports Medicine. Students will explore essential topics in human anatomy, exercise physiology, nutrition, exercise programming, client consultation and assessment, exercise leadership, and legal and professional responsibilities, all of which are critical components of the exam. Through a combination of theoretical instruction, practical demonstrations, and hands-on exercises, the course will emphasize both foundational knowledge and real-world application. Students will also review exam formats and practice test questions to build test-taking strategies and confidence. By the end of the course, participants will have the core knowledge and competencies required to become a certified personal trainer, enabling them to enter the fitness industry with confidence and competence.
Semesters Offered: Spring Semester

Course Goals/ Objectives/ Competencies:
Goal 1: Understand the profession of personal training.

Define roles of the personal trainer.

Understand career trajectories for personal trainers.

Define the educational approach to personal training.

Describe the role of a personal trainer as an educator.

Goal 2: Understand the foundational principles of exercise science and related disciplines.

Discuss fundamental aspects of exercise physiology and nutrition.

Understand major aspects of anatomy, biomechanics, motor learning, and kinesiology.

Understand psychology, motivation, and behavior change as it relates to exercise.

Goal 3: Apply knowledge and skills in client consultation, screening, assessment, goal setting, and screening.

Recognize elements of the initial client consultation.

Determine methods of goal and objective setting for clients.

Demonstrate methods of client screening and risk stratification.

Perform health-related physical fitness assessments.

Goal 4: Develop exercise programs for clients.

Define major elements of program design and exercise prescription.

Develop resistance training exercise prescriptions.

Develop cardiorespiratory training exercise prescriptions.

Develop flexibility exercise prescriptions.

Consider periodization and prioritization in exercise prescription.

Goal 5: Demonstrate knowledge of the business principles related to personal training.

Understand basic elements of operating a personal training business.

Define legal issues and responsibilities as they relate to operating a personal training business.