HEA 230 - Personal Trainer Fundamentals

4 credit hours - Five hours weekly; one term.
Prepares students to sit for the American Council on Exercise (ACE) Personal Trainer Examination. The utilization of physiological adaptations and responses to physical training/exercise and application of testing procedures for individuals interested in applying the components of fitness to a successful training program.

Note: Successful completion of course prepares student to sit for the American Council on Exercise (ACE) Personal Trainer Exam. Fees for the ACE exam will be the responsibility of the student.

Course Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

Explain the principles of exercise science and methods of training for the four major components of fitness.
- Analyze the principles of exercise science and the four major components of fitness.
- Examine the relationship between exercise and human performance and the role of physical activity in the promotion of healthy lifestyles
- Analyze the results for the following: flexibility, body composition, blood pressure, VO2 max., hip/waist ratio and muscular endurance
- Compares the above results with the national standardized norms.
- Articulate the assessment results with client
Demonstrate the proper usage of various commercial fitness equipment utilizing appropriate exercise guidelines and spotting techniques.
- Demonstrate the proper techniques of various exercise equipment for the major muscle groups.
- Critique the client’s proper execution of the exercise.
Analyze the ability to individualize exercise instruction for the apparently health adult and special populations.
- Apply individualized exercise design.
- Create an appropriate exercise program.
Integrate proper diet and nutrition into an individual’s lifestyle.
- Evaluate subject’s food intake using the RDI appropriate values for each major nutrient.
- Summarize individualized recommendations based on the evaluation of the intake.
Discuss the components of a proper health screen.
- Identify health conditions and risk factors that may necessitate referral or place the client at risk when exercising
- Identify possible contraindicated activities.
- Assist in designing an exercise program that includes safe activities and or appropriate modifications
- Fulfill legal and insurance requirement for the personal trainer.
- Establishing communication between health care professionals when necessary
Formulate methods for enhancing and maintaining motivation to exercise.
- Apply principles of exercise adherence
- Structure appropriate expectations and goals
- Identify short term benefits and provide specific feedback
- Serve as positive role model
- Identify an individual’s behavior patterns to contribute to the promotion and maintenance of exercise programs.
Identify behavior change strategies as they relate to health behaviors.
- Identify client’s exercise goal/objectives bases on adequate markers of adherence or progress towards realistic goals
- Identify factors which influence exercise adherence
- Discuss strategies to enhance exercise adherence and to develop a specific plan of action tailored to the motivational needs of each client
Adapt exercise program design as it pertains to special populations.
- Identify health conditions that will influence exercise program development.
- Modify the exercise program to fit the needs of the client
Adapt exercise program design as it pertains to chronic conditions/injuries.
- Assist client to follow physician or therapist recommendations
- Motivate client to adhere to health care providers recommendations
Discuss the legal responsibilities and implications of a personal trainer.
- Describing the do’s and don’t regarding the scope of practice.
- Work within the framework of legal responsibility.
- Discuss concepts related to the client
Investigate current research that pertains to exercise and health.
- Validate national consensus guidelines for exercise and health program design.
- Adopt guideline changes when appropriate.

Core Competencies
Core 1 Communication Core 2 Technology Fluency Core 3 Information Literacy Core 4 Personal Wellness Core 5 Self Management Core 6 Scientific Reasoning Core 7 Quantitative Reasoning Core 10 Innovative and Critical Thinking