Center for Workforce and Community Education

Contact Information

Jaime Nash
401-333-7070
jnash@ccri.edu

Personal Fitness Training

Online Professional Certificate

About the Program

The Online Professional Certificate in Personal Fitness Training (PFT) is a collaboration between CCRI's Division for Center for Workforce & Community Education, the College-University Partners Network™, industry experts, internship affiliates, a board of advisors, and national organizations. This interactive, comprehensive Web-based Certificate program with an optional field internship elective course will allow students from around the world to fit courses into their busy work and home schedules, go online wherever they are, and complete the certificate within five months or have up to two-years if necessary. Content and curriculum within each course in the program is designed to present the student with the knowledge, skills, and abilities to implement a unique medically-based fitness model for their future or current clients. Students will learn how to apply their client’s health history, goals, and abilities integrating exercise science curriculum and practical training techniques into a systematic model that teaches students to progress their clients through different training levels and phases. The program is offered in partnership with the American Council on Exercise® (ACE), IDEA Health & Fitness Association, and Personal Fitness Professional. ACE provides graduating certificate students a preferred discount on the ACE Personal Training Certification Exam and study materials. IDEA has provided content/curriculum in the program; in addition, students receive a complimentary 6-month membership to the digital edition of IDEA Fitness Journal. Personal Fitness Professional is providing students with a 3-year free subscription which includes 8 print issues per year, a bi-monthly e-newsletter, and access to their digital magazine.

To earn the certificate you are required to complete all five core courses. You may also elect to take the optional field internship course. The five core courses plus the optional field internship are offered in a three-module format; each module consists of two courses that are offered simultaneously. You are not required to take the courses in any order; however it is highly recommended that you begin with the two courses in module 1: (Introduction to Exercise Science, Level I and Level II). You may also register for individual courses if desired. The three-module series is offered three times per year in the fall, spring, and summer. The program can be completed in as little as five months but you must complete the requirements within two-years.

Continuing Education Credits

The Online Certificates in Personal Training have been approved for continuing educational credits/units. For a complete list of Organizations/Associations that have approved each of the Personal Training programs for CECs/CEUs, click here - PDF*.

Cost Per Course

Please note the course fee located next to the course information below.  The cost for your textbooks/course materials is separate.

Demo

For an online demo go to www.efs.pageout.net.

Registration Information

Please go to Registration Information.  Course #'s are listed with the Course Descriptions and Start Dates.

For program information contact:
Ken Baldwin, M.ED, ACSM-H/FI

Ken Baldwin, M.ED., is the Program Coordinator and an instructor for the Professional Certificate in Personal Fitness Training Program.  He is the former Chair of IDEA’s National Personal Trainer Committee and Chair of the Senior Fitness Subcommittee for the Massachusetts’s Governor’s Committee on Physical Fitness and Sports.  Ken is the Senior Editor and lead author for the American College of Sports Medicine - ACSM’s Resources for the Personal Trainer Manual (2nd Ed.) and textbook.  He continues to serve on national committees for ACSM, AAHPERD (AAPAR), and the Medical Fitness Association (MFA).   He has been honored with numerous awards including IDEA’s Personal Trainer of the Year Award, presented at the IDEA International Personal Training Summit.  If you have questions about the certificate program and courses, you may contact the Program Coordinator at kbpft@yahoo.com

Program Coordinator
Professional Certificate in Personal Fitness Training
IDEA Personal Trainer of Year Award Winner
Email Address: kbpft@yahoo.com
Instructors
Dan Ritchie, Ph.D, CSCS

Dan Ritchie, Ph.D, CSCS has a broad background in the fitness industry including training and management in commercial and university/hospital-based fitness, for-profit, not-for-profit and educational facilities. His primary areas of expertise are in personal training for special populations: athletes, pregnancy, blind, stroke recovery, Parkinsons, multiple sclerosis, cerebral palsy, Fibromyalgia, Alzheimer’s, etc. He has worked with Division I athletes, as well as on state funded research on exercise for severe dementia Alzheimer’s type. He regularly presents at national and regional conferences and has been active on committees for the American College of Sports Medicine.

Certificate Course Descriptions
Module 1 (Weeks 1-6)
Course 1: Introduction to Exercise Science-Level I

Instructor: Ken Baldwin, M.ED, ACSM-H/FI
In this course, students gain an understanding of musculoskeletal and functional anatomy and the effects of exercise placed on joint structures during exercise movements. Emphasis is placed on learning about proper body alignment, joint range of motion (ROM), basic biomechanics, and kinesiological principles to the development of safe and effective exercise programs. The National Federation of Professional Trainers (NFPT) has approved this course for 1 CEC, which is equivalent to an entire 6 month CEC requirement, and The American Senior Fitness Association (SFA) has approved this course for 2.0 CEUs.

Course #: 60127 PFIT-1001-092
Dates: June 15 - July 26 (Registration Deadline is June 12)
Fee: $249 (includes $5 Registration Fee)
Course #: 60154 PFIT-1001-093
Dates: Sept 21 - Nov 1 (Registration Deadline is Sept 18)
Fee: $249 (includes $5 Registration Fee)
   
Course 2: Introduction to Exercise Science-Level II

Instructor: Dan Ritchie, MS, CSCS
This course is designed to teach the personal trainer how the muscular, skeletal, and cardiorespiratory systems function with and without exercise conditioning. Additional topics include energy metabolism, neuromuscular function, and the physiology of exercise in relation to training programs and environmental considerations. The National Federation of Professional Trainers (NFPT) has approved this course for 1 CEC, which is equivalent to an entire 6 month CEC requirement, and The American Senior Fitness Association (SFA) has approved this course for 2.0 CEUs.

Course #: 60128 PFIT-1002-092
Dates: June 15 - July 26 (Registration Deadline is June 12)
Fee: $249 (includes $5 Registration Fee)
Course #: 60155 PFIT-1002-093
Dates: Sept 21 - Nov 1 (Registration Deadline is Sept 18)
Fee: $249 (includes $5 Registration Fee)
Module 2 (Weeks 7-12)
Course 3: Health Risk Profiles and Fitness Assessment Techniques

Instructor: Ken Baldwin, M.ED, ACSM-H/FI
This course teaches students how to assess and evaluate cardiorespiratory endurance, muscular testing techniques, joint ROM, flexibility, body-fat analysis, blood pressure, and body measurements based on ACSM guidelines. Topics include client screening procedures, medical and health history intake forms, identifying high-risk clients, determining the appropriate test, conducting the test, and evaluating the results. The National Federation of Professional Trainers (NFPT) has approved this course for 1 CEC, which is equivalent to an entire 6 month CEC requirement, and The American Senior Fitness Association (SFA) has approved this course for 2.0 CEUs.

Course #: 60129 PFIT-1003-092
Dates: July 27 - Sept 6 (Registration Deadline is July 24)
Fee: $249 (includes $5 Registration Fee)
Course #: 60156 PFIT-1003-093
Dates: Nov 2 - Dec 13 (Registration Deadline is Oct 30)
Fee: $249 (includes $5 Registration Fee)
Course 4: Business Administration and Management Aspects for Personal Trainers

Instructor: Ken Baldwin, M.ED, ACSM-H/FI
This course gives personal trainers a solid background in developing or starting a personal training business and prepares them for financial management, marketing strategies, and business plan development. Techniques for effective management include standards and guidelines, facility/studio personnel management, and operational issues from a small personal training (PT) studio to managing a PT department at a large health facility. The National Federation of Professional Trainers (NFPT) has approved this course for 1 CEC, which is equivalent to an entire 6 month CEC requirement, and The American Senior Fitness Association (SFA) has approved this course for 2.0 CEUs.

Course #: 60130 PFIT-1004-092
Dates: July 27 - Sept 6 (Registration Deadline is July 24)
Fee: $249 (includes $5 Registration Fee)
Course #: 60157 PFIT-1004-093
Dates: Nov 2 - Dec13 (Registration Deadline is Oct 30)
Fee: $249 (includes $5 Registration Fee)
Module 3 (Weeks 13-18)
Course 5: Designing Exercise Prescriptions for Normal/Special Populations

Instructor: Ken Baldwin, M.ED, ACSM-H/FI
This course teaches how to develop an exercise prescription in relation to health implications for normal/special populations related to age, medical condition, and fitness level. Topics include cardiac conditions, diabetes, physical disabilities, HIV and AIDS, asthma, sensory impairments, pregnancy, and program design for children to senior populations. This course is designed as a research-based class with emphasis on designing a step-by-step process to creating individualized exercise programs. The National Federation of Professional Trainers (NFPT) has approved this course for 1 CEC, which is equivalent to an entire 6 month CEC requirement, and The American Senior Fitness Association (SFA) has approved this course for 2.0 CEUs.

Course #: 60131 PFIT-1005-091
Dates: May 4 - Jun 14  (Registration Deadline is May 1)
Fee: $249 (includes $5 Registration Fee)
Course #: 60131 PFIT-1005-092
Dates: Sept 7 - Oct 18 (Registration Deadline is Sept 4)
Fee: $249 (includes $5 Registration Fee)
Course #: 60158 PFIT-1005-093
Dates: Dec 14 - Jan 24 (Registration Deadline is Dec 11)
Fee: $249 (includes $5 Registration Fee)
Optional Field Internship in Personal Training

Instructor: Ken Baldwin, M.ED, ACSM-H/FI
Prerequisite: 5 Core Courses and CPR Certification
NOTE: This course is an optional course and is not required to receive the Professional Certificate.  Learn to work with professionals in the fitness and health industry for a hands-on experience working with members at fitness facilities and health centers.  Students intern for 60 total hours in this course. The National Federation of Professional Trainers (NFPT) has approved this course for 1 CEC, which is equivalent to an entire 6 month CEC requirement, and The American Senior Fitness Association (SFA) has approved this course for 2.0 CEUs.

Course #: 50266 PFIT-1010-091
Dates: May 4 - Jun 14  (Registration Deadline is May 1)
Fee: $299 (includes $5 Registration Fee)
Course #: 60132 PFIT-1010-092
Dates: Sept 7 - Oct 18 (Registration Deadline is Sept 4)
Fee: $299 (includes $5 Registration Fee)
Course #: 60159 PFIT-1010-093
Dates:  Dec 14 - Jan 24 (Registration Deadline is Dec 11)
Fee: $299 (includes $5 Registration Fee)
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