A career in the health and fitness sector offers the opportunity to stay fit while helping others achieve their health goals. This course is ideal for anyone who wants to pursue a career in the health and fitness industry or for those who simply want to improve their own wellbeing.
The Certificate of Health and Fitness is an online program that will teach you how to design health and fitness programs and create dietary plans for individuals, groups and those with specific needs.
In this professional development course, you will learn how to deliver fitness programs that are safe, effective and cater to the needs of special populations.
You will also learn how to develop safety procedures in a fitness setting, implement guidelines for ethical behaviour, and understand the leadership, learning and motivational techniques that can be applied in a fitness program.
On completion of this course, you will have a gained a comprehensive understanding of how to develop and operate a health and fitness program for individual and groups.
Course Structure
Health and Fitness I
Unit 1 – Introduction to health and fitness
- Scope and nature of the health and fitness industry
- Exploring the definition of fitness
- Components of physical fitness (strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, motor skill performance, cardiorespiratory endurance)
- Health and fitness resources
- Health and fitness organisations
Unit 2 – Exercise Physiology
- Muscle, and muscle contraction
- Fast and slow muscle
- Exercise and muscle
- Cardiorespiratory system
- Pulse rate
- Energy
- Enzymes
- Food as an energy source
- Recommended daily intake of nutrients
- Respiration
- Exercise recovery
Unit 3 – Exercise Principles and Cardiorespiratory Programming
- Relationship between heart rate and workload
- Biology of the circulatory system
- Blood composition
- Blood functions; clotting, immunity
- Blood vessels
- The heart
- Pulse rate, cardiac output
- Heart disease, cardiovascular disease
- Spleen, lymphatic system
Unit 4 – Biomechanics and Risk
- The skeleton
- The muscular system -tendons, ligaments, bursas
- Training and risk
- Common musculoskeletal injuries
- Back injuries, spinal injuries
- Tips for preventing injury
Unit 5 – Fitness Program Design
- Typical fitness program design process
- Kinds of exercise
- Developing the physique
- A balanced program
- Indoor and outdoor locations -facilities and equipment in each
- Music
Unit 6 – Delivering a Fitness Program
- Fitness leader functions; teaching, planning, counselling, motivation, evaluation, creating opportunity, etc
- Leadership communication, and communication barriers
- Communicating with children and young people
- Communication techniques eg. Whistle, raising arm, etc
- Motivation
- Intrinsic and extrinsic motivation
- Factors affecting motivation
- Self-belief and self-talk
- Relationship with participants
- Motivation for fitness and weight control
- Nutrition and sport
- Weight control
- Sports psychologists and fitness programmes
- Program delivery
- Elements of a session or class; introduction, warm up, stretch, body of exercise session, recovery, etc
- Concluding a session
- Writing an exercise program
- Supporting participants needs
- Communication strategies, active listening, giving instructions, reinforcement, etc
- Dealing with problems and conflict
Unit 7 – Safety, Injury and General Wellbeing
- Safety considerations
- Incorrect exercises
- Safety in aerobic activities
- Dealing with injury; first aid
- Occupational health and safety regulations
- Identifying hazards
- Fitness legalities
- Pre screening clients
- Suitable surfaces
- Clothing and footwear
- Pre screening
- Anthropometric measurements
- Cancer and general wellbeing
Unit 8 – Fitness Programs for Special Groups
- Inclusive program management
- Exercise variables (frequency, duration, intensity)
- Special considerations
- Training zones
- Older adults
- Mental disabilities
- Physical disabilities
- Ethnic groups
- Programs for weight control
- Evaluating cardio respiratory endurance
- Evaluating muscular strength and endurance
- Principle of weight control
Assessment
Assessment Information
When you study with Australian Online Courses, you will be assessed using a competency-based training method.
Competency-based training focuses on the achievement of skills and knowledge against set criteria to meet industry-standard and is not benchmarked against other students’ work.
In this course, the assessment will be comprised of written assignments and exercises, which may include short answer questions, reports, essays, research projects and reflective tasks.
If you do not achieve a competency result on your first attempt, you have two more attempts to pass your assessment. So, you have three attempts in total to obtain a competency result.
In this way, you can complete your course in your own time and at your own pace with the assistance of unlimited tutor support.
Course FAQs
Why Choose Australian Online Courses?
- Professional development that is widely recognised and respected;
- Improve your employment opportunities;
- Study online, anywhere via our elearning system;
- High-quality professional development programs written by industry experts;
- No entry requirements;
- All course materials provided online – no textbooks to buy;
- Unlimited tutor support;
- Easy to understand course content;
- We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply);
- Certificate of Attainment/Completion issued for your CV (hard copy provided); and
- Course may be tax deductible; see your tax advisor.
How long will it take to complete this course?
The approximate study hours for this course is 100 hours. We offer twelve (12) months’ access, with extensions available upon application (fees apply).
Can I purchase optional printed materials?
While printed materials are not available for purchase, PDF copies are available for download and self-printing for this program.
When can I start this course?
You can start within 60 minutes during business hours when you enrol and pay in full with a credit card!
Credit card: Within 60 mins during business hours.
BPAY: Within 1-2 working days.
Internet Banking: Within 1-2 working days.
Cheque/Money Order: Upon receipt of mailed cheque.
Will I receive a certificate upon completion of this course?
Yes! You will receive a Certificate of Attainment upon successful completion of your assessment.
Do I need to attend classes or undertake any work placements?
No. All courses are delivered online via our e-learning system and there are no work placement requirements in this course.
What support can I expect from Australian Online Courses?
Unlimited tutor support is available throughout your studies via email during business hours Monday to Friday. Our Administrative team are available Monday to Friday via email, live chat and telephone.
I am an international student. Can I enrol into this course?
Yes! We accept enrolments from individuals both within Australia and internationally; location is no barrier to entry into our programs.
Career Pathways
- Aspiring fitness leaders