The Physical Fitness certificate program offers personal and professional opportunities in the world of fitness. Multiple approaches to exercise are combined with theories of well- ness as students learn and practice the benefits of aerobic exercise, strength training, stress reduction, healthy nutrition and life habits. Completion of the program requirements leads to employment as group exercise instructors, personal trainers or fitness instructors at health and fitness clubs, community organizations or other fitness facilities. In addition, the pro- gram provides students an opportunity to achieve the ACE Personal Trainer Certification, a nationally recognized credential. Classroom training and on-site experiences are provided.
Essential Functions
Enrollment in this Physical Fitness program requires that the student, with or without reasonable accommodations (see Notes), must be able to:
- Demonstrate the ability to coordinate simultaneous motions;
- Perform movements that require supination, pronation, flexion, extension, adduction, abduction, hyperextension rotation, circumduction;
- Operate strength training equipment that requires pushing, pulling, rotating, or moving objects and weights;
- Demonstrate ability to retain and evaluate information for use in supervision and evaluation of clients;
- Display cognitive (thinking) abilities to measure, calculate, reason, and analyze information and data;
- Demonstrate ability to manipulate dials on equipment;
- Demonstrate the ability to stretch, bend, lunge, sit, step up, step down and chop;
- Perform exercise skills in both fast and slow cadences;
- Maintain a level of energy and endurance necessary to complete essential functions;
- Demonstrate safe body mechanics when moving clients or equipment including lifting, carrying small equipment (under 50 lbs.) and moving large equipment (over 50 lbs.);
- Function within the ethical and legal standards of fitness settings;
- Demonstrate the ability to effectively manage two or more activities or sources of information;
- Utilize problem-solving skills in making a decision;
- Detect an unsafe environment and carry out appropriate emergency procedures; and
- Effectively communicate to clients and other health professionals by:
- Explaining procedures;
- Receiving information from others;
- Receiving information from written documents;
- Exhibiting appropriate interpersonal skill(s) to motivate clients;
- Analyzing and documenting assessment finding and intervention; and
- Demonstrating the ability to critically read and interpret charts, instruction and manuals.
Expected Outcomes
Graduates of this program should be able to:
- Demonstrate written and oral English competence;
- Use modern technology to access, evaluate and apply information to use state-of-the-art fitness equipment safely and perform cardio monitoring;
- Demonstrate competence in career planning, health management and lifelong learning;
- Demonstrate skills beyond entry-level (health and fitness club manager, private personal trainer, specialized fitness instructor);
- Identify good, basic exercise testing and program design; and
- Practice good nutrition and explain basic principles to clients relative to exercise physiology.
Graduation Requirements
To earn a certificate in this program, a student must complete all program credits, plus the following Additional Requirements.
Program Courses
Additional Requirements
Demonstrated college-level skills in reading & writing
Minimum Cumulative Average
| Overall |
2.000 |
| Program requirements |
2.000 |
Suggested Pathway to Graduation
The following is a suggestion for completing this program in one year. The actual time to complete the program may vary according to each student’s individual needs.
First Semester
Second Semester
Notes
Berkshire Community College seeks to provide equal access to its programs, services and activities for people with disabilities. Therefore, to the extent practicable, the College will endeavor to make a reasonable academic adjustment for an applicant with a disability who is otherwise qualified.
There are specific sensory, motor and psychosocial skills needed to successfully complete this Physical Fitness program. Any student who feels he/she will require accommodations with these skills should contact the coordinator of the Services for Students with Disabilities program.