Program Overview

Introduction to the Fitness Assessment & Exercise Counselling Certificate Program

The Fitness Assessment and Exercise Counselling Certificate program is designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills necessary to assess and counsel individuals on fitness and exercise. This program is earned concurrently with the honours degree in Kinesiology and Health Science by selecting specified courses along with the required core courses.

Program Overview

The program is based on the research evidence that underscores the health benefits of regular physical activity participation for both health-related and performance-related physical plus physiological fitness across the lifespan. Governments and corporations have come to realize that physical activity interventions are a more cost-effective solution to health care, and the "business" of fitness has become the fastest growing industry in Canada.

Admission Requirements

To be eligible for the program, students must be degree candidates in Kinesiology and Health Science. Application to the certificate program may be made after completing all of the Level 1 KINE core courses, all of the Level 2 KINE core courses, and the following Level 3 KINE core courses, plus the completion of a minimum of 4 practicum courses and the successful completion of HH/KINE 3400.

Minimum Credits Completed

• 24 credits

G.P.A. Required

• After 24 credits: A
• After 48 credits: B
• After 72 credits: B

Other Qualifications

• First Aid
• CPR
• Fitness Specialization Skill (e.g., Yoga Instructor, group fitness leader, etc.) Certification
• Volunteer experience

Program Outline

In addition to completing all of the core courses required for an honours degree in Kinesiology and Health Science, the following requirements must also be met to receive the Certificate in Fitness Assessment and Exercise Counselling.

Additional Required Academic Courses

• HH/KINE 3400 3.00: Fitness Consulting and Personal Fitness Training
• HH/KINE 3575 3.00: Athletic Injuries Extremities
• HH/KINE 3640 3.00: Epidemiology of Physical Activity, Fitness and Health
• HH/KINE 4400 6.00: Advanced Fitness/Lifestyle Assessment and Counselling
• HH/KINE 4430 3.00: Business Skills for Sport and Fitness Professionals
• HH/KINE 4900 3.00: Exercise Therapy for Chronic Diseases

Plus Three Credits Selected from the Following Courses

• HH/KINE 4455 3.00: Movement Analysis Laboratory
• HH/KINE 4460 3.00: Occupational Biomechanics
• HH/KINE 4470 3.00: Muscle and Joint Biomechanics
• HH/KINE 4472 3.00: Low Back Performance & Disorders
• HH/KINE 4475 3.00: Clinical Biomechanics

Required Practicum Courses

• Kinesiology and Health Science Practicum Requirements (8 PKINs) plus:
  • HH/PKIN 0861 0.00: Personal Training I
  • HH/PKIN 0862 0.00: Personal Training II

External Certificate Received Concurrently

• Certified Personal Trainer with the Health and Fitness Federation of Canada (HFFC-CPT)
• Certified Exercise Physiologist with the Health and Fitness Federation of Canada (HFFC-CEP)

Commitment to the Program

• The number of years of commitment to the program depends on the year of entry.
• Hours of commitment outside class time: 75 hours/term in the final year.