The Personal Training and Group Exercise Training for Older Adults is a comprehensive web-based program (with an Optional Field Internship course) designed to establish a national standard to ensure the development of safe and effective exercise programs for older adults by personal trainers, allied health/medical and fitness professionals, and the general public. The certificate program has been designed to incorporate curriculum standards from the “International Curriculum Guidelines for Preparing Physical Activity Instructors of Older Adults” in Collaboration with and endorsed by the World Health Organization. The program will supply essential educational pathways and job opportunities to begin a career working with senior/older adults in the emerging fitness/health industry; for established fitness professionals who desire advanced education in working with older adults; and for allied health and medical professionals from all fields seeking to design specialized exercise and wellness programs for their older adult clients and patients. Graduating students will be prepared for a career working with older adults at senior centers, medically-based fitness facilities, retirement communities, YMCA/JCC’s, hospitals, community wellness programs, personal training studios, physical therapy clinics, long-term care facilities, corporate fitness centers, collegiate settings, and private and commercial health clubs. In addition, the certificate will also prepare individual 50+ exercise enthusiasts in the development of a personalized program based on current research and organizational guidelines.
This certificate program includes:
● Examination of the social and physiological aspects of aging.
● Review current theories of aging.
● Learn the common conditions and diseases associated with aging.
● Understand the role of exercise in improving health, fitness, function and quality of life in older adults.
● Review the current recommendations for cardiovascular, flexibility, resistance, mobility and balance training.
● Learn how to attract, serve and retain the mature market by means of age-friendly facility design, equipment selection, and fitness management.
● Understand how to design safe and effective exercise programs for older adults by taking into consideration critical information such as a client’s age, gender, health history, current health conditions and exercise history.
● Optional Field Internship Course: Students that enter the program may complete an optional internship course that is 6 weeks/60 hours in length.
● On-going guidance, instruction, and interaction from instructors that hold either a Master’s or Ph.D. degree in exercise science, biomechanics, exercise physiology, kinesiology, physical therapy, nutrition or an exercise science-related degree.
● The program is offered in partnership with the International Council on Active Aging (ICAA), the American Senior Fitness Association (SFA), the Aquatic Exercise Association (AEA), and Healthways SilverSneakers® Fitness Program. Students graduating from the certificate program will receive a complimentary one-year membership to the ICAA which includes registration discounts to the annual International Active Aging Conference. In addition, graduating students will receive preferred discounts for the SFA’s certification exams (Senior Personal Trainer Certification or the Senior Fitness Instructor Certification), the AEA’s certification exam (Aquatic Exercise Association Fitness Professional Certification), and for Healthways Instructor Accreditation for Older Adult Exercise.
Upon registering, you are given an initial six months to complete the program. Should you need more time, you may request a 3-month extension at no additional charge. Should you need more time beyond the 3-month extension, a fee of $300 will apply.
Personal Training and Group Exercise Training for Older Adults
GES 116 -- 260 hours
Course Overview/Description
The Personal Training and Group Exercise Training for Older Adults is a comprehensive web-based program (with an Optional Field Internship course) designed to establish a national standard to ensure the development of safe and effective exercise programs for older adults by personal trainers, allied health/medical and fitness professionals, and the general public. The certificate program has been designed to incorporate curriculum standards from the “International Curriculum Guidelines for Preparing Physical Activity Instructors of Older Adults” in Collaboration with and endorsed by the World Health Organization. The program will supply essential educational pathways and job opportunities to begin a career working with senior/older adults in the emerging fitness/health industry; for established fitness professionals who desire advanced education in working with older adults; and for allied health and medical professionals from all fields seeking to design specialized exercise and wellness programs for their older adult clients and patients. Graduating students will be prepared for a career working with older adults at senior centers, medically-based fitness facilities, retirement communities, YMCA/JCC’s, hospitals, community wellness programs, personal training studios, physical therapy clinics, long-term care facilities, corporate fitness centers, collegiate settings, and private and commercial health clubs. In addition, the certificate will also prepare individual 50+ exercise enthusiasts in the development of a personalized program based on current research and organizational guidelines.
This certificate program includes:
● Examination of the social and physiological aspects of aging.
● Review current theories of aging.
● Learn the common conditions and diseases associated with aging.
● Understand the role of exercise in improving health, fitness, function and quality of life in older adults.
● Review the current recommendations for cardiovascular, flexibility, resistance, mobility and balance training.
● Learn how to attract, serve and retain the mature market by means of age-friendly facility design, equipment selection, and fitness management.
● Understand how to design safe and effective exercise programs for older adults by taking into consideration critical information such as a client’s age, gender, health history, current health conditions and exercise history.
● Optional Field Internship Course: Students that enter the program may complete an optional internship course that is 6 weeks/60 hours in length.
● On-going guidance, instruction, and interaction from instructors that hold either a Master’s or Ph.D. degree in exercise science, biomechanics, exercise physiology, kinesiology, physical therapy, nutrition or an exercise science-related degree.
● The program is offered in partnership with the International Council on Active Aging (ICAA), the American Senior Fitness Association (SFA), the Aquatic Exercise Association (AEA), and Healthways SilverSneakers® Fitness Program. Students graduating from the certificate program will receive a complimentary one-year membership to the ICAA which includes registration discounts to the annual International Active Aging Conference. In addition, graduating students will receive preferred discounts for the SFA’s certification exams (Senior Personal Trainer Certification or the Senior Fitness Instructor Certification), the AEA’s certification exam (Aquatic Exercise Association Fitness Professional Certification), and for Healthways Instructor Accreditation for Older Adult Exercise.
Upon registering, you are given an initial six months to complete the program. Should you need more time, you may request a 3-month extension at no additional charge. Should you need more time beyond the 3-month extension, a fee of $300 will apply.
