Embark on your journey to becoming a certified CFES Fitness Instructor or Personal Trainer by starting with the CFES Fitness Knowledge Course — the prerequisite to all CFES certification programs.
Expect this course to provide you with comprehensive information on how to keep yourself and others safely fit and well. Join the ranks of the thousands of students have found the course and resources learner-friendly, academically credible, and very practical. You can also enrol in this course for your own personal health and fitness information.
Who Is This Program For?
- Anyone looking to start a career in the fitness industry, the fitness theory course is the first step in national certification as an Active Aging Instructor, Aquafit Instructor, Group Fitness Instructor, Weight Training Instructor, or Personal Trainer;
- Individuals starting an exercise program wanting correct information, independence and confidence;
- Health enthusiasts wanting more details regarding exercise and nutrition;
- Active living professionals in the health and wellness fields;
- Teachers, coaches, health and wellness professionals needing practical, learner friendly and academically credible information for students, athletes and program participants.
Course Resources
To download sample pages from the manual click here
| Comprehensive CFES Fitness Knowledge Course • Student Resource Manual • Student Program Work Booklet and Study Guide • Open Book Exam • CFES recognized Record of Course Completion |
In The Course You Will:
• Learn all about your bones and muscles and how they function in exercise and basic movement;
• Understand your heart and lungs and how to care for them;
• Learn the science in burning fat, shaping and toning muscle;
• Master exercise physiology for strength, flexibility and cardiorespiratory endurance;
• Ensure the principles of exercise safety are in place;
• Absorb basic nutrition guidelines and weight management principles;
• Refine teaching approaches for the adult learner.
No one “fails” our program. If you do not receive 80% or higher we ask you to re-do the incorrect section and pay a small administrative fee. On successful completion of the course you will receive a CFES Record of Course Completion.
For information on the home study version of the CFES Fitness Knowledge Course click here.
What our students say about this course …
“I really enjoyed the entire Fitness Knowledge course, but especially Monica’s instruction. She had a way of making it both educational and fun, challenging while still accessible. Her extensive knowledge and experience were key to helping us grasp certain difficult concepts. While her patience and guidance allowed us to each learn at our own pace, and her creative activities accommodated different learning styles.If you are interested in furthering your fitness knowledge, I would highly recommend this course and Monica Todesco as your instructor of choice!” Lisa
“The CFES Fitness Knowledge course was great! I know that I’ll be referring to the text for many years to come. Taught in a very interesting and fun way, I’d recommend it to any individual who has an interest in health and fitness, not just to those who are in the industry.” Tara
This Program is Nationally Recognized
CFES Fitness Leadership Program modules are designed to take students through the steps in the CFES Aquafit, Group Fitness and Weight Training Instructor and Personal Trainer certification.
The CFES Fitness Knowledge Course (home study or classroom-based) is the prerequisite anatomy/physiology first module for fitness instructor and personal trainer certification. The 24+ hour course covers an active living chapter; the skeletal system; muscular system; muscle structure and function; the principles of human movement; training principles and program planning; muscular strength and endurance; flexibility; cardiorespiratory fitness; nutrition and body weight management; and a chapter on exercise safety.
The home study version of the Fitness Knowledge Course is a combination of traditional home study and online e-learning — allowing you to work at your own pace and includes: the hard copy resource manual and student program work booklet; online supplemental courseware e-learning tools; both toll-free phone and email tutor service; and marking of the end-of-course open book exam. Students spend between 30 and 50 hours to complete this module. Unless you wish to also register with a provincial body you do not need to write their fitness theory exam.
Full-fledged CFES instructor courses are 24+ hours of classroom theory and on-the-floor/in-the-water practical training with end of course open book completion exams; followed by an 8-20 hour practicum; a 75 minute closed book proctored certification exam; and a 90-minute instructor skills assessment. Passing grade is 80%. Instructors are expected to maintain CPR + First Aid tickets and obtain liability insurance (if necessary).
Candidates wanting Personal Trainer certification must first successfully complete the Weight Training Instructor certification and then progress to the Personal Trainer course. The PT course is 40+ hours of classroom and practical teaching, and also includes a course completion open book exam; followed by a 20-hour practicum, closed book proctored certification exam and skills assessment. Passing grade is 80%. PTs are expected to maintain CPR + First Aid tickets and obtain liability insurance.
As well as providing national certification CFES is an IDEA Fitness Connect Certification Verification Partner. CFES resources are also recognized by a variety of specialized fitness leadership agencies, including: the Canadian Aquatics Leaders Alliance (CALA); the Canadian Personal Trainers Network (CPTN), Canfitpro (GFI + PT = PT/FIS equivalency) and Fitness Leadership Council (FLC), which includes the BCRPA Fitness Branch; Alberta Fitness Leadership Certification Association; Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association Fitness Division; Manitoba Fitness Council; Ontario Fitness Council; Fitness New Brunswick; Island Fitness Council and the Nova Scotia Fitness Association. For further info on how to complete with any of the above agencies contact them directly.
The CFES Fitness Knowledge Course is approved by the Massage Therapist Associations of Saskatchewan for credits for Continuing Education/Professional Development.
Our programs are also integrated within college continued education and health and fitness diploma programs in Canada, and as an addendum to university health and exercise sciences program for job-ready graduation credentialing. CFES resources are also recognized by the BC Ministry of Education and Alberta Education and utilized in individual Ontario Board Authorized high school physical education credit courses grades 9 to 12 students. The CFES Fitness Knowledge Course is listed in both the BC Min. of Ed’s Integrated Resource Package and highlighted in their Grade Collection for meeting the most learning outcomes for PE 10/12 students and on Education Alberta’s Learning Centre.
For information on the home study version of the CFES Fitness Knowledge Course click here.