Like the classroom course, the CFES Fitness Knowledge Home Study Program acts as a prerequisite to all instructor courses and is the first step in becoming a certified CFES Active Aging Instructor, Aquafit Instructor, Group Fitness Instructor, Weight Training Instructor or Personal Trainer.
Expect the home study program to provide comprehensive information on how to keep yourself and others safely fit and well. Thousands of students have found the course and resources learner-friendly, academically credible and very practical. You can also take the course for your own personal health and fitness information.
Online Courseware
The Fitness Knowledge Home Study Program includes traditional hard copy resources and online learning supplemental courseware — including more than 100 full-colour anatomical illustrations and 25 animations of the skeletal system, joint actions and muscle groups; demonstrations of the cardiovascular system; more than 100 video clips demonstrating exercises for strength, endurance and flexibility; plus many full-colour charts and tables; full course text and chapter quizzes. E-version only available. High-speed internet access is necessary for the online components of the course. (Click on the sample animation below)
To register for the CFES Fitness Knowledge Home Study Program click here . You will be directed to the CFES Web Store Home Study e-commerce registration page. Follow the instructions to complete the order
You will receive an email confirmation of registration and online courseware access within 24 hours. For students ordering the complete home study package your hard copy student manual and home study program work booklet will be shipped to you via Canada Post Xpresspost. You can also email us, call toll free 1-877-494-5355 between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm Mon. to Fri. Pacific time, or mail us your registration fee by cheque or money order to our office.
Who Is The Program For?
Anyone looking to start a career in the fitness industry, this is the first step in the certification process;
Individuals starting an exercise program wanting correct information, independence and confidence;
Health enthusiasts wanting more details exercise, nutrition, active living professionals in the healing and health and wellness fields;
Teachers, coaches, health and wellness professionals needing practical, learner-friendly and academically credible information for students, athletes and program participants.
In the course you will learn:
All about your bones and muscles and how they function in exercise and basic movement;
About your heart and lungs and how to care for them;
How to burn fat, shape and tone muscle;
Exercise physiology for strength, flexibility and cardiorespiratory endurance;
The principles of exercise safety;
Basic nutrition guidelines and weight management principles;
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 re-mark fee. On successful completion of the course, you will receive a CFES Record of Course Completion.
How Does This Program Work?
The CFES Fitness Knowledge Course Student Manual and Home Study Student Program Work Booklet/Study Guide and online supplemental e-learning courseware contain all the necessary information for the student to successfully complete this distant education version of the CFES Fitness Knowledge classroom course.
Students work their way through the course at their own pace in an easy chapter by chapter progressive format, utilizing the home study student program booklet/study guide and supplemental online e-learning courseware. Each chapter in the course has a variety of quizzes, learning tools and activities.
Tutor assistance is provided toll free or via email. Students normally spend between 30-50 hours to complete the home study course and open book exam, depending on previous anatomy/exercise physiology knowledge base and fitness industry experience.
Students must complete the end of course open book exam and submit for marking. Exams are marked and returned within three weeks of the receiving date.
Students have one year from course registration to complete the program.
You will receive email confirmation of registration and online courseware access within 24 hours. Your hard copy student manual and home study program work booklet will be shipped to you via Canada Post Xpresspost. You can also email us, call toll free 1-877-494-5355 between 10:00 am and 4:00 pm Pacific time or mail us your registration fee by cheque or money order.
What Do I Receive For My Course Fee?
To download sample pages from the manual click here
Comprehensive CFES Fitness Knowledge Course Student Manual*
Comprehensive CFES Fitness Knowledge Course Student Program Work Booklet/Study Guide*
Online e-learning courseware
Canadian toll-free and email tutor services
Marking of end of course open book exam
Recognized Record of Course Completion
CFES Fitness Knowledge Home Study Program Registration Fee: $325.00 Cdn. (+ shipping/applicable taxes). Includes the hard copy CFES Fitness Knowledge Course student manual and home study student program work booklet/study guide; online e-learning courseware; phone and/or email tutor service; first marking of the end of course open book exam; and electronic Record of Course Completion.
*E-version Only CFES Fitness Knowledge Home Study Program: $275.00 Cdn. (+ applicable taxes:) Includes online e-learning courseware; a PDF e-version of the home study student program work booklet/study guide and open book exam; email/phone tutor service; first marking of end of course open book exam; and electronic Record of Course Completion. No hard copy resources provided.
To register for the CFES Fitness Knowledge Home Study Program click here . You will be directed to the CFES Webstore Home Study e-commerce registration page. Follow the instructions to complete your order.
This Program is Nationally Recognized
CFES Fitness Leadership Program Modules: A Path to Certification in Aquafit, Group Fitness, Weight Training, and Personal Training
The CFES Fitness Leadership Program features comprehensive modules designed to guide candidates through the steps in Aquafit, Group Fitness and Weight Training Instructor, and Personal Trainer certification.
The Prerequisite: CFES Fitness Knowledge Course
The initial step in pursuing certification as a fitness instructor or personal trainer is completing the CFES Fitness Knowledge Course. This 24+ hour course covers anatomy, physiology, the skeletal and muscular systems, human movement principles, training principles and program planning, cardiorespiratory fitness, flexibility, active living, nutrition, body weight management, and exercise safety.
Choose Your Learning Path: Home Study or Classroom-Based
The Fitness Knowledge Course is flexible and caters to various learning preferences, offering both home study and classroom-based options. The home study version combines the traditional materials with online e-learning, allowing students to learn at their own pace. It includes a comprehensive resource manual, student program work booklet/study guide, online supplemental courseware, toll-free phone and email tutor support, and marking of the end-of-course open book exam.
Students typically spend 30 to 50 hours completing this module, and there’s no need to write an additional fitness theory exam unless registering with a provincial body.
Becoming a certified CFES Fitness Instructor
To become a full-fledged CFES fitness instructor, candidates must complete a 24+ hour classroom theory and on-the-floor/in-the-water practical training certification course. This is followed by an end-of-course open book completion exam, an 8-20 hour practicum, a 75-minute closed book proctored certification exam, and a 90-minute instructor practical skills assessment. Passing grade is 80%. Instructors are required to maintain CPR and First Aid certifications and obtain liability insurance if necessary.
Path to Personal Trainer Certification
Candidates seeking Personal Trainer certification first need to successfully complete the Weight Training Instructor certification (or equivalency) and then progress to the Personal Trainer course. The PT course consists of 40+ hours of classroom and practical teaching, along with a course completion open book exam, a 12-20-hour practicum, a closed book proctored certification exam, and a practical skills assessment. Passing grade is 80%. Like instructors, PTs must maintain CPR and First Aid certification and obtain liability insurance.
CFES: Recognized and Accredited
CFES is a recognized national certification body and an IDEA Fitness Connect Certification Verification Partner. Additionally, CFES resources are recognized by various specialized fitness leadership agencies, including CALA, CPTN, Canfitpro, and FLC, among others. The CFES Fitness Knowledge Course is also approved by the Massage Therapist Associations of Saskatchewan for Continuing Education/Professional Development credits.
Integration in Educational Programs
CFES certification courses are offered on a semester-by-semester basis through a variety of private fitness education training companies, civic recreation departments and independent Educators. Our programs are also integrated within college continued education and health and fitness diploma programs, and as an addendum to university health and exercise sciences curriculum 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.