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)

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: $275.00 Cdn. (+ shipping/applicable taxes). Includes the hard copy CFES Fitness Knowledge Course student manual and home study student program work booklet/study guide; access to the supplement 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: $225.00 Cdn. (+ applicable taxes:) Includes access to the 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 are designed to take students through the steps in the CFES national 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 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.
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 a 12-20 hour practicum; a one-hour 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 National Fitness Leadership Alliance (NFLA), 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 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 a 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 the BC Ministry of Education’s Integrated Resource Package and highlighted in their 11/2 Fitness & Conditioning curriculum guidelines and Grade Collection for meeting the most learning outcomes for PE 10/12 students; and on Education Alberta’s Learning Centre listings.