The CFES Personal Trainer Course is designed to teach you how to be a great fitness professional and meet CFES certification requirements. Course topics include: health screening and fitness assessment; training principles; risk management; program design for disease prevention and health promotion; business and marketing skills; motivating the client; and the core competencies to work within Scope of Practice.
Course Content
In this course you will learn how to:
Properly health screen, appraise and assess your clients;
Prescribe fitness and exercise;
Put together the most appropriate program design based on the individual;
Excel in communication and fitness instruction;
Make a business of personal training.
Prerequisite: CFES Weight Training Instructor certification or equivalency
Course conductors take you through the steps and make sure that you are prepared to enter the fitness industry as a certified CFES Personal Trainer with confidence and a solid knowledge base. We are proud of the personal trainers that come out of this program, as they exude integrity, professionalism, and passion for raising the bar in fitness leadership training.
In this course students will learn more advanced theory in a classroom setting (or online) and put that into practice in the weight room. The program teaches you how to assist clients with making positive lifestyle changes by assessing health-related fitness levels and providing sound, evidence-based advice on both physical activities and healthy eating habits.
The CFES Personal Trainer Course Work Booklet/Study Guide includes chapter quizzes, case studies and an end of course exam to help students prepare for the Personal Trainer certification exam and practical skills assessment (PTSA).
The information presented in this course is academically credible knowledge designed to meet the CFES Personal Trainer Scope of Practice and learning outcomes. It is highly practical and taught in an atmosphere of care and enjoyment by professional Educators who love what they do.
Our goal is to bring education to you in language and experiences you can relate to, have fun with and really make use of. CFES course graduates gain knowledge and skill that will last a lifetime.
For many, this personal training course is the beginning of a new career. This course is designed to advance your technical knowledge and program and marketing skills applied to the rapidly growing Personal Trainer designation. This course prides itself in preparing you to be confident, employable and well-respected personal trainer.
For course locations, dates and times click our Course Calendar. To register for classroom courses contact the location near you.
To download sample pages from the manual click here
CFES Personal Trainer Course Resources
| CFES Personal Trainer Course Resource Manual National Library of Canada ISBN 978-0-9868197-0-4; Publisher: Canadian Fitness Education Services Ltd., 510 pages, $106.00* CFES Personal Trainer Course Work Booklet + Study Guide National Library of Canada ISBN: 978-0-9868197-1-1; Publisher: Canadian Fitness Education Services Ltd., 218 pages, $27.00* CFES Personal Trainer Course Program Educator Kit — For course conductors only National Library of Canada ISBN: 978-0-9868197-2-8; Publisher: Canadian Fitness Education Services Ltd. Includes: One hard copy resource manual, student program work booklet/study guide, hard copy 360 page Educator Kit and PowerPoint Educator Kit Supplement (500+ slides): $400.00* The Ed Kit is only sold to CFES certified course conductors. |
To download sample pages from the manual click here
* GST & shipping extra
CFES National Personal Trainer (PT) Certification Requirements
Each candidate is to successfully complete the following program steps or present an equivalent*:
1. Prerequisite: CFES Weight Training Instructor Certification*;
2. Personal Trainer (PT) Classroom Course (40+ hours)*;
3. PT Practicum or Mentorship Program (20 hours)*;
4. PT Exam (80%+, 75 minute, closed book, supervised, fee)*;
5. PT Skills Assessment (one on one, video or zoom; fee)*;
6. Maintain current CPR-A minimum and Emergency or Standard First Aid Certifications;
7. Maintain annual liability insurance;
8. Submit to CFES: Certification or Cross-transfer Application Form, collateral documents and certification fee;
9. Receive CFES Personal Trainer Certification (electronic).
For course locations, dates and times click our Course Calendar. To register for classroom courses contact the location near you.
Personal Trainer certification fees:
Pass CFES instructor or personal trainer course, practicum program, closed book certification exam, and instructor/personal trainer skills assessment requirements and submit Certification Application Form and collateral documents
PT certification exam fee for existing CFES Weight Training Instructors: $70.00 + $3.50 (GST) = $73.50
* additional skills assessment fees paid to Educator/Skills Assessment Evaluator
+ Prices subject to changes.
Note: Practicum Program Alternative Choices for Personal Trainers: Students unable to attend a practicum program are required to work with a CFES Certified Leadership Mentor (LM) in their community at a facility offering this service. When there is no CFES Certified LM in your community, discuss and agree with your educator how you will meet CFES certification standard for this practicum experience.
When your skills and confidence to be employable are apparent it is time to book your CFES Instructor or Personal Trainer Skills Assessment with a CFES Educator or SA Evaluator in your region.
CFES National Personal Trainer Recertification Requirements
Each candidate is to successfully complete the following program steps or present an equivalent*:
1. Attend eight (8) hours CFES recognized workshops, seminars or conferences (class or online)*;
2. Submit twelve (12) Personal Trainer client verification hours*;
3. Maintain CPR; First Aid and annual liability insurance;
4. Submit to CFES: Recertification application form and collateral documents and recertification fee.
5. Receive CFES Personal Trainer recertification (electronically).
Annual CFES Personal Trainer recertification fee
$70.00 (recertification fee) + $3.50 (GST) = $73.50
+ Prices subject to changes.
Find a Personal Trainer Course Near You
For course locations, dates and times click our Course Calendar. To register for classroom courses contact the location near you.
Provincial and National Recognition
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.
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), repscanada and 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 university health and exercise sciences programs 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, highlighted in their Fitness & Conditioning 11/12 Big Ideas and the Grade Collection for meeting the most learning outcomes for PE 10/12 students; and on Education Alberta’s Learning Centre.