Fitness and Health Promotion FHP
Participation in fitness workout activities is required in several courses
Moderate workload
- Seven courses in your first semester
- 1 - 2 hours of study/assignments for each hour in class
- 21-24 hours of class each week (42-48 hour/week commitment)
Holland Code: S (Social)
What academic skills do I need to be successful in the program?
This list does not replace the admission requirements you must have for admission to the program. Please see website for details.
Literacy Strong written and verbal communications skills are needed.
Math & Science Basic math needed for calculations. Anatomy and nutrition courses require background in biology.
Technology Basic computer skills recommended (Microsoft Office suite, Internet, checking student portal daily).
What personal qualities should someone interested in this career have?
- Entrepreneurial spirit
- Confident
- Outgoing and likes being in continual contact with people
- Helping/coaching /organizing
- Good at multi-tasking
- Good problem solving and decision making skills
- Open-minded
- Flexible
- Able to hold others accountable for their performance
- Able to providing feedback to people
- Enjoy fostering positive relationships
- Strong time management and organizational skills
- Able to set priorities
- Able to take ownership for learning
- Self-motivated, committed to learning
Useful background experience for this program would be
Coaching experience, participation in high school athletics, and /or leadership experience in youth activities.
What kind of work could I do when I graduate?
Graduates of this program may go on to become a
Certified personal trainer, group fitness instructor, health club manager, private business owner, YMCA employee (trainer, membership desk, children’s services, etc), or fitness instructor in specialty areas (military, cruise ships, women’s clubs).
Places you may find yourself employed include
Private fitness facilities, public leisure centres , municipal recreation centres, YMCAs and YWCAs, large corporations, resorts and hotels, or community health units.
Typical working conditions for this kind of work:
- Work in a variety of settings
- May meet clients at fitness facilities or in the clients' homes
- The work is physically and mentally demanding; lifting items (for example, weights) weighing up to 20 kilograms is required
- Trainers are responsible for the safety of their clients and must ensure they and their clients perform exercises correctly to prevent injury
- Early morning, noon hour, evening and weekend work is common
- Personal trainers spend a considerable amount of time preparing for client sessions and revising training plans.
Tasks a graduate may do in the workplace
Personal Trainer
- Assess client needs, abilities and goals
- Measure body composition, aerobic and anaerobic fitness, muscular strength and endurance, joint flexibility and postural alignment (which may include measuring blood pressure, heart rate and heart recovery rate)
- Develop personalized health and exercise plans
- Demonstrate correct exercise techniques and proper use of exercise equipment
- Ensure clients exercise safely, teach proper breathing techniques
- Lead clients through exercise routines
- Monitor client progress and adapt programs as needed
- Regularly increase the level of difficulty to challenge clients
- Provide resources regarding nutrition, weight control and lifestyle issues
Group Exercise Leader
- Plan routines and choose appropriate music
- Choose different movements for each set of muscles depending on participants' capabilities and limitations
- Help participants gauge their levels of exertion to get the maximum benefit from their exercise routines
- Offer alternatives during classes to accommodate different levels of fitness
Facility worker or manager
- Recording member information
- Promoting the facility through membership sales
- Teaching and demonstrating the use of equipment (for example, treadmills, weight machines)
- Cleaning and maintaining equipment
- Advising clients about proper clothing and shoes
Helpful links for further research into this Fanshawe College program and career opportunity
- Fanshawe’s library has prepared a subject guide for current students in this program. You may find the links and information provided very useful in learning more about this career.
Opportunities for further development or education
- Graduates may apply for advanced entrance into the Fanshawe College Recreation and Leisure Services program
- Course work may be used as a basis of university admission or credits may transfer to a university degree at many different schools. More information.
NOC Codes
The National Occupation Classification (NOC) system is used by the Canadian government to provide detailed information on careers. Visit the National Occupation Classification website and use the NOC codes below to learn more about careers associated with this Fanshawe College program. Please note: These codes are listed here for information purposes only. Fanshawe College does not guarantee graduates careers in these fields.
- NOC Code 5254 Program leaders and instructors in recreation, sport and fitness
The Canada Job Bank is an excellent resource for labour market information including wages, jobs available and career planning advice.
Career Outlook
Explore Fanshawe Career Coach to learn more about related careers, employment, job postings and current local data on wages.
Last Modified: January 15, 2024