Fitness Specialist/Personal Trainer
Certificate Kinesiology and Wellness · Mt. San Antonio College · 2026-2027 Catalog
Kinesiology, Athletics and Dance Division
Kinesiology Department
The Fitness Specialist/Personal Trainer Certificate prepares students for careers as personal trainers, health/fitness professionals in corporate fitness facilities, wellness centers and public/private health clubs. The Fitness Specialist/Personal Trainer Certificate curriculum is designed to prepare students who wish to take exams offered by the American Council on Exercise (ACE), the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and other nationally recognized organizations. Technical skills necessary for implementation of a safe, effective and motivational physical fitness program are presented.
Required Courses
| Course | Title | Units |
|---|---|---|
| KIN 15 | Administration of Fitness Programs | 2 |
| KIN 24 | Applied Kinesiology | 2 |
| KIN 38 | Physiology of Exercise for Fitness | 3 |
| KIN 39 | Techniques of Fitness Testing | 2 |
| KIN 40 | Techniques of Strength Training and Conditioning | 3 |
| KIN 85 | Fitness Specialist Work Experience | 1 |
| Choose one course from the following: | 3 | |
| NF 10 | Nutrition for Health and Wellness | |
| NF 12 | Sports Nutrition | |
| NF 25 | Introduction to Nutrition Science | |
| orNF 25H | Introduction to Nutrition Science - Honors | |
| Total Units | 16 | |
Recommended Electives
Outcomes
Program Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this program, a student will be able to:
- Design a 6-12 month exercise program based on clients current fitness level and abilities and their current fitness goals.
- Demonstrate a knowledge of the structure and function of exercising muscle.
- Demonstrate a working knowledge and practical application of General principles of training as applied to, Resistance training programs, Aerobic and anaerobic power training programs.
- Demonstrate the ability to assess muscular strength, aerobic fitness anaerobic power using safe and accepted protocols.
- Describe primary functions and movement patters of muscles joints during specific exercises in order to give appropriate feedback as to the proper execution of an exercise.
- Use appropriate verbal and nonverbal communication to coach and motivate individuals in their exercise program.
- Describe basic nutrition concepts as they relate to performance, sport and a healthy lifestyle.
- Demonstrate the ability to monitor client’s safety in a gym environment and respond to potential risks and or hazards.
- Demonstrate a knowledge of ethical and legal issues faced by a personal trainer.
- Demonstrate a knowledge of various types of cardiovascular disease and the pathology it has on the body. Understand how exercise can be used to prevent a disease and obesity to better quality of life for an individual.
Review Student Learning Outcomes (SLOs) for this program.