About Personal Training
The City College of San Francisco Personal Training Certificate of Achievement program will provide the skill and knowledge needed to prepare students for entry-level positions within the fitness industry as personal trainers/instructors and as group fitness instructors. Students will gain an understanding of the physiology of exercise, fitness assessment procedures and methodologies, sports nutrition, and designing exercise programs. The program includes a hands-on experience with an exercise population. Program graduates will be qualified to be personal fitness trainer and/or group exercise instructor. This program also prepares students for industry standard personal trainer examinations, including the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), American Council on Exercise (ACE), and the National Strength & Conditioning Association Certified Personal Trainer (NSCA-CPT) certification exams.
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this program, students will be able to:
- Explain basic exercise science, and various techniques and models of fitness training.
- Design personal health and wellness programs that address body fitness and lifestyle modifications.
- Integrate technology in personal training plans for a diverse client population.
- Determine health and safety concerns and apply appropriate procedures.
Explore Potential Careers
The Personal Training program will prepare you for work in a variety of occupations and career paths, including:
- Fitness and Wellness Coach
- Personal Trainer
- Fitness Instructor
- Strength and Conditioning Coach
- Corrective Exercise Specialist
- Sport Coach
Earning a certificate of achievement in Personal Training can improve your job prospects and earning potential.
Program Options
Click on the degree or certificate you're interested in earning to see a sample map of courses to take to complete your goal from start to finish.
Please note that the course maps provided are just an example to help you get started. Please meet with a counselor to personalize the plan to you and your Academic goals.
Transfer Options
The program coursework you complete at City College of San Francisco will satisfy lower-division requirements for related majors at various college and universities.
The certificate coursework sets the stage for the Kinesiology A.A. Degree for Transfer, which students could receive by completing additional science courses and GE courses. The Kinesiology for Transfer(AA-T in Kinesiology) is designed to prepare students for transfer into four year colleges to complete a bachelor's degree in Kinesiology or similar major.
Students pursuing careers in personal training typically enroll in four-year bachelor's degree programs with one of the following majors:
-
Kinesiology (including courses in Leading Group Fitness Activities, Psycho/Social Aspects of Physical Activity and Managing Kinesiology Programs)
-
Exercise Physiology (including courses in Exercise Testing and Prescription, Sports, Epidemiology and Nutrition and Physical Fitness)
-
Education Exercise Science(including courses in Applied Biomechanics, Statistics in Human Movement Science and Cardiopulmonary Aspects of Health-Related Exercise Programs)
-
Physical Education or Coaching
-
Nutrition
-
Biology or Human Physiology
-
Sports Medicine
Have questions about transfer? Visit the Transfer Center for help, transfer information, and/or to speak with college representatives.