About the Program
A trend toward healthier lifestyles and personalized fitness solutions has created a growing demand for qualified personal fitness trainers. Many fitness and recreation facilities are hiring personal fitness trainers to enhance the service they offer to clients. There are also many entrepreneurial opportunities for personal fitness trainers to establish their own client base.
The Personal Fitness Trainer program teaches principles and methods of physical training and safe exercise, nutrition, health promotion and lifestyle counselling, and business management and marketing practices.
The Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP) has approved NAIT to offer courses and examine candidates for the nationally-recognized CSEP-CPT certification. The National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) allows students to challenge the Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES) certificate, and the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) also officially recognizes NAIT’s Personal Fitness Trainer program.
NAIT’s Personal Fitness Training (PFT) diploma program embodies flexible learning pathways. Students may choose from in-class and online courses and may enroll as a part-time, full-time or Open Studies student.
Only select courses are offered in-class each semester. Demand for this program is high and space for in-class courses is limited. To avoid disappointment apply and submit all required documents early. Qualified students will receive enrolment information through their student portal. If the preference is for in-class courses, students should enrol in classes immediately to ensure a choice of in-class deliveries. Please note for students starting the program in January or May, online courses are only available.
All courses are available online in January, May, and September.
These courses are offered in-class in September only:
Level One
- ANAT1120 Human Anatomy
- PFTR1121 Foundations for Personal Trainers
- PFTR1122 Applied Movement Mechanics
- PFTR1123 Applied Physiology of Exercise
- NUTR1124 Nutrition for Exercise and Performance
Level Two
- PFTR2320 Corrective Exercise Strategies
- BUSN2321 Business Practices I
- PFTR2323 Sport Performance Strategies
- PFTR2324 Lifespan and Clinical Exercise Considerations I
- PFTR2390 Practicum I
These courses are offered in-class in January only:
Level One
- PFTR1220 Functional Training and Assessment
- LEAD1221 Leadership Studies
- PFTR1222 Resistance Training and Assessment
- PFTR1223 Endurance Training and Assessment
- PFTR1224 Fitness Appraisal and Lifestyle Counseling
Level Two
- BUSN2421 Business Practices II
- PFTR2423 Program Design
- PFTR2424 Lifespan and Clinical Exercise Considerations II
- PFTR2491 Practicum II: Professional Experience
Tuition & Fees (Cost per semester)
Tuition
Cost Per Credit: $145
Tuition
Cap: $1,883
Tuition International
Cost Per Credit: $486
Tuition
Cap: $6,308
Mandatory Fees
NAITSA: $120
U-Pass: $162.50
Health & Dental: $114
Rec. &
Athletics: $70.00
Books, Supplies & Program Fees (est.)
Semester 1: $466.67
Semester 2:
$466.67
Semester 3: $466.67
Semester 4:
$533.33
Semester 5: $533.33
Semester 6:
$533.33
Please note: This information is provided to help you estimate your costs for student financing. Some courses may also have additional expenses. Students who take all of their courses online are exempt from U-Pass, Health & Dental, and Recreation & Athletics fees. All fees are subject to change.
Entrance Requirements
Academic Requirements
- Grade 12 English
- Pure Math 20 or Math 20-1 or 20-2 or Applied Math 20
- Biology 30
Or
- Successful completion of ANAT1120, PFTR1121 and PFTR1122
NAIT's MTH20T Academic Upgrading course is recognized in lieu of Math 20-2.
View the English Language Proficiency Requirements for the Program: NAIT | English Language Proficiency
Non-Academic Requirements
- Level C or Level HCP CPR - Students must provide evidence of CPR certification prior to commencing practicum.
- Basic computer skills - Students must have basic computer skills prior to admission, including word processing, presentation creation (e.g., PowerPoint), Internet, and e-mail experience. Students will also be expected to produce and share small video presentations for specific course work.
Please note: International students must be careful when enrolling in online courses. Enrolling in too many online courses can impact the ability to apply for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) through the Government of Canada. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure in-class course enrollment is sufficient to qualify for a PGWP.
The maximum number of online courses an applicant may take varies, and depends on the ratio of in-class and online course enrollment. To confirm acceptable ratio of on-line to in-class course enrollment to qualify for a PGWP, contact the NAIT International Centre.
International Student Advisors are available to help with this and many other questions. Contact the NAIT International Centre to book an appointment.
Phone: 780.378.6130
E-mail: internationalcentre@nait.ca
For more information about qualifying for a PGWP and other information about studying and working in Canada, contact Government of Canada.
Phone: 1-888-242-2100
Website: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/tools/temp/students/consider.asp
Practicum/Co-op/Work Experience
In semesters 3 and 4, students will be expected to complete a work experiences practicum.
Semester 3
- Length: 45 hours
- Salary: none
- Relocation: not required
Semester 4
- Length: 75 hours
- Salary: none
- Relocation: not required
Scholarships & Bursaries
| Name | Value | Available |
|---|---|---|
| Apple Fitness Scholarship - Winter | $800.00 | 1 |
| Coca-Cola Bottling Ltd. Scholarship I | $700.00 | 5 |
| Coca-Cola Bottling Ltd. Scholarship II | $1000.00 | 4 |
| Iron Fit Personal Training Scholarship | $500.00 | 1 |
| Katie & John Lashuk Bursary | $2000.00 | 2 |
| Northlands Park - PFT Winter | $300.00 | 1 |
| Spa Lady Inc. Scholarship | $500.00 | 1 |
| The Ernie and Peggie Stevens Health Sciences Scholarship | $1000.00 | 1 |
| World Health Club Scholarship | $500.00 | 1 |
For general application and special selections, ranging from $500 to $5,000, see Scholarships & Bursaries.