This course will provide credits towards IARC (International Accreditation and Recognition Council) accredited Certificates or Diplomas.
The course was developed in the past to cover curriculum of Exercise and Fitness Knowledge Level 1 and 2 in the U.K and Australian certificates III and IV in Fitness; plus additional studies in human biology related to exercise science.
As such the course goes beyond the scope of some other fitness certificates.
ACS has also developed arrangements with well established insurance companies that allows graduates to obtain professional indemnity insurance, to cover them working in the health or fitness industries.
WHY STUDY FITNESS THROUGH ACS?
CONTENT: Our courses are longer and provide more than what is the prescribed minimum for Fitness Leaders in both the UK and Australia. In particular we teach more human biological science.
EXCEPTIONAL TUTORS: In other fitness courses you may find you are being tutored by a tutor who holds only basic qualifications, and may have very little industry experience. ACS tutors by contrast hold university qualifications, and have extensive industry experience.
TO SET YOUR SELF APART FROM THE COMPETITION! It is well known that the key to success in any career is to be different in some way to your competition. We offer just that to our graduates by designing a course that delivers to you a set of skills and knowledge that surpasses those of your “average fitness leader”. This course is for those who strive to be better than ordinary, and want to come out of their qualification with more specialised knowledge than other graduates. As with any career, a qualification will get you the interview, but it is your knowledge, attitude, capacity to do the job, and your uniqueness that will get you the job. Choose ACS and set yourself apart.
SUMMARY
To obtain a Fitness Leaders Certificate, students must meet the following five requirements:
1. Complete the Fitness Leader's Certificate Core Theory which incorporates key sections of Human Biology IA, Human Biology IB, and Health and Fitness I (and incorporates theory from EFK Level 1 & 2 requirements for the UK; plus Cert III & IV in Australia)
2. Undertake 40 hours of practical at an approved fitness centre (under the supervision of a reputable instructor)
3. Obtain a current First Aid Certificate that includes rescusitation (Red Cross, St. John's Ambulance for example)
4. Sit and pass two examinations
DETAILED OUTLINE
AIMS:
The aim of the Core theory course is to elevate the standard of core knowledge and competency for people working in the field of fitness through the provision of a pre-service education program.
The aim of specialty modules is to contextualise and expand the learning process and competencies into one of the recognised registered categories.
On successful completion of this module you will have developed:
- Abilities in describing the nature and extent of the health and fitness industry
- Abilities in explaining exercise and its importance to health and fitness
- Skills in preparation and delivery of basic fitness programs
- An ability to explain basic human anatomy and physiology
- An ability to describe bioenergetics and environmental aspects of human biology
LESSON CONTENT
There are two parts to this module (Part I and Part II), each of which comprise two units. Each unit in turn contains several lessons. (See below for details).
Part 1
UNIT ONE – Anatomy and Physiology and Exercise
Lesson 1. Introduction to Health and Fitness
Lesson 2. Exercise Physiology
Lesson 3. Exercise Principles and Cardio-respiratory Programming
Lesson 4. Physiology: Digestion, Excretion, Physiological Systems
UNIT TWO - Biomechanics
Lesson 5. Introduction to Biomechanics: The skeleton and muscles
Lesson 6. Biomechanics and Risk
Lesson 7. Aquafitness, exercise, routines, and equipment
PART 2
UNIT THREE – Program Design and Performance
Lesson 8. Fitness Program Design
Lesson 9. Delivering A Fitness Program
Lesson 10. Ergogenic Aids to Performance
UNIT FOUR – Safety, Injury, and Body Physiology
Lesson 11. Regulating Body Physiology
Lesson 12. Safety, Injury and General Wellbeing
Lesson 13. Fitness Programs for Special Groups
MORE DETAIL:
LESSON 1.
INTRODUCTION TO HEALTH and FITNESS
AIM
a) To explain the nature of the health and fitness industries.
b) To explain the human body at a microscopic level, including the structure and function of cells, tissues, and membranes.
The components of fitness
Fitness
Physical fitness
Cardiovascular fitness
Muscular strength and muscular endurance
Flexibility
Motor fitness
LESSON 2.
EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY
AIM
To explain the relationship between the body and health, fitness and exercise, with reference to physiological processes, including energy pathways during resting, work and recovery, and how energy is used in the human body to create work and power.
The cardio-respiratory system
The heart
The cardiac cycle
The vascular system
Circulation
Energy systems
Objectives
Energy
The ATP cycle
The phosphocreatine, lactic acid and aerobic energy systems
LESSON 3.
EXERCISE PRINCIPLES and CARDIORESPIRATORY PROGRAMMING
AIM
To explain the relationship between the body and health, fitness and exercise, with respect to risk involved in exercise.
The cardio-respiratory system
The heart
The cardiac cycle
The vascular system
Circulation
Lesson 4.
PHYSIOLOGY SYSTEMS
AIM
a) To explain different physiological systems of the body.
b) To explain movement of materials in and out of living cells.
- Osmosis and Diffusion
- Digestive system
- Urinary system
- Endocrine system
- Respiratory System
- Breathing action
Lesson 5.
INTRODUCTION TO BIOMECHANICS
AIM
To explain features of the human skeletal system, and the human muscular system, in terms of structure and basic function.
Bones and joints and Muscles and muscle actions
The skeleton
Four types of bone
Factors affecting bone structure
The three types of joint
Synovial joints
Joint movement terms
Muscles
Muscle group actions
Muscle group actions on the joint(s)
LESSON 6.
BIOMECHANICS and RISK
AIM
a) To evaluate body movements during different exercises.
b) To explain the human nervous system, in terms of structure and basic functions.
- Nervous system
- Training and risk
- Injury prevention tips
Lesson 7.
AQUAFITNESS
AIM
To develop an understanding of how aquafitness activities differ from other fitness activities.
- Physiology of an aqua fitness session
- Stretching
- Types of exercises
- The components of a warm up
Components of a cool down
LESSON 8.
FITNESS PROGRAM DESIGN
AIM
To design fitness programs, which are both safe and effective, to fulfil specified requirements of an individual.
- Design process
- Developing Physique
- Basic Conditioning Exercises
- Cardiorespiratory (Aerobic) Endurance
- Structure of an aerobic training session
- Weight Training
- Qualities of A Professional
- Leadership Communication
- Communication Barriers
LESSON 9.
DELIVERING A FITNESS PROGRAM
AIM
To deliver a fitness program to a small group of clients.
- Customer service
Your communication skills
Dealing with customer complaints
- Self Esteem
- Communicating for effective relationships
- Key communication strategies
Lesson 10.
ERGOGENIC AIDS TO PERFORMANCE
AIM
Explain ergogenic aids to body performance during activity/exercise.
Ergogenic aids are substances which improve performance which can include Drugs, Vitamins, Water, Warm up activity, and Motivational talks.
Lesson 11.
REGULATING BODY PHYSIOLOGY
AIM
Explain body regulation processes
- The acid base balance
- The effect of changing atmospheric pressure
- Temperature regulation
- Acid Base balance
- Acidity
LESSON 12.
SAFETY, ETHICS, INJURY and GENERAL WELLBEING
AIM
To manage the wellbeing of participants in a fitness program, including safety and injury.
- Ethical practice
- Safety and injury
- General wellbeing, which can cover psychological as well as physiological wellbeing.
- Sample Screening Questionnaire
- Sample Medical Clearance form
LESSON 13.
FITNESS PROGRAMS FOR SPECIAL GROUPS
AIM
To design fitness programs, which are both safe and effective, catering to needs of special populations (weight control programs, handicapped/disabled persons programs or for the elderly).
- Program management
- Exercise variables (frequency, duration, intensity)
- Four zones of training
- Programs for weight control and evaluation of cardiorespiratory endurance and
- muscular strength and endurance
BEYOND THE CORE
Upon successful completion of the course, the UK student can sit the Exercise and Fitness Knowledge I and II examinations via CYQ.
If you are studying this course from outside the UK you can still be awarded the Fitness Leaders Certificate (which is none the less valuable training), but the YMCA endorsed qualification cannot be awarded unless you sit your exam in the UK.
If you wish to complete and be awarded a Fitness Leaders Certificate by ACS, you must sit and pass a core exam, then complete a series of additional requirements after the core studies. See these requirements outlined at the top of this page.
WHY CHOOSE US?
• Reputation: well-known and respected in health and fitness
• Industry focus: courses designed to suit industry needs and expectations
• Different focus: develop problem solving skills that make you stand out from others
• Hands on: develop practical as well as theoretical skills
• Lots of help: dedicated and knowledgeable tutors.
• Efficient: prompt responses to your questions
• Reliable: established in 1979, independent school with a solid history
• Up to date: courses under constant review
• Resources: huge wealth of constantly developing intellectual property
• Value: courses compare very favourably on a cost per study hour basis
• Student amenities: online student room, bookshop, ebooks, acs garden online resources.
