ACICS *

The following information is derived from data submitted to the Accrediting Council for Independent Colleges and Schools in the College’s 2010-2011 Campus Assessment Report (CAR). This data represents an aggregate picture of the performance of this program across all Stautzenberger College campuses.

Median Loan Debt:

The median Title IV loan debt for Stautzenberger College students (across all campuses) for the Personal Fitness Trainer Associate Degree Program is 17,200 for the 2010-2011 academic year. (The median private and institutional loan debt for this program are 0.) This figure represents all funds borrowed by students in this program during that academic year, including monies to support these students during their time as students. It is not limited to the cost of tuition and fees for this program.

On-time Completion Rate: 85.7%

Within the Personal Fitness Trainer program, 85.7% of our graduates have graduated within the 24 months allotted to complete the program by a student attending full-time.    Students attending part-time will generally take longer to complete the program.

Placement: 69.2%

 

State of Ohio *

The following information is derived from data submitted to the Ohio State Board of Career Colleges and Schools in the College's 2010-2011 Annual Report. This data represents an aggregate picture of the performance of this program across all Stautzenberger College campuses.    

Placement: 69.2%

*The placement rates disclosed above reflect historical outcomes for this program. That is, they reflect the College’s ability to place its graduates in prior years.  This data is, therefore, always dated.  Please bear in mind that many factors (both in a given individual’s life and in a given market) impact whether a graduate secures or chooses to secure employment in field or in a related field after graduation.  These rates are not a promise of future employment, nor should you rely upon them as such.  These rates are only intended to assist you in comparing student outcomes at colleges you are considering. 

   

Career Summary

Graduates of this program are not required to obtain licensure or certification to be employed.  Overall chances of obtaining employment are significantly enhanced, however, if graduates hold a professional credential in personal fitness training, exercise management, sports management, or other related field.  These certifications normally require successful passage of a national certification examination.

As a result, this program is designed to prepare graduates to take the National Strength and Conditioning Association’s Certified Personal Trainer Exam (“NSCA-CPT”). Graduates of this program may hold the title(s) of Personal Trainer, Aerobics Instructor, Fitness Instructor, Group Fitness Instructor, Group Exercise Instructor, Fitness Coordinator, Fitness Director, Fitness Technician, Fitness Trainer, and/or Private Trainer (SOC Code 39-9031.00)

Click to see your earnings potential* as a personal fitness trainer in Northeast Ohio.

* Incomes provided by Salary.com represent industry averages. Actual income may vary by employer, experience and skill level.

 

Summary of Estimated Personal Fitness Associate Degree Program Costs (Academic Year 2012-2013)

• Total Estimated Tuition and Fees: 26,840
• Total Estimated Book, Materials and Equipment Costs: 3,295
• For a detailed breakdown of the estimated cost of this program, please click here.

 

 Stautzenberger College-Brecksville 2013 College Catalog

Personal fitness trainers work individually or with a handful of clients, sometimes in gyms and occasionally in clients’ homes. Fitness trainers assess their clients’ physical fitness and define fitness goals. They also demonstrate various exercises to their clients, and assist those clients to improve their individual exercise techniques. Generally, personal fitness trainers maintain written records of the fitness programs they design so as to monitor their clients' progress toward the goals they have established.

An outgoing personality and great communication skills are essential skills in the fitness careers. Additionally, excellent health and a healthy attitude are traits that fitness trainers rely on to bring out the best in their clients. .... Although fitness trainers are often working with clients using a variety of exercises, many trainers are specialists in certain areas of fitness.

As a personal fitness trainer, you may work in a variety of environments. In 2008, fitness professionals held over a quarter of a million jobs. Of these, roughly 61% worked in fitness/recreational sports centers (including health clubs). Another 13% worked in civic and social organizations. Fewer than 10% percent were self-employed.

Click to see your earnings potential** as a personal fitness trainer in Northeast Ohio.

Nature of the Work***

Fitness workers lead, instruct, and motivate individuals or groups in exercise activities, including cardiovascular exercise, strength training, and stretching. They work in health clubs, country clubs, hospitals, universities, yoga and Pilates studios, resorts, and clients' homes. Fitness workers also are found in workplaces, where they organize and direct health and fitness programs for employees. Although gyms and health clubs offer a variety of exercise activities, such as weight lifting, yoga, cardiovascular training, and karate, fitness workers typically specialize in only a few areas.

Personal trainers work one-on-one or with two or three clients, either in a gym or in the clients’ homes. They help clients assess their level of physical fitness and set and reach fitness goals. Trainers also demonstrate various exercises and help clients improve their exercise techniques. They may keep records of their clients' exercise sessions to monitor the clients' progress toward physical fitness. They also may advise their clients on how to modify their lifestyles outside of the gym to improve their fitness.

Group exercise instructors conduct group exercise sessions that usually include aerobic exercise, stretching, and muscle conditioning. Cardiovascular conditioning classes often are set to music. Instructors select the music and choreograph a corresponding exercise sequence. Two increasingly popular conditioning methods taught in exercise classes are Pilates and yoga. In these classes, instructors demonstrate the different moves and positions of the particular method; they also observe students and correct those who are doing the exercises improperly. Certain exercises, including aerobic exercise, muscle conditioning and muscle stretching may be conducted as group classes by fitness trainers .

Work Environment

Most fitness workers spend their time indoors at fitness or recreation centers and health clubs. Since most fitness centers are open long hours, fitness workers often work nights and weekends and even occasional holidays. In 2008, about 40 percent of fitness workers were part-time employees. Some may travel from place to place throughout the day, to different gyms or to clients' homes, to maintain a full work schedule.

Fitness workers generally enjoy a lot of autonomy. Group exercise instructors choreograph or plan their own classes, and personal trainers have the freedom to design and implement their clients' workout routines.

Training, Other Qualifications, and Advancement

For most fitness workers, certification is critical. Personal trainers usually must be certified to begin working with clients or with members of a fitness facility. Group fitness instructors may begin without a certification, but they are often encouraged or required by their employers to become certified.

Fitness workers usually do not receive much on-the-job training; they are expected to know how to do their jobs when they are hired. Workers may receive some organizational training to learn about the operations of their new employer. Occasionally, they receive specialized training if they are expected to teach or lead a specific method of exercise or focus on a particular age or ability group. Because requirements vary from employer to employer, before pursuing training it may be helpful to contact local fitness centers or other potential employers to find out what background they prefer.

Most organizations encourage their group instructors to become certified over time, and many require it. One way to ensure that a certifying organization is reputable is to make sure that it is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies.

All certification exams have a written component, and some also have a practical component. The exams measure knowledge of human physiology, understanding of proper exercise techniques, assessment of client fitness levels, and development of appropriate exercise programs. Certification generally is good for 2 years, after which workers must become re-certified by attending continuing education. Some organizations offer more advanced certification that requires an associate’s or bachelor's degree in an exercise-related subject for individuals who are interested in training athletes, working with people who are injured or ill, or advising clients on general health.

People planning fitness careers should be outgoing, excellent communicators, good at motivating people, and sensitive to the needs of others. Excellent health and physical fitness are important because of the physical nature of the job. Those who wish to be personal trainers in a large commercial fitness center should have strong sales skills. All personal trainers should have the personality and motivation to attract and retain clients.

Employment

Fitness workers held about 261,100 jobs in 2008. About 61 percent of all personal trainers and group exercise instructors worked in fitness and recreational sports centers, including health clubs. Another 13 percent worked in civic and social organizations. About 9 percent of fitness workers were self-employed; many of these were personal trainers, while others were group fitness instructors working on a contract basis with fitness centers.

Job Outlook

Jobs for fitness workers are expected to increase much faster than the average for all occupations. Fitness workers should have good opportunities because of continued job growth in health clubs, fitness facilities, and other settings in which fitness workers are concentrated. Employment of fitness workers is expected to increase 29 percent over the 2008–18 decade, which is much faster than the average for all occupations. These workers are expected to gain jobs because an increasing number of people are spending time and money on fitness and more businesses are recognizing the benefits of health and fitness programs for their employees.

* Day in the Life information gathered from the Occupational Outlook Handbook, compiled by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, found at http://www.bls.gov/OCO/.
** Incomes provided by Salary.com represent industry averages. Actual income may vary by employer, experience and skill level.
*** Nature of the Work Retrieved August 29, 2011, from http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos296.htm.

The Associate Degree program offers a more well-rounded education by including coursework in General Education subjects and practical business areas.

Program Goals

• To provide the graduates with the knowledge, skills and abilities to qualify for Personal Fitness Trainer positions in gyms, fitness centers, private studios, corporate wellness programs, or begin their own Personal Fitness Training business.
• To provide basic instructional information needed to start at the entry level into the Personal Fitness profession.
• To obtain an overall understanding of the musculoskeletal system and the integumentary system as it relates to Personal Fitness Training.
• To learn the mechanical concepts and principles that affect human movement and the basic structure and function of the musculoskeletal system.
• To learn the effects of planned stress (e.g., exercise) and recovery (e.g., sleep, massage) on mental health, physical performance and health-related quality of life.
• To obtain a basic understanding of the physiological systems as they are affected by physical exercise.
  To learn a variety of methods of exercise and stress management, including proper nutrition, stretching techniques and body mechanics.
• To develop knowledge and skills needed to assess physical fitness and prescribe exercise for apparently healthy individuals.
• To learn practical skills of fitness training while working with the public.
• To learn the basics of the fitness business as well as how to start a fitness business.

Graduates will be able to perform a variety of exercise-related assessments and tests, design safe and effective exercise programs, implement safe weight loss/gain programs, and become proficient in a variety of business-related skills.

This program is designed to prepare the student to take the Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) examination of the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). To graduate, the student must achieve a minimum grade of “C” or better in all Personal Fitness Trainer (PFT) courses.

Core Courses
The core courses are 84 credits and all students must complete them.

• BUS 124 - Business Letter and Report Writing
• BUS 246 - Client Services
• CDP 125 - Introduction to Desktop Applications
• GEN 122 - Written Communications I
• GEN 125 - Oral Communications
• KEY 124 - Fundamentals of Computer Keyboarding
• MED 101 - Medical Terminology
• PFT 100 - Fitness Anatomy & Physiology I
• PFT 110A - Exercise Psychology
• PFT 120 - Fitness Anatomy & Physiology II
• PFT 140 - Exercise Physiology
• PFT 200 - Kinesiology
• PFT 220 - Fitness Training Lab I
• PFT 230 - Fitness Management
• PFT 240A - Wellness & Nutrition
• PFT 260 - Fitness Training Lab II
• PFT 290 - Fitness Trainer Externship

General Education Electives
Students must also choose three of the following general electives:

• GEN 102 - Introduction to Psychology
• GEN 112 - Civics
• GEN 115 - Introduction to Sociology
• GEN 117 - Introduction to Economics
• GEN 120 - Critical Reading and Thinking
• GEN 123 - Written Communications II
• GEN 126 - Introduction to Geography

Personal Fitness Trainer AAS Program Costs:

• Tuition and Administrative Fees: 26,840
• Estimated Book, Materials and Equipment Costs: 3,295