Fitness Specialist

Certificate of Completion Program

First Semester

Prerequisite(s): Grade of A in ENGL 050 Introduction to College Reading and Composition I or ENGL 060 Introduction to College Reading and Composition II, grade of B in ENGL 050 or ENGL 060 with corequisite of ENGL 070 English Composition I Workshop, or appropriate score on placement test.

English Composition I is the first in a two-course composition sequence. The central purposes of English Composition I are to develop critical reading and thinking skills and to write thesis-driven, text-based essays. The course takes a process-oriented approach to writing that incorporates prewriting, drafting, reviewing, and revising. Students in English Composition I learn basic research skills and apply them to at least one text-based research essay.  

This course acquaints the individual with emergency first aid procedures and cardiopulmonary resuscitation. Included in the topics will be wounds, splinting, burns, rescue breathing, diabetes, epilepsy, heart failure and stroke. Each student will have the opportunity to acquire his/her certificate in Community First Aid and Safety, Community C.P.R. and C.P.R. for the Professional Rescuer. This course is conducted by a certified American Red Cross instructor.  

OR

This course is an introduction to lifeguarding taught by an instructor who is certified by the American Red Cross in Water Safety, Community First Aid, Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation and Automated External Defibrillation (AED). Upon successful completion of the course the student will receive certification in Lifeguarding, First Aid, CPR for the Professional Rescuer and AED. In order to enroll in this course each student must demonstrate an ability to: swim 500 yards continuously utilizing crawl, breast and side strokes; perform a surface dive to a minimum depth of 7 feet; swim 20 yards, submerge to a minimum depth of 7 feet, retrieve a 10 pound object from the bottom, return with it to the surface, and bring it back to the starting point while holding the object with two hands.

Certification cards include:  Lifeguard Training and CPR for the Professional Rescuer.  

Pass the Red Cross Lifesavings minimum skills test the first week of class for FITN 148 Lifeguarding. You do not receive credit for both Lifeguarding and FITN 129 First Aid & CPR.

Aerobic Exercise is highly recommended for its health benefits. This course will explore several types of aerobic exercise, teaching the student proper form and execution, as well as the recommended frequency, intensity and duration for each mode. Proper warm up and cool down, intensity monitoring, and fitness testing and evaluation for aerobic exercise will be included. 

Weight training is an important part of the general fitness guidelines recommended for the general population. This course will explore the benefits of weight (resistance) training for the general population and teach students how design an effective program for both general health benefits and to reach specific goals.  

This course explores the basic concepts of physical fitness to provide the student with a means for self-evaluation, through various testing situations such as flexibility and, balance tests, cardiovascular tests, and isotonic strength for the development and maintenance of physical fitness. Topics include such major issues as weight control, cardiovascular endurance and other benefits derived from exercise.

Second Semester

This course is designed to teach the knowledge and practical application of the protocols used for exercise assessment and prescription for the general population, those with medical considerations and the athletic population.  

Prerequisite(s): FITN 132 - Concepts of Aerobic Conditioning, FITN 135 - Introduction to Weight Training.
The course content will cover subject area needed to become a successful personal trainer and prepare the student to sit for a nationally recognized personal trainer certification.  The material covered includes:  initial interview and testing procedures; setting up an individualized personal training program; current guidelines for exercise prescriptions; basic biomechanics and exercise physiology; demonstrating and teaching basic exercise movements; cueing and motivating clients; administration and record keeping.  

Prerequisite(s): Permission and placement by Program Coordinator and completion of FITN 132 - Concepts of Aerobic Conditioning, FITN 135 - Introduction to Weight Training, and FITN 211 - Introduction to Personal Training.

Students gain practical experience working in the RVCC Fitness Center and in area fitness facilities.  Specific, personalized objectives are created by the student and approved by the coordinator and worksite.  Students train and work in real life situations to achieve these goals.  In addition, biweekly lectures and practical training is provided for the students.  

Total Credits 19