A successful fitness business is about more than burning calories and building muscles. To be competitive in the business world, you need to know about strategic planning, accounting, marketing, human resources, customer relations, and more. This course will prepare you to implement a successful business system in private or commercial health clubs, medically-based fitness facilities, community wellness centers, personal training studios, physical therapy clinics, YMCAs, JCCs, college centers, recreational settings, or corporate fitness centers. This course was developed to establish an industry standard in fitness management education.
A competitive advantage offered in this course is the Optional Field Internship. Students who take advantage of this option will be able to practice the fitness management concepts they've learned about through an internship in a health and fitness setting. This course is offered in partnership with the IDEA Health & Fitness Association, Health Club Managers, Inc., and Personal Fitness Professional (PFP). IDEA provided content and curriculum for the course, and, as a student, you'll receive a complimentary six-month subscription to the digital edition of IDEA Fitness Journal. Health Club Managers, Inc., a health club staff and management training company, provides graduating certificate students with a preferred discount on their services. PFP provides students with a free three-year subscription. The subscription includes eight print issues of their magazine per year, a bi-monthly e-newsletter, a digital magazine, and access to an interactive Web site with blogs, polls, articles, and much more. The American College of Sports Medicine's Professional Education Committee certifies that Educational Fitness Solutions, Inc., who helped create this course, meets the criteria for official ACSM Approved Provider status. (Provider # 672784) This course is approved for 50 Continuing Education Credits through ACSM.
Continuing Education Credits/Units
The following national organizations and associations have approved this course for CEC/CEUs:
- The American Senior Fitness Association (SFA): 2.0 CEUs per course
- The Health and Fitness Professionals Association (HFPA): 30 CECs per course and 60 CECs for the Optional Field Internship
- The National Council on Strength and Fitness (NCSF): 10 CEUs per course
- The National Federation of Professional Trainers (NFPT): 1 CEC per course, equivalent to an entire six-month CEC requirement
- The National Strength and Professional Association (NSPA): 2 CEUs per course
Requirements:
Hardware Requirements:
- This course can be taken on either a PC or Mac.
- A CD or DVD drive.
Software Requirements:
- PC: Windows XP or later.
- Mac: OS X Snow Leopard 10.6 or later.
- Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
- Microsoft Word is recommended (not included in enrollment).
- Adobe Flash Player. Click here to download the Flash Player.
- Adobe Acrobat Reader. Click here to download the Acrobat Reader.
- Software must be installed and fully operational before the course begins.
Other:
- Email capabilities and access to a personal email account.
Instructional Material Requirements:
The instructional materials required for this course are included in enrollment. The following textbooks will be shipped to you approximately 7-10 business days after enrollment:
- The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People
- First, Break All the Rules: What the World's Greatest Managers Do Differently
- Performance Management That Drives Results
- Harvard Business Essentials: Finance for Managers
- How to Win Customers and Keep Them for Life
Prerequisites:
You are required to have CPR certification and approval by the program coordinator prior to beginning the Optional Field Internship.
Basic computer skills are required.
Ken Baldwin, M.ED., ACSM-H/FI has been involved in the fitness, wellness, and education profession for over 10 years. He is the senior editor, content expert, and lead author for ACSM's Resources for the Personal Trainer Textbook, Second Edition." He was chair of IDEA's National Personal Trainer Committee and chair of the Senior Fitness Subcommittee for the Massachusetts Governor's Committee on Physical Fitness and Sports. He serves on national committees for the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), AAHPERD, and the Medical Fitness Association. His background includes operating and managing a personal training company, consulting at corporations, and lecturing at international conferences, public events, national conventions.
1. Can I register for programs if I am an international student?
Yes, because ed2go programs are online you never have to actually travel to the school. Most schools offer telephone or online registration.
2. How long does it take to complete a program?
All of our programs are self-paced and open enrollment, so you can start them when you want and finish them at your own pace. Upon registering, you're given six months to complete this program.
3. Do I have to buy additional materials?
All the materials you'll need are included, and their cost will be covered by your tuition. ed2go will ship all materials ground service upon enrollment.
4. Can I get financial assistance?
ed2go courses are non-credit courses, so they do not qualify for federal aid. In some states, vocational rehab or workforce development boards will pay for qualified students to take our courses.
5. What happens when I complete the program?
Upon successful completion of the program, you will be awarded a certificate of completion.
6. Am I guaranteed a job?
ed2go programs will provide you with the skills you need to obtain an entry-level position in most cases. We don't provide direct job placement services, but our facilitators and career counselors will help you build your resume and are available to give advice on finding your first job. Facilitators will also be available to use as a professional reference upon completion of the program. Potential students should always do research on the job market in their area before registering.
7. Who will be my instructor?
Each student is paired up with a facilitator for one-on-one interaction. The facilitator will be available (via e-mail) to answer any questions you may have and to provide feedback on your performance. All of our facilitators are successful working professionals in the fields in which they teach.
8. What software or hardware do I need in order to take online programs and what are the system requirements?
In order to take our online programs, you must have access to a computer and the Internet. You can access the program contents from any Web-enabled computer. You don't have to use the same computer to log-in to the program every time. We recommend that you have a word-processing program (Microsoft Word is best) and the latest version of Internet Explorer.
9. Can I use a Mac?
Yes, you can use a Mac for this program.
10. How can I get more information about the program?
If you have questions that are not answered on our website, please feel free to contact us via LIVE chat (click the button toward the top of the page). If you are visiting us during non-business hours, please feel free to send us a question using the "Contact Us" form to the right. You may also call us at 1-855-520-6806. We will answer your questions promptly.
11. When can I start the program?
Our programs are all open enrollment. You can register and start the program as soon as you are ready.
Please note: Once the program curriculum is accessed online or through submission of a material shipment confirmation, refunds cannot be issued.
12. How am I graded or assessed for this program?
Your grade will be determined based upon the total points earned on quizzes, problem-solving questions, exams, written reports, special projects, and assignments.
13. What must I do to graduate with the Certificate in Fitness Business Management?
Complete and receive a passing grade (of C- or above) in all modules.
14. How will I interact with the teacher?
We know how important it is for the teacher to be available to the student. You can use regular e-mail, the classroom discussion boards, the chat room, or the telephone to interact with the teacher.
15. Where and how do I perform my Optional Field Internship Program?
Students who enter the program have three unique options for placement in a six-week, 60-hour internship experience. You may elect to intern at an approved partnered internship site, at a facility of your choice either in the U.S. or internationally (with program coordinator and instructor approval), or at a facility with which you're currently employed.
The internship program requires students to establish informational interviews approximately four weeks prior to the internship start date with several different internship site locations. An internship information packet will be provided to guide you in the process of setting up an internship, if you're interested in this opportunity. NOTE: Students do need to receive CPR certification and approval by the program coordinator prior to beginning the Optional Field Internship Program.
16. What if I don't have enough time to complete my program within the time frame provided?
The time allotted to complete your program has been calculated based on the number of hours for each program, so don't worry too much about not completing in time. If, after a concerted effort, you are still unable to complete, your Student Advisor will help you work out a suitable completion date. Please note that a fee will be charged for an extension.