If you're interested in developing safe and effective exercise programs for older adults, this Personal Training and Group Exercise Training for Older Adults Online course is for you! This course incorporates standards from the International Curriculum Guidelines for Preparing Physical Activity Instructors of Older Adults, in collaboration with and endorsed by the World Health Organization.
This course is suited for people who are interested in a career working with seniors and older adults in the health and fitness industry, for established fitness professionals who want advanced education in working with older adults, and for allied health and medical professionals from all fields who want to design specialized exercise and wellness programs for their older adult clients and patients. If you're an exercise enthusiast over 50, this course will also help you develop a personalized program to meet your own goals.
The course is offered in partnership with the International Council on Active Aging (ICAA), the American Senior Fitness Association (SFA), the Aquatic Exercise Association (AEA), and Healthways SilverSneakers® Fitness Program. After course completion, you will receive a complimentary one-year membership to the ICAA, which includes registration discounts for the annual International Active Aging Conference. In addition, you will receive preferred discounts for the SFA's certification exams (Senior Personal Trainer Certification or the Senior Fitness Instructor Certification), the AEA's certification exam (Aquatic Exercise Association Fitness Professional Certification), and for Healthways Instructor Accreditation for Older Adult Exercise. You can also choose to participate in an Optional Field Internship Program to get practical experience in the profession. Internships are six weeks, 60 hours long. Graduating students will be prepared for a career working with older adults at senior centers, medically-based fitness facilities, retirement communities, YMCAs, JCCs, hospitals, community wellness programs, personal training studios, physical therapy clinics, long-term care facilities, corporate fitness centers, collegiate settings, and private and commercial health clubs.
The American College of Sports Medicine's Professional Education Committee certifies that "Educational Fitness Solutions" meets the criteria for official ACSM Approved Provider status from 2019 – December 2022. Providership # 672784.
Continuing Education Credits/Units
This course may qualify for CECs/CEUs for the following organizations. Please contact the course provider to obtain the latest information.
- American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
- National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
- International Sports Science Association (ISSA)
- American Senior Fitness Association (SFA)
- Health and Fitness Professionals Association (HFPA)
- The National Federation of Professional Trainers (NFPT)
- The National Strength Professional Association (NSPA)
- National Posture Institute (NPI)
Requirements:
Hardware Requirements:
- This course can be taken on either a PC or Mac.
- A disk CD / DVD drive is optional.
Software Requirements:
- PC: Windows 8 or newer.
- Mac: OS 10.6 or later.
- Browser: The latest version of Google Chrome or Mozilla Firefox are preferred. Microsoft Edge and Safari are also compatible.
- Adobe 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:
- Physical Activity Instruction of Older Adults
Prerequisites:
Basic computer skills are required.
You need to receive CPR certification and approval by the program coordinator prior to beginning the Optional Field Internship Program.
Natalie Johnson, MS, has worked in an academic setting throughout her career. Natalie taught for the Kinesiology Department at San Diego State University in addition to being the Fitness & Operations Director at the Aztec Recreation Center. While instructing for the Kinesiology Department, she also was a "Student Mentor". As a mentor Natalie advised senior Kinesiology students on resume writing, interviewing skills and assisted students in finding the most appropriate job based on experience, education and location. Natalie's experience outside of academia includes working in world renowned resorts in California, Mexico and Jamaica (The Golden Door & Rancho La Puerta) in addition to being the owner of a fitness company called "Fit Chicks" since 2001. Natalie is certified as a Personal Fitness Trainer, Group Fitness Instructor, Sports Nutritionist, Wellness Coach and Pre/Post Natal Specialist. She presents annually for the Medical Fitness Association, Athletic Business and the National Health Benefits Conference. Natalie was a Body by Jake Master Trainer and presenter on FitTV and continues to promote fitness locally in Tampa, Florida and nationally in publications and television. Natalie is currently the "Manager of Health & Lifestyle Programs" for a Medical Health Plan in Florida. She oversees the Fitness Center and its staff as well as all preventative programs relating to weight loss, fitness, exercise and nutrition. She works closely with a medical management team and is very active in promoting exercise as medicine and prevention. Natalie is also the Regional Director for the Medical Fitness Association and works closely with the organization to integrate fitness into the medical community.
Can I register for a course if I am an international student?
Yes, ed2go courses are completely online. However, keep in mind that not all certifying bodies or industry-specific certifications are recognized internationally. Please review your country's regulations prior to enrolling in courses that prepare for certification.
Does this course prepare for a certification?
Yes. Upon completion you will be prepared for the Senior Fitness Association (SFA) certification exams Senior Personal Trainer Certification or the Senior Fitness Instructor Certification.
When can I start the course?
This course is open enrollment, so you can register and start the course as soon as you are ready. Access to your course can take 24-48 business hours.
How long does it take to complete this course?
This course is self-paced and open enrollment, so you can start when you want and finish at your own pace. When you register, you'll receive six (6) months to complete the course.
What if I don't have enough time to complete my course within the time frame provided?
The time allotted for course completion has been calculated based on the number of course hours. However, if you are unable to complete the course, contact your Student Advisor to help you work out a suitable completion date. Please note that an extension fee may be charged.
What kind of support will I receive?
You may be assigned with an instructor or team of industry experts for one-on-one course interaction. Your support will be available (via e-mail) to answer any questions you may have and to provide feedback on your performance. All of our instructors are successful working professionals in the fields in which they teach. You will be assigned to an Advisor for academic support.
What happens when I complete the course?
Upon successful completion of the course, you will be awarded a Certificate of Completion.
Am I guaranteed a job?
This course will provide you with the skills you need to obtain an entry-level position in most cases. Potential students should always do research on the job market in their area before registering.
Can I get financial assistance?
This course is non-credit, so it does not qualify for federal aid, FAFSA and Pell Grant. In some states, vocational rehab or workforce development boards will pay for qualified students to take our courses. Additionally, some students may qualify for financial assistance when they enroll, if they meet certain requirements. Financing is available from select schools. Learn more about financial assistance.
How can I get more information about this course?
If you have questions that are not answered on our website, representatives are available via LIVE chat. You can also call us at 1-877-221-5151 during regular business hours to have your questions promptly answered. If you are visiting us during non-business hours, please send us a question using the "Contact Us" form.
What must I do to graduate with the Certificate in Personal Training and Group Exercise Training for Older Adults?
Complete and receive a passing grade (of C- or above) in all programs.
The instructor for my certificate program, Natlie Johnson, was excellent. She was helpful, answered my questions right away, graded my assignments in a timely manner, provided great feedback, etc. My career counelor at Gatlin, was also very helpful when I needed him. I truly enjoyed the course content and learning about physical activity for older adults. I found the written projects for each course to be enjoyable. I liked that they covered a wider variety of topics.
- B.C., Springfield Technical Community College