Liberty High
School
Course description:
The Fitness Coaching class
is designed to prepare students for work in the fitness industry. Personal
fitness trainer and other fitness certifications can be obtained after
completing the program. The year-long program consists of one classroom period
and one practicum period. The practicum class must complete 90 hours per
semester with a flexible schedule (before school, after school, a selected class
period, and/or weekends). The practicum will be conducted at local
fitness/wellness facilities, workout centers, sports fitness classes, and /or
team workout sessions. (Practicum requirement will be implemented in full
beginning with the fall of 2004)
Rotating Practicum/Internships:
· TA for Sports Fitness classes/Strength training with LHS sports teams
· Community fitness classes
· Local area fitness centers/gyms
(Gold’s Gym, Cascade Vista Athletic Club, Bally’s Pacific West Health, YMCA,
· Medical (cardiac rehab/medical
supervised fitness rehab)- Valley Medical Clinic -
Program Background Info:
The health and medical communities agree the preventive fitness is the future of the health care market. With insurance companies looking to cut costs, medical professionals and managed care groups alike are finding preventive medicine is future of health care. With more and more fitness centers opening around the country (and in our community), there is more of a demand for fitness professionals in these facilities. Personal trainers and fitness leaders are among the fastest growing occupations in the nation.
Certification Process:
Many fitness professionals can be certified without a formal college education. Specialized knowledge and training can prepare individuals for these certifications through the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA-CPT) or the American Council on Exercise (ACE). Students can also achieve higher certifications by continuing their education at the college/university level if they so desire.
What Occupational Resources Say About Fitness Professions:
·
· "Businesses and organizations are increasing aware of the benefits exercise has on employee wellness and productivity. (Fitness) Workers who have one or more national certification will fare best."
· "Certification by national agencies in one or more fields, such as aerobics or weight training is often preferred."
· Occupational Outlook Quarterly (Spring 1996) listed Fitness professionals as one of the top 15 "High paying, fast growing occupations." It is also the highest among the top 15 that the usual training is "on the job" and did not require a college education.
· Occupational Outlook Quarterly (Summer 1995) said, "Ten years ago, working out in a health club and having basic knowledge of the machines on the floor might have been enough for you to get a fitness job there. Not anymore. To become part of the fitness staff in most health clubs today, you need a certification in one or more areas..." "Current certification has become the standard for most fitness personnel. Certification is the minimum required by a majority of fitness clubs today and as the years go by, more and more will require it."
· Fitness Instructors are listed in the book "100 Best Careers for the Year 2000," by Shelly Field.
Objectives of the Liberty
High School
1. Knowledge of and skill in risk-factor and health-status
identification, fitness appraisal and exercise prescription.
2. Demonstrate
and evaluate the physiology and psychological effects of regular exercise.
3.
Demonstrate the ability to incorporate suitable and innovative activities that
will improve an individual’s functional capacity.
4. Demonstrate the ability
to effectively educate and /or counsel individuals regarding lifestyle
modification.
5. Demonstrate the knowledge in functional anatomy and
kinesiology and the ability to apply the knowledge in a practical setting.
6.
Demonstrate the knowledge of physiology of exercise and risk-factor
identification and the ability to apply the integrate goals, assessment data,
and principles of exercise science to design programs in a practical
setting.
7. Demonstrate the ability to teach safe/effective exercise
techniques.
8. Demonstrate the knowledge of nutrition and the ability to
counsel patients/clients about proper nutritional habits.
9. Demonstrate the
techniques of cardiopulmonary resuscitation and first aid (American Red Cross
certifications in both).
10. Demonstrate the management and marketing of
fitness programs.
11. Demonstrate interpersonal communication and customer
service workplace skills.
12. Adhere to ethical codes, laws, regulations and
procedures within recognized scope of practice.
13. Describe the legal
considerations and concerns of fitness professionals and facilities.