Hands-on, industry-relevant training
You’ll work with a variety of fitness and testing equipment including:
- Treadmills
- Free weights
- Metabolic carts
- 12-lead ECGs
You’ll learn:
- How to assess and monitor fitness levels using: stethoscopes, blood pressure cuffs, heart rate monitors, BIA body fat measuring devices, analyzers and pulse oximeters
- Information about muscle oxygenation, EMG and portable slacklines
- Techniques for online personal training
- How to train clients out of their own home
You can expect to spend on average of 8 to 10 hours of online and individual study time per week per course.
If you choose to enrol in our online offering, you will require access to a digital camera or video camera. Some online courses will require the use of specialized equipment that you can access at any major gym facility.
NAIT grads are prepared
“The PFT program developed me as a trainer, and coach and gave me the tools I needed to succeed in this profession. Even bigger than that however, was the amount of self development I received as well through foundations, leadership, and because of the amazing teachers. The biggest thing I gained from this program was the confidence to take what I've learned and create a sustainable income doing something that I absolutely love!"
Emilee McCloskey, Personal Fitness Training '20
Personal Fitness Trainer - Em Conditioning
Only select courses are offered in-class each semester
Demand for this program is high and space for in-class courses is limited. To avoid disappointment apply and submit all required documents early. Qualified students will receive enrolment information through their student portal. If the preference is for in-class courses, students should enrol in classes immediately to ensure a choice of in-class deliveries. Please note for students starting the program in January or May, online courses are only available.
Online
All courses are available online in January, May, and September.
In-Class (Day)
These courses are offered in-class in September only
Level One
- ANAT1120 Human Anatomy
- PFTR1121 Foundations for Personal Trainers
- PFTR1122 Applied Movement Mechanics
- PFTR1123 Applied Physiology of Exercise
- PFTR1224 Introduction to Assessment and Counselling
Level Two
- PFTR2320 Advanced Movement Considerations
- BUSN2421 Marketing for Exercise Professionals
- PFTR2323 Performance Training Strategies
- PFTR2324 Lifespan and Clinical Exercise Considerations I
- PFTR2390 Practicum I
These courses are offered in-class in January only
Level One
- PFTR1220 Functional Training and Assessment
- LEAD1221 Leadership Studies
- PFTR1222 Resistance Training and Assessment
- PFTR1223 Aerobic Training and Assessment
- NUTR1124 Applied Nutrition Strategies
Level Two
- BUSN2321 Business Strategies for Exercise Professionals
- PFTR2423 Applied Exercise Professional Strategies
- PFTR2424 Lifespan and Clinical Exercise Considerations II
- PFTR2491 Practicum II: Professional Experience
Only select courses are offered in-class each semester
Demand for this program is high and space for in-class courses is limited. To avoid disappointment apply and submit all required documents early. Qualified students will receive enrolment information through their student portal. If the preference is for in-class courses, students should enrol in classes immediately to ensure a choice of in-class deliveries. Please note for students starting the program in January or May, online courses are only available.
Online
All courses are available online in January, May, and September.
In-Class (Day)
These courses are offered in-class in September only
Level One
- ANAT1120 Human Anatomy
- PFTR1121 Foundations for Personal Trainers
- PFTR1122 Applied Movement Mechanics
- PFTR1123 Applied Physiology of Exercise
- PFTR1224 Introduction to Assessment and Counselling
Level Two
- PFTR2320 Advanced Movement Considerations
- BUSN2421 Marketing for Exercise Professionals
- PFTR2323 Performance Training Strategies
- PFTR2324 Lifespan and Clinical Exercise Considerations I
- PFTR2390 Practicum I
These courses are offered in-class in January only
Level One
- PFTR1220 Functional Training and Assessment
- LEAD1221 Leadership Studies
- PFTR1222 Resistance Training and Assessment
- PFTR1223 Aerobic Training and Assessment
- NUTR1124 Applied Nutrition Strategies
Level Two
- BUSN2321 Business Strategies for Exercise Professionals
- PFTR2423 Applied Exercise Professional Strategies
- PFTR2424 Lifespan and Clinical Exercise Considerations II
- PFTR2491 Practicum II: Professional Experience
Career Outcomes
Our program includes a very strong entrepreneurial focus, which will give you the tools to open your own fitness business.
Hear from industry
“NAIT PFT grads are committed, career-minded full-time personal trainers. The diligence they show to get their PFT diploma is evident in their efforts with us. Their ability to work with a wide range of clients assists us as our business draws members with many different fitness goals. Having two practicums as part of the [program] helps to prepare them for this."
Employer - Jodie Boettger
Talent Acquisition Specialist, Personal Trainer - GYMVMT
Courses and Advanced Credit
Current and recently admitted students can find information and updates about their program on their My Program page in the MyNAIT Portal. To monitor your course progress and the courses still needed to graduate, visit your Academic Progress Report.
Advanced Credit
You may apply for advanced credit once you have been accepted into the program. Advanced credit can be Transfer Credit (for completed post-secondary courses) or PLAR (Prior Learning Assessment and Recognition).
Transfer Credit
In addition to the common guidelines outlined on the Transfer and Credit Options section, your program has other advanced credit requirements that are applied to each request including:
- You must have completed the course or program no more than 7 year(s) ago unless a formalized articulation agreement is in place
- You must have a minimum mark of C- in the course(s) or program
Prior Learning and Assessment Recognition (PLAR)
Read more about advanced credit or contact us about applying for credit for this program.
Courses
This content is specific to the selected intake.
Expand each course below to see details about credits, requisites, scheduling, and more.
Term 1
ANAT1120Human Anatomy
Students will learn and use anatomical terminology to identify the structures of the eleven systems of the human body and summarize their function. There will be a strong focus on skeletal and muscular systems as they relate to personal fitness training.
PFTR1121Foundations for Personal Trainers
Students will learn visual and verbal communication skills to improve performance and build relationships. Personal management and wellness strategies will also be discussed as they relate to personal training and managing a business.
PFTR1122Applied Movement Mechanics
In this course, students will learn the basic biomechanical concepts related to human movement and posture. These concepts allow students to evaluate the interrelationship between posture, movement, and exercise selection.
PFTR1123Applied Physiology of Exercise
This course will examine the physiology of the human body at rest, its control mechanisms, and changes due to chronic exercise. Responses during acute exercise and the main adaptations due to chronic exercise will also be explored.
PFTR1224Introduction to Assessment and Counselling
Students learn the relationship between lifestyle habits and health, apply different behaviour change models to develop strategies for assisting clients with lifestyle changes, and acquire skills to conduct fitness and lifestyle assessments.
Term 2
LEAD1221Leadership Studies
This course has as its central focus the development of essential leadership traits through study, participation, and observation of these skills. Students will develop basic concepts of leadership and group dynamics theory to increase awareness of the responsibility of leadership and to create one’s style and personal philosophy of leadership.
NUTR1124Applied Nutrition Strategies
This course will cover basic nutritional concepts related to dietary intake, physical activity and body weight management. Nutritional client coaching theories and techniques will be explored.
PFTR1220Functional Training and Assessment
This course explores assessment and training methods to refine the efficiency of movement to improve daily living, activities, or sport. Students develop the skills to assess movement quality, interpret results, and design functional programs specific to movement efficiency, quality, and functional strength.
PFTR1222Resistance Training and Assessment
Students will focus on the science of resistance training and exercise techniques. Theoretical content consists of physiological adaptations to resistance training, equipment and training modalities, program design, and exercise prescription specific to muscular development. Practical content consists of assessment protocols, exercise demonstration of various training methods, and cueing/spotting techniques specific to resistance training.
PFTR1223Aerobic Training and Assessment
The training of the aerobic system is important for both health and for performance in endurance activities. This course focuses on the development of aerobic endurance training programs for improved health and performance. Students will learn to safely administer and interpret aerobic fitness assessments, develop endurance training programs, and monitor clients during training.
Term 3
BUSN2421Marketing for Exercise Professionals
Marketing and promotional strategies are an integral part of the fitness industry. In this course, students will learn strategies to promote personal training, fitness trends, and their brand in the fitness and health industry.
PFTR2320Advanced Movement Considerations
In this course students develop the skills to recognize human movement dysfunction, impairment, and injury potential using a variety of movement and muscle assessment techniques. Students will apply strategies to help clients reduce injury potential, recover from impairments and improve performance.
PFTR2323Performance Training Strategies
This course will examine selected assessments and training techniques for developing individualized training programs to improve occupational and/or athletic performance.
PFTR2324Lifespan and Clinical Exercise Considerations I
It is not unusual for a personal trainer to encounter a client with either an underlying condition resulting from disease or someone at either end of the aging spectrum. This course will present the differences between certain clinical or younger / older populations and healthy adults. This course will also cover exercise considerations for older and aging individuals, psychological conditions, obesity / metabolic conditions, children and adolescents, and sex specific considerations. Students will also research guidelines for exercising with clinical or age-related concerns.
PFTR2390Practicum I
Working with clients is a required step in applying the knowledge and skills that have been acquired in the first year of the PFT program. In this course, the student will be asked to utilize the concepts of client-centered exercise prescription to assigned virtual and / or face-to-face clients or, on occasion, clients of their choosing. Skills practiced will include information gathering, conducting assessments, providing appropriate feedback and program design.
Term 4
BUSN2321Business Strategies for Exercise Professionals
This course provides the business foundation for entering the personal fitness training industry. Students will be introduced to different business practices, structures and concepts. Students will explore aspects of business operation, liability issues, business development, and financial management.
PFTR2423Applied Exercise Professional Strategies
In this course students will refine practical skills in the areas of client interview, fitness assessment, exercise demonstration, program design, and client counselling techniques.
PFTR2424Lifespan and Clinical Exercise Considerations II
Working with clients with a variety of conditions that may affect program design is important for personal trainers. In this course, the student will learn the benefits of exercise for individuals with various conditions, including those with a disability, orthopedic conditions, cardiovascular conditions, cancer, or respiratory disease
PFTR2491Practicum II: Professional Experience
This course involves work-integrated learning experiences. It is a synthesis of all the human movement theory and skills learned, put into practice. In collaboration with external partners, students demonstrate working with clients in a professional setting. Assessments, programming and evaluation, leadership and business skills are refined.
Tuition & Fees
This content is specific to the selected intake.
The tuition and fee amounts are estimates based on current academic year's rates. For financial planning purposes, please use these totals as an approximate estimate of your costs. Actual fees may vary by term and enrolment activities. Please refer to the tuition and fees page for more detailed information.
Books, Supplies & Program Fees (est.)
Level 1 Term 1: $1,000
Level 1 Term 2: $850
Level 2 Term 1: $500
Level 2 Term 2: $500
Scholarships & Awards
NAIT awards over $6 million in scholarships and bursaries to more than 4,000 students each year, with the support of donors and the government. A variety of awards are available, including ones for academics, community involvement, equity/diversity grants, bursaries for financial need, program-specific awards and more!
Learn how to apply for awards
Admission Requirements
Minimum entrance requirements
The specific academic requirements you must meet to be considered for admission. Where applicable, the minimum accepted Alberta high school courses are listed in round brackets ( ). Equivalent or higher-level courses are also accepted.
Additional requirements & considerations
Alternative entrance pathways
If you are missing one or more of the minimum entrance requirements, you may be eligible for an alternative entrance pathway. For any pathway listed below, English language proficiency is also a requirement.
Recommended courses
The following course(s) are recommended, as they provide important background for your program's content. Recommended courses are not required for admission and will not affect your application.
Post-admission requirements
Although not required for admission, you must meet the following requirement(s) in order to progress in your program.
Additional options
This program has courses that are available for Open Studies. Open Studies allows you to explore credit courses without applying to a program. It is an opportunity to get a feel for school and what program you want to be in.
Learn more about Open Studies
Dates & Deadlines
International
Applications Open:
Please contact the program area for more information.
International
Applications Deadline:
Please contact the program area for more information.
Domestic
Applications Open:
Please contact the program area for more information.
Application Deadline:
Please contact the program area for more information.
Term Start Date:
Please contact the program area for more information.
International Applicants
This program accepts international students.
PGWP Eligibility
This program does not meet eligibility criteria for a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP), following Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) field of study requirement. Students who applied for a study permit before November 1, 2024, are not affected by the new field of study rule and may be eligible for a PGWP.
While graduates are currently ineligible to apply for a PGWP, NAIT still welcomes international students to this program to gain valuable knowledge and skills to pursue your career goals, whether in Canada under another type of permit or in your home country or other international markets.
Co-Op Work Permit
Mandatory Co-op: This program has a mandatory work-integrated learning component. International students must apply for a co-op work permit and have it approved before the start of their work placement.
Learn more about PGWP and explore eligible NAIT programs.
