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.
Job Opportunities
- Business owner
- Personal Fitness Trainer
Industries
- Private fitness centres or studios
- Employee fitness centres
- Public recreation facilities
- Rehabilitation settings
- Seniors' recreation centres
Median Starting Salary
The expected starting salary for individuals with a(n) Personal Fitness Trainer Diploma is $39,000.
This salary information was based on graduate data from the past 3 years and reflects annual salaries for graduates who claimed they were working more than 30 hours per week. Graduates who quoted salaries below $10,000 and above $200,000 per year have been excluded. Note that NAIT publishes the median salary instead of the average to minimize the potential of outlying salaries distorting the mean. Data represented here may differ from other data sources due to differences in definition or differences in timing.
Grad Employment Rate
Employment rates are reported by NAIT alumni, are for information purposes, and do not guarantee future employment opportunities. Please note that data for newer programs may not be included within this report.
Download report
Take your career planning to the next level
This program can be used as a step toward earning higher credentials and/or certifications.
Further education at NAIT
Once you complete your credential, explore the programs below to specialize further or develop management skills.
Further education at other institutions
Upon graduation of the Personal Fitness Trainer program, you may be eligible for transfer credit to the following degree programs:
- Bachelor of Physical Education, University of Alberta
- Bachelor of Technology, Memorial University of Newfoundland
- Bachelor of Health Science, Thompson Rivers University
- Bachelor of Applied Management, University of New Brunswick
- Bachelor of Science, Kinesiology, University of Lethbridge
- Bachelor of Science, Human Science, Athabasca University
- Bachelor of Professional Arts, Human Services, Athabasca University
Certification(s)
Successful graduates are eligible to take the Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) exams through the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP) to become certified as a CSEP-CPT. CSEP certifications recognize advance academic and practical preparation. CSEP is the principle body for physical activity, health and fitness research and personal training in Canada study options are available.
Other Opportunities
Post-secondary articulation agreements within Alberta are approved by the Alberta Council on Admissions and Transfer (ACAT). To view the details of specific agreements, please visit transferalberta.ca or contact articulations@nait.ca For questions regarding transfer agreements or to obtain a course description/outline that is no longer available on our website, please contact articulations@nait.ca.
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.
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.
