Course descriptions

There are 3 parts/modules students are required to complete to become a BCRPA Certified Personal Trainer – Fitness Theory, Weight Training and Personal Training:

Fitness Theory Course

This course will provide information on how to keep you and others fit and well in a safety-oriented environment. Topics will include information on bones, muscles, toning, strengthening and gaining flexibility, principles for your circulatory system, safety, exercise ideas and basic nutrition. This course is BCRPA recognized. This course (or its equivalent) is a prerequisite to the Weight Training Instructor, Group Fitness Instructor, Yoga Instructor and Physiology of Aging and Exercise Adaptations (Third Age) Instructor courses. Includes manual and workbook.

See the A-Z Personal Training page for dates.

Weight Training Instructor Course

This in-class course is designed to provide practical teaching skills required to design basic programs for yourself and others. Some personal weight training experience is recommended.

Note:

Come dressed in fitness wear for the first class.

Prerequisites: 

  • Registered as a Fitness Leader with the BCRPA
  • Fitness Theory Course Completion (proof required) 
  • Completed and passed (80%) BCRPA Fitness Theory Exam (proof required)
  • First Aid and CPR certification
  • 1 year Fitness Registration with the BCRPA (not included in course fees)

Textbook from the Fitness Theory Course is used for this course. For students joining the program at this level, students are required to purchase the course textbook(not included in course fees).  Please visit the Douglas College New Westminster Book Store prior to the course starting.  For more information please contact the Program Coordinator at sportsinstitute@douglascollege.ca.

Supplemental textbook, Anatomy for Strength and Fitness Training (ISBN 007 147 5338), may also be purchased by the student on their own but not required.

See the A-Z Personal Training page for dates

Personal Training Instructor Course

Personal Trainer – a term used to describe professionals who work with clients to improve their physical and mental well being. Some trainers have a four-year Kinesiology degree, others have spent a lifetime working out in a gym. This 32-hour course gives personal trainers the minimum requirement to be registered with the BCRPA upon successful completion of the Personal Trainer exam. This course should be supplemented by the Nutrition Knowledge and Techniques in Fitness Assessment courses. The Personal Trainer course covers both marketing and business concepts together with fitness assessment, health screening, risk management, program design and ethics.

NSCA's Essentials of Personal Training textbook is included in course fee. *Come dressed in fitness wear first night.

Prerequisites: Full registration as a Weight Training Instructor with the BCRPA which includes successful completion of the following:

  • Registered as a Fitness Leader with the BCRPA
  • Fitness Thoery Course 
  • 1 year Fitness Registration with the BCRPA
  • Weight Training Instructor Course 
  • Weight Training Instructor Competency Evaluation (ICE Package) Completion 

Students will be ready to write the BCRPA Personal Training exam after completing this course. Please see the A-Z Personal Training page for dates and times.

Schedule and how to register:

For the Fitness Theory Module Schedule and more information on how to register for the Personal Trainer Program please see the A-Z Personal Training page.