Open Polytecnic - Certificate in Personal Training (Level 4)

Course information

Qualification details

The New Zealand Institute of Health and Fitness in partnership with the Open Polytechnic deliver the NZQA approved Certificate in Personal Training (Level 4) on the National Qualifications Framework. Students who complete this course will also be awarded the National Certificate in Fitness (Exercise Consultant) Level 3.

National Qualifications Pathway

These qualifications lead to or contributes towards the following National qualifications:

National Certificate in Fitness (Personal Training Business Skills) (Level 4)

Why should I complete this qualification?

Our Personal Training Certificate is highly regarded and widely recognised by fitness employers.
This qualification includes a carefully selected mix of practical and theory elements that has been selected by industry to best represent the needs of customers and employers throughout New Zealand.
Our certificates are registered on the National Qualifications Framework so your success is recorded against your record of learning forever
Providers of NZQA approved courses must comply with significant quality assurance systems administered by the government for the benefit of the student.
This course is approved by The Register of Exercise Professionals (REP’s)

What will I learn?

The qualification is made up of three papers which cover the following topics;

Course 1	Course 2	Course 3
Functional exercise anatomy	Human behaviour and exercise adherence	PT nutritional interventions
Exercise physiology	Exercise risk assessment	PT Session delivery
Adaptations to exercise	Assessing fitness and movement	PT Business skills
Exercise instruction	Screening and planning for clients
	Exercise prescription and programme design
	Client management and progress reviews

How long will it take?

The time taken varies based on the study option you choose (day intensive or night courses). Day courses usually finish in around 20 weeks with night courses taking around 30 weeks to complete.

What will it cost?

Total fees for the programme are currently $5,111 plus any course related costs. Your fees cover the following:

Teaching and support

Up to 15 hours personal coaching from one of our experienced fitness professionals.
Over 80 hours of small group tutorials – a series of conveniently scheduled two hour tutorials delivered by highly qualified and skilled fitness tutors so you get a fantastic understanding of health and fitness and you will have the opportunity to ask questions and easily refine your knowledge.
Up to 30 hours of open practical forums – weekly opportunities to access your regions skills centre where you can perfect your ‘hands-on’ skills with support.

Learning materials only available to students enrolled in this programme include;

The NZIHF Fitness Professionals Handbook – several hundred pages of vital information written specifically for the New Zealand fitness industry.
A set of short video lectures to be viewed prior to each tutorial in a handy DVD pack.
An additional set of short videos covering exercise instruction of common exercises for you to watch at home before using the skills centre to practice and refine your skills.
Plus a set of short videos covering key elements of being a successful PT such as screening, programming, fitness testing, support calls and programme reviews.

Administration

Student administration fees
Certificate request fee

NOTE: Fees are current at the time of distribution of this document but may vary thereafter

How will my skills and knowledge be assessed?

There are a series of short written assessments throughout your NZIHF Fitness Professionals Handbook. These tasks are designed to ensure you are learning the content of the programme well. Your tutors can provide you with further support in completing your written assessments.

Practical assessments are conducted by your tutor and or skills coach. The practical assessments are based around the real world tasks of a Personal Trainer or Exercise Consultant and are a very valuable learning opportunity. Graduates of the programme have significant confidence in their skills due to this approach.

When can I enrol?

Enrolments are open so you can enrol any time.
A new programme intake usually occurs each month in each region.
Each intake involves a new set of students getting together to work through the small group tutorials and programme
Small group tutorials are two hours and scheduled usually in the evenings or during the day.
Programme intakes are limited to 16 students to ensure your needs can be met and your learning is optimised.

What must I attend?

Each of the three courses contains a number of compulsory elements as well as the option to attend additional Open Practical Forums as required. The compulsory elements are as follows:

Course 1

Fourteen small group tutorials.
A minimum of three Open Practical Forums.
Pre and post tutorial assessments.
Two small group practical assessment sessions.

Course 2

Eighteen small group tutorials.
A minimum of three Open Practical Forums.
Pre and post tutorial assessments.
Up to ten hours of one on one coaching with your Skills Coach.

Course 3

Fourteen small group tutorials.
A minimum of three Open Practical Forums.
Pre and post tutorial assessments.
Up to two hours of one on one coaching with your Skills Coach.

Who can enrol?

1. Entry requirements

Applications for enrolment are accepted from those with a clear intent and ability to complete the course of study. This includes your ability to accept support and guidance directly, your ability to learn from written information, verbal instruction, and personal coaching. You will also have had recent training/exercise involvement, can show you have the ability to undertake exercise and must have English language proficiency. Evidence of the ability to access a few people to train is also required.

2. Eligibility

Applications for enrolment can only be accepted from New Zealand students. A “New Zealand student” is any New Zealand citizen, over the age of sixteen, including students from the Cook Islands, Tokelau or Niue who have New Zealand citizenship, New Zealand permanent residents living in New Zealand, and Australian citizens living in New Zealand.

3. Pre-entry interview

The pre-entry interview is designed to establish the above criteria can be met and gives you the opportunity to meet course tutors and view facilities that you will have access to during your course, as well as have your important questions answered.