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Personal Training & Group Exercise Training
for Older Adults
- About the Program
- Continuing Education Credits
- Cost Per Course
- Registration Information
- Program Information / Instructor Contact
- Certificate Course Descriptions w/ Start Dates
About the Program
The Online Professional Certificate in Personal Training and Group Exercise Training for Older Adults is a comprehensive Web-based program (with an Optional Field Internship course) designed to establish a national standard to ensure the development of safe and effective exercise programs for older adults by personal trainers, allied health/medical and fitness professionals, and the general public. The certificate program has been designed to incorporate curriculum standards from the “International Curriculum Guidelines for Preparing Physical Activity Instructors of Older Adults in Collaboration” by the World Health Organization. The program will supply essential educational pathways and job opportunities to begin a career working with senior/older adults in the emerging fitness/health industry; for established fitness professionals who desire advanced education in working with older adults; and for allied health and medical professionals from all fields seeking to design specialized exercise and wellness programs for their older adult clients and patients. Graduating students will be prepared for a career working with older adults at senior centers, medically-based fitness facilities, retirement communities, YMCA/JCC’s, hospitals, community wellness programs, personal training studios, physical therapy clinics, long-term care facilities, corporate fitness centers, collegiate settings, and private and commercial health clubs. In addition, the certificate will also prepare individual 50+ exercise enthusiasts in the development of a personalized program based on current research and organizational guidelines.
The program is offered in partnership with the International Council on Active Aging (ICAA), the American Senior Fitness Association (SFA), the Aquatic Exercise Association (AEA), and Healthways SilverSneakers® Fitness Program. Students graduating from the certificate program will receive a complimentary one-year membership to the ICAA which includes registration discounts to the annual International Active Aging Conference. In addition, graduating students will receive preferred discounts for the SFA’s certification exams (Senior Personal Trainer Certification or the Senior Fitness Instructor Certification), the AEA’s certification exam (Aquatic Exercise Association Fitness Professional Certification), and for Healthways Instructor Accreditation for Older Adult Exercise.
To earn the certificate you are required to complete all four core courses. You may also elect to take the optional field internship course. The four core courses are offered in a two-module format; the modules consist of two courses each that may be taken at the same time. You are not required to take the courses in any order; however it is highly recommended that you begin with the two courses in module 1: Socio-Physiological Aspects of Aging & Designing Older Adult Exercise Programs. You may also register for individual courses if desired. The two-module series is offered three times per year in the fall, spring, and summer.
Continuing Education Credits
The Online Certificates in Personal Training have been approved for continuing educational credits/units. For a complete list of Organizations/Associations that have approved each of the Personal Training programs for CECs/CEUs, click here - PDF*.
Cost Per Course
Please note the course fee located next to the course information below. The cost for your textbooks/course materials is separate.
Registration Information
Please go to Registration Information. Course #'s are listed with the Course Descriptions and Start Dates.
For program information / instructor contact:
Cody Sipe, Ph.D, ACSM-Exercise Specialist, RCEP
Cody Sipe, Ph.D, is the Program Coordinator and an instructor for the Professional Certificate in Personal Training and Group Exercise Training for Older Adults Program. He has a diverse background in the fitness industry including training and management in medically-based fitness, for-profit, not-for-profit and educational facilities. His primary areas of expertise are in fitness for older adults and in the prevention and management of chronic disease conditions. He regularly presents at national and international conferences and writes for a variety of publications. Cody was awarded the 2005 IDEA Program Director of the Year and the 2003 Midwest ACSM Clinical Exercise Professional of the Year. He serves as a contributing editor for IDEA and as a Committee Member for ACSM’s Strategic Health Initiative on Aging and Exercise Science.
- Cody Sipe, MS, ACSM-Exercise Specialist, RCEP
Program Coordinator
Professional Certificate in Senior Personal Training
IDEA Program Director of the Year Award Winner
Email Address: seniorpft@yahoo.com
Certificate Course Descriptions
Module 1
Course 1: Socio-Physiological Aspects of Aging
Instructor: Cody Sipe, MS, ACSM-Exercise Specialist, RCEP
This course will provide the student with a solid foundation in the
social and physiological aspects of aging. Topics covered include:
theories of aging; physiological changes within cells, organs, and
bodily systems; social implications of growing older; and common
conditions and diseases associated with aging. The National Federation
of Professional Trainers (NFPT) has approved this course for 1 CEC,
which is equivalent to an entire 6 month CEC requirement, and The
American Senior Fitness Association (SFA) has approved this course for
2.0 CEUs.
- Course #: 60149 PFIT-3021-092
Dates: June 15 - July 19 (Registration Deadline is June 12)
Fee: $249 (includes $5 Registration Fee) - Course #: 60176 PFIT-3021-093
Dates: Sept 21 - Oct 25 (Registration Deadline is Sept 18)
Fee: $249 (includes $5 Registration Fee)
Course 2: Designing Older Adult Exercise Programs
Instructor: Cody Sipe, MS, ACSM-Exercise Specialist, RCEP
In this course, students will gain an understanding of the role of
exercise in improving health, fitness, function and quality of life in
older adults. The current recommendations for cardiovascular,
flexibility, resistance, mobility and balance training will be
discussed. An emphasis will be given to common health conditions such as
cardiovascular disease, diabetes, arthritis and frailty. The National
Federation of Professional Trainers (NFPT) has approved this course for
1 CEC, which is equivalent to an entire 6 month CEC requirement, and The
American Senior Fitness Association (SFA) has approved this course for
2.0 CEUs.
- Course #: 60150 PFIT-3022-092
Dates: June 15 - July 19 (Registration Deadline is June 12)
Fee: $249 (includes $5 Registration Fee) - Course #: 60177 PFIT-3022-093
Dates: Sept 21 - Oct 25 (Registration Deadline is Sept 18)
Fee: $249 (includes $5 Registration Fee)
Module 2
Course 3: Business Management and Administration for the Mature Market
Instructor: Cody Sipe, MS, ACSM-Exercise Specialist, RCEP
A contemporary view of aging in this country will be explored to better
understand the current and rising aging cohorts. Through a study of
age-friendly facility design, equipment selection, fitness management,
marketing, administration, financial procedures and protocols, and
various aspects of operations students will appreciate how to attract,
serve and retain the mature market. The National Federation of
Professional Trainers (NFPT) has approved this course for 1 CEC, which
is equivalent to an entire 6 month CEC requirement, and The American
Senior Fitness Association (SFA) has approved this course for 2.0 CEUs.
- Course #: 60151 PFIT-3023-092
Dates: July 20 - Aug 23 (Registration Deadline is July 17)
Fee: $249 (includes $5 Registration Fee) - Course #: 60178 PFIT-3023-093
Dates: Oct 26 - Nov 29 (Registration Deadline is Oct 23)
Fee: $249 (includes $5 Registration Fee)
Course 4: Exercise and Aging for Special Populations
Instructor: Cody Sipe, MS, ACSM-Exercise Specialist, RCEP As a continuation of Designing Older Adult Exercise Programs, this course encompasses a deeper study of designing safe and effective exercise programs for older adults. Going beyond the basic exercise recommendations for this population, students will, by the end of this course, be able to design an appropriate fitness regimen taking into consideration critical information such as a client’s age, gender, health history, current health conditions and exercise history. The National Federation of Professional Trainers (NFPT) has approved this course for 1 CEC, which is equivalent to an entire 6 month CEC requirement, and The American Senior Fitness Association (SFA) has approved this course for 2.0 CEUs.
- Course #: 60152 PFIT-3024-092
Dates: July 20 - Aug 23 (Registration Deadline is July 17)
Fee: $249 (includes $5 Registration Fee) - Course #: 60179 PFIT-3024-093
Dates: Oct 26 - Nov 29 (Registration Deadline is Oct 23)
Fee: $249 (includes $5 Registration Fee)
Module 3
Optional Field Internship in Senior Personal Fitness Training
Instructor: Cody Sipe, MS, ACSM-Exercise Specialist, RCEP
Prerequisite: 4 Core Courses and CPR Certification
NOTE: This course is an optional course and is not required to
receive the Professional Certificate. Learn to work with
professionals in the fitness and health industry for a hands-on
experience working with older adults at senior fitness facilities
and health centers. Students intern for 60 total hours in this
course. The National Federation of Professional Trainers (NFPT) has
approved this course for 1 CEC, which is equivalent to an entire 6 month
CEC requirement, and The American Senior Fitness Association (SFA) has
approved this course for 2.0 CEUs.
- Course #: 50274 PFIT-3025-091
Dates: April 20 - May 31 (Registration Deadline is April 17)
Fee: $299 (includes $5 Registration Fee) - Course #: 60153 PFIT-3025-092
Dates: Aug 24 - Oct 4 (Registration Deadline is Aug 21)
Fee: $299 (includes $5 Registration Fee) - Course #: 60180 PFIT-3025-093
Dates: Nov 30 - Jan 10 (Registration Deadline is Nov 27)
Fee: $299 (includes $5 Registration Fee)
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