Canadian Fitness Education Services

• Professional Career Steps for the Fitness Leader

Important note: You do not have to become an instructor to enrol in any of our programs. Email or call and ask about the CFES Home study Leadership Certification program. Free and friendly career information provided.

CFES Specialized Fitness Leadership Program modules are designed to take students through the steps in fitness instructor and personal trainer registration / certification process under the National Fitness Leadership Alliance (NFLA), a Canadian partnership of provincial fitness certification and registration agencies, that includes the BCRPA Fitness Branch, Alberta Fitness Leadership Certification Association, Saskatchewan Parks and Recreation Association, Manitoba Fitness Council, Ontario Fitness Council, Fitness New Brunswick, Island Fitness Council (PEI) and the Nova Scotia Fitness Association. The NFLA sets standards for fitness leadership registration/certification, allowing fitness leaders transferable accreditation across Canada.

Note: Each province or state in Canada/USA has slightly different rules regarding certification steps. Please contact your provincial agency for details.
Alberta: Alberta Fitness Leadership Certification Association, (AFLCA) 1-403-493-4435 overview below. All CFES courses go beyond National Fitness Leadership guidelines.
BC/Yukon: BCRPA Fitness Branch 604-629-0965
Manitoba: Manitoba Fitness Council (MFC) 1-204-474-8644
New Brunswick: Fitness New Brunswick (NBCFAL) 1-506-458-9262
Newfoundland and Labrador
NWT: Sport and Recreation Division Gov't 1-403-873-7756
Nova Scotia: Nova Scotia Fitness Association (NSFLLA) 1-902-425-1128 ext. 224
Ontario: Ontario Fitness Council (OFC) 1-800-716-6716 (toll-free calls)
PEI: Island Fitness Council (IFC) 1-902-368-4110
Saskatchewan: Saskatchewan Parks and Rec. Association Fitness Division SPRA)1-306-780-9206
Quebec: Check with your local YM/YWCA Fitness Department for provincial information

Professional Career Steps for the Fitness Leader
Step 1: The CFES Fitness Knowledge Course (or equivalent) Home Study or 30+ hour classroom course. This popular course is excellent for personal knowledge and acts as a prerequisite to all CFES Instructor courses and the NFLA Exam. (For CFES classroom courses, dates, times and locations click the Course Calendar web pages.)

Step 2: CFES Instructor Course of Choice
Follow the links on the CFES website for detailed descriptions and check the course calendar web pages for course dates, times and locations.
CFES Group Exercise (Aerobic) Instructor Course
Designed to teach foundation knowledge and practical instructor skills for basic group exercise classes.

CFES Weight Training Instructor Course
Designed to teach foundation knowledge and practical skills for instruction of basic weight training programs.

CFES Advanced Weight Training Instructor Course
Designed to advance your technical knowledge, programming and marketing skills. Excellent learning for personal trainer careers, exercise enthusiasts, athletes, coaches and educators.

Step 3: CPR and Fitness First Aid
CFES Host Agencies and educators may offer these courses or you will find them in your community. You must have a current approved basic four-hour CPR and eight-hour first aid ticket.

Step 4: Register with Provincial governing body; Write the NFLA Theory Exam
NFLA national Fitness Leadership theory exam and provincial registration. The NFLA exam is a 60 question multiple-choice closed book exam. CFES works with each provincial certification agency utilizing the NFLA Theory Exam

Step 5: The Practicum Program + Instructor Competency Evaluation (ICE)
All provincial agencies require an instructor practicum before a final instructor oral exam. You are to instruct a certain number of classes and or weight training programs, all under the supervision of a competent supervisor. At the end of your practicum you will be examined by a qualified supervisor who will watch you instructor your specialised area. Forms will be available with details through your provincial office.

Students are expected to teach a practicum minimum of eight classes for group exercise, four programs for weight training. Practicums are set up at your local fitness centre. Complete with the recognized TCE (Teacher Competency Evaluation).

The TCE is a comprehensive evaluation of your practical leadership skills. When you feel ready to be evaluated call your Course Conductor to receive your TCE Package (for your discipline). Aim to have a CFES Educator do your TCE as you will find compatibility between course learning and your evaluation.

Step 6: Become a Certified Fitness Instructor in Group Exercise (Aerobics), Strength Training, Waterfit, Third Age, Personal Training

Submit all requirements (copies of certificates). Renew yearly or biannual.

Liability Insurance: Be certain you have liability protection during apprentice and registered years of instruction. Most agencies can link you to insurance services. For further information call CFES toll free 1-877-494-5355.

Types of Careers/Options
Careers in the health and wellness and fitness industry include full time, part time, entrepreneur, volunteer or paid staff vocational opportunities including:

• A Certified Fitness Instructor: working for yourself, as a volunteer or part time paid staff at fitness/recreation centres, schools...
• A Personal Trainer: working for a club/recreation centre setting up programs; work independent- taking people to a centre or go to their home gyms, or set up your own studio in a busy location or out of a large space in your home
• An Educator/Teacher of Workshops, Fitness Knowledge and or Instructor of Certification Courses as part of your job at a fitness centre; or College; independent setting up courses in rented facilities or after school in education centres (i.e. high schools)
• Coaching various sports with added qualifications from fitness in schools, sport clubs, athletic teams
• A Fitness Supervisor/Program Director Manager of a Fitness Facility within a private fitness club, Recreation Centre, college
• An Owner of a Private Fitness Club, Personal Training Studio
• A Sales Rep for Fitness Clubs; Equipment Companies; Health and Wellnes Magazines
• A Program Director, Sales/Marketing or Administrator for public/private fitness, sport and health organizations
• A Teacher in P.E. Active Living and Health Programs; A Professor of these programs at college, university
• A Conference and Workshop Coordinator
• An Author of fitness resources for children and or adults; Researcher; Publishing Company
• A Consultant, Public Speaker
  And so on and so on ... there are infinite possibilities!
  

Step One: Basic
Become provincially and or nationally recognized Instructor through regional leadership organization Join a national and international membership organizations that will keep you up to date. Gain experience on the floor instructing part time as a volunteer or paid staff. See if you really love it and want to advance your career options and credentials.

Step Two: Additional
Add additional certifications for a variety of instructions (i.e. weights, aerobics). Become a certified Personal Trainer according to your provincial requirements. Become a fitness assessor through CSEP. (fitness testing and consultant) Continue to work on the floor gaining experience, advancing your skills in instructing, supervising, administration and teaching small workshops and courses. Aim to receive as much professional feedback as possible as your are growing and learning.

Step Three: Advanced
Combining your practical experience, variety of certifications and advanced education will open many new doors of opportunities to work full time in the fitness industry. Go beyond your basic instructor certifications and expand your credentials with reputable long standing organizations like colleges and universities. A College certificate, diploma or university degree will be required to provide credibility and flexibility in your job skills and resume, especially as this fitness industry matures. These credentials are well worth achieving and will last a lifetime.

Step Four: Ongoing
As a professional in the field (part time or full time) means keeping certifications and advanced education qualifications current. Stay up to date through a variety of mediums (courses, reading, attending conferences, workshops) and continue to work the floor to stay in tune with the heart of your markets. The industry is very young and as it matures career opportunities will grow with it, along with advanced education and credentials. Be prepared and you will enjoy many long and satisfying years working in a field you love that provides many ongoing rewards earned from serving others.