Distance learning fitness training courses can be an effective way to become a qualified personal trainer or gym instructor as it allows students to work at their own pace to complete the course material. It also means that students can become qualified from their own home rather than continuously travel to and from a training provider's course location.
Distance learning differs from online fitness training courses as rather than using a computer to obtain the course syllabus and submitting assessed pieces of work via a PC, course material and correspondence is sent via post.
How do distance learning fitness courses work?
Firstly a student, with the assistance of a training provider, will decide that a distance learning course will best suit their needs. If a student works full time or has other commitments that may limit the time they can devote to coursework, or travelling to a course location is problematic, then distance learning is an ideal means of becoming qualified as a personal trainer, gym instructor or gaining further knowledge via CDP courses.
Once enrolled the a course student will receive the course material through the post. They will then be assigned a tutor who will assist and guide the student through the course material and learning process. Periodically the student will complete a module and send their course work back to their tutor, who will then grade the work submitted and return it with feedback. This process will continue until each course module has been complete.
The modular process of the course means that students can assess their success rate and tutors can give more guidance and feedback in areas of knowledge weakness. It also means that at the end of the course there are no nasty surprises in terms of graduate success.
What will be covered in distance learning fitness course material?
Distance learning courses in health and fitness, whether designed to allow students to become a personal trainer or gym instructor will cover topics including:
- Anatomy and physiology
- Muscle actions and exercise
- Heart and circulatory system
- Cardio-respiratory systems
- Exercise prescription
- Special populations
- Health and safety at work
Learning these components students can develop a clear theoretical understanding of fitness and exercise.
Are distance learning fitness courses viewed as well as practical courses?
It is true that distance learning courses in health and fitness lend themselves much better to theoretical assessment than practical assessment. However, fitness organisations like Central YMCA Qualifications (CYQ) and the Register of Exercise Professionals (REPs) do recognise the role distance learning plays in allowing students to graduate as personal trainers or gym instructors / fitness instructors. They also examine the course material and only accredit courses with the CYQ or REPs seal of approval only when the course includes all the elements expected in any other type of course.
This means that employers will also recognise the role of the distance learning course in allowing graduates to be equipped with the necessary skills and knowledge to be able to work safely in health clubs and gyms.
Do distance learning courses in fitness include practical assessment?
In practical roles like a training to become a personal trainer of fitness instructor, there should always be some degree of practical assessment. This is usually conducted at the end of a distance learning training course. This may mean a student has to travel to an agreed location in order to meet their tutor, who can then assess the student's practical skills in using gym equipment or designing a fitness and exercise programme, for example.
For distance learning fitness courses from leading fitness training course providers and more visit our fitness training courses search.
