Program

Associate of Applied Science in Fitness Management

Hocking College's Fitness Management Technology provides you with training for employment in the fitness industry – from a Certified Personal Trainer (CPT), Group Fitness Instructor (GFI), and Certified Lifeguard to manager of a fitness facility or even ownership of your own personal business. Our new affiliation with The American Council on Exercise (ACE) and dynamic hands-on curriculum provides our graduates with the skills and certifications necessary to start working as a CPT, GFI, or Lifeguard at some of the most exciting and challenging fitness facilities in the world.

This program also provides you with the management and leadership skills needed to operate your own personal training business or serve as a manager at one of the top facilities in the country. You will develop a business plan that includes a professional portfolio of required legal, business, equipment and human relation forms while developing competencies needed to succeed as a professional fitness provider. Experience and confidence grow as you and your classmates plan and execute hands-on campus and community events such as our Weight-Lifting Competition, Indoor Triathlon, Pump & Run and 5K Road Race.

The program concludes by taking the ACE Certified Personal Trainer Exam, after which you will embark on a multi-day field trip to several of the nation’s best fitness facilities. This all culminates with a 300 hour, off campus internship at a fitness or wellness center tailored to your goals, where you will have an opportunity to apply your fitness knowledge in a real-world setting.

Licensure and Certification

In addition to taking the ACE GFI and CPT certification exams that are integrated in the curriculum, Graduates of the Fitness Management Technology program are also eligible to take the following national certification exams: American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Health Fitness Specialist (HFS) and CPT, and the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) CPT.

Program Outcomes

The following outcomes are skills, behaviors and attitudes cultivated in students seeking an Associate in Applied Science in Fitness Management Technology Degree:

• Create a portfolio of in-demand skills required in the fitness and recreation industry
• Demonstrate ability to obtain complete fitness assessments that include the following:  body composition, flexibility, cardiorespiratory and muscular strength and endurance
• Design safe, appropriate and effective exercise programs that incorporate the five components of fitness (cardiorespiratory, flexibility, body composition and muscular strength and endurance) while adhering to proper prescription guidelines (frequency, intensity, type, time and enjoyment) that are based on the client’s fitness level, goals and special considerations
• Describe the benefits, limitations, anatomical and physiological responses to flexibility and designs appropriate warm-up and developmental plans using active, passive, dynamic Proprioceptive Neuromuscular Facilitation (PNF) stretches for all body parts
• Demonstrate proper techniques for lifting and spotting resistance training exercises on numerous free weight and machine apparatuses while ensuring proper breathing and use of weight belts and supporting equipment
• Develop resistance training programs that incorporate needs analysis exercise selection, training frequency, exercise order, training load and repetitions, volume and rest period for various populations, skill levels and training experience
• Research business and management principles required for a successful modern fitness facility and recommends appropriate customer safety, satisfaction and retention measures
• Present the four periods of a traditional periodization model to include the three preparatory phases and then design conditioning programs for various populations
• Identify the coronary heart disease risk factors (both threshold and mechanistic classifications) and provide strategies to reduce cardiovascular disease
• Prepare a basic business plan required to start a personal trainer business that includes market analysis, services offered, management style, feasibility and marketing plan
• Demonstrate management and business skills while developing and conducting special events such as weight-lifting competition, indoor triathlon and road races or completing community service projects with the Special Olympics, assisting our veteran’s or hosting sporting events for the community

The following general or core outcomes are work and life skills, behaviors and attitudes cultivated in all students seeking an Associate Degree in Fitness Management Technology:
    •    Communicate effectively
    •    Demonstrate math skills
    •    Demonstrate knowledge of science and the environment
    •    Demonstrate learning and critical thinking skills
    •    Maintain professional skills and attitudes
    •    Practice human relations skills
    •    Demonstrate community, cultural and global awareness
    •    Maintain a code of ethics

Curriculum

Career Opportunities

Endless employment opportunities exist in the fitness industry. Graduates of the Hocking College Fitness Management Technology program find employment as certified personal trainers, group fitness instructors, and fitness managers in a variety of commercial, corporate and community or recreational settings. Graduates may also unleash their entrepreneurial skills by becoming an owner/operator of their own business. Annual starting salaries range from $21,000-$32,000 depending upon employment location.