Certified Personal Trainer Program

Learn to be a successful fitness professional by earning your Personal Trainer Certification from World Instructor Training Schools (WITS) in this newly expanded nine-week course. Learn anatomy, biomechanics, exercise physiology, fitness testing and health assessment, nutrition, exercise prescription, equipment usage, special populations, and legal and safety issues.

The emphasis is on teaching both theoretical information and practical skills to apply in real-world settings. This 66-hour program includes 16 lecture hours, 16 practical training hours and 30 internship hours over eight weeks. The WITS National Exam is held on week nine (cost included). CPR/AED is required to receive certification.

Careers

Jobs for fitness instructors and personal athletic trainers are expected to increase faster than average, by 24 percent through the year 2020, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Salaries vary greatly based on many factors and can range from $17,070 to $63,400.

What People are Saying

"Taking the Certified Personal Trainer course at COD made all the difference. Having a classroom environment, an instructor to answer questions, and actual hands-on training in a fitness center left me confident and prepared. I passed the exam and got a job two weeks later! —Renee Berg, Student

"I'm a licensed dietitian and I took the Certified Personal Trainer class because some of the clients I work with are trying to lose weight. I wanted to be more knowledgeable about exercise and fitness — the course has greatly helped me in this aspect. The instructor was knowledgeable and the weekend scheduling was convenient for me. It was a great course and I recommend it." —Catherine Gonzales, Student

"If you want to know how to become healthier and live longer, or if you are interested in guiding others to healthy living habits, this is the course for you!" —Wes Schoenfeldt, Student

"The WITS Certified Personal Trainer course provided me with information that helped me become an outstanding personal trainer. The course provided me with a wealth of fitness-related knowledge that enabled me to open a personal training business and fitness facility in Naperville — the Midwest Fit Club." —Shane Herman, Student and Owner, Midwest Fit Club

Upcoming Certification Courses

WITS: Older Adult Fitness Specialist Certification

Get the training and education you need to serve the fastest growing fitness population in the U.S. This 38-hour course includes nine hours of classroom lecture, nine hours of practical training, testing and a required 20-hour internship. This unique certification provides you with the specific knowledge and practical skills you'll need for working with older adult clientele. Learn what common ailments and physical conditions are germane to this special population and how to design age appropriate, fun and functional exercise programs. Requirement: A national fitness certification or degree related to the field of study. Active CPR/AED card required to receive certificate. A textbook is required; contact WITS at (888) 330-9487 to purchase textbook.

Saturday, March 2 to 23, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
LEISR-0031-005, $579
Lecture on campus in Glen Ellyn
Practical off campus near Glen Ellyn

WITS: Certified Personal Trainer Certification

Earn WITS personal trainer certification in this newly expanded nine-week course. This 66-hour program includes 16 lecture hours, 16 practical training hours and 30 internship hours over eight weeks. The WITS National Exam is held on week nine (cost included). Learn anatomy, biomechanics, exercise physiology, fitness testing and health assessment, nutrition, exercise prescription, equipment usage, special populations, and legal and safety issues. CPR/AED is required to receive certification. A textbook is required.

Tuesday and Thursday, April 2 to May 30, 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.
LEISR-0031-004, $769
Tuesday on campus in Glen Ellyn
Thursday at a local health club

Tuesday and Saturday, April 2 to June 1
LEISR-0031-010, $769
Tuesday on campus in Glen Ellyn, 6:30 p.m. to 8:30 p.m.
Saturday at a local health club, 1 p.m to 3 p.m.

Upcoming Workshops

Get it Done in One! To renew your WITS certification, complete your continuing education requirements for the entire year in just one weekend. Note our "Done in One" weekend classes below. WITS CECs issued.

Weekend One

WITS: Nutritional Concepts for Fitness Professionals

Learn how to educate your clients about the relationship between caloric intake, caloric burn, weight loss, weight gain and body fat percentages through nutritional awareness. Discuss the pros and cons of popular diets, the health effects of some common drugs and nutritional supplements. No textbook is required. CECs: 6

Saturday, June 15, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
LEISR-0031-006, $199
On Campus in Glen Ellyn

WITS: Insider Secrets of Advertising and Marketing for the Successful Fitness Professional

Maximize your advertising dollars and ensure your business success by learning the essentials of scientific advertising. Learn the foundational concepts of advertising and how to apply them to your fitness business. Topics covered: Advertising basics, salesmanship, mail order and print advertising, creating headlines, developing an effective marketing strategy, and making yourself and your business stand out above the rest. Hands-on exercises will help you apply the lessons learned to your own business and assist you in attracting clients and generating income. A textbook is required. CECs: 6

Sunday, June 16, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
LEISR-0031-008, $199
On Campus in Glen Ellyn

Weekend Two

WITS: Exercise Program Design for Special Populations

Many personal fitness trainers limit themselves, their business and their income potential by serving only the "young and fit." Expand your income and profitability by reaching out to special populations who require your expertise as a fitness professional. Learn to design safe and effective exercise programs for persons with hypertension, coronary artery disease, asthma, obesity and diabetes. No textbook is required. CECs: 6

Saturday, June 22, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
LEISR-0031-007, $199
On Campus in Glen Ellyn

WITS: Running Well

Learn to use the physiology of running to assess and achieve optimal running form. Topics include appropriate running shoes and apparel, running program design, running technique analysis and injury prevention. This is a workshop and all attendees are expected to participate in the running portions of the course. Please dress accordingly. This course is for fitness professionals and is also open to the public. CECs: 6

Sunday, June 23, 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
LEISR-0031-009, $199
On Campus in Glen Ellyn

Contact us!

To register for this program, call Continuing Education at (630) 942-2208, email CE@cod.edu or register online. For detailed information, call Program Coordinator Ellan Sand at (630) 942-4258 or email healthcare@cod.edu.

For the full listing of fitness courses, see the current Continuing Education catalog.