Mission Statement
The Fitness Specialist Program at Orange Coast College provides students with a theoretical foundation and practical skills required to be effective practitioners in the health and fitness industry. Students will learn and apply scientific principles of exercise and physical conditioning, techniques for measuring human performance, interpersonal skills, motivation and performance, recording keeping, and methods for establishing healthy nutritional behaviors.
Students that successfully complete the program will be prepared to work in health clubs, corporate fitness settings, recreation centers and gyms, yoga and Pilates studios, and serve as individual fitness consultants. Graduates with a certificate in Fitness Specialist will work in individuals or groups on how to perform exercises that increase muscle strength and endurance, increase flexibility, and improve general health and wellbeing. Fitness trainers and instructors lead, instruct, and motivate individuals or groups in exercise activities, including cardiovascular exercises (exercises for the heart and blood circulation), strength training, and stretching. Maintaining and tracking client progress, monitoring performance, and adapting movements and exercises to meet individual needs are program focus areas.
Description
This program provides students with theory necessary to be effective in the health fitness industry (health clubs, corporate fitness, etc.). Students in this program will learn scientific principles of exercise and physical conditioning, techniques for the measurement of human performance, and methods for establishing healthy nutritional patterns.
Sample Courses:
- Fitness and Health
- Strength Conditioning/Theory
- Introduction to Exercise Physiology
- Personal Trainer
- Fitness Specialist Internship
- Movement Analysis
- Sports Medicine
For a complete list of required coursework, visit the Course Catalog.
Fast Facts
- Fitness trainers and instructors lead, instruct, and motivate individuals or groups in exercise activities, including cardiovascular exercises (exercises for the heart and blood circulation), strength training, and stretching. They work with people of all ages and skill levels.
- Fitness trainers and instructors work in facilities such as health clubs, fitness or recreation centers, gyms, and yoga and Pilates studios. They may work nights, weekends, or holidays.
- The education and training required for fitness trainers and instructors varies by type of specialty, and employers prefer to hire those with certification.
- Employment of fitness trainers and instructors is projected to grow 10 percent from 2016 to 2026, faster than the average for all occupations. As businesses, government, and insurance organizations continue to recognize the benefits of health and fitness programs for their employees, incentives to join gyms or other types of health clubs are expected to increase the need for fitness trainers and instructors.
Contact
Laura Behr, Professor of Kinesiology
lbehr@occ.cccd.edu
(714) 432-0202 x21305