Kinesiology students practicing strength training and balance exercises in a fitness lab.

Become a Personal Trainer

Earn a Certificate of Achievement

You can complete the 35-unit Personal Trainer Certificate in Achievement in one year. If you work full time, you may prefer to complete program courses in four or more quarters.

Our program emphasizes anatomy, exercise physiology, and psychology, as well as small business practices and a fitness industry internship.

You’ll receive leading-edge theoretical and technical instruction to help you develop knowledge of exercise science, fitness assessment, program design and implementation, nutrition, injury prevention and rehabilitation, equipment training, and small business administration.

You’ll develop important job skills that employers demand, including interpersonal communication, collaboration, creativity, honesty, leadership and motivation, teamwork, patience and enthusiasm, as well as the ability to work effectively with people of diverse backgrounds and abilities.

What you can do as a Fitness Paraprofessional

Trainer assisting a student with balance exercise on a mat.

Athletics coach
Group exercise/physical activities leader
Lifestyle management consultant
Physical education instructor
Special populations director
Strength coach

Degrees & Certificates

View list below for programs offered at Foothill. Then select program map for a possible schedule that fulfills program and college requirements.

For program requirements and full course listings, view degrees and certificates information.

Associate in Science for Transfer

None

Associate in Science

None

Certificate of Achievement (CA)

Certificate Name, CA Program Map

Program Details

Rewarding Career Opportunities

Prepare to take exams for certifications awarded by the National Academy of Sports Medicine, American Council on Exercise and American College of Sports Medicine.
Gain the foundation for a related career as a physical therapist, chiropractor or adapted physical education instructor.

Prerequisites

You may enroll in the program at any time.
To register, submit the free application for admission to Foothill College and create a myportal.fhda.edu account. There is no fee to apply!
To earn the certificate, you must complete the prescribed courses with a minimum grade-point average of 2.0, and demonstrate proficiency in math and English.
The certificate also complements the Foothill College Associate in Science Degree in Athletic Injury Care and Associate in Arts Degree in Physical Education.

Program Course Overview

For a list and decriptions of program courses, see certificate requirements.

I truly appreciate the diverse curriculum covered in the personal trainer program.We cover recreational and athletic fitness. We also learn how to work with clients from all walks of life, including older adults and special populations. I highly recommend this program.

Alex C

Foothill College

Personal Trainer Student