Start a new exciting career as a Senior Fitness Trainer by providing specialized training for senior adults ranging from healthy active individuals to those with chronic conditions!

The AFPA Senior Fitness Specialist Certification course will provide an educational experience for those who are considering working with, or currently working with older adults, that shows how to design and implement programs that are sensitive to the physical needs of the senior population. Other topics include: exercise physiology and the aging systems, conditions requiring special considerations, land exercise and how to manage a fitness program for older adults.

AFPA Certified Senior Fitness Specialist graduates can start a personal training business of their own, that targets working with seniors, from their home; train clients in the client's own home gyms; and work at community recreation centers, hospital fitness facilities, universities and local colleges, heath clubs, gyms and YMCAs.

Senior Fitness Specialist Certification Course Learning Objectives:

• Identify factors that influence physical activity participation among older adults, including barriers, motivators, regular involvement in physical activity, and behavior modification.
• Illustrate how to conduct an in-depth health history interview that yields important information in the development of a safe and effective exercise program.
• Recognize signs and symptoms associated with medication-related negative interactions during physical activity and refer back to health professional.
• Design exercise programs for preventive health for Seniors.
• Develop and implement land and water based exercise programs for older adults.
• Examine the profession as a potential career choice with the optional field internship experience.
• Prepare to work as a fitness trainer or facility manager/owner in the older adult market.
• Create a community based senior fitness program.

Topics Covered in the Senior Fitness Specialist Certification Course:

• Overview of Aging and Physical Activity
• Demographics of Older Adults
• Benefits of Physical Activity
• Predictors of Successful Aging
• Biological Theories of Aging
• Psychological and Sociocultural Aspects of Physical Activity for Older Adults
• Physiological Aspects of Aging
• Cardiovascular and Respiratory Function
• Muscle Function
• Joint Mobility
• Bone Mass
• Neurological Function
• Preexercise Screening
• Screening Steps
• Additional Screening Tools
• Functional Fitness Framework
• Guidelines for Group Testing
• Interpreting Test Results
• Laboratory-Based Physiological Assessment of Older Adults
    Cardiorespiratory Function
    Muscular Strength
    Body Composition
• Balance
• Goal Setting and Behavioral Management
• Factors Influencing Older Adults’ Exercise Participation
• Strategies for Behavioral Change
• Implications for Program Design and Management
• A New Approach to Designing Exercise Programs for Older Adults
• Optimizing Physical Function Through Exercise
• Exercise Variables and Principles for Program Design
• Developing the Warm-Up
• Developing the Cool-Down
• Age-Associated Changes in Flexibility
• Types of Stretching Techniques
• Incorporating Flexibility Training Into the Exercise Program
• Examples of Flexibility Exercises
• Benefits of Resistance Training
• Principles of Resistance Training
• Training Components and Variables
• Resistance Training for Older Adults
• Benefits of Aerobic Endurance Training for Older Adults
• Principles and Considerations for Aerobic Endurance Training
• Variables for Aerobic Endurance Training
• Types of Aerobic Exercises
• Training Precautions
• Implications for Program Design and Management
• Age-Associated Changes in Balance and Mobility
• Balance and Mobility Exercises
• Manipulating the Challenge in a Group Setting
• Mind-Body Exercise Training
• Mind-Body Exercise Programs
• Aquatic Training
• Benefits of Aquatic Training
• Considerations Unique to Aquatic Exercise
• Aquatic Training Components
• Training Master Athletes
• Principles of Training
• Components of Master Athlete Training Programs
• Nervous System Changes and Motor Skill Learning
• Motor Learning Principles for the Physical Activity Instructor
• Teaching and Leadership Skills
• Designing and Managing Group Conditioning Classes
• Making Group Activity Fun
• Exercise Considerations for Medical Conditions
• Legal Standards, Risk Management, and Professional Ethics
• Professional Ethics for Personal Fitness Trainers
• Professional Ethics for Group Fitness Instructors

Minimum Prerequisites for the Senior Fitness Specialist Certification Course:

• 18 years of age
• Personal Trainer Certification or Group Fitness Certification Suggested
• CPR not required to take examination but will be required by employer or to obtain liability insurance.

Senior Fitness Specialist Certification Course Includes:

• No travel is necessary.
• Certification Textbook, 2 Instructional DVD, CD with stretching programs, rehab exercises for limited range of motion. Contains printable forms for yours' and your client's use.
• Study Suggestions and final examination.
• There are no extra or added fees for course materials and examination.
• Upon successful course completion and passing of final exam your certificate will read
  "Certified Senior Fitness Specialist".
• AFPA Membership packet with wallet size laminated member ID card.
• Toll-Free technical support during and after examination, or email AFPA any time.
• Access to the Members Only section on the web with job listings and career enhancement tools
• Updates on new and exciting programs to advance your career.
• AFPA Enews newsletter with updates, event postings and job listings.
• Continuing Education opportunities with courses and AFPA Fitness Education Conferences.
• AFPA offers many fitness specialty and advanced certification programs when you are ready to expand you're your career options in the fitness field.

Requirements for Senior Fitness Specialist Certification:

• Enroll safe and secure online, mail in enrollment application or phone in your order.
• Receive and review all your materials.
• Complete the final certification exam.
• You have up to 6 months to complete your Senior Fitness Trainer Certification course. 
• You may submit your final exam once completed anytime prior to the 6 months.
• 90% is required to pass your final certification exam. 

Re-testing:

• You must receive a passing grade of 90% or better to receive certification.
• If you do not meet this minimum requirement you will be mailed/or emailed your results.
• You will be the opportunity to correct your answers within a 90 day time period.
• Students that do not achieve this score are able to retake a final exam within 3 months at no added fee.
• Additional attempts are subject to a $50 administrative fee.

How to Order, Shipping & Handling:

• You may place your order online anytime with VISA, MasterCard, AMEX and Discover.
• AFPA has a secure online system 24 hours a day.
• You will receive confirm via email once your order has been received.
• Your order is processed for shipping within 24 business hours.
• You may place your order by phone with a major credit card by calling 1.800.494.7782, M-F 9:00am-5:00pm EST.
• You may mail check or money order, along with completed Enrollment Application to AFPA.
• Standard shipping is USPS Priority Mail. Please allow 3-5 business days for delivery.
• Optional Shipping is 2 Day FED EX or Next Day FED EX for an additional fee.
• All international orders are shipped Economy Fed EX to insure delivery.
• Select your shipping option upon check out.
• Orders are processed immediately and shipped w/in 24 business hours.