Fitness Assessment & Exercise Counselling Certificate Program

Over the past four decades the research evidence underscores the health benefits of regular physical activity participation for both Health-Related and Performance-Related Physical plus Physiological Fitness across the lifespan.  Governments, faced with soaring medical expenses, have come to realize that physical activity interventions for both primary prevention and secondary management are a more cost-effective solution to health care.  In fact, the estimated total costs of physical inactivity are approximately 4% of overall health care costs in Canada. Getting 10% of the inactive Canadian population to become more physically active, a potential savings of $2.6 billion to the health care system could be realized by 2040.  Corporations have learned that improved employee health-related physical plus physiological fitness translates into increased productivity and they are now committed to promoting healthy lifestyles for both primary prevention and secondary management of health.

Consequently, the “business” of fitness with all of its spin-off enterprises continues to be the fastest growing industry in Canada.  With this growth there has developed an increasing opportunity for employment.  During the early years there was virtually no regulation on the qualifications of front-line fitness and exercise practitioners.  However, with increasing consumer sophistication and both public and government concerns for quality control, there was a demand for qualified fitness and exercise professionals.  Therefore, accreditation programs were developed for fitness and exercise practitioners and with the implementation of government sanctioned provincial fitness safety standards; these have become essential qualifications for persons seeking employment in the fitness industry in the private and public sectors.

The York University Certificate in Fitness Assessment and Exercise Counselling is earned concurrently with the honours degree in Kinesiology & Health Science by selecting specified courses along with the required core courses.  While completing the courses in the certificate program, national and/or international accreditation can be obtained as a Fitness or Personal Trainer for Health-Related Physical Fitness and Exercise Physiologist Specialist with the Health and Fitness Federation of Canada for both Health-Related- and Performance-Related- Physical plus Physiological Fitness across the lifespan.  Upon degree completion, students who have completed all of the certificate program theoretical and experiential requirements can also apply to write the exams to become a Register Kinesiologist with the Ontario College of Kinesiology and a Certified Strength and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist with the National Strength and Conditioning Association.