Turn your passion for fitness into an exciting career by becoming a personal trainer. Help people reach their health and fitness goals and make healthy life choices to build stronger and healthier communities.
Our new virtual program allows you to complete your training from the comfort of your home with a live instructor, other students and educational materials on a digital platform.
Training content
Step 1: Basic Theory (30 hours of virtual classes)
This introductory YMCA Basic Theory Fitness course serves as the first step in the YMCA Fitness Instructor Training program. The goal of the Basic Theory course is to prepare the student to enter the workforce with the knowledge and skills necessary to develop a successful career in fitness.
Participants will learn about the following topics:
- Introduction to Concepts in Health and Fitness;
- Leadership and Communication;
- Anatomy and Physiology;
- Movement Mechanics;
- Principles of Training;
- Introduction to Program Design;
- Nutrition;
- Legal Issues.
Step 2: Personal Trainer Certification Course (34 hours of virtual classes)
The Personal Training Certification Course teaches the necessary knowledge and skills needed to assess participants and create safe, effective and appropriate programs. Students in this course will learn the principles and correct application of strength and cardiovascular conditioning, a wide variety of specific exercises and fundamental assessment skills, the fundamentals of coaching and basic business practices for fitness professionals.
There are written and practical components in this course.
Step 3:
Students must write a critical analysis of the short online training session. They must analyze at least 8 elements of the training session.
Step 4: Heartsaver® CPR AED certification
Participants must hold a valid Heartsaver® CPR AED with Child Module or with Child & Infant Modules certification in order to obtain their Group Fitness Certification.
We highly recommend participants complete the CPR certification prior to taking the practical exam.
Step 5: Practical Exam
Participants must pass an online practical exam (by appointment with a YMCA FIT Trainer).
Additional option: Functional Training for Aging Adults (provincial certification - Québec)
The objective of this course is to prepare instructors to work with aging adults within their area of expertise.
Pricing
This information applies to the 2024 session.
| Description |
Members1 |
Non-members |
| Basic Theory2 (30 hours) |
$ 270 |
$ 311 |
| Personal Trainer Certification (34 hours) |
$ 421 |
$ 484 |
STEP 1: Basic Theory (30 hours of virtual classes)
Basic Theory (French)
This introductory YMCA Basic Theory Fitness course (30 hours) serves as the first step in the YMCA Fitness Instructor Training program. The goal of the Basic Theory course is to prepare the student to enter the workforce with the knowledge and skills necessary to develop a successful career in fitness.
- January 9, 2024 - March 5, 2024
- Tuesday | 6:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.*
- Instructor: Zabelle Victor
- Virtual Classes
- Registration begins: November 27, 2023
*Eastern Standard Time Zone (EST)
Basic Theory (French)
This introductory YMCA Basic Theory Fitness course (30 hours) serves as the first step in the YMCA Fitness Instructor Training program. The goal of the Basic Theory course is to prepare the student to enter the workforce with the knowledge and skills necessary to develop a successful career in fitness.
- January 10, 2024 - March 6, 2024
- Wednesday | 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.*
- Instructor: Claudette Rouisse
- Virtual Classes
- Registration begins: November 27, 2023
*Eastern Standard Time Zone (EST)
Basic Theory (English)
This introductory YMCA Basic Theory Fitness course (30 hours) serves as the first step in the YMCA Fitness Instructor Training program. The goal of the Basic Theory course is to prepare the student to enter the workforce with the knowledge and skills necessary to develop a successful career in fitness.
- January 10, 2024 - March 6, 2024
- Wednesday | 1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.*
- Instructor: Mike Gervais
- Virtual Classes
- Registration begins: November 27, 2023
*Eastern Standard Time Zone (EST)
Basic Theory (English)
This introductory YMCA Basic Theory Fitness course (30 hours) serves as the first step in the YMCA Fitness Instructor Training program. The goal of the Basic Theory course is to prepare the student to enter the workforce with the knowledge and skills necessary to develop a successful career in fitness.
- January 13, 2024 - March 9, 2024
- Saturday | 9:00 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.*
- Instructor: Mike Gervais
- Virtual Classes
- Registration begins: November 27, 2023
*Eastern Standard Time Zone (EST)
STEP 2: Personal Trainer Certification Course (34 hours of virtual classes)
Personal Trainer Certification Course (English)
The Personal Training Certification Course (34 hours) teaches the necessary knowledge and skills needed to assess participants and create safe, effective and appropriate programs. Students in this course will learn the principles and correct application of strength and cardiovascular conditioning, a wide variety of specific exercises and fundamental assessment skills, the fundamentals of coaching and basic business practices for fitness professionals. There are written and practical components in this course.
Prerequisite : YMCA Basic Theory
- January 27, 2024 - March 16, 2024
- Saturday | 1:30 p.m. - 5:45 p.m.*
- Instructor: Louise Malone
- Virtual Classes
- Registration begins: November 27, 2023
*Eastern Standard Time Zone (EST)
Personal Trainer Certification Course (French)
The Personal Training Certification Course (34 hours) teaches the necessary knowledge and skills needed to assess participants and create safe, effective and appropriate programs. Students in this course will learn the principles and correct application of strength and cardiovascular conditioning, a wide variety of specific exercises and fundamental assessment skills, the fundamentals of coaching and basic business practices for fitness professionals. There are written and practical components in this course.
Prerequisite : YMCA Basic Theory
- February 7, 2024 - March 27, 2024
- Wednesday | 5:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.*
- Instructor: Mike Gervais
- Virtual Classes
- Registration begins: November 27, 2023
*Eastern Standard Time Zone (EST)
Personal Trainer Certification Course (English)
The Personal Training Certification Course (34 hours) teaches the necessary knowledge and skills needed to assess participants and create safe, effective and appropriate programs. Students in this course will learn the principles and correct application of strength and cardiovascular conditioning, a wide variety of specific exercises and fundamental assessment skills, the fundamentals of coaching and basic business practices for fitness professionals. There are written and practical components in this course.
Prerequisite : YMCA Basic Theory
- February 8, 2024 - March 28, 2024
- Thursday | 5:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.*
- Instructor: Rose Shahgholiabasi
- Virtual Classes
- Registration begins: November 27, 2023
*Eastern Standard Time Zone (EST)
Personal Trainer Certification Course (French)
The Personal Training Certification Course (34 hours) teaches the necessary knowledge and skills needed to assess participants and create safe, effective and appropriate programs. Students in this course will learn the principles and correct application of strength and cardiovascular conditioning, a wide variety of specific exercises and fundamental assessment skills, the fundamentals of coaching and basic business practices for fitness professionals. There are written and practical components in this course.
Prerequisite : YMCA Basic Theory
- February 12, 2024 - April 1, 2024
- Monday | 5:00 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.*
- Instructor: Mike Gervais
- Virtual Classes
- Registration begins: November 27, 2023
*Eastern Standard Time Zone (EST)