The YMCAs of Québec offer a variety of workshops and health and fitness certifications for fitness instructors and trainers who would like to keep their certifications current and learn new skills.
The workshops welcome certified instructors. They provide information on the latest developments and training techniques, and enable instructors to enhance their skill set and professionalism all at once.
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.
Workshops - Winter 2021
Yoga for back health (English)
Considering that 80% of all adults will suffer from back pain in their lifetime, we need to support back health in every yoga class we teach. We will practice stabilizing and moving our abdominal girdle during the poses, and take a holistic view in order to create more space physically, mentally and energetically so as to release our back in happiness.
- Saturday, January 23 2021 | 1 pm - 4 pm
- Instructor: Nathalie Lacombe
- Virtual class
Leveraging the Internet to Build your Personal Brand (English)
Building a personal brand is crucial when it comes to having the greatest possible value as a trainer, instructor, or coach at the YMCA and beyond, attracting attention and increasing people’s interest in what you have to offer. Rod will show you multiple strategies that can be used by anyone from newcomers to the web to those who want to increase their brand awareness online. Topics will range from creating and tailoring content, the meme-creation formula, striking a balance between visuals and text to engage, and using budget-friendly technology to build the best version of yourself online.
- Thursday, February 11 2021 | 6 pm - 9 pm
- Instructor: Rod McDonald
- Virtual class
Personal Trainer Gap Course (English)
This six-hour gap course for trainers with existing YMCA Canada Individual Conditioning Certification to upgrade/update their certification to YMCA Canada Personal Trainer has been developed. This course can also be taken to obtain continuing education credits for all the FIT certifications.
- Sunday, February 21 2021 | 9:30 am - 4 pm
- Instructor: Louise Malone
- Virtual class
Personal Trainer Gap Course (French)
This six-hour gap course for trainers with existing YMCA Canada Individual Conditioning Certification to upgrade/update their certification to YMCA Canada Personal Trainer has been developed. This course can also be taken to obtain continuing education credits for all the FIT certifications.
- Sunday, January 10 2021 | 9:30 am - 4 pm
- Instructor: Isabelle Thibert
- Virtual class
Build your brand and your personal training business (French)
Enjoy overwhelming success as a coach thanks to unique brand and business strategies that support your career goals whether in person or virtually! Learn how to create services and packages at the right rates to maximize your success and that of your customers. Prioritize your business development to increase your visibility and marketing to increase your customer base. Leave this workshop confident in your business and excited about your future success!
- Saturday, March 6 2021| 9 am - 12 pm
- Instructor : Nathalie Lacombe
- Virtual class
Introduction to Myofascial Release Techniques using a foam roller (French)
This introductory SMR (self-myofascial release) workshop will allow you to become familiar with these very useful techniques. Whether you are a trainer or a therapist, you can provide your clients with the right tools to effectively manage their pain and discomfort. What’s more, it’s an efficient way to optimize training, seeing as it helps prepare muscles, while improving post-training recovery. In fact, who hasn’t used useful tools like the foam roller or ball, even if only briefly? In this workshop, we will first review the scientific basis behind the theory, before moving onto the practice section. You will come out of this workshop equipped with an easy-to-apply protocol for the feet, calves, IT band, back and shoulders. Alexandre will take the time to talk about the benefits of foam rolling, as well as dispel some of the myths that surround it. In short, what to do, how to do it… and what not to do! Although this workshop will be presented online, it will be interactive! Make sure you have your foam roller and your ball!
- Thursday, March 25 2021 | 6 pm - 9 pm
- Instructor : Alexandre Lemay
- Virtual class
Workshops - Spring 2021
Building Muscle Power (French)
This workshop combines theory and practice to give you the tools you need to properly plan and lead training sessions that focus on building muscle power. Different topics will be discussed, including theoretical concepts, evaluation methods, warm-ups, various training methods and guidelines, exercises, as well as preventing injuries when building muscle power.
- Saturday, April 10, 2021 | 1 pm - 4 pm
- Instructor: Martin Lussier
- Virtual Classes
FIT Personal Trainer Gap course (English)
This six-hour gap course for trainers with existing YMCA Canada Individual Conditioning Certification to upgrade/update their certification to YMCA Canada Personal Trainer has been developed. This course can also be taken to obtain continuing education credits for all the FIT certifications.
- Saturday, June 12, 2021 | 9:30 am - 4pm
- Instructor: Louise Malone
- Virtual class
FIT Personal Trainer Gap course (French)
This six-hour gap course for trainers with existing YMCA Canada Individual Conditioning Certification to upgrade/update their certification to YMCA Canada Personal Trainer has been developed. This course can also be taken to obtain continuing education credits for all the FIT certifications.
- Sunday, April 11, 2021 | 9:30 am - 4pm
- Instructor: Isabelle Thibert
- Virtual class
The Magic of the Essential Principles of Pilates (French)
Would you agree that something magical happens between your mind and body when you practice Pilates? The secret clearly lies in performing the specific Pilates exercises, but even more so in our ability to apply the essential principles of these exercises during the practice. Correctly applying the essential principles of Pilates promotes a return to the basics, tapping into the body’s natural intelligence. This awareness also greatly enhances your body’s function and performance. Explore this magic and see the difference it can make in your Pilates practice and teaching. Deepen your knowledge and experience of the principles by delving into a few of the more well-known Pilates exercises. Take this opportunity to see and experience Pilates in a different manner.
- Saturday, April 24 2021 | 1 pm - 4 pm
- Instructor: Chantal Perron
- Virtual class
Exercise and Cancer Care (English)
Exercise and physical activity has a significant place during the different phases of cancer care. This workshop will present and address the main challenges, goals, approaches and roles that a trainer can play from cancer prevention through to diagnosis, treatment and into survivorship.
- Saturday, May 8 2021 | 9 am - 12 pm
- Instructor : Celena Scheede-Bergdhal
- Virtual class
Health and Fitness Certifications - Winter 2021
We provide instructors and trainers with certifications that confirm they are highly committed to their work and have received training in a particular specialization. Offered by outside instructors at the YMCA, our certifications are internationally recognized by other fitness professionals.
Other certifications are listed at the bottom of the health and fitness calendar. To register for these certifications, please contact the supplier directly (e.g. Yogafit).
Corrective Conditioning (english)
This 42-hour theoretical and practical specialty course will provide you with the tools required to evaluate and train clients according to their individual needs. This course includes postural assessment, muscle and joint testing, and the application of basic functional tests. These skills provide the trainer with a more accurate blueprint for the strength and conditioning needs of his/her clients. Athletic, injured, and de-conditioned clients will benefit greatly from corrective conditioning programs. Pre-Requisites: YMCA FIT or College or University Education in related field. This workshop is given in english.
- February 6, 2021 - February 27,2021
- Sunday and Saturday | 9 am - 4:30 pm
- Instructor: Louise Malone
- Virtual classes
Recertification and Continuing Education
To maintain valid certification, the YMCAs of Québec’s instructors and trainers are required to participate in continuing education workshops, for a total of 16 hours over a two-year period.
Two of these workshops or six hours must be taken as part of the YMCAs of Québec’s continuing education program.
Please consult the recertification form for full recertification requirements.
General Information
Cancellation
To cancel or reschedule your workshop registration, please notify the supervisor at least 48 hours before the workshop.
Fees
Veuillez consulter la tarification dans le système d'inscription en ligne, en suivant la procédure indiquée plus haut.
Registration
You can register now using our Online Registration system or at one our YMCA centres.