Training to Become a Personal Trainer

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.

Courses offered in a virtual format allow you to complete your training online from the comfort of your home, participating live with your instructor and fellow students through a digital learning platform.

Have questions? Check out our FAQ: YMCA Personal Training Certification.

If you would like to be informed about upcoming sessions, please fill out the interest form below.

Complete the interest form

Become a Personal Trainer

Choose your training path

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)

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.

Please note: The Personal Trainer certification is offered primarily in person. Only selected courses are available virtually. Please refer to the course schedule to see which sessions are offered online.

STEP 3: Critical Analysis

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: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification

Participants should have a minimum of CPR/AED Level A to obtain certification. Courses available at our YMCA centers.

We strongly recommend that participants obtain their CPR certification before their practical exam.

More information about CPR training

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.

Become a Functional Training Instructor for Aging Adults

This information applies to the 2026 session.

Description	Members¹	Non-members
Basic Theory² (30 hours)	$ 282	$ 334
Certification d'entraîneur privé (34 heures)	$ 440	$ 506

¹ YMCA Members get a 15 % discount on regular price.
² The Basic Theory course is mandatory for the Personal Trainer Certification course. The Basic Theory course may be taken simultaneously with the Personal Trainer Certification course, if the courses calendar permits it.

Courses - FALL 2026

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.

Basic Theory (French)

September 10, 2026 - November 5, 2026
Thursday | 6 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.*
Instructor: Claudette Rouisse and Mike Gervais
Virtual Classes
Registration begins: August 3, 2026
Registration ends: September 8, 2026 at 6 p.m.*

*Eastern Standard Time Zone (EST)

Basic Theory (French)

September 9, 2026 - November 4, 2026
Wednesday | 9 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.*
Instructor: Isabelle Thibert
Virtual Classes
Registration begins: August 3, 2026
Registration ends: September 7, 2026 at 9 a.m.*

*Eastern Standard Time Zone (EST)

Basic Theory (English)

September 22, 2026 - November 17, 2026
Tuesday | 6 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.*
Instructor: Mike Gervais
Virtual Classes
Registration begins: August 3, 2026
Registration ends: September 20, 2026 at 6 p.m.*

*Eastern Standard Time Zone (EST)

Basic Theory (English)

September 23, 2026 - November 18, 2026
Wednesday | 6 p.m. - 9:30 p.m.*
Instructor: Mike Gervais
Virtual Classes
Registration begins: August 3, 2026
Registration ends: September 21, 2026 at 6 p.m.*

*Eastern Standard Time Zone (EST)

Please note: The Personal Trainer certification is offered primarily in person. Only selected courses are offered in a virtual format. Please refer to the Step 2 tab for the course schedule and available delivery options.

If you would like to be informed about upcoming sessions, please fill out the interest form below.

Complete the interest form

FAQ: YMCA Personal Training Certification

About the certification

How the course works

Access and registration

To get your personal training certification, you must complete the following steps:

Take and pass the Basic Theory Course (30 hours).
Complete the Personal Training Course (34 hours).
Pass the theory and practical exams, including:
1. the online exam
2. a video analysis
3. the design of a training program
4. a final exam

Once all these steps successfully complete, you will get your FIT personal training certification.

Training to Become a Personal Trainer

Become a Personal Trainer

Choose your training path

STEP 1: Basic Theory (30 hours of virtual classes)

STEP 2: Personal Trainer Certification Course (34 hours)

STEP 3: Critical Analysis

STEP 4: Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) certification

STEP 5: Practical Exam

Additional Option: Functional Training for Aging Adults (provincial certification - Québec)

Courses - FALL 2026

FAQ: YMCA Personal Training Certification

About the certification

How the course works

Access and registration

Career opportunities

You May Also Be Interested In

Discover Our Training Development Programs Group Fitness Instructor Training

Discover Our Training Development Programs Functional Training Certifications for Seniors

Training to Become a Personal Trainer

Choose your training path

Training content

Pricing

Courses - FALL 2026

About the certification

Why choose the YMCA personal training certification?

Is the YMCA personal training certification recognized in Québec and Canada?

How the course works

How long does it take to become a certified personal trainer?

Can I take the personal training course online?

Is the course synchronous or asynchronous?

Does the course include hands-on hours with clients?

Which skills will I acquire with the personal training certification?

Access and registration

How do I become a certified personal trainer in Québec?

What are the prerequisites for the personal training certification?

Career opportunities

Can I work as a personal trainer right after completing my certification?

What career opportunities are available after completing a personal training certification?

You May Also Be Interested In

Discover Our Training Development Programs Group Fitness Instructor Training

Discover Our Training Development Programs Functional Training Certifications for Seniors