The Diploma of Fitness has been designed specifically to meet the current and emerging needs of the health and fitness professional by providing a strong academic and practical course that extends beyond the requirements of entry-level fitness certification courses.

Additionally, the Diploma of Fitness encourages Professional Fitness Trainers, Gym Fitness Instructors, Group Exercise Instructors, Aqua Fitness Instructors, Personal Trainers, Clinical Exercise Specialists, Strength and Conditioning Specialists to challenge them further by completing a Distance/Online learning and/or campus based course that is equivalent to a University Undergraduate standard.

WHY COMPLETE THE FIA DIPLOMA OF FITNESS?

By definition the health and fitness professional uses an individualised approach to assess, motivate, educate, and train clients to meet their health and fitness needs. To achieve this the fitness professional must have a strong foundation in exercise science, which can be most effectively accomplished with a combination of formal training and work experience.

HOW IS THE COURSE OFFERED?

The Diploma of Fitness is offered by a blended learning format (distance/online learning) and/or a 30-week intensive campus based course (3 x 10 week terms – various days).

Students will also be required to complete additional readings, weekly assessment tasks and a Case Management Course.
Students who enrol in the Diploma of Fitness by Distance/Online Learning can commence the course at anytime.

Subjects can be selected individually and completed over a 10 week term period. Campus based students (intensive) will be required to complete all course materials in a set time.

WHO SHOULD ENROL?

This course can be completed by anyone who wants to concurrently complete their Certificate III in Fitness and is looking to expand their knowledge and skills in the fitness industry. Students who have completed Certificate III & IV in Fitness with other Registered Training Organizations (RTOs) can apply for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) by supplying all relevant details.

Students who complete the Diploma of Fitness will be granted Advanced Standing into the Diploma of Remedial Massage.

What you receive:

You will receive all the materials required to complete this course. Textbooks and all assessment online tools are included, plus all campus based lectures and practical labs
(if completing is campus based).
You also have access to the student online tools for the duration of the course.

At the completion of the course you will also receive a 12-month professional membership of FIA.

This professional course maybe used as a basis of admission into various university undergraduate courses.

For example:

ACU National recognises the Diploma of Fitness and Diploma of Sport run by Fitness Institute Australia (FIA). The FIA and ACU National have an articulation agreement where by ACU National recognises the courses mentioned above which assists entry into the Bachelor of Exercise Science for those students who have gained good results in the Diploma. Students can apply for credit for units studied once in the Bachelor of Exercise Science.

HOW AM I ASSESSED?

Students will complete a variety of flexible assessments both formal and informal.

For example:

> Tutorials online (a variety of tutorial assessments at student online)
> Formal (multiple choice) Exams for each subject completed at student online
> Senior First Aid Certificate
> Completion of a Professional Development Manual (in the workplace)
> Completion of a Skills Development Manual (in the workplace)
> Completion of the subject Professional Practice  - case studies (in the workplace)
> Completion of the subject Professional Practice  - internship (in the workplace)
> Completion of the subject Case Management (in the workplace)

WHEN CAN I GAIN EMPLOYMENT?

On completion of the all assessments students will be eligible to gain registration and insurance from Fitness Australia as a Fitness Specialist, Personal Trainer and Fitness Instructor and work anywhere in Australia.

Electives (optional):                                                                              
> Group Exercise course (Fitness)
> Group Exercise course (Aerobics)
> Aqua Fitness course
> Growth, Development and Ageing
> Sports Trainer course (includes advanced first aid)
> Pilates Fitness
> Yoga Fitness

Additional Qualifications that can be gained (when completing one or more of the electives above):

> Children’s Trainer*
> Older Adult Trainer *
> Group Exercise Instructor (Fitness or Aerobics)*
> Aqua Fitness Instructor*

*Registration categories with Fitness Australia

WHAT ARE THE SUBJECTS IN THE DIPLOMA OF FITNESS - FITNESS SPECIALIST?

Students will complete all the subject material for Certificate III in Fitness and the Certificate IV in Fitness in Term 1 and then the following subjects:

> Clinical Exercise Prescription

This subject will extend the student’s knowledge of exercise programming and prescription for clients with special needs. Specifically, it will focus on the knowledge required to design safe and effective exercise courses for clients within specific populations.

> Muscle Mechanics

This subject is designed to extend the knowledge of the student of the principles, concepts and applications of applied anatomy and muscle mechanics in relation to exercise prescription, the analysis of exercise activities and massage therapy.

> Physical Fitness Appraisal

This subject will give the student with the knowledge and understanding and a high level of skills for competent conduct of an extensive range of physiological assessment procedures for improved performance.

> Exercise Rehabilitation

This subject is designed to introduce the student to the diagnosis, treatment and management of exercise injuries. It focuses on the most common exercise injuries presented and the role of the fitness trainer/massage therapist in the rehabilitation process.

> Corrective Exercise Prescription

This subject is designed to introduce the student to assessing the client’s muscular strengths and weaknesses and prescribe strengthening and stretching exercises as well as massage therapies to alleviate any deviations under medical supervision.

> Sports Conditioning

This subject is designed to extend the knowledge of the fitness trainer in planning and programming for improved individual sporting performance or performance for sporting groups.

> Advanced Exercise Physiology

This subject is designed to extend the knowledge of the fitness trainer to the acute and chronic physiological functions in the performance of work and exercise in different environments.

> Case Management

The purpose of this subject is to provide an opportunity for the fitness trainer to apply all their knowledge and skills to the development and implementation of a long term comprehensive periodised training course for an elite client or a client with special needs. Each student will follow a series of tasks that will assist in the development of a specific case study.

KEY Competencies in the Diploma of Fitness (SRS50206)

Core Competencies

Stream Competencies

Electives