Overview
Do you have an interest in fitness and health, or helping others reach their fitness and health goals? If so, this program is for you!
Join our team to become a leader in the field of fitness and health promotion – an industry that is growing rapidly and offers a wide range of career opportunities.
This two-year curriculum includes courses in exercise science, fitness, health promotion, business management, and human relations as well as personal and professional development. Several of the courses will be delivered in the Student Health & Athletic Centre on the Kingston Campus, which provides a state-of-the-art training facility. Students will have the opportunity to obtain additional certifications including the nationally recognized Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) certification from the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology and Certified Personal Trainer, Group Fitness and Spin certifications through Ontario Fitness Council (OFC).
Graduates will offer prospective employers 400 hours of practical experience in the workforce gained from two 5-week work placements in areas of health promotion, inclusive fitness, injury prevention and management, fitness assessment and/or personal training, occupational health and corporate wellness.
This program meets the standards of a Fitness and Health Promotion Program according to the Ministry of Advanced Education and Skills Development.
Program Details
Program Highlights
State of the Art Facilities
Fitness and Health Promotion students have their own fitness lab, a new gymnasium and fitness center. Students also benefit from small lab sizes, where they will receive hands on experience conducting assessments and personal training a minimum of three clients over the two years, leading group fitness classes and creating and facilitating sessions of young athletes, following the Long Term Athlete Development guidelines.
Program Outline
2024-2025
In this course students will develop an in-depth understanding of the human musculoskeletal system. There will be a focus on the bones, muscles and their origins and insertions as well as the major joints acting on the body. This theory will be enhanced with the application of this knowledge to help develop safe and effective movement patterns and exercise.
In this course students will be introduced to the fundamental concepts in the fields of exercise and sport psychology. Students will learn about the psychological factors that influence individual and group behaviour. Theoretical models of behaviour change, leadership and sport psychology will be examined. Some of the topics to be explored include; personality, motivation, psychological skills training, mental imagery, stress management, attention, concentration, basic counselling skills, and building client rapport.
In this course, students gain practical experience required to plan and instruct a safe and effective group exercise class. Topics include phrasing and cueing music, leadership and motivational techniques, components of a fitness class, and monitoring proper exercise technique. Students will have the opportunity to obtain a group fitness certification through Ontario Fitness Council. Students also learn how to develop a lesson plan and facilitate a physical activity class. The students gain valuable practical experience implementing the lesson plan by running a safe and effective class which includes facilitating transition activities, games of low organization, modifying activities, and risk management strategies.
This course prepares students for field placement and introduces a variety of career paths within the fitness and health promotion industry. Students examine the job market, learn effective job searching strategies, and create a personal career plan related to their professional goals. Topics explored include: field placement process and requirements, career exploration, resume and cover letter design, interviewing skills and preparing a portfolio. Through presentations from placement agencies and employers, students gain an understanding of industry expectations, including the importance of professional integrity.
In this course students enhance their knowledge of the body’s acute and chronic adaptations to exercise. Students learn the relationship between the human body and health and exercise, and how the body adapts to various environmental conditions such as high altitude, underwater, heat, and cold. Students augment their understanding of scientific training principles as well as their understanding of the actions and functions of the major muscles.
In this course, students learn about a variety of populations including the aging population, obesity, pregnancy and individuals with special needs. Students learn how to design and implement fitness, health and exercise programs to meet the needs of these various groups and examine the positive effects of physical activity.
In this course, students assess the physical fitness and lifestyle habits of the client to design and prescribe appropriate fitness and lifestyle programs. Students learn laboratory and field to develop skills and practice techniques to evaluate health and fitness. Students practice assessing the components of physical fitness such as the ability to monitor heart rate and blood pressure, assess anthropometrics, functional movement screening, and conduct cardiovascular and musculoskeletal fitness assessments. Assessment results are used in developing individualized exercise prescriptions.
In this course, students identify what is new and unique to health promotion within community, national, and international organizations. This course introduces Health Promotion (HP) concepts, theories, and resources. In addition, this course provides students with knowledge pertaining to various areas of health promotion that are specific to the college student population. In a group, students design, plan, and deliver a health promotion initiative by applying health promotion programming principles and strategies.
In this course, learners apply knowledge gained to create and lead group exercise classes such as: indoor cycle, and yoga. Students learn the foundation of program design and planning based on client needs from various assessments. Learners monitor and modify classes to meet participant needs and abilities.
In this course students apply the knowledge, skills and behaviours they have developed in the classroom to meet the professional standards of the work environment. Students broaden their understanding of the fitness and health field and explore potential career paths through the completion of a 125-hour placement in a range of practice areas including personal training, municipal recreation, military fitness, long-term care, rehabilitation, community health promotion, coaching, education and others. Leading up to the placement, students attend a weekly seminar class that will assist with selecting and preparing for field placement.
In this course students focus on the role and responsibility of the fitness professional in the prevention, recognition, and management of various fitness and sports related injuries. Through exercise, students will gain practical experience in the management of acute and chronic injuries.
This course provides students with a practical opportunity to prepare a basic business plan. Topics include idea generation, concept development, feasibility, marketing, operations, and financing. Students utilize Microsoft Excel to develop financial documents related to starting and operating a new business. The course provides students with an opportunity to analyze future scenarios, understand financial and funding related issues, identify and minimize risks, and use the business plan as a communication device. An emphasis will be placed on creating an online business to prepare students for the rapidly expanding opportunities in this area.
In this course, students gain practical experience and develop knowledge to effectively create safe individualized exercise programs for clients based on health background and activity level. The students will learn through experience and personal training community members on a weekly basis. This course includes the mechanics of movement, correcting exercise form, applying the principles of training and program design for cardiovascular fitness, muscular strength, mobility and flexibility.
Students explore the topics of coaching and leadership as they relate to organizations and sports teams. By creating and managing practices and games, the fundamentals of coaching will be examined at both a recreational and competitive level. The course will cover a range of topics that will include; the roles and responsibilities of a coach, athlete motor development, Long Term Athlete Development Framework, preparation and planning, risk management, working with diverse age groups and skill levels, communication and group management. Students have the opportunity to obtain coaching certifications through the Canadian National Coaching Certification Program.
In this course students focus on developing critical thinking and reasoning patterns to effectively express viewpoints and to enable effective decision making. The teaching of critical thinking and logic focuses on formulating judgments in problematic situations which can challenge individuals with uncertainty. By examining ‘real life’ case studies and scenarios, students learn the formal process of critical thinking and how to “weigh and consider” as well as utilize various problem-solving strategies.
In this course students apply the knowledge, skills and behaviours they have developed in the classroom to meet the professional standards of the work environment. Students broaden their understanding of the fitness and health field and explore potential career paths through the completion of a 125-hour placement in a range of practice areas including personal training, municipal recreation, military fitness, long-term care, rehabilitation, community health promotion, coaching, education and others. Leading up to the placement, students attend a weekly seminar class that will assist with selecting and preparing for field placement.
In this course students will develop an understanding of the mechanics of exercise and sporting actions. Human movement will be investigated using the laws of physics and mechanics to understand how the body generates forces and moments to act on the external environment, causing motion. An understanding of how the body moves, and why it moves the way it does, will help students reduce the risk of injury for their clients and also improve their performance.
This course introduces students to the foundational concepts of marketing and their importance in operating a successful business. Students create a marketing plan and learn how to build relationships with customers. Students learn the strategic marketing planning process, along with the specific concepts and principles involved in the four key components of the marketing plan - product, price, place, and promotion. Students develop a social media presence as a launching point for marketing success and work with various Microsoft Office applications to enhance the overall value of their marketing plan and presentation.
In this course, students learn in-depth theoretical and practical knowledge to design advanced personal and group conditioning programs. Topics include; warm-up and flexibility, speed, agility, strength and cardiovascular conditioning, plyometric training, sport-specific training and program design. Students learn how to dissect functional movement patterns and effectively deliver complex exercises through the use of various training models.
In this course, students learn the daily administrative practices and procedures used to govern a variety of operations in sport and recreation facilities. This course covers topics that help prepare the student for facility and event management. Topics include policies and procedures, customer service, accessibility, programming, memberships and special events, human resources, risk management, maintenance, running committees, marketing, and finance.
In this course, learners explore the science of exercise nutrition, sport-specific nutrition, supplements, and holistic nutrition. Students learn to apply knowledge when communicating with clients. Learners develop an understanding of their role within the interdisciplinary field of fitness, health, and wellness.
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Requirements
Admission Requirements
Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD)with the majority of Grade 11 and 12 courses at the C, U or M level including the following prerequisites:
- Grade 12 English at the C or U level
- Grade 11 Math at the C, U or M level
- Grade 11 or 12 Biology at the C or U level, or PSK4U
For OSSD equivalency options, see Admission Requirements.
Recommended Background
- Any grade 11 or 12 Health and Physical Education courses
- Students should have basic computer skills which include the ability to use Internet Explorer, MS Word, Excel and PowerPoint
If you are missing prerequisite courses, enroll in the Career/College Prep program - free for Ontario residents who are 19 years or older.
- Are your transcripts from outside of Canada? Please visit Applying to SLC - With Your Transcripts for more information.
Health Requirements
- CPR (Basic Rescuer Level C) and Standard First Aid. CPR recertification required yearly.
- Students are required to cover the cost of additional requirements. All of the above requirements must be complete before the student can begin any volunteer hours or placements.
Placement
Students get hands-on experience as a fitness professional through two 200 hour placements in second year. Here are just a few of the locations that have worked with the Fitness and Health Promotion program to provide work placements for students:
- Fitness Clubs
- Specialty Studios
- Schools
- Military Fitness
- Municipal Recreation Facilities
- Health Units
- Charitable Organizations
- Sports Medicine
- Hospitals
- Rehabilitation
- Physiotherapy
- Athletic Therapy
- Wellness Spas
- Corporate Wellness
- Universities
- Nutrition Centres
- Sports Conditioning
- Retirement Residences
- Inclusive Populations
WSIB Coverage:
Students from health sciences program on placement are covered by Workplace Safety and Insurance Board(WSIB) coverage in the event of an incident.
To be eligible:
- A student must be currently registered in the program;
- The placement must be sanctioned by the educational institution;
- The student must not be paid for the placement.
Student Placement Facilitator Support
Confirmation of Placement (external placement)
Complete SLC Placement requirements
- 6 Training Modules
- Student Declaration/Oath of Confidentiality
- Student Covid 19 Waiver
- First Aid & CPR
For All International Students
- Co-op Work Permit - students must have this document with proper remarks to begin their placement. If you have any questions, please email isa@sl.on.ca
Questions:
Email: placements@sl.on.ca
Website: www.stlawrencecollege.ca/placement
Fees
2024-2025
Fees are estimates only. Tuition is based on two semesters.
Fees are estimates only. Tuition is based on two semesters.
Kingston
Our Kingston campus has seen significant renovation over the past few years, including a brand new Student Life and Innovation Centre that houses a new gymnasium, fitness centre, pub, and more.
![](https://364599a3-cdn.agilitycms.cloud/MediaGroupings/30/Kingston New gym.jpg)
![](https://364599a3-cdn.agilitycms.cloud/MediaGroupings/30/kingston campus.jpg)
Career Opportunities
- Personal Trainer
- Group Fitness Instructor
- Strength & Conditioning Coach
- Corporate Wellness Consultant
- Health Promoter (Health Unit)
- Military Fitness Instructor
- Municipal or Community Recreation Staff
- Senior’s Fitness Programmer
- Health Club Manager or owner
- Cruise-Ship Fitness & Recreation Leader
- Physiotherapy Assistant
- Sports Coach
Testimonials
Success Stories
Other Information
WSIB Coverage:
Students from health sciences program on placement are covered by Workplace Safety and Insurance Board(WSIB) coverage in the event of an incident.
To be eligible:
- A student must be currently registered in the program;
- The placement must be sanctioned by the educational institution;
- The student must not be paid for the placement.
Program Contacts
Program Contact
Natasha Agaoglu
nagaoglu@sl.on.ca
Admissions Information
Click here to message Recruitment.
Credit Transfer Opportunities
SLC graduates have many options to continue their studies with post-secondary institutions across Canada and around the world.
Graduates will be eligible to continue their studies in Ireland, earning a degree in Sports Management or Applied Strength & Conditioning
In addition, there are many credit transfer pathway agreements between colleges and universities within the province of Ontario. Please also visit www.ontransfer.ca to search for options relevant to your program area of study.
Agreements between SLC and other institutions that are specific to this program are listed below.
- Athabasca University - Bachelor of Professional Arts in Human Services
- Seneca College - Bachelors (Honours) of Therapeutic Recreation
- University of Guelph Humber - Honours Bachelor of Applied Science in Kinesiology
- UOIT (Ontario Tech University - Bachelor of Health Sciences (Hons) Kinesiology