Professional Health & Fitness Personal Trainer

We educate the best trainers in the fitness branch. From start to finish of the education - and beyond!- we support and guide our students.

Functional anatomy is a foundation necessary for all trainers in exercise, fitness and sports. This subject provides a comprehensive introduction to the anatomy of the human body and a wellspring of important knowledge.

The course is constructed to present the information in an interesting and comprehensible manner and features different learning approaches appropriate for Fitness and Personal Trainers.
 
The goal is, to understand the relationship between movement patterns, the human body and relevant anatomical terminology.

Our participants are introduced to the basics of sports nutrition.

As a foundation the composition of general nutrition including macro and micro nutrients, as well as the water balance, are discussed. In order to understand various correlations, the energy metabolism are explained in detail.

In addition, the effects of individual food components in the human body, as well as their importance in sports are covered.

More and more companies are integrating Corporate Wellness and similar health initiatives into their employee benefits packages. By doing so they promote the health and well-being of their employees, reducing the incidence of sick-leave and building healthier, stronger team dynamics.

Exactly why such initiatives are important is discussed in this introduction to the concept, as well as challenges that such initiatives face including organisational dysfunction.

Participants also learn about the advantages of corporate wellness and some trusted approaches and tools for finding and working with a company.

We offer suggestions on how to approach companies about Corporate Wellness, how to develop a corporate wellness concept and important organisational points to consider.
Participants will be exposed to some practical examples and will have the possiblity to perform group work on the topic.

The unit on Marketing and Customer Interaction gives participants some insight into identifying, working with and marketing to their ideal customer. This is one of the most useful units for the aspiring trainer, as it helps them identify their place in the market, which makes for a more successful career start.

We begin by taking a look at Marketing itself to understand exactly what it is and of what relevance it has for personal trainers.
Important basic concepts such as USP, positioning, target market, etc. are introduced and different models from marketing such as the SMART Formula, marketing mix (7Ps) and more are explained.

The communication between trainer and client is also addressed in this unit. Various aspects of communication theory and some guidelines for successful communication are covered.

Upon completion of this subject, participants are able to develop marketing strategies for their product and/or services, ready to position themselves in a market rich in variety and full of possibility!

A working understanding of human physiology and therefore the relationships between the various functions of the human body is crucial for anyone working in the exercise and fitness field. It is a requisite knowledge for the sufficient practice of their profession.

This course makes the relationships within the human organism graspable for everyone. Take a deep-dive into the human body and learn the functions of our organism for your new profession in fitness.

In this subject you will get a close look at energy metabolism needed for muscle activation, the circulatory system and the pulmonary system.

Any high quality education in fitness and exercise begins with the foundations of anatomy and physiology.

In this unit participants are prepared for successful communication with their clients on every level. In addition, we take a look at how the trainer or coach can go about dealing with their own goals and motives, which will in turn help them better understand their clients.

The right goal-setting and the proper approach to feedback are an important parts of this unit.

The way we manage stress as trainers and with our clients and a variety of learning strategies are explored so these skills can be integrated into your professional approach.

The first part of training theory teaches the basics of training, such as training principles, principles of training design, training methods and the factors of athletic performance.
As performance, performance diagnostics, training and competition are closely interrelated, they are also taught accordingly in the course.

In the second part of training theory, training is defined and evaluated as a complex action process and in connection with planning, execution and evaluation.
An important part of training theory is still the design of training plans, which is taught in practice with examples of the possibilities of designing a training plan.

In order to delve even deeper into training science, we have worked with top international speakers such as Prof. em. Dr. phil. Dr. med. Dr. h.c. Jürgen Weineck, we have also developed a video workshop on the subject of altitude training.

Back pain and shoulder pain are among the most common problems for practitioners of strength training. In order to make an effort to combat these issues, a personal trainer has to understand potential causes that can lead to these problems.

A precise diagnosis can only be provided by a medical professional, obviously. In that case, it is certainly important that the personal trainer understand any such diagnoses and develop an optimal strength training programthat is appropriate for any previous condition or injury, or for the explicit purpose of preventing or avoiding problems for which the client is predisposed.

• The infamous Shoulder Impingement Syndrome is a main topic. How can it be avoided and prevented, and what can be done when the symptoms are already being felt?
  
• Does a client experience lower back pain? What are the absolute "no-gos" when training with back or spine conditions?
  
• A rounding of the back and weak core can develop after years of poor posture - How can we train the upper back and strengthen the shoulder girdle in such instances, so we can work to correct the problem?

Theoretical content will revisit anatomy with these issues in mind and practical content will include exercises for practical application of knowledge. It will be carried out in two sessions.

This course subject is a continuation of Strength Training with Free Weights 1, which is covered in the Fitness Trainer course. Additional exercises will be introduced for back, chest, shoulder, arm that were not covered in the first part.

A special focus is placed on thebarbellin this group of exercises. In comparison with the first part, the exercises in part 2 tend to display increased complexity and require not only more strength but more developedfocus and coordination skills.

The higher complexity of the exercises mean that such training is more challenging, and variations can train multiple muscle groups at once.

For examples, theOlympic weightlifting movements such as clean and jerk and snatch are introduced.

In addition, some variations of exercises are explored with a methodoligical approach for building variations.

In this subject, different types of warm-up and the reasons for warming up are discussed and illustrated by the effects of warming up. The sequence and possibilities of warming up are then discussed. Then comes the practical warm-up, where fascia rolls are used and a variety of mobilization exercises are demonstrated.

In this unit covering One2One training the focus is on stretching and mobilization, and how you as a trainer can use this opportunity to learn and make evaluations about your client during this time.

The functional movement analysis, known also as a screen or the FMS is introduced as one possible approach to gain some insight into a trainees current physical state. As such, it serves as one way to gather "actual state" metrics.

Mobility, flexibility and a healthy and balanced range of motion is an important component of every sport and physical practice, and it can have a huge influence on liklihood of injury or overall performance. An appropriate stretching session can increase range of motion during exercise during training exercises, leading to better training adaptations. A post-training stretching routine can aid in regeneration and the maintainance of existing flexibility levels.

The palette of stretching types are introduced in this module, with various stretching techniques and their practical application. The use of a foam roller for certain methods is included.

Additionally, the crucial concepts of spotting and manual assistance are explained and put in practice. A discussion of important considerations for this close work with clients is carried out.

In the subject"Training with small fitness equipment" from the Health Fitness Personal Trainer course, course participants will learn about the latest trends in small fitness equipment.

The unit has a practical structure and offers participants the opportunity to try out various exercises and learn how to use the equipment correctly.
Training with the fitness equipment improves coordination and balance skills. Body control and awareness are also trained.

For example, they can be used specifically for strength training or for endurance and coordination exercises. They are also very suitable for rehabilitation purposes.

You will also learn what you need to look out for with the respective equipment and how to use it. You will also be given tips on posture during exercise and the risk of injury.

This subject is ideal preparation for anyone working as a personal trainer.

Alongside strength training, endurance training is an important basis for good performance in any sport and also has many positive, health-promoting effects. The better your endurance is trained, the longer you can achieve a certain performance.

However, endurance does not necessarily mean running as far as possible as quickly as possible. Rather, it is about training your endurance in such a way that you can work at a certain intensity for as long as possible. This intensity depends on the sport in question.

In the endurance training course, participants learn the theoretical content of how intensive/extensive interval training, running, extensive and intensive endurance methods work. In practice, the UKK walking test is carried out, which is ideal for your future clients who are just starting out with training.

Additional emphasis is placed on training planning. During the practical training sections, the knowledge acquired is applied in practice. Graduates will be able to carry out and plan endurance training sessions independently.

Above all, they should be able to competently answer their customers' questions such as "At what heart rate can/should I train?

Another important subject in the fitness trainer course.

The human body is a complex system of muscles, tendons, joints and bones that is constantly in motion. Every movement we make triggers a reaction that affects other areas of the body.

Sensorimotor training is a method that trains precisely these reaction chains in the body. Targeted training of the senses (e.g. sense of balance, touch, sight and hearing) and motor skills (muscle strength, coordination, mobility) improves the interaction between body and mind.

What is sensorimotor training?
Sensorimotor training is a method that originates from the field of physiotherapy. Sensorimotor regulation is the brain's ability to control motor skills and perception. Sensorimotor training can optimize movement sequences and improve motor skills. It is used in physiotherapy for neurological disorders, such as after a stroke.

However, sensorimotor training can also be used in competitive sport and fitness to improve motor skills.

This content is therefore developed in the sensorimotor training course for fitness trainers, in which participants perform practice-oriented strengthening exercises using unstable surfaces such as wobble boards, foam, exercise balls, ropes or slings and much more.

The unstable surfaces train proprioception, i.e. the perception of one's own body and its movements. The exercises challenge balance, coordination and strength and are therefore particularly effective.

When we talk about strength training, most people immediately think of heavy weights and huge muscles. But that's not the only thing strength training has to offer.

Free weight training is used particularly in bodybuilding, weight training and martial arts as well as in rehabilitation after injuries. It is an effective and versatile training method that is suitable for both beginners and advanced athletes.

In contrast to strength training with machines, free weight training has the advantage that it also works the core and stabilization muscles. This makes it a more comprehensive workout because they enable us to hold our body upright and coordinate our movements.

They are also involved in many everyday movements, such as lifting objects or climbing stairs.

In this practical unit for fitness trainer training, course participants learn how to use dumbbells, barbells and pulleys correctly. Various exercises are demonstrated and performed by the participants themselves and particular attention is paid to joint-friendly execution with minimal risk of injury.

Functional Training refers to an approach to strength training that incorporates multiple muscle groups, movement patterns that reflect real human movement in the real world and place a high value on core musculature involvement in training exercises.
Multiple muscles are trainined at once, usually with a focus on entire muscle chains, in order to improve coordination between muscle groups alongside strength. Creating more stable and economical movement patterns that use the entire range of motion and strengthen the core are major goals.

Functional Strength Training is especially important because we want our clients and athletes to be able to use acquired strength for everyday movements and activity, or for the complex movement patterns necessary for any sport. This type of training is also appropriate for any age group and has applications in almost every type of sport, leisure activity, rehabilitation and injury prevention.

Some functional training methods utilize balance-challenging techniques and tools, small equipment that requires more core involvement for traditional movements, like medicine balls, sandbags and aquabags, or simply rely on bodyweight exercises.

In this course subject participants will learn about various training tools such as sling/TRX, gymnastics/balance ball, medicine and slam balls, sandbags, heavy/battle ropes and more. Bodyweight exercises are also a foundation of functional training, as certain bodyweight exercises can be used to expose functional weakness in even very "well-trained" athletes, and in order to build these abilities from the ground up. Muscle chains and some exercises which can be used to focus on specific ones are introduced.

The subject "Equipment-assisted strength training" is part of the fitness trainer B license training and deals with systematic strength training on stationary training equipment. The focus is on movement control, load control and the individual adaptation of training to different target groups.

Basics

In equipment-supported strength training, the muscles are loaded via mechanically guided movement paths. This enables targeted, controlled strain on individual muscle groups and offers a safe form of training, particularly for beginners, people with restricted mobility or in a rehabilitative context.

Aims of the subject

• Teaching the basic biomechanical principles of equipment training
• Correct equipment settings and exercise execution
• Load dosage according to training goal and performance level
• Recognizing and avoiding typical mistakes when using equipment

Contents

The following topics are covered as part of the course:

• Differences between free and guided strength training methods
• Training planning with stationary equipment
• Introduction to equipment parks and standardized equipment circuit systems
• Training control in terms of repetitions, intensity and regeneration

Application in everyday training

The content of this subject forms a basis for practical work in fitness studios or health facilities. Graduates are able to create and instruct individual training programs with equipment and implement them in a safety-conscious manner.

Full-body exercises are essential when it comes to training the entire body. Deadlifts, squats and bent-over rows are three of the most important full-body exercises there are. These said exercises can shape the body, improve overall well-being and are therefore essential for a fitness trainer. They also help to increase endurance and strength.

This subject is important because it teaches you the basics you need for all other types of exercises and workouts. Many focus on training individual muscle groups, but this is not the most effective way to get your body in shape. Full body exercises are more effective because they target multiple muscle groups simultaneously, making the workout more efficient. However, these exercises are very demanding and prone to mistakes.

For this reason, we provide our future fitness trainers with detailed instructions so that they can perform the exercises correctly and later instruct their clients well. The subject is very practice-oriented and is coached and worked on together within the group after a short introduction. Each exercise is designed to address a variety of muscle groups.

Training planning is an essential part of the work of a fitness trainer and personal trainer. In order to achieve efficient progress in your clients' training and to achieve long-term success, there are a number of important factors to consider. Regardless of whether the client's personal goal is to improve performance, reduce body fat, learn new, complex exercises or something else.

A few important basic principles are the Weineck training principles. These state, among other things, that a training stimulus must be sufficiently high in order to achieve adaptation, that the load must increase steadily and also specify the correct load sequence as well as sufficient recovery and much more. The individual choice of the five load normatives is also crucial: intensity, duration, frequency, density and volume. Training planning deals with how to adapt these correctly to individual goals and requirements in order to achieve optimum results.

Keyword goals: Setting the right goals for clients also has a major influence on training design. Training level, age, regeneration, available time and many other factors also play important roles. The training plan can only be successfully implemented in practice if the customer's individual needs and resources are taken into account.

Our graduates learn about the physiological adaptation phenomena of the body's functional systems through different training loads. They also learn about different periodization models and how these are implemented in practice at different performance levels. As a result, our graduates know what is needed for optimal training planning , what obstacles can stand in the way and how individual goals can be correctly set (and of course achieved).

To refresh the content of training planning or to expand your knowledge of training planning in general, we recommend the workshop 1x1 of training planning

Kinesiology and Biomechanics are two essential areas in the Professional Health Fitness Personal Trainer Certification, focusing on the analysis of human movement.

Kinesiology deals with the analysis of movement itself, while biomechanics examines the anatomy and physiology of movement. It can help improve performance, prevent injuries, and support rehabilitation after injuries. It can also aid in understanding the causes of musculoskeletal complaints and injuries.

In this course, the fundamentals of human anatomy and physiology are linked to the demands of modern training. The lecture is divided into several parts, with the general kinesiology being initially addressed. Special emphasis is placed on the analysis of movement patterns. This multipart lecture serves a deeper understanding of how the human body functions. Movements are broken down into their components to analyze them thoroughly and make statements about the forces at work.

Our Professional Health Fitness & Personal Trainers can analyze and measure movements, understand the psychological and physical factors affecting peak performance, and independently determine the requirements of different sports.

Furthermore, everyday and sports-related movements and their affecting forces are examined, shedding light on the effects of incorrect posture/technique on the body.

To experience all this firsthand, videos of one's own technique are filmed and analyzed using various fitness apps. Kinesiology and biomechanics are two essential areas in the Professional Health Fitness Personal Trainer Certification when it comes to analyzing human movement.

As an advanced lecture following the "Differentiated Strength Training for Spine and Shoulder Girdle" module in Health Personal Trainer, the focus here is on weaknesses and imbalances in the leg axis. Specifically, the anatomy of the knee, ankle, and hip joints is thoroughly discussed. Additionally, misalignments of the leg axis are illustrated, and their causes and effects on the musculoskeletal system are examined. In groups, familiar stereotypes for imbalances in the leg axis are discussed, and solutions are sought collaboratively.

The second part of the lecture involves familiarizing oneself with a test for determining leg axis and ankle joint stability: "Balance Error Scoring System (BESS)". With its help, weaknesses and imbalances can be localized, and ones performance can be compared with reference values of different age groups using a standardized table.

The final part of the class is practical. In addition to theory, practical examples are provided on how to train correctly when facing issues with the leg axis. This includes various strengthening and mobilization exercises to counteract any imbalances. The goal is to strengthen the leg muscles, stabilize the leg axis, and ideally combat misalignments altogether.

At the beginning of the session, a recap of what stress is and its significance for the body is provided. Various types of stress, their causes, and the effects of stress are discussed, with detailed focus on stress management.

Relaxation techniques are an important complement to training and can help calm the body and mind, reducing stress. Therefore, they expand the repertoire of a holistic coaching trainer. There are many different relaxation techniques that people can use to relax and improve their physical and mental health.

One of the most well-known relaxation techniques covered in the course is progressive muscle relaxation according to Jacobson. In this method, individual muscle groups in the body are consciously tensed and then relaxed. This technique helps to release muscle tension and relax the body. Another popular relaxation technique is autogenic training. This method helps calm the mind and reduce stress through breathing techniques and communication with the subconscious. The mind and body are closely interconnected-if one is under too much tension, the other suffers!

By regularly integrating relaxation techniques into training, it can help bring the body and mind into balance and reduce stress.

Weight reduction and long-term weight management are important aspects of a healthy lifestyle. Excessive body weight can lead to many health problems such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and certain types of cancer. Therefore, maintaining a healthy body weight is crucial. There are countless methods and miracle remedies on the internet promising to achieve ones ideal weight within a short period. However, its not quite that simple in reality. 

Weight reduction can be achieved through changes in eating and exercise habits. This includes reducing calorie intake and increasing physical activity. However, its important for weight reduction to occur slowly and steadily to ensure healthy and sustainable weight loss. Our graduates should be able to differentiate between efficient, healthy weight optimization and unrealistic or harmful methods, as well as guide individuals on the path to their ideal weight. Nutrition and exercise both play important roles in this process.

Its important to note that weight reduction and long-term weight management are individual and can vary from person to person. However, it requires time, effort, and commitment to achieve successful and lasting change.

Everyone is on the lookout for the next big thing in the fitness industry. The latest trend, the newest supplement, the latest equipment - all promise to get us into the best shape of our lives.

Fitness trends come and go, but there's always something new waiting to be tried. In this unit from the Professional Health Fitness Personal Trainer course, participants will be introduced to various fitness trends such as the Hypoxi machine, Power Plate training, ladies' studios, various small fitness equipment, calisthenics, and many more.

We will take a closer look at each trend and consider whether they have the potential to truly get us in shape or if they are just the latest fad. We will also discuss which trends are suitable for different target groups and the risks associated with each trend. Participants can also contribute their own experiences with new developments in the fitness industry.

Currently, there are many different fitness trends circulating. Most of these trends aim to achieve as much success as quickly as possible. We will briefly discuss the history of each trend, the functioning of the devices or training, benefits, application methods, and, as the name of this unit suggests, criticisms.

This will allow participants to form their own opinions and decide whether the trend is worth it or if they prefer to stick with proven methods.

In today's society, physical activity in daily life is becoming increasingly rare. Therefore, it is important to instill fun and joy in outdoor activities to motivate people to compensate for their sedentary lifestyle. In this unit, participants will learn how to optimally supervise clients in outdoor activities.

This includes getting to know Nordic Walking, conducting a running analysis, performing strength exercises with resistance bands, and training with natural obstacles as well as using a Slackline, where coordinative and conditioning skills are put to the test.

Special attention is given to the importance of cardiovascular training in health sports, the definition and history of walking, and the various types of walking. Furthermore, target groups are defined, and the pros and cons of walking are discussed.

In addition, running and jogging with their advantages and disadvantages are discussed, along with the proper technique, such as tips for the correct running style, and target groups are defined once again.

Outdoor strength training, general contraindications, and load control based on pulse parameters are also taught to the participants.

Plyometric training is a high-intensity interval training that increases muscle strength and endurance. It is also known as "explosive strength training" because it involves a series of rapid, consecutive movements typically performed with the goal of propelling oneself off the ground.

The rapid alternation of muscle contraction and relaxation not only engages the muscles but also the tendons and ligaments. Through training, these structures are strengthened, subsequently reducing the risk of injury.

Plyometric training can be challenging for beginners, but with practice, it can become a powerful tool in the fitness arsenal. In this subject of the Professional Health Fitness Personal Trainer course, we will explore the fundamentals of plyometric training and introduce some exercises for participants to try.

Some examples of plyometric training include jump training using the Plyo-Box named after this training form, but there are also various ways to train upper body reactive power. One advantage of plyo training: you only need your own body weight. Most movement sequences are based on pure bodyweight exercises like squats, push-ups, and lunges - of course, in explosive or jumping variations.

It is a very effective training based on the stretch-shortening cycle of the muscles and to improve performance in many sports. This cycle leverages the muscle's stretch reflex and the associated stored energy to generate more force when the muscle is actively stimulated. It is particularly beneficial for sports that require speed and strength, such as jumping sports, American football, or athletics.

Plyometric training is a challenging form of exercise and should therefore be conducted under the guidance of an experienced trainer.

The importance of regeneration is often greatly underestimated. In fact, optimal recovery is just as crucial for performance progress as the training itself.

To be able to manage regeneration optimally, it is important for personal trainers to recognize "signs of fatigue" and respond correctly to them. The body is a complex system that relies on an ideal balance between stress and recovery to achieve optimal performance. When this balance is disrupted, overloads can occur, leading to performance stagnation, decline, or worst-case scenario, "burnout".

Therefore, it is important that we give our bodies the opportunity to recover when we exert ourselves. No one consciously seeks overtraining. However, it happens that one overdoes it in training and enters a state of overtraining. Not only elite athletes are at risk, but also recreational athletes can suffer from overtraining. Causes may include pushing too hard too quickly, excessive training, or due to lack of sleep and stress.

Nutrition also plays a role in this context. If one eats and drinks too little, adequate recovery cannot take place. Overtraining is a state that arises from too much training and too little recovery. In this state, the body is unable to fully recover and symptoms such as fatigue, insomnia, weight loss, decreased performance, and depression may occur.

There are various ways to avoid or treat overtraining. Some of them are active measures such as modifying the training program or reducing training intensity. Others are passive recovery measures such as massage or acupuncture.

In this subject of the Professional Health Fitness Personal Trainer course, various active and passive recovery measures are explained and their effectiveness illustrated.