Fitness Technician

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School of Health, Wellness & Public Safety

CONTACT INFORMATION

Program information is available from the School of Health, Wellness & Public Safety office at (505) 224-4111 or Academic Advisement and Career Development (505) 224-4321 or from Program Director/Chair at (505) 224-4213.

cnm.edu/depts/hwps/progs

Program Description

Students will study exercise physiology, kinesiology, nutrition, fitness assessment, exercise prescription and the business aspects of personal fitness training. Students will also be instructed in the Job Analysis Task List of the National Strength and Conditioning Association Certified Personal Trainer certification exam, the Knowledge, Skills and Abilities of the American College of Sports Medicine Health/Fitness Instructor certification exam and the Basic Exercise Standards and Guidelines of the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America’s Primary Certification group for fitness leaders. Courses include classroom and lab time. All 1000-level physical activity courses are offered as CR/NC only.

The program begins every fall and can be completed in two consecutive terms if attending full time. The majority of fall term classes are prerequisites for the spring term classes.

All students enrolled in any physical activity course are required to fully and accurately fill out the PAR-Q and You and Preparticipation Screening Questionnaire. Students who fail to do so will not be able to participate in the course until that time all paperwork is filled out completely and to the instructor’s satisfaction. The following individuals are required to have a signed medical release in order to participate in these classes.

1. Females over 55 years of age
2. Males over 45 years of age
3. Any other individuals as required by the instructor.

Special Requirements

Required information sessions are scheduled during the summer term prior to enrollment in the Fitness Technician (FITT) Certificate Program, which begins every fall term. For the dates and times of these sessions, interested students must contact the program director of the FITT program at (505) 224-4211. These sessions review the program requirements, curriculum and the profession of personal fitness training in general. Interested students must attend one session.

Students will not be allowed to enroll in the program unless they attend one of these sessions. Students interested in certain School of Health, Wellness & Public Safety programs must be in good physical and psychological health. Some programs require documentation of a recent health screening from a licensed health care provider confirming the ability to safely perform program specific activities and lift a minimum of 50 pounds. Reasonable accommodations are made for those students with disabilities. However, some disabilities may prohibit students from completing program specific competencies or gaining employment. Students with a disability that may interfere with completing program competencies, which may include providing safe patient care, are advised to contact the HWPS School office at (505) 224-4111.

All School of Health, Wellness & Public Safety career and technical courses required for graduation must be taken for a traditional grade or A, B or C. For Health, Wellness & Public Safety career and technical courses offered only for credit/no credit, a grade of credit (CR) must be earned. 

Career and Educational Opportunities

The CNM Fitness Technician program has a good placement rate for its graduates. The majority of jobs available are as personal fitness trainers in various health and fitness clubs. Graduates have also been employed in hospitals, physical therapy clinics and senior centers.

Exit competencies (see Program Exit Competencies ) for this program of study are available at cnm.edu/exitcomp.

For the graduation policy refer to the Moving On  section, cnm.edu or the Students tab in my CNM.

Students should see an academic advisor to customize their educational plans. Students must meet prerequisites by placement scores or specific course work. Please see Course Descriptions for prerequisite(s) information.

See  Prerequisite Requirement Guide   for Accuplacer score equivalencies.

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