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Personal Trainer Certification Program

Personal Trainer Webpage Image

Savannah Technical College has partnered with World Instructor Training School (W.I.T.S.), to offer the Personal Trainer Certification Program. Whether you are a new fitness professional, an experienced trainer, or someone with interest in learning more about the field, our program will equip you with the skills you need to become a Certified Personal Trainer.

The W.I.T.S. Certified Personal Trainer is NCCA Accredited.

Most employers will only hire a NCCA Accredited Personal Trainer. Get all the important information needed to start an exciting successful fitness career & become a Certified Personal Trainer. Our personal trainer course is a great way to prepare and become successful in the field you love.

This course is currently available in a Hybrid format.

If you choose the Hybrid/Blended format, you will complete the lecture portion LIVE, ONLINE with an instructor via a web meeting platform(like Zoom)  and will only meet in-person with the instructor at a local gym in the Savannah area for the in-depth, hands-on training to master the career skills & knowledge..

The best thing is that you can start working right after passing the exams! You’ll just need your proof of CPR/AED to obtain your Level 1 Certified Personal Trainer Credential.

As a special bonus, you can take advantage of our 30-hour employer internship to get our advanced Level 2 Certified Personal Trainer credential at no additional cost!

Interested in learning more about this program? Click here to see an on-demand orientation.

Hybrid-Classroom is online

Start – Tuesday March 26, 2024

BYE study weekend – April 9 & 13, 2024 (special new mid-course study week)

End    – Saturday April 30 & May 4, 2024

National Exam Date – May 7 & 11, 2024/written exam 630pm-830pm; Practical exam 12 noon – 5pm Saturday at the gym location

Virtual / lectures – 630pm-930pm EST Tuesdays [adjust for time zone]

In-Person Practical skill labs – 12pm – 4pm EST Saturdays

Lecture/Classroom

The course consists of 15 hours of lecture on key topics like:

  • biomechanics
  • exercise physiology
  • fitness testing
  • equipment usage
  • health assessments

Hands-On Training

The best part is the 15 hours of hands-on practical training labs with role-playing drills such as:

  • assessing clients
  • programming,
  • performing proper exercises
  • presentation skills and more

What’s Included in the Course?

  • A complete 200-page student workbook
  • Access to online student study tools
  • FREE test vouchers to take the Certified Personal Trainer exams

Learning Outcomes

After successfully completing this course, students will be able to:

  • Understand and describe basic anatomy, kinesiology and exercise physiology.
  • Assess an individual’s level of fitness using ACSM guidelines.
  • Design and customize exercise programs.
  • Demonstrate proper execution of resistance, cardio-respiratory and flexibility exercises.
  • Identify and demonstrate at least one strength exercise for every major muscle group.
  • Explain ACSM and AHA recommendations for cardiovascular exercise.

To successfully obtain Level 1-Nationally Certified Personal Trainer: 

Must be at least 18 Years Old

Students must be at least 18 years of age at the time they take the certification exams.

Purchase the Required Textbook

  • Fitness Professional’s Handbook-7th Edition with Web Resources
    • Printed: ISBN-13: 9781492523376 | Cost: $104.95  (includes shipping)
    • eBook: ISBN-13: 9781492535935   |Cost: $70
  • The textbook can be ordered:

Obtain a CPR/AED Card

  • Can be obtained anytime before, during, or after the certification course.
  • Must complete the CPR and AED Certification within 12 months of taking their certification exams but do not have to have that certification in order to take the Personal Trainer Certification Program
  • Looking for a class? Try contacting our American Heart Coordinator, Dock Donaldson for assistance!
    • 912-443-5785
    • ddonaldson@savannahtech.edu
    • Office Hours: Tuesday, 7:30am-6pm Tues| Thursday, 7:30am-5pm

Successfully complete the written and practical exams

To successfully obtain Level 2-Nationally Certified Personal Trainer:

In addition to the requirements for Level 1 listed above, you must:

Complete a 30 Hour Internship

We send our students a courtesy list of pre-approved facilities to assist with finding an internship location. However, if you prefer an alternate location, approval may be obtained with a simple process. Ultimately, it is the student’s responsibility to contact and complete the internship.

Whom will I be certified through?

After successfully passing the exams, you will be certified through the World Instructor Training School (W.I.T.S.), a leader in the field.  W.I.T.S.

Is W.I.T.S. an accredited organization?

W.I.T.S. is approved and accredited by many higher learning institutions out of Washington, DC.  These organizations include the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) and the National Certification Board for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCBTMB). This certification is also recommended for 3 undergraduate credits by the American Council on Education (ACE). 1 in 3 EMPLOYERS will only hire a NCCA Accredited Personal Trainer.

Is there a test given or is this a prep class?

Our national test dates conveniently run throughout the country in synchronized scheduling with our Certified Personal Trainer courses.   A TEST VOUCHER is included with the course so register you can take the exam right away in your area.  Students must complete the Test Voucher on our website no later than 35 days prior to the exam date. You will become a Certified Personal Trainer Level 1 and be able to work right away after successfully passing the written and practical test.  Certified Personal Trainer Level 2 is available as a bonus for no extra cost with the completion of the 30-hour employer internship. In many cases, the internship list we provide walks you into new jobs!

When is proof of CPR/AED due?

The valid CPR/AED card is required 7 days PRIOR to the national certification exams. The CPR/AED must be obtained through live presentation at colleges, fire departments, Red Cross, and the American Heart Association..  Online courses will not be accepted.

Is the internship provided?

Yes.  We send our students who are now Level 1 CPT’s a courtesy list of pre-approved employer facilities.   Ultimately, it is the student’s responsibility to contact and complete the internship. As a bonus, you will receive the Level 2 Certified Personal Trainer at no additional cost once you provide W.I.T.S. with documentation that you have completed your internship. Many employers pay a bonus for extra credentials so it is a plus to get it.

Do I have to renew my national certification like other professions?

Your certification is valid for 2-years and is very easy to do.  Every reputable certification in the health education industry requires continuing education.  We make it easy with free webinars and low cost effective online workshops.

Is there job placement?

A majority of the students are hired directly from our internship sites.  W.I.T.S. provides a list of available sites that work with us annually.  This networking with local employers is a unique service provided by W.I.T.S.

What happens if I do not pass?

W.I.T.S allows students 2 retests within 12 months of the original course start date. We offer 5-national retest dates to help you successfully pass the exams and achieve your goals. There is a discounted $75 fee per exam (normally $350).

Course: $745 per person

Cost of Textbook: Hardcopy- $98.95 or eBook-$53

Payment for can be made by debit card, credit card through our partner’s website.

  • BILL ME LATER: W.I.T.S. is offering a unique BILL ME LATER option via PayPal Credit.  With PayPal Credit you can get up to 6 months to pay with Zero interest!  All you need to do is get approved in a very quick Pay Pal credit check.
  • Questions?

Refunds

Refunds are not available, only transfers to upcoming sessions are provided. The only exception is when the course is cancelled by the college. In this case, refunds are issued back to the card that the purchase was made on. If the card is no longer in your possession, a check will be provided this can take several weeks to process.

Special Accommodations

Students requiring special services to take the course such as interpreters, recorded materials, etc, you must register and pay for your course at least one month or more before the scheduled start of class. At the time of registration, please inform the Continuing Education Department of your need for special services by submitting documentation from your doctor.

Registering can be completed online in just 5 easy steps.

1. Click the “Register Now” Button below. (You’ll be taken to our partner’s web page.)

2.Select the Course Type you would like to enroll in (In-Person or Hybrid).

3. Determine if  you would like to pay for the course via an optional payment plan.

4. Add the course to your cart and proceed to checkout.

5. Follow the instructions on the screen, provide your payment and you’re set!

Registration-Button-for-Continuing-Education

About World Instructor Training School

W.I.T.S. is NCCA accredited  and approved for the certification test for the GI Bill. The American Council on Education (ACE) has also recommended 3 undergraduate academic credits for this course.