Program Specifics
PROGRAM PROFICIENCIES (see CNM Catalog)
• English 2 Proficiency
• Math 2 Proficiency
• Reading 2 Proficiency
REQUIRED PROGRAM COURSES*
CREDITS
BIO 1310 Human Anatomy and Physiology for Non-Majors
3
BIO 1392 Human Anatomy and Physiology for Non-Majors Lab
1
* Must be taken before Term 1
TERM 1 (Fall only)
FITT 1010 Foundations of Exercise Science
FITT 1071 The Business of Personal Fitness Training
FITT 1072 Kinesiology
Fitness Elective (see list)
CREDITS
3
3
3
1
TERM 2 (Spring only)
FITT 1098 Fitness Technician Field Experience
Or
FITT 1095 Cooperative Education
FITT 1503 Sport Safety Training
FITT 1570 Applied Nutrition for Sport and Exercise
Or
NUTR 1020 Sports Nutrition
FITT 1572 Fitness Assessment and Exercise Prescription
FITT 1575 Exercise Prescription for Special Populations
FITT 2492 Group Exercise Leadership Preparation
CREDITS
3
Certificate of Completion in Fitness Technician
1
3
3
3
1
28
APPROVED FITNESS ELECTIVES
CSE 1101 College Success
FITT 1092 Cardio Kick FITT 1093 Weight Training for Women
FITT 1097 Independent Study
FITT 1192 Body Sculpting
FITT 1193 Beginning Step Aerobics
FITT 1292 Boxing Conditioning
FITT 1293 Fall Prevention Training for Older Adults
FITT 1393 Flexibility Training
FITT 1492 Step/Circuit Combo
FITT 1493 Fit Ball Training
FITT 1592 Step/Kick Combo
FITT 1593 Hatha Yoga
FITT 1692 Beginning Country Western Dance
FITT 1693 Core Fitness
FITT 1792 Physical Fitness I
FITT 1793 Core Yoga
FITT 1892 Fitness for Older Adults
FITT 1893 Healing Hatha Yoga Stretch and Breathe
FITT 1992 Circuit Training
FITT 1993 Ultimate Frisbee
FITT 2092 Physical Fitness II
FITT 2093 Extreme Conditioning
FITT 2096-2996 Special Topics
FITT 2192 Fitness for Older Adults II
FITT 2292 Fitness Yoga
FITT 2392 Pliates-Style Mat Training
CREDITS
3
1
1
1-6
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1-6
1
1
1
School of Health, Wellness & Public Safety
JOBS with a FUTURE: Fitness
Fitness Technician
Certificate of Completion - 2 Terms
Are You Interested in a
Career in Physical Fitness?
NOTE: see HWPS School Advisor for updates. Attending a Fitness Program
Information Session is strongly recommended; see website for schedule.
LEARN MORE TODAY!
}} Become a professional group exercise
leader and/or personal fitness trainer
Talk to a CNM academic advisor,
call (505) 224-4133
or visit cnm.edu/fitness
}} Establish your career in the growing
health, wellness and fitness industry
}} Prepare to earn nationally-recognized
certifications
Brochure funded by the Carl D. Perkins Career
Technical Education Improvement Act of 2006 and the
New Mexico Public Education Department
In support of sustainability at CNM this publication is printed
on Recycled Paper.
REV 10/11
Why Fitness?
Program Profile
The face of the fitness industry is changing,
from an emphasis on personal training for
young adults to one of exercise leadership for
a broader population, especially focusing on
older adults (“baby boomers”) and people going
through rehabilitation after injuries, accidents
and/or medical problems. Professionals in
the industry need the knowledge and skills to
prescribe and supervise safe, effective, healthy
exercise programs for their clients.
The Fitness Technician program at Central
New Mexico Community College is an intense,
comprehensive career pathway that prepares
graduates for success in the field. Students can
earn the certificate in two terms of full-time
study, starting in the fall term and finishing the
following spring. Some people attend part-time
and take longer to complete the process.
Qualified fitness technicians will play a key
part in the healthcare industry as it continues
to emphasize preventive medicine and lifestyle
change to increase health and reduce costs.
A fitness technician must be knowledgeable
in many areas and able to fulfill the roles of
educator, motivator, coach and businessperson.
In addition, sales expertise is required for
success when working at gyms and sports clubs
or as an independent contractor/sole proprietor.
Benefits of a career as an exercise leader and
fitness trainer include:
}} Employment in one of the top industries,
rated by job numbers and growth rate
}} The opportunity to live a healthy, active life
at work instead of sitting behind a desk
}} Knowing that you are helping people live
longer, healthier, more active lives
}} The chance to choose between the
healthcare and recreational fields or
combine them
}} Ideal career choice for people desiring
rewarding part-time employment
Employment
Outlook
This program prepares students to work as
group exercise leaders/instructors and/or
personal fitness trainers. With the program’s
comprehensive curriculum, graduates will be
better qualified than most people working
in the field to conduct safe, effective exercise
programs for all populations.
Students learn to assess individual physical
fitness and health and to prescribe and
implement an appropriate exercise program
following industry standards. They also receive
thorough preparation for nationally-recognized
certification exams, develop a business plan
for a career in fitness and gain experience in
work-related skills and behaviors through
participation in required and elective fitness
courses and field experience.
Certification Exams
Graduates of the Fitness Technician Program
who choose to pursue national certifications must
independently pay for, and successfully sit for,
those exams. Graduates of the Fitness Technician
Program will demonstrate a high degree of
readiness to pass the following exams:
• National Strength and Conditioning AssociationCertified Personal Trainer (NSCA-CPT)
• American College of Sports Medicine-Certified
Personal Trainer (ACSM-CPT)
• Aerobics and Fitness Association of AmericaPrimary Group Exercise Certification
• American College of Exercise-Group Fitness
Instructor Certification.
Nearly 400 openings are projected in this
field in New Mexico over the next four years.
Graduates may work for a variety of employers.
The largest and fastest-growing job sector is in
fitness gyms and recreational sports centers;
other opportunities include civic and social
organizations, local government, casinos and
other amusement industries, golf and country
clubs, hospitals, assisted living and retirement
centers. Group exercise instructor pay ranges
from $12-$25 per class; some specialties pay
more. The floor rate for personal fitness trainers
is $8-$9/hour, with a 45-60% commission.
Independent contractors start at $50/hour.