Personal Fitness Training, Certificate
Build the knowledge employers in the personal training and wellness industry seek while complementing a range of health-related degrees. Prepare for careers that help people reach fitness goals, improve wellness and adopt healthier lifestyles.
Quick facts
Locations
Credits
Additional facts
Accreditation and professional licensure
Accredited by the Higher Learning Commission.
Certificate description
Personal Fitness Training undergraduate certificate description
In the personal fitness training certificate program, you gain the foundational knowledge and skills to develop effective physical activity programs that help people improve their health.
You acquire a detailed understanding of human physiology and exercise program development. You receive a well-rounded personal fitness education through courses such as:
- cardiorespiratory and flexibility training
- exercise prescription for health and wellness
- resistance training and recovery techniques
This program does not prepare you to work with clients with special needs or existing health conditions.
Why earn a personal fitness training undergraduate certificate at ASU?
Unlike many standalone trainer preparation programs built mainly around certification exam content, ASU's personal fitness training certificate lives within a comprehensive health sciences environment. You deepen your understanding of exercise science, physiology, wellness and health promotion while earning an academic credential from a nationally recognized university.
The curriculum reaches beyond exercise instruction to incorporate wellness, leadership, behavior change and health promotion concepts.
Courses
This undergraduate certificate includes courses focused on a specialized topic, so you can advance your skills for further professional opportunities. Explore all courses below:
2026-2027 Catalog Year
The certificate requires 18 credit hours. A "C" minimum is required for all courses in the certificate, although students must maintain a 3.00 GPA in the post-baccalaureate certificate program.
| Requirement | Minimum grade | Credit hours |
|---|---|---|
|
The certificate in personal fitness training consists of 18 credit hours, of which 12 must be upper division. A minimum grade of "C" (2.00 on a 4.00 scale) is required for each course. |
||
|
EXW 215 Resistance Training and Recovery Techniques
3 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 3 |
|
EXW 217 Cardiorespiratory and Flexibility Training
3 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 3 |
|
EXW 335 Physical Activity and Physiological Concepts
3 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 3 |
|
EXW 425 Exercise Prescription for Health and Wellness
3 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 3 |
|
HEP 466 Health Promotion Program Management
or
MED 450 Leadership and Professionalism
or
NTR 344 Nutrition Management and Leadership
or
NTR 360 Nutrition Entrepreneurship
or
SSP 320 Coaching Leadership, Performance Team and Facility Management
3 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 3 |
|
3 credit hours
Minimum
grade:C
|
C | 3 |
|
Prerequisite courses may be needed in order to complete the requirements of this certificate.
|
What you'll learn
The following learning outcomes highlight some of the knowledge and skills you'll develop to support your future success.
- Apply concepts of muscular and cardio-vascular physiological systems to make appropriate choices of movements for their clients.
- Teach exercises that promote better overall health for clients.
- Apply exercise science concepts to create safe and effective exercise training programs.
Apply concepts of muscular and cardio-vascular physiological systems to make appropriate choices of movements for their clients.Enrollment requirements
GPA Requirement: 2.00
Incompatible Majors: None
Other Enrollment Requirements: None
A student pursuing an undergraduate certificate must be enrolled as a degree-seeking student at ASU. Undergraduate certificates are not awarded before the completion of an undergraduate degree. A student who already holds an undergraduate degree may pursue an undergraduate certificate as a nondegree-seeking graduate student.
Here are the admission and application details
Paying for college
Use our calculator to estimate your full-time or part-time tuition fees for this program prior to any financial aid. Keep in mind that most of our students receive financial aid, which can reduce out-of-pocket costs.
Get an estimateCareer opportunities
Careers this personal fitness training undergraduate certificate prepares you for
Students can improve their career options with an undergraduate certificate.
Graduates are prepared to pursue personal trainer certification through most accredited associations. Their knowledge of health appraisals, healthy lifestyles, behavior change, the benefits of exercise, exercise techniques and exercise program design makes them excellent candidates for opportunities in the general health and fitness fields.
Contact information
Use the contact information below to get in touch if you're a current student or have general questions.
School of Human Performance and Lifespan Health
|
HLTHN 401AA
chs@asu.edu
602-496-3300
Frequently asked questions about degree programs
Accelerated programs allow students the opportunity to expedite the completion of their degree.
Accelerated master's
These programs allow students to accelerate their studies to earn a bachelor's plus a master's degree in as few as five years (for some programs).
Each program has requirements students must meet to be eligible for consideration. Students typically receive approval to pursue the accelerated master's during the junior year of their bachelor's degree program. Interested students can learn about eligibility requirements and how to apply.
Concurrent degrees allow students to pursue their own personal or professional interests, earn two distinct degrees and receive two diplomas. To add a concurrent degree to your existing degree, work with your academic advisor.
Joint programs, or jointly conferred degrees, are offered by more than one college and provide opportunities for students to take advantage of the academic strengths of two academic units. Upon graduation, students are awarded one degree and one diploma conferred by two colleges.
ASU adds new programs to Degree Search frequently. Come back often and look for the "New Programs" option.
ASU Online offers programs in an entirely online format with multiple enrollment sessions throughout the year. See https://asuonline.asu.edu/ for more information.
