NC1318 National Certificate in Fitness (Exercise Consultant) (Level 3)
Note: This qualification includes the credits for the National Certificate in Fitness - Level 2. We do not offer the Level 2 certificate independently of the Level 3 certificate.
The National Certificate in Fitness (Exercise Consultant) (Level 3) is for people who want to work as an exercise consultant, gym instructor or fitness instructor in the New Zealand fitness industry. It will provide you with the specific skills and knowledge for these roles, including inducting clients into a fitness enterprise, completing fitness assessments, designing and implementing individual exercise programmes, monitoring and motivating clients, and reviewing and adapting exercise programmes.
The certificate also covers general knowledge and skills related to operating safely and effectively in a fitness enterprise such as customer service and communication, safety and first aid skills, and an understanding of fitness enterprises as communities and businesses. It is provided by the Open Polytechnic in partnership with the New Zealand Institute of Health and Fitness.
Once you have finished the certificate you will be able to operate independently and effectively in the fitness industry as an exercise consultant. You may also move on to personal training, facility management or to specialist fields such as musculoskeletal rehabilitation, cardiac rehabilitation, or to work providing services to specific populations such as diabetics, stroke patients, or the obese.
This qualification can lead to the National Diploma in Fitness (Applied) (Level 5) and/or the National Certificate in Fitness (Personal Training Business Skills) (Level 4).
Note: Enrolment for this certificate is not available online. See the enrolment information below.
Programme Structure
To be awarded the Level 3 National Certificate in Fitness (Exercise Consultant) you need a total of 109 credits.
Compulsory Unit Standards
The following standards are required
Unit | Title | Level | Credit | |
18763 | Describe the process of community development as a participant | 2 | 3 | |
7016 | Monitor and promote client security, comfort, enjoyment, and learning in fitness and/or recreation | 3 | 3 | |
21791 | Relate human anatomy and movement to gym equipment and static stretching | 2 | 4 | |
21792 | Demonstrate knowledge of health risk factors and disease, and monitor exercise stress | 2 | 4 | |
22259 | Design and implement an exercise programme in accordance with a client’s goals and objectives | 3 | 6 | |
22260 | Demonstrate knowledge of human behaviour and exercise adherence | 3 | 4 | |
22263 | Review and adapt an exercise programme to optimise client results in line with client goals | 4 | 6 | |
22265 | Demonstrate knowledge of exercise prescription | 3 | 7 | |
22266 | Demonstrate knowledge of exercise physiology | 3 | 10 | |
21793 | Demonstrate correct technique when using basic gym equipment | 2 | 2 | |
21794 | Demonstrate, instruct, and monitor static stretching | 2 | 3 | |
21795 | Demonstrate, instruct, and monitor safe and correct use of cardiovascular exercise equipment | 2 | 3 | |
22264 | Instruct and monitor resistance training | 3 | 4 | |
7036 | Assess individual fitness for activity | 4 | 6 | |
7059 | Induct and orient a client to a fitness enterprise | 3 | 4 | |
22258 | Assess individual exercise preferences, barriers and goals | 4 | 3 | |
22261 | Demonstrate knowledge of the purpose, pitfalls and use of exercise testing | 3 | 4 | |
22262 | Monitor client exercise and adherence and apply motivational techniques to enhance client commitment | 4 | 4 | |
505 | Manage personal physical fitness | 1 | 3 | |
7038 | Explain the purpose, structure and operations of a fitness enterprise | 3 | 4 | |
6571 | Demonstrate relevance of principles of nutrition to health | 2 | 2 | |
6401 | Provide first aid | 2 | 1 | |
6402 | Provide resuscitation level 2 | 1 | 1 | |
497 | Demonstrate knowledge of workplace health and safety requirements | 1 | 3 | |
1304 | Communicate with people from other cultures | 2 | 2 | |
11097 | Listen to gain information in an interactive situation | 3 | 3 | |
56 | Attend to customer enquiries face-to-face and on the telephone | 1 | 2 | |
57 | Provide customer service in given situations | 2 | 2 | |
62 | Maintain personal presentation in the workplace | 2 | 2 | |
376 | Employ customer service techniques for differing customer behaviours in a given situation | 3 | 2 | |
11818 | Enhance work practices by the application of product and/or service knowledge | 3 | 4 | |
| 22880 | Tour a potential member through a fitness enterprise and gain commitment to act | 3 | 4 | |
*Note the Open Polytechnic does not deliver the first aid standards 6401 and 6402. Students must attain these unit standards through another registered education provider to be awarded this qualification.
Enrolment
To enrol for this programme you must be a New Zealand student, which is defined as any New Zealand citizen over the age of sixteen and includes students from the Cook Islands, Tokelau or Niue who have New Zealand citizenship, New Zealand permanent residents living in New Zealand, and Australian citizens living in New Zealand.
These programmes are not available to international students.
Entry requirements
You must have a clear intent and ability to finish the programme. In deciding this we consider your ability to accept direct support and guidance and your ability to learn from written information, verbal instruction, and personal tuition.
You will also need to have had recent involvement in training and exercise, and the ability to undertake exercise (a test of blood pressure and low level aerobic fitness may be required). The support of a relevant workplace (which in most circumstances can be arranged), and evidence that you can access a few people to train is also needed.
If English is not your first language, you will need to provide an IELTS test report form proving your English language competency is a minimum of 5.5.
IELTS stands for International English Language Testing System. Your local Yellow Pages telephone book ‘Language Instruction’ section will give you contact details for an IELTS testing centre near you.
Pre-entry interview
To make sure you meet the entry criteria we run a pre-entry interview. This interview also gives you the opportunity to meet the course tutors, look at the facilities you will have access to during your course, and get answers to any questions you may have. Often the interview includes career planning advice and help with deciding which is the best programme for you.
How long is my enrolment valid for?
Enrolment for this programme is open – which means you can enrol at any time of year. Your enrolment is valid for one year or until you successfully complete your study - which ever comes first.
Other Information
To apply to enrol, for more information or to talk over your study options, contact your nearest NZIHF regional office:
Auckland 09 522 0906, Wellington 04 499 5655, Christchurch 03 940 0974
or email. When emailing please make sure you include your name, address, region and the qualification you are interested in.
