Fitness and Health Promotion
Program Overview
Humber’s Fitness and Health Promotion diploma program places you at the leading edge of the healthy revolution as you learn from expert, industry-connected faculty. Skills learned go far beyond the fundamentals of exercise to include anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, business administration and marketing, nutrition, injury management, special event planning, and more.
You will combine classroom theory with hands-on training and real-world experience in our unique Humber Centre for Healthy Living for a comprehensive foundation in fitness that includes working with personal training clients and preparing to earn nationally and internationally recognized certifications. You will apply what you have learned by participating in one of the program’s annual special events promoting healthy living, organized and executed by students. Your dedication to wellness and your desire to positively impact lives will propel your career in this interactive and life affirming field.
Please note that certain courses in this program require students to participate in fitness classes that will involve physical activity which may, at times, be vigorous. Questions about fitness classes and accommodations may be directed to the program co-ordinator.
Upon successful completion of the program, a graduate will:
- Conduct an assessment of the physical fitness, activity level and lifestyle of the client using standardized protocols, to build an individualized exercise program.
- Develop, implement and evaluate safe training programs grounded in fundamentals of anatomy, bio-mechanics, cardiorespiratory physiology, and nutrition to support the fitness and wellness goals of clients.
- Instruct individual clients and groups in the correct techniques for executing fitness and training programs to achieve results that meet their goals for fitness, active living, and wellness.
- Select and apply interview tools and coaching strategies that will enable clients and groups improve their fitness, and wellness in sustainable ways.
- Develop business plans for a fitness and/or training business organization to ensure sustainability and viability while mitigating risks.
- Support community health promotion strategies for active healthy living in the general population.
- Establish and maintain positive working relationships with clients, staff, allied health professionals and volunteers in the delivery of programs, activities, and the use of facilities.
- Provide positive reinforcement to empower clients and help them sustain their efforts.
- Develop plans and implement strategies for ongoing professional growth and development.
- Communicate information persuasively and accurately in oral, written, and other media formats.
Work Placement
You will get hands-on experience as a fitness professional through two unpaid work placements occurring in your third and fourth semester.
Your first work placement takes place on campus where you will perform fitness appraisals and conduct weekly personal training sessions for an assigned client as part of the Humber Centre for Healthy Living (CHL). Along with personal training, students also provide fitness and exercise tips as content for the Humber CHL website.
Your second work placement takes place off campus, two days per week for 14 weeks (180 hours total) at a fitness facility in a municipal, commercial, private or corporate setting.
The Humber Advantage
State-of-the-art Facilities
Students benefit from two exercise physiology/fitness assessment labs, a dedicated biomechanics lab, and changerooms specifically for students in the program. All of these facilities combined ensure a high-quality learning environment.
Humber Centre for Healthy Living
Students will receive hands-on experience on-campus. Perform fitness appraisals and conduct weekly personal training sessions for clients who will be assigned to you through the Humber Centre for Healthy Living.
Professional and Community Partnerships
Humber maintains strong partnerships within the community - and is the preferred choice by many agencies and facilities due to the outstanding reputation of the Faculty of Health Sciences & Wellness.
The Humber Experience
The Right Fit
Are you dedicated to wellness and fitness? Do you enjoy assisting others achieving their goals? Apply now and learn how to plan, market and deliver safe and effective fitness, wellness and healthy lifestyle programs. This program runs every course, every semester, therefore allowing students to complete the program in consecutive semesters (including the summer), or take a semester off when needed. (Note: programming for International students may be different)
Student Testimonials
What are our students saying about this program? Good things!
Study Abroad
Each year we offer a variety of experiential learning trip opportunities for students to study abroad. Our annual short duration experiential trips in May are approximately two weeks in length. These faculty-lead study abroad trips are confirmed in the fall semester.
Qualified students in this program may apply to participate in a ten day experiential learning trip including one week at IMG Sport Academy, Florida and an experience with the Dunedin Blue Jays.
Students are also eligible to undertake a study abroad service learning trip to contribute to a global community. Past service learning trips have included locations such as Nunavut where students led community-based programs focused on wellness, recreation and learning and included the opportunity to explore and experience the culture and nature of this region of Canada.
These trips vary each year and are subject to availability and eligibility requirements. Additional fees apply.
Your Career
Employment of fitness trainers/instructors continues to rise. With increasing awareness in chronic disease prevention and keeping fit for life, this field has career sustainability.
Graduates will be on their way to opening their own business or fitness franchise or to take on employment in a fitness club, community centre, resort, day camp or cruise ship, among other opportunities.
Potential jobs include:
- fitness appraiser
- group exercise instructor
- health promoter
- personal trainer
- program director
- wellness consultant
Whether you choose corporate, municipal or self-employment, you will hit the ground running as you prepare to plan, market and deliver safe and effective fitness, wellness and healthy lifestyle programs.
Professional Accreditations & Recognition
Certification Opportunities
Qualified graduates may have the opportunity to earn the following certifications and industry credentials:
- Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) credential offered through the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP)
- Personal Trainer Specialist (PTS) offered through the Canadian Fitness Professionals
- Fitness Instructors Specialist (FIS) offered through the Canadian Fitness Professionals
- Certified Personal Trainer (RHEP-CPT) credential offered through the Ontario Fitness Council (OFC)
Program Availability
Fitness and Health Promotion Program
Watch the video to hear what students and faculty of the Fitness and Health Promotion program have to say.
Humber Students Benefit from Five Centres of Innovation (COIs)
The Humber Centres of Innovation Network demonstrates our strong commitment to providing an experiential learning environment for students. Students and faculty work with industry partners on real-world challenges to prepare them to become the innovative and strategic problem-solvers of tomorrow. Come to Humber and experience interdisciplinary learning across five COIs.
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Every attempt is made to ensure that information contained on this website is current and accurate. Humber reserves the right to correct any error or omission, modify or cancel any course, program, fee, timetable or campus location at any time without prior notice or liability to users or any other Person.
On October 21, 2019, the Provincial Government of Ontario announced the renaming of the Ministry of Training, Colleges and Universities (MTCU) to the Ministry of Colleges and Universities (MCU). Both names may appear on this website.
