Note, in the video Justin says that you have 4 weeks to complete assessment 2. This is for part-time students. Please refer to your Programme Information Sheet for due dates.
Welcome to the exciting world of exercise prescription! As a health and fitness coach, you have the privilege of helping individuals achieve their fitness and health goals. However, prescribing exercise is not just about throwing together a random set of exercises and calling it a day. It is a complex process that requires a deep understanding of the principles of exercise, a code of ethics, pre-screening and health assessment, fitness testing, programme design, exercise selection, effective coaching, and progression and regression.
This module aims to equip you with all the necessary skills and knowledge to become a competent exercise prescription coach. You will learn how to interact with clients, conduct pre-screening assessments, develop fitness programs tailored to individual needs, select exercises that are safe and effective, and provide effective coaching to help clients achieve their goals.
In Exercise Prescription Part A, we covered the basics of fitness components, exercise principles, and training types and looked at exercises for the upper and lower body, core, and stretches. Now we move to the more advanced topics of programme design, effective coaching, progression, and regression. The module is designed to provide a balance between theoretical knowledge and practical experience, allowing you to develop the necessary skills to prescribe and coach exercise to individuals with different health and fitness goals.
In this module, you will be asked to design and implement a programme for a real client, which will allow you to put your newly acquired knowledge into practice. By the end of the module, you will have the confidence and competence to prescribe and coach exercise to individuals with varying fitness levels and health concerns.
So, get ready to embark on an exciting journey of learning and growth as we dive deep into the world of exercise prescription!
We’ll cover:
- Code of ethics
- Pre-screening
- Fitness testing for programme development
- Exercise selection
- Programme design
- Effective coaching
The fine print
This module relates to Graduate Profile Outcomes (GPO):
- GPO 1 Deliver safe and effective exercise programmes, including prescreening, within own scope of practice and industry code of ethics.
- GPO 2 Apply knowledge of anatomy and physiology to adapt and deliver safe and effective exercise programmes to individuals.
- GPO 3 Adapt programmes for apparently healthy people and common at risk groups using exercise science and testing.
- GPO 4 Apply motivational and communication techniques to enhance individual participant commitment to a personalised exercise programme.
It supports Learning Outcomes (LO):
- 1.1 Identify and describe fitness industry and employer codes of ethics and ethical practice (REPS and Fitness NZ) (1 credit).
- 1.2 Analyse these codes of ethics and apply the content to routine interactions with clients, work colleagues, and other health and/or fitness professionals in a practical setting (e.g., group fitness, one on one PT sessions) (1 credit).
- 2.3 Demonstrate the ability to apply knowledge of muscle structure and function when developing safe and effective programmes. This will include safe and effective demonstration of common resistance training techniques and knowledge of the key muscles targeted (5 credits).
- 3.6 Screen client level of risk in exercise participation; carry out general assessments of body dimensions, body composition and flexibility (2 credits).
- 3.8 Review and update exercise plans or programmes (1 credit).
- 4.3 Design exercise programmes to attain client goals (5 credits).
To ensure a smooth learning experience, we suggest starting this module at specific weeks.
Full-time students
We recommend starting the module in week 7.
- Hours of learning per week: Approximately 37.5 hours
This includes 12.5 hours of self-directed fitness-based practical each week, time for assessments, self-directed study, note-taking, and completing the content on the NZIS online campus. - Milestones: Exercise Practical Observation (Ethics) Assessment due end of week 8, Programme Design and Fitness Assessment due end of week 13.
Part-time students
We recommend starting the module in week 13.
- Hours of learning per week: Approximately 20 hours
This includes 5 hours of self-directed fitness-based practical each week, time for assessments, self-directed study, note-taking, and completing the content on the NZIS online campus. - Milestones: Exercise Practical Observation (Ethics) Assessment due end of week 16, Programme Design and Fitness Assessment due end of week 26.
Assessment
There are 2 assessments for this module.
You should watch the assessment videos and download the assessment early. Both assessments require you work with a client, have a REPs registered personal trainer observe you, and provide photo evidence.
You can start the next module before submitting your Programme Design and Fitness Assessment.
This module has a lot of practical and scenario-based activities. Use these activities to practice programme design and exercise prescription so you can become a confident and competent personal trainer.
Interactive activities, like multiple-choice quizzes, flashcards, and drag-and-drops give you instant feedback.
- Check your understanding – are you ready to progress or do you need to re-read or re-watch?
- Apply what you’ve learnt to a common scenario
- Cement learning – practice makes perfect
- Take a break from scrolling and get your mind active
These activities are unassessed, and you can have as many attempts as you want.
Use the forums to get feedback
You are encouraged to film yourself and self-assess your technique and coaching.
Often it can be helpful to have another opinion, so to seek feedback from peers or a tutor, post a reply on the feedback request boards with a link to a video or upload photos. You'll need to be able to create a shareable link to the video, which can be done via YouTube, Vimeo, Google Drive, OneDrive, or social media.
Feedback posts don’t have to include video or photos. Feel free to describe a situation you are struggling with and ask for help. For example, maybe you find it difficult to ask clients personal questions in pre-screening. Tell us about your challenges and see if another student or tutor has some wisdom they could share.
While tutors may check in on the forum, this can be sporadic with the nature of online learning, where people can study at any time. So, build your online community. Give and receive feedback from your peers.
Your professional network
This is also an excellent time to start building your professional network. You may already have connections in the health and fitness industry. Ask them for advice and feedback.
Code of ethics
A code of ethics is a set of guidelines that outlines the expected behaviour and actions of professionals in a particular field. It helps ensure that professionals act in a responsible and trustworthy manner. It provides a framework for making ethical decisions in difficult situations. Codes of ethics often cover areas such as confidentiality, honesty, integrity, respect, and responsibility, and may include specific rules or principles that must be followed. They help to maintain professional standards and promote public trust in the profession.
Gyms and fitness centres may have their own Code of Conduct or Code of Ethics that you must abide by if operating in their facility.
Download or bookmark the codes of ethics you must follow when working with clients, including in your assessments.
In addition to the Exercise New Zealand Code of Ethics, there are 2 specific areas with their own sub-codes relating to use of drugs/performance enhancing substances and membership terms.
Use of drugs/performance enhancing substances
- Prohibit the promotion, use or distribution of any substance or method which would be in breach of the Sports Anti-doping Rules or the REPs Code
- Ensure members have access to information concerning substances and methods that are prohibited in sports and information on the World Anti Doping Agency (WADA) code
- Ensure members have a confidential mechanism for reporting activity which may be in breach of the Sports Anti-Doping Rules or this Code.
Membership terms and conditions
- The maximum cancelation notice period (to terminate a membership outside its initial term) is one month.
- Any notice period for cancelation may be given during the initial term, so that if sufficient notice is given, it is possible to terminate at the end of the initial term (i.e. it is forbidden to require notice to be given only after the initial period has finished).
- Have a policy for when exceptions to standard membership terms and conditions are granted.
Note: The term ‘initial term’ is used to define the period during which a member cannot, under normal circumstances, cancel their membership. So a member joining for ’12 months, paying $25 a week’, the term 12 months is the initial term.
NSCA manuals
There are many resources available to exercise professionals that provide a wealth of information to ensure both professional and safe conduct in every aspect of your career.
The National Strength and Conditioning Associations' "Foundations of Fitness Programming" and “Basics of Strength and Conditioning Manual” are great resources to add to your toolkit.
"Foundations of Fitness Programming" covers:
- Foundations of fitness programming: Instructions and application
- Mobility, movement preparation, and flexibility training
- Program design: Basics
- Pragram design: Phases of training
- Nutrition and personal training
- Cardiovascular training
- Core training
The "Basics of Strength and Conditioning Manual" provides comprehensive information about the following:
- The principles of training
- An overview of the energy systems used within training
- How to structure and design a programme
- Key terminology used within a programme
- Components used within warm-up and cool-down sessions
- Spotting technique- the do’s and don’ts
- A huge variety of information about exercise technique
- Waivers, informed consent, and general safety guidelines when training
These are substantial documents and valuable tools for programme design. Bookmark or download the documents and save them in an area easily accessed when needed. This reading is not required and goes beyond what is expected at level 4. However, they are recommended texts and you should consult them when and as needed.
Watch
Mya completed the PT Level 4 course in 2022. In this video, she talks about what she took from the course and her goals for the next steps after Level 4. She shares some helpful advice about succeeding with your assessments.
Let's check how much you already know about exercise prescription.
Is there an area that you are already feeling confident with? How about a topic you may need to allow for extra study time?
