Course details

Certificate of Proficiency in Fitness Instructing
NZQF Level 5

About the course

Gain the knowledge and practical skills to professionally assess client fitness to provide effective reassessment and programme prescriptions.

Fitness instructing course overview

The Certificate of Proficiency in Fitness Instructing is the second of three courses you need to complete to become a qualified personal trainer and fitness instructor. This course focuses on the practical application of exercises, including cardiovascular, strength, and flexibility. You will develop applied skills in prescribing safe, effective and up-to-date exercise programmes.

Topics include:

  • Assessment of blood pressure, body composition, endurance, aerobic fitness, and muscular strength
  • Exercise demonstration and spotting
  • Programming for cardiovascular/aerobic fitness, fitness and weight loss
  • Postural assessment and relative flexibility
  • Resistance training programming for strength and hypertrophy

When you have successfully completed this course you will receive a Certificate of Proficiency in Fitness Instructing.

Delivery mode

Students are required to attend all in-person classes on the AUT North Campus in addition to online self-study throughout the course. There are no online classes to attend.

By successfully completing the two courses for the Short Course in Fitness Instructing, you could be a qualified fitness instructor within 3-4 months.

Prerequisite

Who this fitness instructing course is suitable for

If you’ve already completed the Certificate of Proficiency in Fitness Foundations and you’re ready for the next step in your journey to becoming a qualified personal trainer and fitness instructor, then this is the course for you.

After completing this course

The Certificate of Proficiency in Fitness Instructing is the second of three courses you need to complete to become a qualified personal trainer and fitness instructor. The three courses are taught part-time over 4 months and each course is a prerequisite for the next course.

When you've successfully completed the first course, the Certificate of Proficiency in Fitness Foundations (Level 4), you then enrol in this second course – the Certificate of Proficiency in Fitness Instructing (Level 5). This allows you to be recognised as a fitness instructor and become REPS registered nationally and internationally in the fitness industry.

When you successfully complete the third and final course, the Certificate of Proficiency in Personal Training (Level 5), you will be qualified as a personal trainer and also be able to become REPS registered nationally and internationally in the fitness industry.

Next step to become a personal trainer and fitness instructor

Entry requirements

About the provider


University should feel like a place you belong – and a place that prepares you for what comes next.


In the heart of Auckland, one of the world’s most connected cities, you’ll study alongside people from more than 100 countries across three modern campuses. Different perspectives aren’t an add-on here – they’re part of everyday life.


Learning at AUT is hands-on from day one. You’ll work on real projects, tackle real challenges and learn how your knowledge holds up beyond the classroom. That’s how confidence grows – through experience, not theory alone.


Our programmes are shaped with industry and global partners, so what you’re learning stays relevant and grounded in the real world. It’s also why our graduates are in demand, in New Zealand and around the world.


If you’re looking for a university that backs your ambition, values who you are and helps you turn knowledge into action, you’ll fit in here.


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