Foundational Fitness

Certificate Program

Overview

Over the past decade, the percentage of American youth, adults and older adults who are under fit and overweight has increased significantly, with related escalation in degenerative diseases and health care costs. One potential solution to these problems is competent, academically trained fitness professionals who can help our inactive population develop desirable levels of muscular strength, cardiovascular endurance, joint flexibility, and body composition.

This certificate program is designed for students who want to work as exercise instructors in YMCAs, fitness centers, or retirement communities, and also provides the framework for progressing to a national personal trainer certification.

Foundational Fitness Program Outcomes

At the completion of the program, the student should be able to:

Develop a philosophy of wellness/fitness that enhances quality of life for themselves and their clients.
Apply research-based principles of exercise physiology for designing safe and effective exercise programs for improved muscular strength, cardiovascular. endurance, joint flexibility, and body composition.
Apply research-based principles of biomechanics for making appropriate exercise selection and teaching proper exercise performance.
Develop individualized fitness programs to accommodate the training objectives and exercise abilities of youth, adults, and older adults.

This program does not qualify for financial aid.

Foundational Fitness Courses

- Code
- Course
- Credits
- EXS 103
- Foundations of Exercise and Health Science
- 3
This course introduces students to foundational principles, terminology, and professional competencies within exercise and health science. Students identify and explain the physiological, biomechanical, and behavioral factors influencing movement and health. Topics include industry structure, ethics, client screening, and documentation. Laboratory sessions allow students to demonstrate and interpret basic health and fitness assessments such as heart rate, blood pressure, and body composition. Emphasis is placed on professional communication, safety, and evidence-based reasoning consistent with American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) standards. Prerequisites: None
- EXS 112
- Exercise Testing and Prescription
- 3
- EXS 117
- Functional Anatomy and Movement
- 3
Students describe, analyze, and apply anatomical and kinesiological concepts to human movement and exercise technique. The course explores skeletal, muscular, and neural systems with emphasis on levers, planes of motion, and muscle function. Through laboratory-based learning, students evaluate joint actions, muscle recruitment, and movement patterns, then apply this knowledge to exercise instruction and correction. Students learn to differentiate and justify proper movement strategies across diverse populations. Prerequisites: Pre- or Co- requisite: BIO 131 Anatomy and Physiology
- EXS 122
- Resistance & Cardiovascular Training
- 3
This course advances student ability to design, implement, and assess resistance and aerobic training programs. Students apply and integrate physiological and biomechanical principles to optimize performance, safety, and progression. Through guided laboratory experiences, learners demonstrate proper exercise techniques and analyze training adaptations. Emphasis is placed on comparing and justifying program design variables, equipment selection, and instructional strategies consistent with American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) guidelines. Prerequisites: EXS 112 Exercise Testing and Prescription
- EXS 151
- Nutrition for Health and Performance
- 3
This course introduces evidence-based nutritional principles supporting both general health and exercise performance. Students examine macronutrient and micronutrient function, energy balance, metabolism, and dietary assessment methods. Emphasis is placed on interpreting current guidelines and applying nutritional strategies to wellness, training, and health promotion. Prerequisites: EXS 103 Foundations of Exercise and Health Science Performance (recommended)
- EXS 207
- Technology and Data in Exercise Science
- 3
This course explores emerging technologies and digital tools in exercise testing, program design, and client monitoring. Students collect, interpret, and evaluate performance and health data using wearables, applications, and software analytics. Learners analyze trends, synthesize information, and formulate data- driven recommendations for exercise prescription and health coaching. Prerequisites: EXS 103 Foundations of Exercise and Health Science.
- EXS 220
- Mobility and Injury Prevention
- 3
This course teaches students to analyze and apply strategies for enhancing mobility, flexibility, and joint stability while preventing injury. Students assess movement limitations, design corrective exercise plans, and implement safe progressions for return to activity following minor musculoskeletal issues. Content emphasizes biomechanics, functional assessments, and evidence- based recovery techniques aligned with American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) standards. Prerequisites: EXS 112 Exercise Testing and Prescription (recommended); EXS 122 Strength and Cardiovascular Training (recommended)