Certificate IV in Fitness

Consumers are looking for a more personalised training service and there is increasing demand for fitness professionals to work with medical and allied health professionals, to design and offer fitness programs suitable for older people as well having the skills to coach and train children.

You'll learn to work with clients on a one-on-one or group basis from our industry-leading facilitators.

You'll gain advanced skills to:

work with people affected by chronic conditions liaise with fitness service coordinators and personal training managers lead a team of personal trainers to plan, conduct and evaluate exercise training provide leadership and guidance to clients and other staff deal with unpredictable situations work independently or with limited guidance use discretion to solve non-routine problems, including monitoring and managing business activities to operate efficiently and profitably.

Victoria University Polytechnic will get you job-ready through hands-on learning opportunities in our $68 million sport precinct that includes an aquatic centre, commercial gym with the latest equipment and group exercise spaces.

You'll also gain hands-on work experience in a supported learning environment at our custom designed teaching gym on campus and through supported work placements.

Before applying for this course, please check that you meet the entry requirements, ensuring that you:

hold a current first aid and CPR certificate, and have completed all eight (8) prerequisite units listed under 'Admission & pathways'.

To be awarded the SIS40215 Certificate IV in Fitness, a student must successfully complete a total of twenty (20) units of competency, comprising of:

• twelve (12) core units, and;
• eight (8) elective units, of which:

• four (4) units must be selected from Group A;
• at least two (2) units must be selected from Group A or Group B, and;
• two (2) units may be selected elsewhere in SIS Sport, Fitness and Recreation Training Package, or any other current training package or accredited course.

The selection of electives must be guided by the job outcome sought, local industry requirements and the complexity of skills appropriate to the AQF level of this qualification as well as be approved by the Polytechnic.

Course structure and units

CORE UNITS

• SISFFIT013 - Instruct exercise to young people aged 13 to 17 years
• SISFFIT015 - Collaborate with medical and allied health professionals in a fitness context
• SISFFIT016 - Provide motivation to positively influence exercise behaviour
• SISFFIT017 - Instruct long-term exercise programs
• SISFFIT018 - Promote functional movement capacity
• SISFFIT019 - Incorporate exercise science principles into fitness programming
• SISFFIT020 - Instruct exercise programs for body composition goals
• SISFFIT021 - Instruct personal training programs
• SISFFIT023 - Instruct group personal training programs
• SISFFIT025 - Recognise the dangers of providing nutrition advice to clients
• SISFFIT026 - Support healthy eating through the Eat for Health Program
• SISXRES001 - Conduct sustainable work practices in open spaces

ELECTIVE UNITS

Group A

• BSBSMB401 - Establish legal and risk management requirements of small business
• BSBSMB403 - Market the small business
• BSBSMB404 - Undertake small business planning
• BSBSMB406 - Manage small business finances

Group B

• BSBSMB306 - Plan a home based business
• SISSSTC301A - Instruct strength and conditioning techniques
• SISSSTC402A - Develop strength and conditioning programs
• SISXIND006 - Conduct a sport, fitness or recreation event

Meeting the minimum admission requirements does not guarantee you entry into this course. Some courses receive more applications than the number of places available. In this situation we will also assess your education, work and other relevant experience.

If you do not meet the minimum requirements you may be eligible for one of our special admission programs. We also encourage you to explore our study pathways to help you reach your goal.

Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.

Entry requirements

Entry to this qualification is open to individuals who hold a current first aid and CPR certificate and have been recognised as competent through a recognised training program or recognition process against the following units of competency:SISFFIT001 Provide health screening and fitness orientation;SISFFIT002 Recognise and apply exercise considerations for specific populations;SISFFIT003 Instruct fitness programs;SISFFIT004 Incorporate anatomy and physiology principles into fitness programming;SISFFIT005 Provide healthy eating information;SISFFIT006 Conduct fitness appraisals;SISFFIT014 Instruct exercise to older clients, and;SISXCCS001 Provide quality service.Prior to enrolment, all applicants will be required to complete a literacy and numeracy assessment to assist with determining eligibility and to identify learning support needs.

Pathways from VU courses

There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.

Find out more about pathways and credits.

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

You may be able to complete your qualification sooner through formal recognition of your existing skills. This is known as Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

To receive RPL, we assess your previous work, education and life experiences against recognised qualifications. Applications for RPL can be made prior to enrolling.

Call us on 1300 TAFE VP (1300 823 387) to discuss RPL options with the course manager.

Pathways to further study

On completion of this course you will be guaranteed entry into the following degree and in some cases receive credit for your study:

You will be guaranteed entry only.

You will be guaranteed entry only.

You will be guaranteed entry only.

You will be guaranteed entry only.

You will be guaranteed entry only.

Find out more about our study pathways to VU

This qualification reflects the role of personal trainers who have specialist skills to train individual clients, or groups of clients, on a one-on-one or group basis, to improve health-related components of fitness in relatively low risk situations. This may include training of older clients and children.

They have a substantial depth of knowledge to plan, conduct and evaluate exercise training; provide leadership and guidance to clients and other staff; and deal with unpredictable situations applying defined guidelines and procedures from the fitness industry and the organisation. They work independently or with limited guidance from others and use discretion to solve non-routine problems, including monitoring and managing business activities to operate efficiently and profitably.