Personal Training Specialist

What the Personal Training Specialist program covers

The Personal Training Specialist program is a non-degree program of 600 hours. It is divided into three modules of 200 hours each: Sports Specific Training, Stretch and Flexibility Coach, and next generation training for specific clients. The program is designed so that trainers can receive the specific training needed to work as a sports trainer or as a strength and flexibility coach, and to grow a current fitness business by focusing on specific groups of clients.

Who this program is for

This program is built for personal trainers who want to add a focus area to their work. If you are starting from the beginning, the 600-hour personal trainer certification program is the core program, and the advanced personal trainer certification program is another route for building on that foundation. The specialist program is for trainers who already know the field and want to work with athletes, older adults, women, or clients who train online.

Five specializations in one program

• Stretch and Flexibility Coach: anatomy and the biomechanics of body movement, the benefits of stretching, specific stretching techniques and how to teach them, personalized stretching programs, and the use of stretching in injury rehabilitation and prevention.
• Sports Specific Training Coach: biomechanics, injury prevention, strength development and conditioning techniques tailored to individual sports, plus how to assess an athlete’s physical capabilities and build programs for speed, agility, endurance and power.
• Elderly Fitness Specialist: aging physiology, exercise modification, fall prevention and chronic condition management, with practice creating and delivering fitness plans for older adults.
• Women’s Fitness Specialist: training that accounts for hormonal changes, pregnancy, postpartum recovery, menopause and bone health, with topics such as strength training, flexibility, core stability, cardiovascular health and nutrition principles.
• Virtual Training Specialist: preparation for working with clients through an online training format, taught within a 600-hour curriculum that combines the science of exercise with practical training techniques.

Format and length

The full program totals 600 hours across the three 200-hour modules. NPTI Florida teaches by combining classroom instruction with hands-on training, so students practice the techniques they study. The program is offered through the Orlando and Tampa campuses. Contact admissions at NPTI Orlando (407-772-0057) or NPTI Tampa (813-374-2017) for current class dates and scheduling.

Outcomes and career settings

Graduates of the specialist tracks can look for work in the settings the individual program pages describe. Sports trainers may work with sports teams, individual athletes or specialized fitness centers. Older adult fitness specialists are sought in retirement communities, healthcare facilities and private training. Women’s fitness specialists are sought in gyms, wellness centers and private training environments. NPTI Florida does not guarantee employment, and its job placement page explains the support available to graduates.

Admissions, financial aid and veterans benefits

Applicants must submit an application with a $50.00 non-refundable registration fee, be at least 18 years of age, be a U.S. citizen or hold a green card, provide a high school diploma or equivalent, complete a personal interview and be of good character. Full details are on the admissions and financial aid page, including how to apply for federal financial aid with the Free Application for Federal Student Aid using school code 042505. Questions can go to financialaid@nptifl.com. Veterans, service members and qualified family members can read about VA education benefits on the military and VA education benefits page. When you are ready, start the Personal Training Specialist application.

Related programs

If you are comparing options, see the special population fitness course, the youth fitness training program and the full list of NPTI Florida programs. Answers to common questions about admissions, aid and veterans benefits are on the frequently asked questions page.