Personal Trainer online course


Fitness Alberta has partnered with the National Council on Strength and Fitness to offer an online personal training course. This post-secondary level course provides applied knowledge and skills in:

  • Musculoskeletal anatomy and physiology
  • Human physiology (cardio-respiratory, muscle and metabolic)
  • Pre-exercise screening and resting health assessments
  • Resistance training principles and exercise techniques
  • Cardiovascular training concepts and exercise techniques
  • Flexibility training concepts and exercise techniques (dynamic, static, PNF, SMR)
  • Planning fitness training programs
  • Communication, consultation and motivation techniques

What to expect

This is a post-secondary level, asynchronous course which requires individual study to understand and apply the concepts.

The time to complete the course varies from student to student, but you have up to one year to complete the course and pass your theory and practical exams for certification.

The course includes 8 units consisting of:

  • readings
  • practical activities
  • applied scenarios
  • quizzes  

Once you have completed the course, you are eligible to write the CPFT theory and practical exams for certification. For more information you can go to the cpft online course FAQs. 

We highly recommend that you take the Skills Development Virtual Workshop once you have completed the online course. Candidates who do the workshop have a better success rate on their exams. 

Skills development virtual workshop

3 options to support your success

We know that candidates come with different backgrounds and goals. We offer 3 packages to support you to successfully complete the course and to complete the CPFT required theory and practical exams. Choose the option that best matches your knowledge and experience. 

  • 1

    CPFT online course standard package: $1,399

    This package includes:

    • Advanced Concepts of Personal Training digital textbook
    • E-learning access (online content, manual and video lectures)
    • practice quizzes and exam combo
    • Canadian CPFT Resource manual (online)
    • Access to content experts 
    • Online written theory exam fee 
    • Practical exam fee
    • Initial certification fee

    Purchase the standard package

  • 2

    CPFT online course premium package: $1,699

    The premium package is our most comprehensive. It includes: 

    • Advanced Concepts of Personal Training digital textbook
    • E-learning access (online content, manual and video lectures)
    • Practice quizzes and exam combo
    • Canadian CPFT Resource manual
    • Access to content experts 
    • Online written theory exam fee
    • Practical exam fee
    • Initial certification fee
    • Virtual skills mentorship
    • One on one support throughout the certification process
    • Member discount pricing for Pre & postnatal advanced certification
    • Member discount pricing for Virtual business advanced education 

    Purchase the premium package

  • 3

    CPFT course (stand alone): $1,099

    This is our most basic option. The CPFT stand alone-course fees include:

    • Advanced Concepts of Personal Training digital textbook
    • E-learning access (online content, manual and video lectures)
    • practice quizzes and exam combo
    • Canadian CPFT Resource manual
    • Access to content experts 

    Online personal training course (stand-alone product)

Evidence informed professional development for fitness professionals

Check out continuing education opportunities