CPFT practical assessments

Your Assessment Process

Below is the process you can expect to follow for your CPFT practical assessment. Please note that:

• Assessments typically take 1.5 to 2 hours. Book appropriate time in advance with your examiner, so you can complete your entire assessment without interruption.

• You will need a volunteer to play the role of your mock client. If you are videotaping your demonstration, please remember to get their formal (written) agreement to be videotaped. 

• You need appropriate space to: 
  • Perform a client consultation, e.g., desk, table
  • Complete the Client Health Assessment Profile (CHAP)
  • Easily access and demonstrate with your fitness equipment, e.g., mats, dumbbells, tubing, or whatever equipment you have available to you

• 1

  Client consultation

  You’re expected to complete your client consultation using counselling techniques such as: 

  • Motivational interviewing, stages of behavour change, SMART goals 
  • These techniques are outlined in the CPFT resource manual

  Be prepared for your examiner to add lifestyle or physical challenges to your mock client’s profile, e.g., osteoporosis, busy mother of 3 with a full time job, previous knee injury. 

• 2

  Client Health Assessment Profile

  After your mock consultation, you’ll be expected to complete the Client Health Assessment Profile, following the assessment protocols laid out in the CPFT resource manual.

  • Client Health Assessment Profile (CHAP) form

• 3

  Goal setting and program design

  In step 3 you’ll be expected to create an initial exercise program design (warm up, cardiovascular exercise, muscle conditioning, stretches, etc.). This program must be based on:

  • the information you obtain from your consultation with your client
  • the results of your CHAP and goal-setting discussion

  The program you design must:

  • be clear, and concise, e.g. FITT principle, appropriate number of reps, appropriate weight for the given repetition range; appropriately timed rest intervals.
  • address the needs and requirements of your mock client 
  • take into consideration any information you’ve been given about their history.

• 4

  Program demonstration and setup

  In this step, you'll demonstrate taking your client through the exercise program that you created in step 3 of the examination process. It's important that you include the:

  • name and purpose of the exercise
  • demonstration and client set up

  Understanding what fitness equipment to use, how to set it up and use it is an important part of your Practical Assessment.

  • Refer to the assessment protocols in the CPFT resource manual, and follow the equipment set up requirements as outlined.

• 5

  Resources to help you succeed

  These resources will also help you to successfully complete your practical assessment:  

  • Client Health Assessment Profile 
  • Fitness Assessment resource booklet
  • CPFT resource manual (If you are registered in Fitness Alberta's online CPFT course, then you already have access to this resource.)

• 6

  Skills development virtual mentorship

  If you are new to personal training, we highly recommend that you take the skills development virtual mentorship. The mentorship highlights the skills you are expected to demonstrate during the practical exam. Candidates who complete the mentorship have a higher rate of success on examinations.