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Wintec exercise students at campus

New Zealand Certificate in Exercise (Level 4)

NZ3563

Course details

Summary

Become a qualified Personal Trainer

This programme will give students the skills and knowledge needed to be able to deliver exercise instruction to others. Students will learn the important theory of personal training and build a base of practical experience. 

Practical work is a significant component of the study, enabling students to graduate ready to hit the ground running. As part of their study, students will undertake a 20-hour work placement in a gym. This placement helps the student to build a professional network, gives them relevant work experience, and sets them up to be effective members of the workplace in the future. 

Students will learn how to:
  • Deliver safe and effective exercise programmes, including pre-screening, within their own scope of practice and industry code of ethics.
  • Apply knowledge of anatomy and physiology to adapt and deliver safe and effective exercise programmes.
  • Adapt programmes for apparently healthy people and common at-risk groups using exercise science and testing.
  • Apply  motivational and communication techniques to enhance individual participant commitment to a personalised exercise programme.
  • Apply a health and wellness framework and evidence-based nutrition principles to support a personalised exercise programme and recommend referral pathways to allied health professions.
  • Use marketing and business tools and techniques to support business practices as an exercise professional.

Graduates of the programme will be eligible to register with the New Zealand Register of Exercise Professionals. 

Developed alongside industry

The Certificate in Exercise (Level 4) and Certificate in Exercise (Level 5) have been designed with the help of employers, ensuring our qualifications will meet the needs of the fitness industry.

"Well done to Wintec on working with the industry, to formulate the new level 4 and 5 qualifications. I believe the curriculum and subsequent range of activities students will engage in as part of the course, have been set specifically to achieve an even higher level of education, motivation and adherence for all students. This will be very valuable to help them be successful in the industry."

- Mel Engelbrecht, Personal Trainer, Nutritionist, Snr Assessor Mentor (MotionMel)

Motion Mel Logo Blue

"My reason for wanting to employ Wintec students is because I was a Wintec student myself and if it wasn't for Wintec, I wouldn’t be where I am today. 
I know how thorough and hands-on the staff are, and students come out of the course fully confident and business ready."

- Tony Brunton, First Place Fitness Club Owner/Manager

First Place Fitness -Logo -With Tagline

Learn from the experts

The people teaching this programme are both experienced and qualified. They have worked with athletes over a number of years at both a national and international level.

Lynne O'Malley

  • Trainer for Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic between 2003 and 2013
  • Previously worked with more than 50 international athletes over the last 20 years

Qualifications: Master of Sports and Ex Sc, BSc (Physiol), BPhEd

Read more about Lynne

Kerin McDonald

  • Previous instructor and duty manager at Outward Bound New Zealand, working with a wide variety of groups, and supporting the development of U23 rowers
  • Kiwisport Secondary School Event Coordinator and Waipa District Coordinator

Qualifications: Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science

Read more about Kerin

We support you while you study

Wintec provides support from day one.

Students will have access to free study preparation courses, academic resources, a specialist student learning services team, library filled with resources and staffed by expert librarians, a dedicated team for Māori and Pacific support, disability support services, and affordable health care on campus.

Find out more about our student support here.

View programme modules

Module code Module name Level Credits Pre-requisites Co-requisites
SPOR4001Human Anatomy and Physiology 415  
SPOR4002SPOR4002 Exercise Programming415  
SPOR4003Nutrition and Lifestyle415  
SPOR4004Exercise Professional Practice415  

 

Career/further opportunities

Graduates can be employed or self-employed in roles such as:

  • Exercise Consultant
  • Community Exercise Instructor
  • Team Training Instructor
  • Personal Trainer

This programme provides a pathway to, and is a prerequisite for, the New Zealand Certificate in Exercise (Level 5).

Disclaimers

Entry criteria

You can apply for this programme if you hold one of the following:

  • 40 credits at NCEA Level 1 or above, including 10 literacy credits and 10 numeracy credits at NCEA Level 1, or
  • a New Zealand Certificate in Sport, Recreation and Exercise (Multi-sector) (Level 3), or 
  • a relevant course at NZQF Level 2, or
  • a recognised equivalent.

    Special admission
    Applicants who are at least 20 years of age or older and who do not meet the general admission requirements above is eligible for special admission. We work to ensure they are prepared for their intended programme. 

    Discretionary admission
    Applicants who are not yet 20 years of age and do not meet the general admission requirements stated above may be eligible for discretionary admission. In assessing whether to grant discretionary admission, the primary focus will be on the applicant’s level of preparedness for this programme.

    English language requirements

    International applicants are required to have an International English Language Test System (IELTS) general score of 5.5, with no individual band score lower than 5 from one test taken in the last two years, or equivalent described in NZQA Rules.

    Additional requirement
    Police vetting may be required if ākonga are to engage in activities with industry or community partners that require this. Details will be specified in the programme delivery documentation per delivery site. 

    Do not meet entry criteria or need more information?

    Pathways

    To check what you need to gain direct entry to a course, review the entry criteria available on each programme page. These assist you in understanding what qualifications or experience are typically required to gain entry. You can contact our team at info@wintec.ac.nz or 0800 2 Wintec at any time for further guidance.

    Your first day

    Are you ready for your first day of class? Check out your start date and where you need to be. You can also find useful information about studying at Wintec on our welcome page.

    Semester 1 2024

    Whānau evening
    Date: Monday 19 February 2024
    Time: 4pm-6pm
    Venue: Q Block foyer, Centre for Sport Science and Human Performance, Rotokauri Campus

    Induction
    Date: Tuesday 20 and Wednesday 21 February 2024
    Time: 9am-3pm
    Venue: Q Block foyer, Rotokauri Campus

    What you will need

    Please bring a pen and notebook on your first day. It is also recommended that you bring a personal device that can connect to the internet (laptop, smartphone, tablet etc).

    You will also need to bring ID documents for Police vetting. Please click here for more information about the Vulnerable Children's Act, the safety checking process, and what forms of ID you need to bring.

    Timetable information

    All Wintec timetables are available online here.

    How to find your way around

    Campus maps can be found here.

    Parking and bus information

    Both the Rotokauri and City campuses have parking available - payment and permits may be required. The Gardens Campus has free parking available. Learn more about parking and find out about bus services here.

    He reo pōwhiri, your official welcome to Wintec

    Tēnei te mihi mahana ki a koe e piki nei, e kake nei ki te Kuratini o Waikato.

    You are warmly invited to attend the official welcome to Wintec for all new students, staff and whānau (family) at either our marae, Te Kōpū Mānia o Kirikiriroa or Rotokauri campus. The pōwhiri is a welcoming ceremony involving mihimihi (speeches), waiata (singing), and will conclude with kai timotimo (light refreshments). Please gather at the campus hubs, and a staff member will guide you through our pōwhiri.

    Click here to find out when the next pōwhiri will be.

    Paying for your study

    Course-related costs

    Student kit (approximately $150)

    This will include all the equipment that is needed for your course, such as:

    • A blood pressure cuff,
    • heart rate monitor, and
    • callipers. 
    You will also need a Wintec polo shirt (approximately $40). This can be purchased from Direct Group.

    Additional information

    As part of your work placement for this programme, you will need to have completed a safety check and hold a first aid certificate. You can start the programme without these but need to have it sorted in the first four weeks of the semester. Your tutors will guide you on these requirements.

    Booklist

    Purchasing textbooks

    If your programme requires you to have access to textbooks, these can be purchased through a range of suppliers listed below:

      New Zealand-based suppliers

      General book suppliers

      First aid certificate

      Health status

      Uniform

      Equipment

      Clinical placement

      Prospectus (course guide)

      The Wintec Prospectus (otherwise known as a course guide) outlines everything you need to know about Wintec. It contains information about the Wintec campuses, student life, and the programmes that are on offer.

      Access your copy of the Wintec Prospectus

      The Wintec Prospectus (course guide) is available by downloading the file - click on the document below to access the file. Alternatively, to request a copy via email or the post, please complete the form below.

      Request an emailable or printed copy of the Prospectus

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