Andrea Thatcher

The Theory Exam

Register!

The canfitpro Personal Training Specialist Theory Exam is 3 hours in length and consists of 100 Multiple Choice Questions and a Case Study.

In order to register for the theory exam, please visit www.canfitpro.com and choose your exam date/time/location. You can register online, or contact head office directly at 1-800-667-5622. PRO TRAINERS do not complete registrations for exams.

Once registered, you will receive a confirmation from canfitpro. All exam information can be found at www.canfitpro.com as well. You will also receive a welcome email from your PRO TRAINER including all exam details and contact information for your PRO TRAINER.

Please arrive to your exam location approximately 15-30 minutes prior to the scheduled time. Remember to allow time for parking, using the restroom, and settling in.

Please dress in comfortable clothing, and dress in layers as room temperature may vary. Bring scrap paper, a couple of pencils or pens, eraser, and calculator. You will NOT be permitted to use your cell phone as a calculator. All cell phones must be turned off prior to the start of the exam. Feel free to bring snacks and water with you.

Your exam marks will be returned to you by email within 5 business days. Along with your mark from your Theory Exam, you will receive all information needed for you to prepare for your Practical Exam. You have 6 months from the day of your successful Theory Exam to complete your Practical Exam.

You do not have to complete your Exams with the same PRO TRAINER. As the exams are standardized, you can choose any PRO TRAINER. Simply visit www.canfitpro.com for a complete list of all PRO TRAINERS and their contact information.

The Theory Exam Case Study

You will be provided with 2 profiles and you are to choose one.

You will be asked to complete an entire program including: goal setting using the SMART principle, overcoming obstacles, basic nutrition advice, calculating BMI, the Purpose, Frequency, Intensity, Time and Type for the Warm Up, Cardiovascular, Resistance Training and Stretching.

You must be familiar with muscle names, and exercises and stretches for each.

You must know the names of the stretches as they appear in the back of the manual or be confident in using anatomical terms or drawing stick men.

You must be familiar with guidelines provided by canfitpro for all fitness levels.

All guidelines are found in the Personal Training Manual and are taught completely during the Course.

The Practical Exam

You will be provided with all information to prepare for your Practical Exam once you have completed your Theory Exam.

You will be provided by email all instructions, a client profile, a program card to complete for the client profile and the exam itself and how it is marked.

Please review all information, especially how the exam is marked. The PRO TRAINER will be following this outline and providing marks as outlined.

You are to now design the fitness program using the card provided, for the client profile you are given. Complete this program card as if your profile client was real, and this was a real program. (Do not write this program with the 6 exercises as outlined in how the exam is marked, as this would not provide a balanced and complete program)

A reminder, canfitpro suggests you complete at least 20 hours of programming and one on one training before you attempt your Practical Exam. Please do not come see us for your exam if you haven’t already trained people. In order to pass, you must demonstrate confidence and experience in exercise design and one on one training skills. Experience cannot be read, nor can it be rushed. You have 6 months from the day of your theory exam to complete your practical exam. Take the time you need to get experience in training.

When you are ready, contact your chosen PRO TRAINER. A list of all PRO TRAINERS can be found at www.canfitpro.com.

You are required to bring someone with you to role play the client profile given. Please ensure your guest is aware of the client profile and the role they are to play during your exam.

If you receive an intermediate client profile, it is best for you to choose someone to bring with you who is at least an Intermediate level of fitness. It is not likely a beginner client can role play an Intermediate profile!

If you receive a beginner client profile, feel free to bring anyone with you, as an intermediate can role play a beginner profile.

Your exam will not exceed 64 minutes as outlined. Please review each section and be prepared to demonstrate all that is asked for.

1. Counselling
2. Warm up – Although the program you write for your client profile may indicate more time, during your exam you will only demonstrate 4-5 minutes of a warm up.
3. Cardiovascular – Although the program you write for your client profile may indicate more time, during your exam you will only demonstrate 4-5 minutes of Cardiovascular Training. You will be required to demonstrate your skills in taking a manual heart rate check during exercise.
4. Resistance Training – Although the program you write for your client profile may indicate many exercises, during your exam your PRO TRAINER will ask you to perform 6 exercises. The exercises your PRO TRAINER can choose from are outlined on the exam marking form for you to see and prepare for.  You must be familiar with the exercise asked for, along with variations for different fitness levels
5. Stretching – Although the program you write for your client profile may indicate many stretches, during your exam your PRO TRAINER will ask you to perform a stretch for the muscle groups used during the exercises chosen. You must be familiar with the stretches asked for, along with variations for different fitness levels.
6. Assessment- Your PRO TRAINER will ask you to perform two Assessments: Push Up and Sit and Reach. You are to complete the assessments with the person you brought with you as if they were the client in the profile provided. You are to interpret the results using the information for the client profile you were given.
7. Closing the session
8. Leadership – You will be marked on professionalism, enthusiasm, confidence to name a few. Remember, leadership means leading by example! Teach your client to wear indoor shoes in the gym, clean equipment after use and put all equipment away when done. Be sure to arrive to your exam on time, and finish on time.

Your PRO TRAINER will begin and end all exams on time. You will receive your practical exam mark immediately along with feedback on your strengths and areas to improve.

Ensure you have a copy of your valid (within 1 year) CPR to give to your PRO TRAINER. Once all information is complete, your PRO TRAINER will submit to canfitpro, and your Certificate will be issued within 4-6 weeks to you.

If you do not have current CPR training (within 1 year) at the time of your completed practical exam, your certification will not be issued until you send a copy of updated CPR to head office and request your file be updated, and your Certificate be issued.