Turn your love for fitness into a viable career as a skilled personal or group trainer. Nationally-accredited courses prepare you for the Personal Trainer and Group Fitness Trainer certification exams given by the American Council of Exercise (ACE).
Students learn about ACE's integrated models for designing fitness programs based on clients' health, fitness levels and goals.
The program is online, and there are no scheduled meeting times for classes. All assignments and learning materials are available via Blackboard for students to complete at their own pace.
Industry-recognized credential(s): Certified Personal Trainer and Certified Group Fitness Instructor, from the American Council on Exercise.
Complete in: Three months or less

Wake Tech academic programs (degree and non-degree) that are designed to lead to professional licenses are tied to North Carolina or national certifications. If you intend to pursue professional licenses outside North Carolina once you have completed your academic program at Wake Tech, please refer to the Professional Licensure section of the college's distance education authorization page for additional information.
understand the basic components of Human Anatomy, Exercise Physiology, Nutrition and applied sciences (behavioral, managerial, clerical) relative to Personal Training.
be able to safely prescribe workout regimens for apparently healthy individuals.
understand the psychological and physiological factors involving adopting a workout regimen.
Human Anatomy
Exercise Physiology
Nutrition
Leadership and Implementation
Program Design
36
No
ACE-Aertified Personal Trainer
acefitness.org
This course prepares students to become skilled personal trainers and prepares them for Personal Exercise (ACE). The course presents the ACE Integrated Fitness Training (ACE IFT) Model as a comprehensive system for designing individualized programs based on each client's unique health, fitness, and goals.
No
None
Required: ACE Personal Trainer Textbook - The Exercise Professionals Guide to Personal Training (6th edition)
https://www.acefitness.org/acestore/p-2040-ace-personal-trainer-textboo…
Optional: ACE Personal Trainer Study Companion - The Exercise Professionals Guide to Personal Training Study Companion (6th edition)
https://www.acefitness.org/acestore/p-2044-ace-personal-trainer-study-c…
N/a
85% attendance
Receive over 70% Final Course Grade
N/A
Those seeking to become certified Personal Trainers.
N/A
N/A
Certified Personal Trainer
Certified Fitness Trainer
HEA-3010D3
Allied Health Office https://cehealth.waketech.edu
919-747-0140
[email protected]
| Details | Section | Date(s) | Location | Price | Seats | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 320700 | 02/02/26 - 03/29/26 | Online | 125.00 | 18 | Register |
If you would like to be notified when additional sections become available, please use Wake Tech's Notify Me service.
understand the basic components of Human Anatomy, Exercise Physiology, Nutrition and applied sciences (behavioral, managerial, clerical) relative to Group Training.
be able to safely prescribe group workout regimens for apparently healthy individuals.
understand the psychological and physiological factors involving adopting a group workout regimen.
Human Anatomy
Exercise Physiology
Nutrition
Leadership and Implementation
Program Design
36
No
ACE certified Group Fitness Trainer
acefitness.org
This course prepares students to become a skilled group fitness trainer and prepares them for Group Fitness Instructor Exam (ACE). The course presents the ACE comprehensive systems for designing group programs based on unique health, fitness, and goals.
No
None
ACE Group Fitness Instructor Handbook
https://www.acefitness.org/acestore/p-1854-group-fitness-instructor-han…
N/a
85% attendance
N/A
Those seeking exam preparation for the ACE Group Fitness Certification.
N/A
N/A
HEA-3010B3
Allied Health Office https://cehealth.waketech.edu
919-747-0140
[email protected]
| Details | Section | Date(s) | Location | Price | Seats | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 320853 | 02/02/26 - 03/29/26 | Online | 125.00 | 24 | Register |
If you would like to be notified when additional sections become available, please use Wake Tech's Notify Me service.
Upon completion of the course students will earn the pain-free performance specialist certification (PPSC) and become registered pain-free performance training system providers listed globally via Dr.johnrusin.com. This credential represents the enhanced education to help optimize client management around the presence of pain and movement dysfunction. Through this course and certification process, students should acquire the tools to truly bridge the gap between performance and prevention, better helping clients unlock their pain-free potential.
-Customize Movement Sequences to Eliminate Pain and Dysfunction
-Quickly Screen The 6 Foundational Movement Patterns
-Deep Dive Assessments for Movement Pattern Optimization
-Choose Perfect Exercise Variation for Each Movement Pattern
-Re-Systemize Your Client Management Around Pain and Dysfunction
50
1
The Pain-Free Performance Specialist Certification (PPSC)
Customize Movement Sequences to Eliminate Pain and Dysfunction
Quickly Screen The 6 Foundational Movement Patterns
Deep Dive Assessments for Movement Pattern Optimization
Choose Perfect Exercise Variation for Each Movement Pattern
Re-Systemize Your Client Management Around Pain and Dysfunction
No
None
Text provided through course
None
100% attendance
N/A
This is intended for Personal Trainers, Strength and Conditioning Coaches, Group Exercise Instructors, Physical Therapists, Physical Education Teachers, Physical Education Teachers, Chiropractors, etc.
Personal Trainers, Strength and Conditioning Coaches, Group Exercise Instructors, Physical Therapists, Physical Education Teachers, Physical Education Teachers, Chiropractors, etc.
N/A
Chiropractors
Physical Education Teachers
Physical Therapists
Group Exercise Instructors
Strength and Conditioning Coaches
Personal Trainers
HEA-3010D3
HEA-3010C3
CSP-4000ID3
Allied Health Office https://cehealth.waketech.edu
919-747-0140
[email protected]
To be notified when this course becomes available, please use
Wake Tech's Notify Me service.
Analyze the role and scope of a health coach in promoting health and wellness
Evaluate core components of coaching and behavior-change theories to support client-centered care
Apply evidence-based coaching strategies to facilitate sustainable lifestyle behavior change
Demonstrate effective communication and motivational interviewing techniques in coaching sessions
Assess client readiness, barriers and strengths using structured coaching models and tools
Design personalized coaching plans that incorporate stress management, nutrition, physical activity and sleep hygiene
Interpret the role of lifestyle medicine in preventing and managing chronic diseases
Formulate coaching strategies for clients with comorbid conditions such as obesity, hypertension and diabetes
Integrate mental health considerations, including depression and anxiety, into holistic coaching practices
Critique ethical and professional standards relevant to health coaching practice
Construct a business plan for establishing and maintaining a health coaching practice
Measure coaching outcomes using client progress tracking and behavior change metrics
The Foundation of Health and Wellness Coaching, including the role and scope of the health coach, the core components of coaching and behavior-change models and theories
The Coaching Experience, including skills and methods for supporting lifestyle change, considerations for the initial session and the art of coaching
Lifestyle Medicine, including a mindful approach to stress management, nutrition for health and well-being, the power of physical activity and understanding other lifestyle factors like sleep and substance use
Chronic Diseases and Comorbid Conditions, including obesity, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, diabetes, depression and anxiety and others
Professional Conduct and Establishing Your Coaching Practice, including professional commitments and considerations and the business of health coaching
36
1
ACE
https://www.acefitness.org/fitness-certifications/health-coach-certific…
No
N/A
"The Professional's Guide to Health and Wellness Coaching"
(Available at https://www.acefitness.org/acestore/p-1883-professional-guide-to-health…)
N/A
attendance
N/A
N/A
N/A
Health coach
ETR-3010C3
ETR-3010B3
ETR-3010A3
Allied Health Office https://cehealth.waketech.edu
919-747-0140
[email protected]
To be notified when this course becomes available, please use
Wake Tech's Notify Me service.