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Learn to lead safe and effective exercise classes for community-dwelling older adults.

Research shows the profound influence of physical activity and exercise in preserving your well-being and warding off chronic illnesses. Acquire a CCAA Seniors’ Fitness Instructor certification recognizing proficiency in leading evidence-based model exercise classes, and applying specific knowledge and skills pertinent to adulthood and old age. 

In collaboration with researchers from the Faculty of Health Sciences at Western University and other experts, this course has been developed by the Canadian Centre for Activity and Aging (CCAA) in partnership with Western’s School of Kinesiology. This certification course involves 28-30 hours of theory and practical instruction, delivered in-person or online, with mentorship from the CCAA team. 

Certification is granted upon completing a written quiz, a practical mentorship and a competency-based practical evaluation. Certification is maintained by demonstrating ongoing excellence in upholding the SFIC standard.

Topics

  • Factors contributing to frailty in older adults
  • Impact of a sedentary lifestyle on your aging process
  • Anatomy and exercise physiology to design and deliver group fitness class programs
  • How physical activity levels influence your physical and mental health.
  • Establishing a safe exercise environment
  • Screening tools to assess suitability for participating in group fitness programs for older adults
  • Common age-related conditions, including arthritis, osteoporosis, diabetes, and more

 


Course Requirements

This video provides an overview of the course requirements.

SFIC Certification Overview from WesternU CCAA on Vimeo.

 

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Type
Online
Dates
Nov 04, 2024 to Dec 20, 2024
Schedule
Total Hours
28.0
Fee
Course Fee $425.00

What to Expect

The SFI training consists of three learning components and culminates in a final competency evaluation to earn the Senior Fitness Instructor (SFI) certification.
 
The initial training component includes 14 hours of self-directed online learning, covering the theoretical knowledge essential for the successful completion of the course. This self-directed component must be completed prior to beginning the second step of the training. The second training component includes 14 hours of live online, instructor-led workshops focusing on practical group exercise skills and techniques and supervised preparation sessions designed to teach and develop leadership and class delivery practices. The final component of the training process involves the candidate collaborating with and learning from a local SFIC mentor for 18 hours over a 6-month period. In preparation for this phase, candidates are strongly encouraged to independently identify and establish connections with a local SFIC mentor.
 
For certification, the candidate must provide the CCAA with a video recording demonstrating their leadership in a complete group exercise class (60 to 75 minutes). A CCAA-SFIC evaluator reviews the class recording; if the candidate successfully meets the predetermined competency-based criteria, they are awarded the Senior Fitness Instructor certification.
 

Real-time Learning

There are four live Zoom sessions scheduled for this course.

November 21 - 6:00pm - 8:00pm ET
November 23 - 8:30am - 1:30pm ET
November 28 - 6:00pm - 8:00pm ET
November 30 - 8:30am - 1:30pm ET

Completion Requirements

This is a graded course where a complete or incomplete will be issued. Evaluation will be based on participation and completion of course activities. Attendance in the live Zoom sessions is mandatory.

Textbook

No textbook required.

Type
Online
Dates
Jan 06, 2025 to Feb 28, 2025
Schedule
Total Hours
28.0
Fee
Course Fee $425.00
Instructors
  • Steve Di Ciacca

What to Expect

The SFI training consists of three learning components and culminates in a final competency evaluation to earn the Senior Fitness Instructor (SFI) certification.
 
The initial training component includes 14 hours of self-directed online learning, covering the theoretical knowledge essential for the successful completion of the course. This self-directed component must be completed prior to beginning the second step of the training. The second training component includes 14 hours of live online, instructor-led workshops focusing on practical group exercise skills and techniques and supervised preparation sessions designed to teach and develop leadership and class delivery practices. The final component of the training process involves the candidate collaborating with and learning from a local SFIC mentor for 18 hours over a 6-month period. In preparation for this phase, candidates are strongly encouraged to independently identify and establish connections with a local SFIC mentor.
 
For certification, the candidate must provide the CCAA with a video recording demonstrating their leadership in a complete group exercise class (60 to 75 minutes). A CCAA-SFIC evaluator reviews the class recording; if the candidate successfully meets the predetermined competency-based criteria, they are awarded the Senior Fitness Instructor certification.
 

Real-time Learning

There are four live Zoom sessions scheduled for this course.

January 30 - 6:00pm - 8:00pm ET
February 1 - 8:30am - 1:30pm ET
February 6 - 6:00pm - 8:00pm ET
February 8 - 8:30am - 1:30pm ET

Completion Requirements

This is a graded course where a complete or incomplete will be issued. Evaluation will be based on participation and completion of course activities. Attendance in the live Zoom sessions is mandatory.

Textbook

No textbook required.

Type
Online
Dates
Feb 03, 2025 to Mar 30, 2025
Schedule
Total Hours
28.0
Fee
Course Fee $425.00
Instructors
  • Steve Di Ciacca

What to Expect

The SFI training consists of three learning components and culminates in a final competency evaluation to earn the Senior Fitness Instructor (SFI) certification.
 
The initial training component includes 14 hours of self-directed online learning, covering the theoretical knowledge essential for the successful completion of the course. This self-directed component must be completed prior to beginning the second step of the training. The second training component includes 14 hours of live online, instructor-led workshops focusing on practical group exercise skills and techniques and supervised preparation sessions designed to teach and develop leadership and class delivery practices. The final component of the training process involves the candidate collaborating with and learning from a local SFIC mentor for 18 hours over a 6-month period. In preparation for this phase, candidates are strongly encouraged to independently identify and establish connections with a local SFIC mentor.
 
For certification, the candidate must provide the CCAA with a video recording demonstrating their leadership in a complete group exercise class (60 to 75 minutes). A CCAA-SFIC evaluator reviews the class recording; if the candidate successfully meets the predetermined competency-based criteria, they are awarded the Senior Fitness Instructor certification.
 

Real-time Learning

There are four live Zoom sessions scheduled for this course.

February 25 - 6:00pm - 8:00pm ET
March 1 - 8:30am - 1:30pm ET
March 4 - 6:00pm - 8:00pm ET
March 8 - 8:30am - 1:30pm ET

Completion Requirements

This is a graded course where a complete or incomplete will be issued. Evaluation will be based on participation and completion of course activities. Attendance in the live Zoom sessions is mandatory.

Textbook

No textbook required.

Type
Online
Dates
Mar 31, 2025 to May 30, 2025
Schedule
Total Hours
28.0
Location
  • Western University Main Campus
Format
Fee
Course Fee $425.00
Instructors
  • Steve Di Ciacca

What to Expect

The SFI training consists of three learning components and culminates in a final competency evaluation to earn the Senior Fitness Instructor (SFI) certification.
 
The initial training component includes 14 hours of self-directed online learning, covering the theoretical knowledge essential for the successful completion of the course. This self-directed component must be completed prior to beginning the second step of the training. The second training component includes 14 hours of live online and in-person, instructor-led workshops focusing on practical group exercise skills and techniques and supervised preparation sessions designed to teach and develop leadership and class delivery practices. The final component of the training process involves the candidate collaborating with and learning from a local SFIC mentor for 18 hours over a 6-month period. In preparation for this phase, candidates are strongly encouraged to independently identify and establish connections with a local SFIC mentor.
 
For certification, the candidate must provide the CCAA with a video recording demonstrating their leadership in a complete group exercise class (60 to 75 minutes). A CCAA-SFIC evaluator reviews the class recording; if the candidate successfully meets the predetermined competency-based criteria, they are awarded the Senior Fitness Instructor certification.

Real-time Learning

There are one live Zoom and two in-person sessions scheduled for this course. The in-person sessions will be held at the Canadian Centre for Activity at Aging, Elborn College, London ON.

April 22 - 6:00pm - 8:00pm ET (Zoom)
April 26 - 9:00am - 3:00pm ET (In-person)
May 3 - 9:00am - 3:00pm ET (In-person)

Completion Requirements

This is a graded course where a complete or incomplete will be issued. Evaluation will be based on participation and completion of course activities. Attendance in the live Zoom sessions is mandatory.

Textbook

No textbook required.

Required