Loading...

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.

 

Loading...
Register - Select a section to enroll in
Type
Online
Dates
Apr 02, 2024 to May 26, 2024
Schedule
View Details
Total Hours
28.0
Location
  • Western University Main Campus
Format
Hybrid  
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.

April 23 - 6:30pm - 8:30pm ET (Zoom)
April 27 - 8:30am - 3:30pm ET (In-person)
May 4 - 8:30am - 3:30pm 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 and in-person sessions is mandatory.

Textbook

No textbook required

Required