What is everyday working life like as a specialist in exercise and health promotion with a federal certificate?

A specialist in exercise and health promotion (formerly a fitness instructor and gym instructor) works in fitness centers, wellness centers, health centers, wellness hotels or is self-employed, for example. They often also teach by the hour in a neighborhood meeting place, in large companies or other institutions. The specialists inform and advise interested people, test their physical fitness and put together individual training programs. During training, they check the exerciser's movements and posture, monitor the correct functioning of the equipment and are available to answer any questions. The specialist in exercise and health promotion (formerly fitness instructor and gymnastics studio manager) is available in two specializations:

• Fitness and health training
  The focus here is on the use of equipment. The specialists plan equipment-based training programs, put together individually tailored training sessions and instruct and monitor customers in the use of the equipment.
• Body and movement training
  This specialization focuses on the conscious use of the body and movement design. The specialists lead courses in breathing and relaxation techniques, body shapes and movement design.

The following activities are typical for a specialist in exercise and health promotion with a federal certificate:

• Putting together course lessons for individual customers and groups of different ages
• Creating individual training plans - planning training programs taking into account any factors that restrict movement and health
• Implementation of customized courses and training sessions
  • Monitor trainings
  • be the contact person for all customer questions
  • Carry out personal training sessions
• Additional tasks specializing in "fitness and health training"
  • Instruct equipment-based strength and endurance training
  • Checking the correct settings of the training and fitness equipment
  • Check movement sequences and posture for equipment use
  • Adapt the load and duration of the training sessions to the requirements, performance and goals of the trainees
  • Recognize incorrect and excessive loads and take corrective action
• Additional tasks in the field of "body and movement training"
  • Leading exercise classes such as fitness gymnastics, cardiovascular training, back, osteoporosis or pelvic floor gymnastics, Nordic walking or aqua fitness
  • Course composition according to order such as active vacation week or weekend events
  • Stress reduction through relaxation techniques
  • Finding rest after strenuous exercise
  • Promotion of regeneration
• Other tasks in the areas of sales, communication, management and administration
  • Telephone presence
  • Advise interested parties
  • Carry out trial training sessions
  • Sale of memberships, subscriptions and products
  • Cash management
  • Cleaning and inspection work
• Team management, supervision of employees and apprentices as well as staff deployment planning

Target group and skills: Who is the specialist in exercise and health promotion with a federal certificate suitable for? What qualities and skills are required?

The training course for exercise and health promotion specialists with a federal certificate is aimed at people with an interest in sport and a health-conscious lifestyle who have their own fitness and strength training experience:

• People who have completed an apprenticeship as a specialist in exercise and health promotion EFZ
• People with professional experience as fitness and exercise trainers who wish to continue their education and obtain a federally recognized qualification
• Career changers with a keen interest in athletic fitness and a health-conscious lifestyle who want to work full-time in a fitness center or work in the growing fitness and health market

The following skills and characteristics are required for successful employment as a specialist in physical activity and health promotion:

• Open and friendly manners
• Confident and well-groomed appearance
• Discretion and loyalty
• Interest in working with people and health issues
• Committed, reliable, responsible and independent
• Motivational strength and patience
• Good powers of observation
• Pedagogical skills
• Flexibility in terms of working hours and irregular income
• High load capacity

Requirements for admission to the professional examination for specialists in exercise and health promotion:

The following conditions must be met for admission to the federal examination in physical activity and health promotion:

• Completion of basic vocational training as a specialist in exercise and health promotion and professional practice
  • in the field of fitness and health training at least 3500 hours in at least 2 to a maximum of 5 years
  • 500 hours of supervised course units are required in the field of physical and movement training

or

• Completion of other basic vocational training at EFZ level or baccalaureate and professional experience
  • in the field of fitness and health training at least 5000 hours in at least 2.5 to a maximum of 5 years
  • 750 hours of supervised course units are required in the field of physical and movement training

and

• Module completions or certificates of equivalence
• BLS (CPR) card valid on the examination date

Some schools also require employment in a fitness center, regular training in a fitness center, good written and spoken German (at least level B2), participation in an introductory seminar for a fee, preliminary studies or a minimum age of 18 or 20 years.

You will be informed in writing at least three months before the start of the examination whether you meet the requirements for the professional examination in physical activity and health promotion.

Subject matter and content of the Specialist in Physical Activity and Health Promotion continuing education program:

The subject matter of the preparatory courses for the professional examination to become a specialist in physical activity and health promotion is based on the requirements of the sponsoring body of the federal examination, theSwiss Fitness and Health Center Association,OdAandBGB Switzerland.

• Basic modules
  • Anatomy and Physiology II
  • Training theory II
  • Methodology, didactics, learning psychology
• Main module
  • Health promotion and lifestyle intervention
• Specialization "Fitness and health training"
  • Basic module
    • Advanced device-based and device-independent movement skills
  • Main module
    • Develop and implement training programs
• Subject area "Body and movement training"
  • Basic module
    • Enhanced body and movement skills
  • Main module
    • Develop and implement course programs
• Elective modules Training specialist in exercise and health promotion
  • Network and further training
  • Sales and administration
  • Employee management

Costs and financing of further training for specialists in exercise and health promotion:

The costs vary depending on the provider and duration of the specialist in physical activity and health promotion training. On average, these amounts are to be expected for the training costs:

• Course fees:between CHF 9'600.- and CHF 32'550.-
  After taking the exam, you will receive around 50% of this back from the federal government on application (regardless of the result)*.
• Examination fees:CHF 1,500 (as at: 2023)
  The examination fee is set by the body responsible for the professional examination. It is paid by the candidate after confirmation of admission to the specialist in exercise and health promotion examination.
• Extra costs:At some schools, the costs for enrolment fees, teaching materials, training documents, books, intensive exam training, simulation exams, school diplomas and interim qualifications, for example, are not included in the course fees. Please contact the provider of your choice directly to find out what additional costs you can expect for the Specialist in Exercise and Health Promotion course.

*Since 1.1.2018, preparatory courses for federal professional examinations such as the specialist in physical activity and health promotion training have been financially supported by the federal government. Graduates of these courses can therefore be reimbursed up to 50% (max. CHF 9,500) of the course costs paid after taking the federal examination. In cases of hardship, the federal contributions are also pre-financed in exceptional cases.

Duration of study, number of teaching hours and learning effort for the training course Specialist in Physical Activity and Health Promotion:

• The specialist training in exercise and health promotion has a modular structure (i.e. some of the skills are assessed in module examinations prior to the professional examination and are only tested across modules in the final examination) and takes 2 to 5 years to complete while working. It comprises between 400 and 1,650 lessons.
• The teaching times vary depending on the provider of the specialist in physical activity and health promotion training. Lessons take place in blocks, with practical experience and self-study required in between. As a rule, lessons take place on one or two days during the week and/or on Saturdays.
• Many schools now offer a mix of face-to-face and online teaching (online, hybrid teaching, blended learning) as well as self-study.
• Thanks to the extra-occupational concept of the further education course Specialist in Exercise and Health Promotion, you can immediately apply and deepen the learning material in practice. Nevertheless, you should allow sufficient time for lesson preparation and follow-up as well as for self-study. Depending on your prior knowledge, working style and learning speed, we recommend that you allow at least 6 to 10 hours per week.

Note: Some schools offer so-called "taster lessons", which provide an insight into the lessons and the learning atmosphere. A suitable learning environment is important on the way to successfully graduating as a specialist in physical activity and health promotion.

Degree, diploma and title of specialist in exercise and health promotion:

The professional examination "Specialist in physical activity and health promotion with a federal certificate" takes place annually if at least 10 candidates meet the admission requirements, otherwise every two years. It can be held in German, French or Italian.
Candidates for the professional examination in physical activity and health promotion will be notified at least 4 weeks before the start of the examination. The invitation includes the examination program (with details of the place and time of the examination as well as permitted aids) and the list of experts.

The professional examination Specialist in Exercise and Health Promotion consists of the following three parts:

Diploma and title "Specialist in physical activity and health promotion"

Graduates of the professional examination receive a federal certificate and are entitled to use the federally recognized and protected title "Specialist in physical activity and health promotion with a federal certificate" or "Specialist in physical activity and health promotion with a federal certificate" with the addition "Specialist in physical activity and movement training" or "Specialist in fitness and health training".

• In French: "Spécialiste en promotion de l'activité physique et de la santé avec brevet fédéral" avec "orientation fitness et activité santé" ou "orientation éducation corporelle et du mouvement"
• In Italian: "Specialista per la promozione dell'attività fisica e della salute con attestato professionale federale" con "specializzazione educazione fitness e salute" o "specializzazione educazione corporea e al movimento"
• In English: "Specialist in Physical Activity and Health Promotion, Federal Diploma of Higher Education" with "Option Fitness and Health Training" or "Option Body and Movement Training" (note: this is only a recommendation/translation and not a protected title)