Strength and Conditioning Coach Course

In this course, you will develop the knowledge and practical skills necessary to design and deliver structured strength and conditioning programs tailored to a wide range of athletic and performance goals. You will learn how to plan long-term training strategies, instruct key techniques, and tailor programs to suit different sports and individual needs. You will also explore basic fitness testing, coaching principles, and athlete development across various training contexts. 

To complete this course, you must have access to a community group or sporting organisation where you can coach participants and apply your learning in a practical setting. This access will allow you to practise key coaching techniques, deliver strength and conditioning sessions, and gain valuable hands-on experience to support your development as a fitness professional.

By the end of this course, you will be confident in designing, instructing, and adapting strength and conditioning programs that enhance athletic performance, support long-term progression, and meet the specific needs of various sports and individuals. Completion of this course also meets the requirements to become an ASCA Level 1 Strength and Conditioning Coach, giving you formal recognition and a clear pathway into the high-performance and athletic development space.

Physical Demands
Throughout this course, you will engage in physical activity and hands-on learning across a variety of training and assessment environments. You’ll oversee multiple fitness tests, which involve setting up equipment, demonstrating protocols, assisting participants, and observing performance, often while standing and moving for extended periods. During training session delivery, you’ll set up and adjust equipment, lead structured warm-ups, demonstrate exercises, monitor participant technique and safety, and make real-time adjustments as needed. You may also help with cleaning or sanitising equipment, support transitions between exercises, and ensure the environment remains safe and well-organised throughout.

What’s Included
Fourteen short knowledge quizzes
Five interactive online tasks
Five hands-on, practical assessments

• You will screen and assess three participants from three different sports. First, you’ll complete a pre-exercise health screen for each person to check for any medical conditions or restrictions. Then, you’ll gather important background information, including the type of sport they play, their training history, any medical concerns, and contact details for their coach or support staff. Finally, you’ll research each sport and complete a sport-specific needs analysis. 
• You will conduct a series of fitness tests (muscular strength, speed and agility, muscular endurance, power and flexibility) on three people, then evaluate and rate each result
• You will complete a risk assessment before delivering training sessions by identifying at least four potential hazards in the environment. For each hazard, you’ll name it, determine who might be affected (e.g., participants, staff, or spectators), and assess the risk rating by considering both the likelihood of it occurring and the severity of its consequences. You’ll list control measures to minimise the risk, assign responsibility for each action (such as a coach, gym manager, or groundskeeper), and identify any residual risk that remains after the control measures are applied. 
• You will deliver a total of 24 training sessions that you designed. Each of your six sessions will be delivered four times, allowing you to reinforce key skills, build participant confidence, and progressively develop performance. In each session, you will lead a structured warm-up, explain the objectives, and demonstrate exercises to participants. You will monitor performance, make real-time adjustments based on participant needs, and use effective communication to motivate and support individuals. 
• You will complete and deliver six practical coaching tasks, all of which must be signed off by an ASCA-accredited coach (Level 1 or higher). These tasks assess your ability to coach key strength and conditioning techniques, including barbell lifts, speed and agility drills, energy system conditioning, flexibility and mobility testing, and youth-specific coaching. 

Learning in this course directly supports the requirements of:
SISXCAI011 - Develop and deliver a long-term training program
SISXCAI009 - Instruct strength and conditioning techniques 
SISXCAI010 - Develop strength and conditioning programs 
HLTWHS003 - Maintain work health and safety

All Modes of Study

 Virtual Classroom (Online/Blended)

This course is not available on campus. 

Certification & Registration

Strength & Conditioning contains Nationally Recognised Training (NRT) units. Information on this can be found at https://training.gov.au                                                                        
FIT College RTO:31903 CRICOS:03926G

Upon completion of this course, you'll receive:

• SISXCAI011 Conduct individualised long-term training programs
• SISXCAI009 Instruct strength and conditioning techniques 
• SISXCAI010 Develop strength and conditioning programs 
• HLTWHS003 Maintain work health and safety

Industry groups with registration relevance:

• Australian Strength & Conditioning Association (ASCA)                                                                                                                             
• Australian Sports Commission (ASC)
• AUSactive 20 CEC points towards reaccreditation

Education Pathways

Vocational Education & Training (VET)

SIS50321 Diploma of Sport (Coaching)                                                       

University & Higher Education

Bachelor study in exercise science is the most common academic pathway from Vocational fitness study. Exercise science is concentrated more on athletes and exercise performance than on normal people and health. Other common university pathways that align with streams include sports coaching, exercise physiology, sports management, and sports nutrition.           

Industry Specific

After completing this short course and completing 100 hours of coaching, you can register for the ASCA Level 2 Associate Coaching accreditation (AL2).

Career Opportunities

Strength and conditioning coach. For more opportunities, visit the FIT College Careers Hub for fitness jobs in your area.

Entry Requirements

There are no entry requirements for the Strength and Conditioning Course. However, FIT College does not accept students under 14 years of age, and all students must meet LLN requirements.

Required General Resources:

• Access to a computer or device that can connect to the internet

• Internet access with a broadband plan suitable for online study

• Smartphone, camera, video camera, or device that can take pictures & record videos

Course Assessment

Every qualification, unit of competency or skill set completed at FIT College will require students to undergo several written and practical assessment tasks. The assessment tasks are designed to confirm that the student can meet all elements and performance criteria indicated in the curriculum. By completing each assessment task to the standard stated, students are ready and eligible to perform those elements in the workplace.

English & LLN Requirements

All Students

All domestic students must demonstrate core language, literacy, and numeracy competency.

Payment Options

Interest-free payment plans and payment-in-full options are available. Promotions and short-term plans can reduce course costs. Courses must be paid for before receiving the certificate.

ESOS/CRICOS Additional International Student Payments

International Students are required to pay for their course in advance before commencement. Payment can be made in full or before each Semester or Term.

Government Funding, Grants and Subsidies

Certificate III Guarantee

There is no government funding available for this course through FIT College.