Become a personal trainer
Certificate Iv in Fitness SIS40221
Do you see yourself living a more balanced lifestyle, having a passion for fitness, or wanting to run your own personal training studio? The new SIS40221 Certificate IV in Fitness will give you the foundational skill set to be a fully qualified personal trainer.
This personal trainer course was developed in-house by our sports scientists to graduate high-calibre personal trainers. Personal trainers typically work independently, either as self-employed individuals or as employees, and provide training programs, exercise feedback, and general healthy eating discussions to help people achieve their health or lifestyle goals. New industry sectors are rapidly emerging in the Online PT space.
As a personal trainer, you will often be the first point of contact when people seek to make changes to their lifestyle. Whether that be someone looking to lose weight, run their first marathon, or get big and strong. This means studying a personal training course you can trust is paramount to your success in the industry.
So, if you want to become a PT, chat with a FIT College career advisor today.
Study to become a personal trainer online or on campus. With campuses located across the country, FIT College teaches PT training courses Australia-wide with three intakes a year. We are one of the last true on-campus delivery of fitness courses in the country. Or, if you don’t want to wait look at our online study options for maximum flexibility, and premium support.
The FIt College Difference
20 Years of Evolution
The Certificate III and IV in Fitness have been the specialty of FIT College since its inception. Our fitness courses contain no 'off the shelf' purchased elements and have been updated and developed with every training package change in the last two decades. This course is what made FIT College the #1 institution.
Multiple Modes | Face-to-Face and Virtual
Complete the personal trainer course online through our Virtual Campus or attend F2F Classes, on campus at multiple locations around Australia. Campus delivery is disappearing from the industry education scene as companies hide cost cuts behind the virtual boom. FIT College continues to offer both Virtual and Face-to-Face in every state to ensure that you receive every kind of support, regardless of your location or study mode.
To learn more about how to become a PT with FIT College, chat with a Career Advisor today.
Industry Affiliated
FIT College doesn't just have gym logos on our page; we have real and tangible affiliations for you to use to find employment and support while you study to become a PT. FIT College have a team of Careers Liaisons whose job is to maintain industry relationships and help you find your place in the fitness industry! Enquire today about affiliates looking for PTs and where you can train for free as a FIT College Student.
#1 For Support and Quality
- If you need help, any student can organise to come to a campus and receive support.
- 12 months per Certificate allowable time to complete qualifications.
- Download all base and additional content and resources to keep.
- Tailored Study Plans to fit your schedule with a 5-day marking turnaround.
- 24/7 Help Requests on the Digital Learning Platform (Virtual Classroom) are available to all students.
- No mandatory placement hours; all assessments are tailored to the task.
- All students receive access to 12 hours of scheduled and staffed Virtual Support.
- All students receive access to scheduled, campus-based face-to-face (F2F) support on Fridays.
- Interest-free and flexible payment plans, allowing you to pay off your fitness course at your own pace.
- International portability within the ICREP's network.
Study Options for PERSONAL TRAINING COURSES are Flexible
Course guide
SIS40221 Certificate IV in Fitness
Topic 1 - Movement Assessment & Prescription
In this topic, you will learn how to assess an individual's movement capacity and provide exercise advice to improve functional movement and technique. You will develop the skills to identify movement imbalances, assess posture and alignment, and prescribe targeted exercises that support safe and effective performance in both the gym and everyday settings.
By the end of this topic, you will be confident in conducting movement assessments and tailoring corrective exercise strategies to help individuals move more effectively and reduce their risk of injury.
Physical Demands:
This topic involves physical activity, including extended periods of standing and moving while observing and assessing participants. You will be required to demonstrate key movement patterns and corrective exercises and provide hands-on support when needed.
What's Included:
- Five short knowledge quizzes
- Four interactive online tasks
- Three hands-on, practical assessments:
- You will complete a static alignment screen on three people
- You will assess movement patterns (dynamic posture) across key movement types—squat, lunge, hinge, horizontal push and pull, vertical push and pull, and rotation—on three people.
- Deliver corrective exercises based on your movement assessment findings, focusing on improving posture, balance, and technique.
Learning in this topic directly supports the requirements of:
Topic 2 - Effective Personal Training
In this topic, you will develop the skills and knowledge to deliver safe, personalised training sessions that meet each person's unique goals, needs, and preferences. You will learn how to design structured exercise programs, apply exercise science principles, and adapt your approach based on their performance and feedback.
By the end of this topic, you will be confident in delivering engaging, results-focused personal training sessions that support long-term health and fitness outcomes.
Physical Demands:
This topic involves physical activity, including repeatedly demonstrating exercises, setting up and adjusting equipment, providing hands-on assistance such as spotting, and standing and moving for extended periods. You may also assist with cleaning or sanitising equipment, help participants with transitions between exercises, and ensure a safe training environment.
What's Included:
- Five short knowledge quizzes
- Five interactive online tasks
- One hands-on, practical assessment:
- You will deliver six exercise sessions that you have designed, explaining session objectives, demonstrating correct technique, providing cues, monitoring and modifying exercises as needed, and using communication techniques to support and encourage participants.
Learning in this topic directly supports the requirements of:
Topic 3 - Nutrition &Behaviour Change
In this topic, you will explore how to support individuals in developing healthier eating habits and making sustainable behaviour changes. You will learn how to assess individuals' current eating patterns, identify their motivation and readiness for change, and employ practical strategies to help them overcome barriers to exercise and improve nutrition.
By the end of this topic, you will be confident in offering clear, appropriate advice to support healthier behaviours and guide people through meaningful change.
What's Included:
- Five short knowledge quizzes
- Three interactive online tasks
- Three hands-on, practical assessments:
- You will provide feedback and healthy eating recommendations to one person based on their daily eating pattern
- You will conduct three 15-minute interviews to assess each individual's readiness and motivation for behaviour change, including their current exercise habits, attitudes, motivation, and perceived barriers
- You will meet with the same three people to plan their behaviour change. In each session, you will propose two techniques to overcome barriers, discuss the pros and cons of each, and support them in choosing one technique to act on
Learning in this topic directly supports the requirements of:
- SISFFIT053 - Support healthy eating for individual fitness clients
- SISFFIT050 - Support exercise behaviour change
- HLTPOP014 - Assess readiness for and effect behaviour change
*As part of this qualification, students will be required to complete a four (4) week Behaviour Project Report and submit it before the end of the course
Topic 4 - Body Composition Training
In this topic, you will learn how to design and deliver exercise programs tailored specifically to help people achieve their body composition goals. You will develop the skills to create personalised sessions, explain exercise objectives clearly, demonstrate proper techniques, and use effective communication to motivate and support them throughout their progress.
By the end of this topic, you will be confident in delivering structured, targeted exercise sessions that connect movement with body composition outcomes while fostering positive participant relationships.
Physical Demands:
This topic involves physical activity, including repeatedly demonstrating exercises, setting up and adjusting equipment, providing hands-on assistance such as spotting, and standing and moving for extended periods. You may also assist with cleaning or sanitising equipment, help participants with transitions between exercises, and ensure a safe training environment.
What's Included:
- Five short knowledge quizzes
- Four interactive online tasks
- One hands-on, practical assessment:
- You will deliver four personalised exercise sessions that you have designed. In each session, you will explain the objectives, demonstrate correct technique, provide cues, and monitor performance, adjusting as needed.
- You will use a combination of verbal, visual, and tactile methods tailored to each person, employing positive communication to motivate and reinforce progress. Throughout, you will explain how the exercises relate to body composition and the person's individual goals, while also highlighting strengths, encouraging questions, and responding to any feedback or challenges
Learning in this topic directly supports the requirements of:
Topic 5 - Training Adolescent Clients
In this topic, you will learn how to safely assess, program, and deliver exercise sessions designed specifically for young people aged 13 to 17. You will explore how to conduct age-appropriate pre-exercise screenings and fitness assessments, and tailor programs that support growth, development, and engagement in physical activity, both in person and online.
By the end of this topic, you will be confident in designing and delivering sessions that motivate and support adolescent participants through safe, fun, and effective training experiences.
Physical Demands:
This topic involves physical activity, including setting up and preparing testing equipment, demonstrating and administering cardiovascular, strength, endurance, flexibility, and functional motor skill tests, and assisting participants where needed. You will be standing and moving for extended periods while observing and assessing performance. During exercise session delivery—whether online or in person—you will repeatedly demonstrate movements, adjust equipment or space, monitor performance, and provide feedback to participants.
What's Included:
- Five short knowledge quizzes
- Four interactive online tasks
- Three hands-on, practical assessments:
- You will conduct pre-exercise health screens for three adolescents, which will include a health and fitness consultation and a pre-exercise questionnaire. For each person, you will document your findings in a clear and easy-to-understand consultation summary
- You will conduct a series of five fitness tests (cardiovascular, muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility and functional motor skills ) on three adolescents, then evaluate and rate each result
- You will deliver five exercise sessions (two in-person and three online) that you have designed. In each session, explain the objectives, demonstrate and cue each activity, monitor performance, and make adjustments as needed using age-appropriate communication strategies.
Learning in this topic directly supports the requirements of:
Topic 6 - Training Older Clients
In this topic, you will learn how to design and deliver safe, effective exercise programs tailored to the needs of older adults (typically aged 55 and above). You will explore age-related considerations, adapt exercises to accommodate health conditions, and apply communication strategies that build trust, motivation, and confidence in older participants.
By the end of this topic, you will be confident in supporting older clients with personalised programs that enhance their movement, health, and quality of life.
Physical Demands:
This topic involves physical activity, including repeatedly demonstrating exercises, setting up and adjusting equipment, providing hands-on assistance such as spotting, and being on your feet for extended periods. You may also assist with cleaning or sanitising equipment, help participants with transitions between exercises, and ensure a safe training environment.
What's Included:
- Five short knowledge quizzes
- Five interactive online tasks
- One hands-on, practical assessment:
- You will deliver four 30-minute exercise sessions that you have designed. In each session, you will explain objectives, demonstrate correct technique, monitor performance, and adjust as needed.
- You will use verbal, visual, and tactile cues suited to the participant, apply positive communication, highlight strengths, explain progress, and respond professionally to questions or challenges..'009
Learning in this topic directly supports the requirements of:
Topic 7 - Develop Business Proposals
In this topic, you will explore how to investigate and develop business ideas that align with your goals as a future fitness professional. You will learn how to analyse market trends, research customer needs, and assess the viability of potential business opportunities, building the skills to support informed decision-making and entrepreneurial success.
By the end of this topic, you will be confident in identifying opportunities and presenting a compelling business proposal in a fitness industry context.
What's Included:
- Five short knowledge quizzes
- Four interactive online tasks
- One hands-on, practical assessment:
- You will identify a business opportunity that aligns with your future role in the fitness industry and develop a detailed proposal.
- You will then present your idea in a 10–15-minute session, showcasing its value and potential
Learning in this topic directly supports the requirements of:
Topic 8 - BEHAVIOUR CHANGE PROJECT
In this topic, you will put behaviour change strategies into practice by implementing two personalised plans developed in a previous task. Over four weeks, you will meet regularly with two individuals to monitor progress, apply motivational techniques, and adjust strategies to support lasting change.
By the end of this topic, you will be confident in supporting people through real-world behaviour change, maintaining clear records, and reviewing progress effectively.
What's Included:
- Combined interactive online tasks and hands-on, practical assessments:
- You will implement two behaviour change plans and support each person over a period of four weeks. Each week, you will meet with the individual and relevant stakeholders (e.g. family, partner, manager) for a minimum of 20 minutes to review progress, update goals, and record outcomes in a logbook.
- During these sessions, you will document techniques used to support adherence, track completed activities, and note any contingencies applied. You will also maintain detailed records outlining goals, strategies, and progress. At the end of the project, you will conduct a follow-up review with each person to evaluate their progress, discuss changing needs, and recommend strategies to sustain their achievements.
Learning in this topic directly supports the requirements of:
Topic 9 - PROVIDE CPR
In this topic, you will gain the skills and knowledge needed to perform cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) in line with current Australian Resuscitation Council (ARC) guidelines. You will learn how to respond in emergencies and apply life-saving techniques with confidence and safety.
By the end of this topic, you will be able to demonstrate effective CPR and meet nationally recognised requirements for emergency response.
What's Included:
• Upload a copy of your current HLTAID009 – Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation certificate
Learning in this topic directly supports the requirements of: