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The NIHS specialized education program is a diverse program that offers professional fitness specialists opportunities to learn exercise principles from the beginner to the advanced levels, from personal training to working with the frail and infirm in assisted living facilities.  A prerequisite for all certificates is a current CPR certification, and a general familiarity with human anatomy.

Programs are categorized from Beginner (I), advanced (II) and special populations (III)

Beginner (I) levels will provide the entry level exercise specialist with the basic principles of exercise design. This level  is a great way to learn how to work with healthy populations. Level I does not necessarily prepare specialists to effectively consult or prepare exercise programs for populations who have limitations. Level I will allow the specialist a basic understanding of strength and cardiovascular program design, as well as basic goal setting skills, motivational techniques and safety guidelines.

Advanced (II) levels will provide the more seasoned exercise specialist with the expertise to take their career to higher levels of skill. Level II typically teaches more advanced strength programming, sport-strength development, or alternatively, how to work with muscle balance, multi-functional programming, and assessment. Level II also teaches training guidelines for basic special populations groups such as mature exercisers, pregnant populations, post surgery recovery, and high  CAD risk individuals. Level II certifications are typically hands-on versus classroom courses, and provide the trainer with workable and usable skills in the health environment.

Special population (III) levels provide trainers with highly specific skills and in-depth knowledge required to address a broad range of physical challenges, orthopedic concerns, mature adult programming and design.

Back Rehab Specialist. (Level III)

Learn how the advanced XCL rehab equipment from Adanax/OEI rehabilitates the lumbar spine. learn the rehab protocols, CPT coding and billing and understand how to incorporate McKenzie and Swiss Ball into the rehab program. (Course intended for therapists, physicians and other health care specialists who deal with back injuries in a health club setting)

Neck Rehab Specialist (Level III)

Using the advanced XCL machine, we teach equipment based cervical rehab techniques and protocols for effective rehab.

Personal Fitness Trainer (Level I) Level I personal training teaches the fundamentals of exercise and fitness program design. Learn how to safely and effectively design cardiovascular and strength training programs for health populations. This is a two-day seminar covering fitness theory. Level I includes basic anatomy, exercise physiology, basic nutrition, dieting and weight loss techniques, standard health screening and assessment. Includes a final exam. The exams are scheduled by appointment for local seminars (Minnesota only) or on the third day for distance seminars.

• Course cost includes the seminar and final examination/registration fees.
• Student booklet is included with a manual
• Course manual may be purchased separately for $39.95.
• Continuing education credits are available from NIHS, ABMP, ATKA and are included in course.

Professional Fitness Trainer (Level II) Level II personal training teaches all aspects of practical personal training. Learn techniques in lifting weights, alignment and assessment of posture, functional anatomy, linear (traditional) and functional training techniques (BOSU ball, Swiss ball, rubber bands, Thera-Bands, wobble boards, rocker boards, balance pads, balance pods, medicine balls, foam rollers, as well as programming styles such as Super-slow, Super setting, Breakdown training, manual-assisted training, Eccentric only, Sports-specific training and many other hands-on techniques, including rehabilitation, proprioception and muscle retraining techniques. Learn also assessment techniques in body fat analysis, flexibility, muscular strength and endurance assessment, and much more.

• Course cost is includes seminar, final exam and passing certificate.
• The manual is an additional $29.95 if purchased through course, $39.95 if purchased separately.
• In addition, a lab fee of $75 is assessed which includes body fat calipers, stethoscope and sphygmomanometer.
• Student booklet is included with a manual. ACSM Health Related Physical Assessment Manual must be purchased separately.
• CEC's are available through NIHS (2.0), AKTA.and ABMP and are included in course fee.This course is hands-on and very practical.

Senior (Mature Adult) Fitness Certification Course (Advanced level III): This course is taught to two audiences, the Activity Director or retirement community homes and the Personal Fitness Trainer for health club environments. SFC is an advanced study in exercise program design for those working with mature adults in fitness settings. Upon completion of this course, you will learn how to design complete cardiovascular and resistance training programs for individuals who are healthy active, unhealthy-inactive and the frail and infirm. Learn how exercise programs can be designed for individuals with physical and medical limitations. Learn how certain drugs affect the mature exerciser. Learn how to effectively design stability and mobility programs into an exercise format. Learn how to network with the medical community in order to design safe programs for mature exercisers.

• Course cost includes seminar, passing certificate and registration fees. Early bird specials are available for a discount
• Manual cost is $39.95 if purchased separately.
• Continuing education credits (1.7) NIHS, AKTA, ABMP

Knee Specialist (Level III)

Learn how to work with referring physicians on knee rehab techniques. Learn how to modify existing equipment and monitor professional rehab protocols. Course cost includes manual, exam fees and student booklet. CEC's available for ABTA, ATKA.

Back Specialist (Level III)

One of the most common musculoskeletal problems in the country is also one of the most manageable problems to deal with. Understand the back and the many problems people have. Learn how to manage physician referred patients and how to refer potential patients to the appropriate medical office. Course cost includes manual, exam fees and student booklet. CEC's available ABTA and AKTA.

Soft Tissue Pain Specialist (Level III)

Everyone seems to have a pain somewhere, many people simply live with that pain while others seek professional help. This course provides information to the elite personal trainer on how to handle soft tissue pain. This pain covers areas such as myofascial and trigger point pain, myotomes, sclerotomes, dermatomes, fibromyalgia, back pain, referred pains and general pain. By the conclusion of the course, the student will be able to recognize high liability clients, work with physician referred patients and understand how to modify and adapt exercise to meet the needs of the soft-tissue-pain client.Course cost includes manual, exam fees and student booklet. CEC's available for ABTA and AKTA.

Shoulder Specialist (Level III)

This course covers shoulder injuries, rehab techniques, modification and adaptation to exercise and general knowledge of shoulder problems. Course cost includes manual, exam fees and student booklet. CEC's available for ABTA and AKTA.

Hip Specialist (Level III)

The hip specialist course prepares the trainer to work with any client from hip replacements to general pain sufferers. A complete overview of hip anatomy, surgical techniques, recovery programs and rehab profiles are covered. Course cost includes manual, exam fees and student booklet. This course offers .8 CEC's from ABTA, AKTA.