Help people develop and maintain healthier lifestyles
Fitness and Health Promotion Ontario College Diploma program
Become a fitness and health professional. Practical training and industry experience that extends beyond lectures. Be certification-ready.
Program information
Program description
Do you have a passion for exercise and physical activity? Are you inherently interested in how exercise and dietary strategies can enhance health and performance? The program starts with the fundamentals of the fitness and health promotion field such as anatomy, physiology, biomechanics, client counselling, and nutrition. These courses are combined with a large number of practical based learning hours in dedicated exercise science labs. You gain industry experience through preparation of healthy foods in culinary labs, planning and executing a health promotion event, the opportunity to train clients on campus, and off-campus work-integrated learning. Graduates receive credit for their college courses and can proceed to formal articulations in various university degree programs.
Intake information
| Start date | Campus |
|---|---|
| Fall 2025 | Barrie |
Tuition and fees
- Visit our tuition and fees page for detailed information on the cost to attend Georgian.
- Review additional program-specific fees for this program.
- You can afford this! Explore OSAP as well as awards, scholarships and bursaries to help you pay your way to graduation.
What are the admission requirements for the Fitness and Health Promotion program?
Fitness and Health Promotion admission requirements
- Ontario Secondary School Diploma (OSSD) or equivalent, mature student status
- Grade 12 English (C or U)
- any Grade 111 or 12 Mathematics (C, M, or U)
- Grade 11 or 12 Biology (C or U) OR Grade 12 Exercise Science (U)
- 1
Minimum of 60% in Grade 11 College or University level Mathematics (MBF3C or MCF3M)
Mature students, non-secondary school applicants (19 years or older), and home school applicants may also be considered for admission. Eligibility may be met by applicants who have taken equivalent courses, upgrading, completed their GED, and equivalency testing. For complete details refer to: www.georgiancollege.ca/admissions/academic-regulations/
Pathways
Applicants who have taken courses from a recognized and accredited post-secondary institution and/or have relevant life/learning experience may also be considered for admission; refer to the Credit for Prior Learning website for details:
www.georgiancollege.ca/admissions/credit-transfer/
Criminal Reference/Vulnerable Sector Check
Placement agencies require an up-to-date clear criminal reference check and vulnerable sector check prior to going out on placement. Students should obtain their criminal reference three months prior to placement; checks conducted earlier may not be considered current. As some jurisdictions require longer lead-time for processing, please check with the program coordinator to ensure you allow for sufficient turn-around time. It is the student’s responsibility to provide the completed document prior to placement start.
NOTE: A record of criminal offences, for which a pardon has not been granted, may prevent students from completing their placements, thereby affecting their ability to graduate.
Additional information
It is required that students have Level C CPR and Standard First Aid prior to starting the practical experience courses. It is the student’s responsibility to renew their Level C CPR certification annually while in the program. Students are asked to submit a copy of their current Level C CPR and Standard First Aid certificate to the instructor of the practical experience course. Certifications received through on-line Level C CPR and Standard First Aid courses are not accepted.
Why study Fitness and Health Promotion at Georgian?
Formal pathways to Kinesiology degree programs
- Our diploma program provides you with the practical experience you need to succeed in industry, and the academic foundation to succeed and specialize in a degree program
- Many of our graduates choose to continue their studies with kinesiology degree programs in Ontario and internationally
I couldn’t have picked a better school than Georgian College for Fitness and Health Promotion! I built so many skills that have helped me through my career and everyday life. The knowledge I gained from the courses and faculty at Georgian allowed me to further develop my passion for fitness and health and prepared me to further my education in Kinesiology.
Brandy Coghill (Registered Kinesiologist, class of 2020)
Dedicated exercise and nutrition labs
- With our on-campus nutrition-culinary labs, you’ll not only learn the theory behind nutrition, but also how to put theory into practice
- Georgian’s Fitness and Health Promotion diploma program is the only program in the province to offer this immersive learning experience!
Learn from industry experts
In our program, students have the opportunity to learn from knowledge faculty with a wealth of experience different areas of the Fitness & Health Field, including:
- Athletic/massage therapists
- Registered Kinesiologists
- Physiotherapists
- Chiropractors
- Strength & Conditioning Coaches
- Personal Trainers
- Group exercise instructors
- Former Professional Athletes
My favourite part of my time at Georgian was learning from such friendly and knowledgeable faculty! Also, the combination of theoretical and practical learning really helped prepare me for the industry.
Meet Makda (Registered Physiotherapist, class of 2020)
Gain industry experience
- Georgian’s industry partners take on Fitness and Health Promotion students for placements, and also hire program grads for full-time employment
- Our fourth semester off-campus placement course allows students to choose an industry sector of their interest and complete a placement, with students often converting their internship into employment after graduation.
Unique program events
- Our first semester field trip takes students to Cedar Glen YMCA where students get to know each other while participating in team-building activities.
- Our third semester field trip is an overnight event! Day one, students learn from industry experts presentations as well as participate in practical workshops. On Day two, students attend a networking event to meet local industry partners to learn more about different opportunities in the field and potentially secure an industry placement internship.
- Our program hosts an annual ‘Fitness Olympics’ competition that has students from all semesters compete against each to determine the Fittest Students in the program.
Looking back at my time at Georgian, I fondly remember training opportunities in the fitness testing labs and the knowledgeable, friendly faculty members who were always willing to offer their advice and guidance.—JJ Johnson, R.Kin and Head Athletic Trainer for the Cranbrook Bucks Junior A Hockey Club (class of 2015)
Learning spaces – dedicated fitness and nutrition labs
These labs are used to have students apply their learned theoretical knowledge into practice. Practical labs consist of fitness assessments, exercise techniques, and health promotion strategies.
Two 1,450-square-foot labs resembling small fitness centres
- Dedicated to the Fitness and Health Promotion program
- Equipped with free weights, lifting racks, barbells, trap bars, kettlebells, dumbbells, plyo boxes, a Wattbike and treadmills
1,000-square-foot lab dedicated to bench sciences and assessments
- Includes weights, a Wattbike, Monark bikes, treadmills and a research-quality PARVO metabolic cart
- Explore basic measures for blood pressure, musculoskeletal function, aerobic fitness, and anaerobic power
Open lab times supervised by staff
- Open weekdays for drop ins and supervised by our lab tech or faculty
- Practise movements, record videos for assignments, ask for feedback, or exercise under supervision
Nutrition-culinary labs to explore concepts in nutritional sciences
- Georgian’s Fitness & Health Promotion program is the only program in the province to offer a practical nutritional lab experience!
- Learn to prepare and analyze various meals from a certified chef in our two nutrition classes in our pristine culinary labs!
- Gain practical experience in food handling, safety and preparation through practical culinary lab sessions
- Dive into the theory behind nutrition and how to put theory into practice, preparing 10+ meals
What career paths can I take in the health and fitness industry?
Your Fitness and Health Promotion diploma gives you many career opportunities
Career opportunities include personal trainer, group exercise instructor, health and fitness appraiser/counselor, program director and manager at commercial/private fitness and health clubs, resorts/hotels, corporate/employee fitness centres and organizations, or municipal/community fitness facilities or health units.
Potential employers and career paths:
- Commercial/private fitness centres
- Corporate/employee fitness centres
- Municipal fitness centres
- Sports and recreational clubs
- Camps
- Military fitness
- Fitness centre personal training managers
- Fitness centre general managers
My time at Georgian in the Fitness & Health program was memorable in so many ways. I loved the courses and the hands-on nature of the labs. My instructors were exceptional and taught me essential skills that have been helpful in my career.
Priyesha Ramteke (Registered Physiotherapist, class of 2020)
Industry certifications and academic articulations
Industry certifications
Ontario Fitness Council
By taking the Fitness and Health Promotion diploma program at Georgian, you can fast-track your certification with the Ontario Fitness Council (OFC).
Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology
Upon graduation, you’ll also be eligible to obtain the Canadian Society for Exercise Physiology (CSEP) Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) certification.
Academic articulations
University of Guelph-Humber
York University
Lakehead University
Sheridan College
Hartpury University
Frequently asked questions (FAQs)
A full-time student carrying a full course load in the Fitness and Health Promotion program would typically have 18 hours per week of class.
Should the intake be large enough and multiple sections of each course are offered students will be able to select from multiple sections.
Lab classes are kept much smaller and typically have 10-15 students per section.
Our program courses are very practical! Beginning in first semester, students will take part in practical learning through multiple courses to gain experience in exercise, coaching, training, and cooking.
What courses are included in the Fitness and Health Promotion diploma program?
Course overview
23 Program Courses
2 Communications Courses
3 General Education Courses
Program-specific courses
Semester 1 courses are listed below. For a full list of courses in the program including course descriptions, view the Fitness and Health Promotion program outline.
- BIOL 1027 – Anatomy for the Fitness and Health Professional
- BIOL 1028 – Physiology for the Fitness and Health Professional
- FITN 1002 – Fitness and Wellness
- FITN 1007 – Fitness Instructor Leadership
- FITN 1021 – Client Counselling
- FITN 1022 – Fitness Orientation Practicum
- Select 1 course from the communications list during registration.
- Select 1 course from the general education list during registration.
Your course delivery method(s)
In person
This program is delivered fully in person and requires you to attend campus.
Please note, delivery methods are based on planning for the upcoming semester and are subject to change.
Check out our other related programs
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Pre-service Firefighter Education and Training
Develop your knowledge and skills with hands-on experience in fire suppression, rescue, hazardous materials response, public education and life safety.
Sport Administration
Learn the business of sport! Connect with industry professionals. Two industry placements will give you a head start in your career.
Do you have questions about Fitness and Health Promotion? Contact us!
Thinking about applying to Georgian?
Contact our student recruitment team to explore your study options.
Already applied to Georgian?
Connect with the Office of the Registrar for admissions-related questions.
Are you an international student?
Contact our international recruitment team to learn more about studying at Georgian.
Have questions about the program?
Contact the program co-ordinator for any questions about day-to-day life in the program.
- Email Matt Koller
- 248-388-0903
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