EQF LEVEL 3

Basic principles for
Fitness Instruction

Competences: – at the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the responsibility and autonomy to:
a Develop awareness of, insights and considerations of clients’ individual needs and requirements.
b) Apply skills gained through being sensitive and aware of the clients’ fitness needs.
c) Deploy skills learnt to address barriers to motivation and compliance to prescribed fitness regimes.
d) Demonstrate effective communication skills when dealing with respective clients and ensuring clear understanding through the correct execution of the prescribed regime.

Knowledge – at the end of the module/unit the learner will have been exposed to the following:

a) Basic principles of fitness psychology
b) Basic understanding of communication skills (eg body language, corrective measures, privacy invasion and subtle bullying) c) Recognition of key factors such as intuition and developing emotional intelligence

Skills – at the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the following skills:

a) Apply communication skills effectively
b) Analyse motivation requirements and needs of clients
c)Demonstrate effective communication learnt to a given particularJudgment Skills and Critical Abilities: – the learner will be able to:

a) Become a reflective practitioner and reflect upon his and his client’s actions
b) Identify the best approach in dealing with the individual
c) Detect different forms of bullying and intimidation

Module-Specific Communication Skills: the learner will be able to:

a) Communicate less critically on technique but to reinforce correct technique by using adequate vocabulary and polite language.
b) Outline, list and suggest instructions for correct execution.
c) Provide guidelines and step-by step instructions using concise sentences.

Module-Specific Learner Skills: – the learner will be able to

a) Assist clients and provide solution to their needs and requirements
b) Provide alternative instructions in a manner that is appropriate and responsive to the individuals needs and motivations

5 contact hours, 5 placement/practice hours, 14 self study hours, 1 assessment hour. Total:25 learning hours

Competences: – at the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the responsibility and autonomy to:

a) Organize and maintain a proper gym layout
b) Maintain a clean and safe environment
c) Making proper use of equipment for maximum gain and benefit
d) Utilize the right gym equipment for the given context
d) Design practical and effective workout schedules
e) Assist customers during workouts

Knowledge – at the end of the module/unit the learner will have been exposed to the following:

a) Organisation and utilization of equipment for maximum space, safety and outcome
b) Upkeep of Hygiene and cleanliness all-around the gym environment
c) Health and safety practices
d) Awareness of ethics and rules for individuals attending the gym
e) Awareness regarding various basic exercises and the targeted areas
f) Knowledge on what constitutes an effective set (breathing, posture etc.)
g) Understanding of safety precautions during training

Skills – at the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the following skills:

Applying knowledge and understanding – the learner will be able to:
a) Train correctly and dispose of weights after exercise
b) Approach different individuals and employ constructive corrective measures
c) Design different workouts on the basis of the individual’s characteristics
e) Perform proper demonstrations prior to each exercise
f) Assist clients and provide adequate feedback and help, if required

Judgment Skills and Critical Abilities – the learner will be able to:

a) Analyse the training context and provide advice to clients in accordance to the training programme
b) Identify inappropriate executions of exercises
c) Employ corrective measures to enhance better understanding of exercises.
d) Intervene and assist immediately whenever required to safeguard safety.

Module-Specific Communication Skills – the learner will be able to:

a) Provide clear and concise advice with simple terms
b) Use proper body-language during interventions
c) Provide verbal prompting and encouragement

Module-Specific Learner Skills – the learner will be able to:

a) Handle both free-weights as well as machines to demonstrate correct exercise manoeuvres
b) Monitor and correct people effectively during training
c) Design effective training schedules catering for the individual’s needs
d) Gain mastery of gym equipment with maximum safety
e) Competence to demonstrate exercises using proper breathing, smooth movements, negative repetitions and focus.

5 contact hours, 5 placement/practice hours, 14 self study hours, 1 assessment hour. Total:25 learning hours

Competences: – at the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the responsibility and autonomy to:

a) Obtain necessary information and data on the individuals’ history
b) Carry out body different types of body assessments
c) Interpret measurements

Knowledge – at the end of the module/unit the learner will have been exposed to the following:

a) Different types of body composition assessments techniques
b) Analysis of assessments results
c) Body composition values and health

Skills – at the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the following skills:

Applying knowledge and understanding – the learner will be able to:
a) Apply the analysis of the body assessment results to develop suitable training programme
b) Guide individuals towards their achievable and desired goal

Judgment Skills and Critical Abilities – the learner will be able to:

a) Reassure clients with normal body composition on the basis of the body assessment analysis
b) Provide realistic and suitable recommendations when body composition falls outside the normal range, as necessary, liaise with medical professionals in relation to the role of nutrition and exercise.

Module-Specific Communication Skills – the learner will be able to:

a) Communicate information regarding body composition in an accurate and consistent manner
b) Communicate clearly to provide realistic targets and goals
c) Communicate throughout the training programme in terms of performance monitoring

Module-Specific Learner Skills – the learner will be able to

Utilise acquired knowledge to guide clients accordingly about ideal body weight and body composition

Module-Specific Digital Skills and Competences – the learner will be able to:

Utilise digital measurement tools like body impedance scales for obtaining body analysis data

5 contact hours, 5 placement/practice hours, 14 self study hours, 1 assessment hour. Total:25 learning hours

Competences: – at the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the responsibility and autonomy to:

a) Categorize muscles and understand their interplay during exercises.
b) Assess clients’ needs to train attentively and constructively the main muscle groups for each activity.
c) Read a body type and cater for the particular needs within realistic parameters.
d) Assess the potential of the clients’ fitness and strengths levels to pitch the fitness regime recommended for the clients’ fitness goals.

Knowledge – at the end of the module/unit the learner will have been exposed to the following:

a) Muscle groups
b) Components of each muscle group
c) Muscle activation – basic processes
d) Overtraining, rest and recovery of muscles
e) Understand the difference between the muscle groups, their attachment to joints, and the interplay between antagonist muscles
f)Become aware of the risks of not training the entire body and focusing on favourite body-parts

Skills – at the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the following skills.

Applying knowledge and understanding – the learner will be able to:
a) Ability to understand the scope of engaging in training and flexibility to cater for physical needs.
b) Design workouts for working muscles.
c) Design training regimes according to specific clients’ training needs.
d) Design workouts appealing to individuals of distinctive body types

Judgment Skills and Critical Abilities

This section has been made sufficiently open to accommodate both vocational and academic orientations. Applicants can refer to Judgement Skills, or Critical Abilities (critical skills, dispositions, values and actions), or both.

The learner will be able to:

a) Apply the knowledge related to muscle groups to design effective and customized training plans, while taking into consideration the clients’ metabolism and nutrition.
b) Design training plans in accordance with intensity to avoid overload.
c) Assess clients’ fitness and training potential in terms of strengths and weaknesses

Module-Specific Communication Skills – the learner will be able to:

a) Concisely explain principles related to muscle groups using adequate terminology
b) Guide clients to attentive and constructive training without neglecting any muscle groups

Module-Specific Learner Skills – the learner will be able to;

a) Consider function and multi-joint movement by focusing on particular movements.
b) Train in balance for a healthy functioning body.
c) Distinguish between different body-types

5 contact hours, 5 placement/practice hours, 14 self study hours, 1 assessment hour. Total:25 learning hours

Competences: – at the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the responsibility and autonomy to:

a) Provide general advice about a healthy, balanced diet
b) Provide information about macronutrients, micronutrients and beneficial foods.
c) Instil awareness in students vis a vis the importance of nutrition in order to ensure that they are able to educate their clients’ effectively

Knowledge – at the end of the module/unit the learner will have been exposed to the following:

a) Different food groups
b) Health benefits of proper nutrition
c) Role of nutrients in health
d) Basic components of a healthy balanced diet

Skills – at the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the following skills:

Applying knowledge and understanding the learner will be able to:

a) Encourage clients to improve or adapt their diet according to their specific motivations while maintaining the overarching approach to a health balance between food groups.
b) Give advice to improve health through general food recommendations
c) Generate a sense of awareness in learners to take care of their own appropriate nutrition, as a way of being an example to their eventual clients.

Judgment Skills and Critical Abilities – the learner will be able to:

a) Identify candidates who will benefit from simple dietary measures
b) Be able to identify clients’ whose needs might need additional medical assistance by respective specialists (family doctor, nutritionist, dietician, etc) when there are health concerns.

Module-Specific Communication Skills – the learner will be able to:

a) Communicate basic information about diet in a clear manner
b) Respond to common diet related queries
c) Explain and share information re healthy diet vs fad and unhealthy diets

Module-Specific Learner Skills – the learner will be able to:

a) Obtain a general overview of the client’s state of nutrition
b) Interpret nutritional information or online sources of nutrition data

5 contact hours, 5 placement/practice hours, 14 self study hours, 1 assessment hour. Total:25 learning hours

Competences: – at the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the responsibility and autonomy to:

a) Identify the nutritional needs in different physical training activities
b) Adapt advice to individual client requirements
c) Appreciate the role of food in physical training
d) Recommend the appropriate nutritional path

Knowledge – at the end of the module/unit the learner will have been exposed to the following:

a) Calorie balance
b) Protein intake
c) Carbohydrate intake
d) Dietary modification under specific physical training situations

Skills – at the end of the module/unit the learner will have acquired the following skills:

Applying knowledge and understanding the learner will be able to:
a) Help clients achieve their physical training objectives through adequate nutrition
b) Understand the objectives of clients and guide towards optimal performance through food adequacy
c) Identify and recommend individuals to seek for further professional advice to focus on a specific need

Judgment Skills and Critical Abilities – the learner will be able to:

a) Guide leisure vs competitive physical activity through adequate nutrition
b) Understand the role of nutrition, as necessary, liaise with medical professionals in relation to the role of nutrition and exercise.

Module-Specific Communication Skills – the learner will be able to:

a) Communicate effectively with clients to provide adequate guidance.
b) Depending on the client’s request, communicate as an intermediary between professionals.

Module-Specific Learner Skills – the learner will be able to:

a) Understand the role and importance of nutrition in health and physical activity
b) Acts professionally and ethically when speaking to medical professionals as requested by the client.

5 contact hours, 5 placement/practice hours, 14 self study hours, 1 assessment hour. Total:25 learning hours