Skip to content
Wintec exercise students at campus

Certificate in Exercise (Level 4)

New Zealand Certificate in Exercise (Level 4)

SH1801

Course details

Summary

Become a qualified Personal Trainer

This programme will give students the skills and knowledge needed to be able to deliver exercise instruction to others. Students will learn the important theory of personal training and build a base of practical experience. 

Practical work is a significant component of the study, enabling students to graduate ready to hit the ground running. As part of their study, students will undertake a 20-hour work placement in a gym. This placement helps the student to build a professional network, gives them relevant work experience, and sets them up to be effective members of the workplace in the future. 

Students will learn how to:
  • Deliver safe and effective exercise programmes, including pre-screening, within their own scope of practice and industry code of ethics.
  • Apply knowledge of anatomy and physiology to adapt and deliver safe and effective exercise programmes.
  • Adapt programmes for apparently healthy people and common at-risk groups using exercise science and testing.
  • Apply  motivational and communication techniques to enhance individual participant commitment to a personalised exercise programme.
  • Apply a health and wellness framework and evidence-based nutrition principles to support a personalised exercise programme and recommend referral pathways to allied health professions.
  • Use marketing and business tools and techniques to support business practices as an exercise professional.

Graduates of the programme will be eligible to register with the New Zealand Register of Exercise Professionals. 

Developed alongside industry

The Certificate in Exercise (Level 4) and Certificate in Exercise (Level 5) have been designed with the help of employers, ensuring our qualifications will meet the needs of the fitness industry.

"Well done to Wintec on working with the industry, to formulate the new level 4 and 5 qualifications. I believe the curriculum and subsequent range of activities students will engage in as part of the course, have been set specifically to achieve an even higher level of education, motivation and adherence for all students. This will be very valuable to help them be successful in the industry."

- Mel Engelbrecht, Personal Trainer, Nutritionist, Snr Assessor Mentor (MotionMel)

Motion Mel Logo Blue

"My reason for wanting to employ Wintec students is because I was a Wintec student myself and if it wasn't for Wintec, I wouldn’t be where I am today. 
I know how thorough and hands-on the staff are, and students come out of the course fully confident and business ready."

- Tony Brunton, First Place Fitness Club Owner/Manager

First Place Fitness -Logo -With Tagline

Learn from the experts

The people teaching this programme are both experienced and qualified. They have worked with athletes over a number of years at both a national and international level.

Lynne O'Malley

  • Trainer for Waikato/Bay of Plenty Magic between 2003 and 2013
  • Previously worked with more than 50 international athletes over the last 20 years

Qualifications: Master of Sports and Ex Sc, BSc (Physiol), BPhEd

Read more about Lynne

Kerin McDonald

  • Previous instructor and duty manager at Outward Bound New Zealand, working with a wide variety of groups, and supporting the development of U23 rowers
  • Kiwisport Secondary School Event Coordinator and Waipa District Coordinator

Qualifications: Bachelor of Sport and Exercise Science

Read more about Kerin

We support you while you study

Wintec provides support from day one.

Students will have access to free study preparation courses, academic resources, a specialist student learning services team, library filled with resources and staffed by expert librarians, a dedicated team for Māori and Pacific support, disability support services, and affordable health care on campus.

Find out more about our student support here.

View programme modules

Module code Module name Level Credits Pre-requisites Co-requisites
SPRT401Introduction to the Fitness Industry415  
SPRT402Exercise Training415  
SPRT403Nutrition 415  
SPRT501Fitness Industry Business Skills415  

Career/further opportunities

Graduates can be employed or self-employed in roles such as:

  • Exercise Consultant
  • Community Exercise Instructor
  • Team Training Instructor
  • Personal Trainer

This programme provides a pathway to, and is a prerequisite for, the New Zealand Certificate in Exercise (Level 5).

Disclaimers

Entry criteria

You can apply for this programme if you meet one of the below options.

Based on your school achievement (secondary school study)​

  • 40 credits at NCEA Level 2, including 10 literacy credits at Level 2 and 10 numeracy credits at NCEA Level 1, or
  • a recognised equivalent.

Based on study completed after school (tertiary study)

  • A relevant qualification at NZQF Level 2; or
  • a recognised equivalent qualification.

Based on discretionary entrance

If you do not meet any of the above options, and you think you have what it takes to complete this programme, you can apply for discretionary entrance. Your application may be accepted if you can demonstrate a good chance of success. Approval of discretionary entrance applications is decided by the relevant manager. If your application is approved, your acceptance into further programmes relies on you demonstrating success in this programme.

First Aid requirements

Students enrolled in this programme must hold, or be working towards, a current first aid certificate (covering NZQA units 6401 and 6402) for the duration of their enrolment.

English language requirements

Candidates who have English as a second language are required to have an International English Language Test System (IELTS) score of 5.5 with no individual band score lower than 5.0 or equivalent.

Additional requirement

Police vetting may be required in order to comply with the provisions of the Vulnerable Children Act 2014 and Wintec Policies. These will include but are not limited to:

  • A Formal Interview
  • Referee Checks
  • A Police Vet Check
  • A Risk Assessment
Want to see full details of the entry criteria?
Do not meet entry criteria or need more information?

Pathways

To check what you need to gain direct entry to a course, review the entry criteria available on each programme page. These assist you in understanding what qualifications or experience are typically required to gain entry. You can contact our team at info@wintec.ac.nz or 0800 2 Wintec at any time for further guidance.

Your first day

Are you ready for your first day of class? Check out your start date and where you need to be. You can also find useful information about studying at Wintec on our welcome page.

Semester 1 2025

Whānau evening
Date: Monday 17 February 2025
Time: 4pm-6pm
Venue: Q Block foyer, Centre for Sport Science and Human Performance, Rotokauri Campus

Induction
Date: Tuesday 18 February 2025
Time: 9am-3pm
Venue: Q Block foyer, Rotokauri Campus

What you will need

Please bring a pen and notebook on your first day. It is also recommended that you bring a personal device that can connect to the internet (laptop, smartphone, tablet etc).

You will also need to bring ID documents for Police vetting. Please click here for more information about the Vulnerable Children's Act, the safety checking process, and what forms of ID you need to bring.

Timetable information

All Wintec timetables are available online here.

How to find your way around

Campus maps can be found here.

Parking and bus information

Both the Rotokauri and City campuses have parking available - payment and permits may be required. The Gardens Campus has free parking available. Learn more about parking and find out about bus services here.

He reo pōwhiri, your official welcome to Wintec

Tēnei te mihi mahana ki a koe e piki nei, e kake nei ki te Kuratini o Waikato.

You are warmly invited to attend the official welcome to Wintec for all new students, staff and whānau (family) at either our marae, Te Kōpū Mānia o Kirikiriroa or Rotokauri campus. The pōwhiri is a welcoming ceremony involving mihimihi (speeches), waiata (singing), and will conclude with kai timotimo (light refreshments). Please gather at the campus hubs, and a staff member will guide you through our pōwhiri.

Click here to find out when the next pōwhiri will be.

Paying for your study

Course-related costs

Student kit (approximately $150)

This will include all the equipment that is needed for your course, such as:

  • A blood pressure cuff,
  • heart rate monitor, and
  • callipers. 
You will also need a Wintec polo shirt (approximately $40). This can be purchased from Direct Group.

Additional information

As part of your work placement for this programme, you will need to have completed a safety check and hold a first aid certificate. You can start the programme without these but need to have it sorted in the first four weeks of the semester. Your tutors will guide you on these requirements.

Booklist

Purchasing textbooks

If your programme requires you to have access to textbooks, these can be purchased through a range of suppliers listed below:

    New Zealand-based suppliers

    General book suppliers

    First aid certificate

    Health status

    Uniform

    Equipment

    Clinical placement

    Prospectus (course guide)

    The Wintec Prospectus (otherwise known as a course guide) outlines everything you need to know about Wintec. It contains information about the Wintec campuses, student life, and the programmes that are on offer.

    Access your copy of the Wintec Prospectus

    The Wintec Prospectus (course guide) is available by downloading the file - click on the document below to access the file. Alternatively, to request a copy via email or the post, please complete the form below.

    Request an emailable or printed copy of the Prospectus

    Portfolio

    Need help? Want to know how to get started?

    Leave your details here and we will come back to you:

    Wintec is part of Te Pūkenga - New Zealand Institute of Skills and Technology Learn More about Wintec Te Pūkenga.

    Learn with purpose

    Explore Te Pūkenga

    Te Kāwanatanga o Aotearoa - New Zealand Government

    Te Kāwanatanga o Aotearoa - New Zealand Government

    Copyright © 2022 Wintec