Recreation and Well-Being

ACE GROUP EXERCISE INSTRUCTOR PREP COURSE

The American Council on Exercise Group Exercise Instructor Prep Course, taught by Fitness Professionals at VCU, teaches you the skills and knowledge necessary to lead group exercise classes. Students in the course will learn the fundamentals of anatomy, exercise science, and group fitness instruction in a structured and supportive setting of lecture, practical, and practice teaching. Additionally, the individual will gain experience in public speaking, group leadership, and professional conduct. 

This course does not include the exam for certification. Participation in the course allows for a discounted rate for the ACE Group Fitness Instructor Certification Exam. Registration for the exam is completed through the American Council on Exercise. Upon successful completion of the course, students may interview for employment with VCU Recreation and Well-Being.

This course is only available for current VCU students. Questions? Please email groupexprgm@vcu.edu.

ACE PERSONAL TRAINER PREP COURSE

The American Council on Exercise Personal Trainer Prep Course is instructed by Certified Personal Trainers with experience in the field. Students in the course will learn the skills and knowledge necessary to pass the ACE Personal Trainer exam and go on to successfully train clients. By taking this course you will feel better equipped to motivate, challenge and retain clients for the long term. The instructors will provide the opportunity to physically demonstrate the techniques and principles of the ACE Personal Trainer curriculum, enhancing your memory and understanding of the philosophies and methods of Personal Training.

This course does not include the exam for certification. Participation in the course allows for a discounted rate for the ACE Personal Trainer Certification Exam. Registration for the exam is completed through the American Council on Exercise. Participation in the course includes the textbooks. Registration for the exam is completed through the American Council on Exercise. Upon successful completion of the course, students may interview for employment with VCU Recreation and Well-Being.

This course is only available for current VCU students.  Questions? Please email fitness@vcu.edu. 

This class is designed to help participants gain basic aquatic skills and swimming strokes, including the front crawl, breaststroke, and elementary backstroke. Participants also learn skills and concepts needed to stay safe around the water, in addition to those needed to help themselves or others in an aquatic emergency. 

For more information on this course, email Amanda Simmons, alsimmons@vcu.edu. 

This course is designed to provide entry-level lifeguard participants with the knowledge and skills to prevent, recognize and respond to aquatic emergencies and to provide professional-level care for breathing and cardiac emergencies, injuries and sudden illnesses until emergency medical services (EMS) personnel take over.

All course participants must be able to pass prerequisite swim test: 

• 300yd Swim
• Non-stop, demonstrating breath control & rhythmic breathing
• May use front crawl, breaststroke or a combination (swimming on back or side is not allowed)
• Goggles are permitted
• 2 minute Tread
• Starting in the water, swim 20 yards.
• Surface dive, feet-first or head-first to a depth of around 7 - 10 feet in the water to retrieve a 10-lb. Brick.
• Return to the surface and swim on your back while holding the brick with both hands over your chest and swim back the same distance towards where you started.
• Exit the water without the use of the ladder or steps. Take or throw the brick out of the water once you have returned to your starting position.
• Using legs only, no arms allowed. Arms should be placed under armpits.
• Goggles are not permitted.
• Timed Event (within 1 minute & 40 seconds)

For more information about this course, email Amanda Simmons, alsimmons@vcu.edu. 

Do you enjoy swimming and want to learn how to teach others how to swim and about water safety? 

This class will develop your understanding of swimming and teaching techniques and principles, help you conduct a swim lesson, and teach you how to monitor participants' practice and give positive, corrective feedback. 

Prerequisites:

• Successfully complete the online session for the instructor before training 
• Bring your completion certificate to the instructor
• Successfully complete the American Red Cross prerequisites for a Water Safety Instructor at a level 4 competency or higher: 
  • 25 Yard Freestyle Swim 
  • 25 Yard Backstroke Swim 
  • 25 Yard Breaststroke Swim 
  • 25 Yard Elementary Backstroke Swim 
  • 15 Yard Butterfly Swim 
  • Float on back for 1 minute 
  • Tread water for 1 minute 
• Have a desire to teach
• Demonstrate a positive attitude
• Complete blended learning portions of the course by assigned deadlines

To successfully complete the course and receive American Red Cross Water Safety Instructor certification you must complete the above prerequisites, attend the entire course, participate in class, complete lesson plans, complete 4 practice teaches, and successfully complete the written test.

If you are interested in, or have any questions about the Water Safety Instructor course, please contact Amanda Simmons at alsimmons@vcu.edu

This course is designed to provide students with the theoretical and practical foundations to design, implement, and evaluate best practice peer to peer education related to health and well-being. Students will learn and practice concepts such as active listening, responding to a crisis, and effectively delivering and evaluating peer to peer programming. 

This course also serves as required training for students interested in becoming a Peer Health Educator (PHE) with VCU’s Recreation and Well-Being (RecWell) department. Students interested in becoming a PHE will need to complete the required recruitment process and meet the eligibility criteria prior to enrolling in the course. Any student who is not selected as a PHE, but who successfully completes the course will have the option of applying at the end of the semester. For additional questions related to the PHE program, email peerhealth@vcu.edu. 

This course is designed to improve participants proficiency in basic aquatic skills and six basic swimming strokes. This class will also work on refining participants strokes, turns and build endurance for fitness swimming. Participants also learn skills and concepts needed to stay safe around the water. 

For more information about this course, please contact Amanda Simmons, alsimmons@vcu.edu.