SAQA All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.
SOUTH AFRICAN QUALIFICATIONS AUTHORITY 
REGISTERED QUALIFICATION: 

Higher Certificate in Fitness 
SAQA QUAL ID QUALIFICATION TITLE
96793  Higher Certificate in Fitness 
ORIGINATOR
Exercise Teachers Academy PTY Limited 
PRIMARY OR DELEGATED QUALITY ASSURANCE FUNCTIONARY NQF SUB-FRAMEWORK
CHE - Council on Higher Education  HEQSF - Higher Education Qualifications Sub-framework 
QUALIFICATION TYPE FIELD SUBFIELD
Higher Certificate  Field 02 - Culture and Arts  Sport 
ABET BAND MINIMUM CREDITS PRE-2009 NQF LEVEL NQF LEVEL QUAL CLASS
Undefined  137  Not Applicable  NQF Level 05  Regular-Provider-ELOAC 
REGISTRATION STATUS SAQA DECISION NUMBER REGISTRATION START DATE REGISTRATION END DATE
Registered-data under construction  EXCO 0324/24  2024-07-01  2027-06-30 
LAST DATE FOR ENROLMENT LAST DATE FOR ACHIEVEMENT
2028-06-30   2031-06-30  

Registered-data under construction

The qualification content is currently being updated for the qualifications with the status “Registered-data under construction” or showing “DETAILS UNDER CONSTRUCTION” to ensure compliance with SAQA’S Policy and Criteria for the registration of qualifications and part-qualifications on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF) (As amended, 2022). These qualifications are re-registered until 30 June 2027 and can legitimately be offered by the institutions to which they are registered.

 

In all of the tables in this document, both the pre-2009 NQF Level and the NQF Level is shown. In the text (purpose statements, qualification rules, etc), any references to NQF Levels are to the pre-2009 levels unless specifically stated otherwise.  

PURPOSE AND RATIONALE OF THE QUALIFICATION 
Purpose:
A qualifying learner who has achieved this qualification will be able to:
  • Screen, assess and monitor health related fitness programmes, demonstrating the knowledge for appropriate referral when necessary.
  • Advise on nutrition, lifestyle, wellness and health promotion choices.
  • Design, implement and adapt physical activity programmes for apparently healthy individuals.
  • Carry out business, administrative, marketing and sales functions.

    Rationale:
    Fitness facilities and leisure clubs have grown nationally and internationally and the requirement for qualified fitness professionals has responded to this industry growth, in South Africa and overseas.

    To ensure professional standards in the fitness industry, a professional register of exercise professionals (REPSSA) was registered with the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) in April 2011. REPSSA aligns to professional registers in Australia, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and Europe, ensuring international benchmarking and internationally agreed standards for fitness professionals.

    The Higher Certificate in Fitness meets the professional standards laid down by REPSSA and the qualification has been mapped to REPSSA's competencies for professional designation of Personal Trainer.

    This qualification aims to do the following:
  • Ensure that the fitness practices adhere to sound principles drawn from exercise science.
  • Develop the appropriate skills and knowledge required by the broader fitness industry.
  • Enhance the standards of exercise professionals by providing a scope of practice that gives credibility to the fitness profession.
  • Align fitness education and training to the international fitness community.

    This Higher Certificate in Fitness will enable qualifying learners to work in the fitness industry, enabling access to work in personal training, fitness instruction and group exercise instruction. Additionally, this qualification factors entrepreneurship, ensuring that graduates have the appropriate level of business knowledge needed to run their own fitness business or private practice. 
    		•

    LEARNING ASSUMED TO BE IN PLACE AND RECOGNITION OF PRIOR LEARNING 
    Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL):
    The institution's policy for Recognition of prior learning caters for a number of categories of RPL:
  • Recognition of informal work-based knowledge and skills to enable access to a qualification.
  • Recognition of prior formal learning credits to enable access to a qualification.
  • Recognition of prior informal learning to enable achievement of the qualification.

    The institution's policy caters comprehensively for RPL with assessment instruments designed for the assessment of evidence from informal learning environments as well as mechanisms for the evaluation of learners' formal learning and the applicability of credit transfer to the Higher Certificate in Fitness qualification.

    Entry Requirements:
    The minimum entry requirements are:
  • National Senior Certificate (NSC).
    Or
  • National Certificate (Vocational) NC(V)) at Level 4. 
    		•

    RECOGNISE PREVIOUS LEARNING? 
    Y 

    QUALIFICATION RULES 
    This qualification consists of compulsory and elective modules at National Qualifications Framework (NQF) Level 5 totalling 137 Credits.

    Compulsory Modules: 127 Credits:
  • Kinesiology, 36 Credits.
  • Screening, Assessment and Programme Prescription, 32 Credits.
  • Instructing Exercise to Individuals and Groups, 30 Credits.
  • Health and Safety in Fitness, 14 Credits.
  • Fitness Business Management, 15 Credits.

    Elective Modules: 10 Credits (Select one module):
  • Aerobics, Step and Tone, 10 Credits.
  • Indoor Cycling, 10 Credits.
  • Pilates Mat, 10 Credits.
  • Yoga Vinyasa, 10 Credits. 
    		•

    EXIT LEVEL OUTCOMES 
    1. Operate professionally in a fitness environment, in consideration of safety and risk factors.
    2. Provide risk screening, assessment and fitness testing.
    3. Design and conduct exercise programmes.
    4. Lead and instruct safe and effective exercise sessions or routines. 

    ASSOCIATED ASSESSMENT CRITERIA 
    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 1:
  • Fitness activities are conducted in line with legal requirements and professional codes of practice.
  • Special needs are considered in the planning and implementation of programmes.
  • Safety, risk management and injury prevention is considered in fitness programmes.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 2:
  • Risk screening is implemented to meet participants' risks, health and exercise needs.
  • Health related sub-maximal fitness testing is conducted to ensure exercise readiness.
  • Nutritional advice is provided for health and performance needs.
  • Lifestyle concepts to advance health and wellness are utilised to advance health and wellness.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 3:
  • The anatomical and biomechanical principles of movement are applied to exercise conditioning.
  • Fitness programmes comply with current scientific principles of sport and exercise physiology.

    Associated Assessment Criteria for Exit Level Outcome 4:
  • Motivation principles are applied to physical activity programmes.
  • Effective communication skills are demonstrated in the instruction of exercise sessions or classes.
  • Relevant exercise modalities are selected and taught to individuals or groups.
  • Equipment or apparatus is selected to support an exercise modality.

    Integrated Assessment:
    Integrated Assessment at the level of qualification (Level 5) provides an opportunity for learners to show that they are able to integrate theoretical concepts, and apply such concepts to procedures, thus achieving the knowledge and skills that are coherent to the purpose of the qualification. Integrated assessment judges the quality of the observable performance and the quality of the critical thinking and problem solving that underpins performance.

    Assessment instruments elicit the knowledge, thinking and decision-making that underpins learners' performance. Assessment includes a range of methods which ensure that learners provide evidence of their theoretical knowledge and demonstrate the relevant level of practical skills in the context of their professional practice in fitness. The ratio between action and interpretation is not fixed, but varies according to the modules within the qualification. Nevertheless, because this is a vocational qualification, the expectation is that assessment evaluates learners' abilities to apply their knowledge; ensuring that practice is informed by current theories and principles of exercise science.

    Knowledge is assessed formatively throughout the learning process. Summative assessment takes the form of end of semester written exams or assignments and applied knowledge and practical skills are assessed with simulations, demonstrations and practice-based projects. Practical projects show how learners work with participants, preparing, monitoring and adapting exercise programmes, according to the needs of participants.

    Practical demonstrations are designed to ensure that theory-informed practice, demonstrating technique and execution capabilities and using equipment where relevant. Learners need to demonstrate the communication skills required to counsel and advise or to lead and instruct exercise.

    Experiential learning: Learners spend time completing practical work-based hours, completing activities. They are placed at fitness facilities, schools, sport clubs and hours are logged in their log book and signed off by supervisors. Such evidence is evaluated for the achievement of the qualification. 
    		•

    INTERNATIONAL COMPARABILITY 
    This qualification has been compared with fitness qualifications in Great Britain, New Zealand and Australia and this qualification meets or exceeds their standards. The concept of a single qualification that includes knowledge of exercise science and the principles of effective training and teaching of exercise programmes are common to these qualifications. When comparing this higher certificate against the qualifications offered in the United Kingdom (UK), it is apparent that the education and training offered in this qualification compares favourably.

    For comparability of fitness qualifications and professional standards of fitness professionals, the Register of Exercise Professionals South Africa (REPSSA) has been consulted because of their work with the development of a professional register of fitness professionals in South Africa. The REPSSA professional register has internationally benchmarked their standards for South Africa and this qualification meets the REPSSA standard for fitness professionals at Level 5 in South Africa and the REPS Level 3 standards in the UK. Both the UK and SA standards relate to the professional designation of Personal Trainer, which this qualification achieves. 

    ARTICULATION OPTIONS 
    This qualification offers the following articulation possibilities.

    Horizontal Articulation:
  • Higher Certificate in Sport, Recreation Management, Level 5.
  • National Diploma: Fitness, Level 5.

    Vertical Articulation:
  • Advanced certificates in Fitness, Level 6.
  • Diploma in Sport and Exercise, Level 6. 
    		•

    MODERATION OPTIONS 
    N/A 

    CRITERIA FOR THE REGISTRATION OF ASSESSORS 
    N/A 

    NOTES 
    N/A 

    LEARNING PROGRAMMES RECORDED AGAINST THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    When qualifications are replaced, some (but not all) of their learning programmes are moved to the replacement qualifications. If a learning programme appears to be missing from here, please check the replaced qualification.
     
    NONE 


    PROVIDERS CURRENTLY ACCREDITED TO OFFER THIS QUALIFICATION: 
    This information shows the current accreditations (i.e. those not past their accreditation end dates), and is the most complete record available to SAQA as of today. Some Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionaries have a lag in their recording systems for provider accreditation, in turn leading to a lag in notifying SAQA of all the providers that they have accredited to offer qualifications and unit standards, as well as any extensions to accreditation end dates. The relevant Primary or Delegated Quality Assurance Functionary should be notified if a record appears to be missing from here.
     
    1. Exercise Teachers Academy - Cape Town 


    All qualifications and part qualifications registered on the National Qualifications Framework are public property. Thus the only payment that can be made for them is for service and reproduction. It is illegal to sell this material for profit. If the material is reproduced or quoted, the South African Qualifications Authority (SAQA) should be acknowledged as the source.