Frequently Asked Questions

Why should I choose Body Blueprint Fitness over others?

Body Blueprint has been training fitness professionals for since 1986. in fact, many of the trainers who teach Fitness courses were originally trained by Body Blueprint. We give you the personal touch. You are more than just a "student number". We care about your learning process. We make sure you are fully understanding the material you are learning and fully prepare you for the provincial exam. If you need extra help, we are there to answer any questions you have. If you take the correspondence course, you are very welcome to sit in on any or all in-class sessions at no extra fee.

What is the process of becoming a certified instructor?

To become a BCRPA registered fitness trainer you will need the following...

• Complete a Recognized Fitness Theory Course
• Write the BCRPA exam

  Once you have completed the fitness theory course. The Body Blueprint course completely prepares you for the exam. There is a $65.00 membership fee that will need to be paid at the time you write the exam. (this is a yearly fee). You must achieve at least 80% on the BCRPA Basic Fitness Theory Examination. This fee includes $2 million liability insurance (which is excellent as insurance without being a registered trainer can run you over $1,000 per year). The BCRPA is the governing body of fitness in BC and it is difficult to gain employment without provincial certification.

• Complete one or more Specialty Modules
• Group Fitness Instructor

  Aerobic instructor/group fitness instructor done in a gym setting. Cost - approx $195.00. For more information contact us for course in Victoria and Nanaimo.

• Third Age instructor

  Seniors - teaching group fitness to the older population For more information consult the BCRPA web site.

• Adapted Fitness

  Teaching fitness for people with limitations. For more information consult the BCRPA web site.

• Aquatic Fitness instructor

  Group fitness in the water. For more information consult the BCRPA web site.

• Weight Training

  In-class in Victoria or correspondence through VIP fitness - 604-576-2507 or email info@vipfitness.ca.

  A weight training instructor will be able to work in a weight room showing others how to train and use the equipment (free weights, bar bells, cables, machines, etc) We have courses starting every six weeks in Victoria. Please contact us for more information.

• Personal Training

  (* You must complete the Weight Training module prior to registering for the Personal Trainers course). This course will allow you to train clients one on one. This course covers fitness assessments, health risks, and complete program design. For dates and time, please contact us.

• Additional certification

  You will also need to complete First Aid (current within two years) and CPR (Heartsaver, Level A) - (current every year).

How long will the correspondence course take me?

This course is go-at-your-own-pace. Some people have finished in one weekend if they have a deadline to meet - ie a Strength Training Course starting. You have up to 4 months to complete the course. Since the entire course can be done through email, your assignments are returned to you quickly.

How many assignments are there?

There are six assignments. These are to ensure you are learning the information. As long as you are giving it your best shot you will be fine. There are no wrong answers. Only answers you didn't get quite right that you can learn from.

Will I get my assignments back?

Yes, all your assignments are returned to you. Each assignment is hand marked and you are given feed back on all your answers. You are also sent answer sheets to enhance your learning.

Is there an exam at the end?

Not for this course. As a rule, exams aren't sent back so you don't know where you are having trouble. Your assignments are an indicator of your learning and all of these are returned to you. This course does thoroughly prepare you for the BCRPA exam.

Will this course give me all the information I need?

Yes. This course is the basic fitness course but exceeds the information required for the provincial exam. This course will give you the stepping stone to all other aspects of fitness. If you want to become a trainer in Aquatics, Fitness To Music or Strength, you will need to take this course first.

I have no desire to instruct fitness. Will this course benefit me?

Absolutely. Thousands of people have taken this course to become instructors in Fitness, but hundreds have just for their own interest. You will learn how to safely and effectively set up fitness programs for yourself and how and why your body responds to exercise the way it does.

Once I have taken this course, where to from there?

You may decide that you want to become a trainer in any of the following fields; Fitness To Music (Aerobics), Aqua Aerobics, Strength Training, or Adapted or Seniors Fitness. Once you have taken this course, you simply take the specialty module of your choosing. You can take one or all of them. The Body BluePrint Fitness Theory course is the stepping stone to all of the other fitness courses.

If I need extra help - Is it available?

Absolutely. You can e-mail your tutor, or simply send questions along with your assignments. All your questions will be answered. If necessary, you can receive telephone tutoring.

How many times a week do I have to exercise?

Aerobic activity should be done 3 - 5 times per week. But you can do more if you are doing different types of exercise.

Strength training for a month and have no visible results. What gives?

The first six weeks of any strength training is neurological. That is your brain is sorting out what is going on. Be patient. It takes about six weeks for you to notice a change.

I simply can't lose fat from my pot belly. Why not?

It could be a number of reasons. Are you doing any sort of aerobic activity? Only aerobic activity will burn fat from your body (as there is no such thing as spot reduction) Are you doing any strength training? Strength training will tighten the muscle mass and give you a more defined look. What is going into your mouth? Fat packs a whopping amount of calories. If you are in a positive energy balance (more food going in than energy coming out) you will gain fat - or at least not lose any if you are exercising. Watch what you eat! Lastly, heredity plays a large part where you store your fat. Think about fat as potential energy! Have you ever seen anyone with really skinny body but big thighs? This just happens to be where this person is storing their potential energy!