Seated Exercise Leadership Course
Learn to adapt most types of exercise for seated participants .
Seated Exercise Leader Certification Overview
This certification equips fitness professionals with the skills to safely and effectively coach seated participants through all aspects of a fitness class using modified exercises designed for chair-based movement.
Upon completion, Seated Exercise Leaders will have a strong understanding of:
- The diverse needs, abilities, and conditions of participants requiring seated exercise
- Techniques to adapt foundational exercises for a seated format, targeting all major muscle groups
- Strategies for motivating and coaching participants to encourage full engagement and confidence
- Awareness of physical challenges and disorders associated with prolonged sitting
- Approaches for interacting with participants in ways that reject and counter ableist assumptions
- Critical safety considerations when planning and leading seated fitness sessions
Pre-requisites:
NSFA members must hold one of the following certifications to enroll:
- Group Exercise Leader (GEL)
- Weight Training/Resistance Training (WT/RT)
- Personal Trainer (PT)
- Active Older Adult/Adapting for Diversity in Exercise (ADE/OAL)
You can email us at info@nsfitness.ca if you have questions on your eligibility for this certification.
Location/Date/Time:
Please note: this course will be delivered via a blend of live video stream & in-person sessions.
| Zoom |
Tuesday, November 25, 2025 |
6:30 to 8:30 pm |
| Zoom |
Thursday, November 27, 2025 |
6:30 to 8:30 pm |
| Zoom |
Tuesday, December 2, 2025 |
6:30 to 8:30 pm |
| Zoom |
Thursday, December 4, 2025 |
6:30 to 8:30 pm |
| In-person (Hfx/Dart area) |
Saturday, December 6, 2025 |
9:00 am to 5:00 pm |
Locations: Zoom and In-person Practical Day, Hfx/Dart TBD
Instructor(s): Andréa Morrison
Exams: A written and practical exam are required to complete this course. Full certification also requires completion of Exercise Theory and a 1st Aid & CPR certificate. No certifications will be issued without ET and 1st Aid/CPR completed.
Fee:
NSFA members: $350
Non-members: $399
Registration ends November 18, 2025
Credit cards are accepted. If you require to pay by cheque, please make the cheque payable to the Nova Scotia Fitness Association and mail to P.O. Box 35011, Halifax RPO, B3M 0G3
Note: We require a minimum of 5 registrants to run the course. Registrants will be notified in the event we do not have enough people registered to run the course, and your money will be refunded.
Seated Exercise Leaders will be able to safely and effectively coach seated participants through all aspects of a fitness class, using exercises modified to incorporate use of the chair.
Once certified, they will have a clear understanding of:
● The wide variety of participant needs and abilities they will encounter
● How to modify basic exercises to target all parts of the body from a seated position
● How to motivate and coach/direct seated participants
● What physical challenges/disorders might be associated with remaining seated for long periods
● How to interact with participants in ways that mitigate and nullify ableist mindsets
● Safety considerations surrounding seated exercise
Pre-requisite: For NSFA members, this certification requires all participants to have one of the following underlying certifications - GEL, WT/RT, PT or ADE/OAL.
