Step 1:
Is Personal Training
Right for Me?

Step 2:
Get Certified

Step 3:
Get the Job

Step 4:
Launch Your Business

Step 5:
Train Smarter

- Popular Pages -

Exam Prep Course

Complete Training System

Site Search

CAN FIT PRO review

Nothing professional about this course at all. As an employer of Personal Trainers, I generally cringe when I see this listed on a resume. There is absolutely no consistency between what students are taught (it all depends on the 'instructor') and there is no way that graduates from this program can effectively train individuals without spending more hours of their own time educating themselves through other resources. Practical experience is basically non-existant and more often than not I have graduates of this program not even know how to use a pulley system or free weights!

CANFIT PRO is the joke of the fitness industry.

Comments for CAN FIT PRO review

Average Rating

Click here to add your own comments

Rating

WOW!
by: Anonymous

You just confirmed every suspicion that I had.

Rating

Need to look deeper
by: Anonymous

I don't think some people realize in order to stay certified so many course credits need to be completed each year! And...there are gyms that hire people who haven't had ANY training what-so-ever!

Rating

look at it differently
by: Anonymous

I really don't think that the type of cert you have should matter. I have managed and hired trainers before. I have seen good trainers with can fit and bad trainers with a kin degree. It all comes down to experience. I tried not to let my prejudices judge the trainer looking for a job. Everyone starts off crap. Lets face it. You get better by being on the floor training people and my expanding your knowledge through books.

Rating

Yes! A Joke
by: Anonymous

I took one certification through CanFitPro. The instructor was very good (University grad in Kinesiology). However, the failure rate is VERY low with regard to CanFitPro exams, and, I see these Personal Trainers who "just got into their fitness JOURNEY" losing weight, after NO previous athletic involvement WHATSOEVER. Do I need a still obese person "training" me? These are people who never did ANYTHING AT ALL in the fitness field - that is why they are on a "journey" to lose 100 pounds!!! Then - with one certification, they are let loose on the public. And - do not get me started on the "keeping up your professionalism" gag by taking certs every year afterward - to ensure the $$ keeps rolling in for CanFitPro. One does not even have to attend the course to write the exams!! How crazy is that? As well, High School is not even a prerequisite - there are none. Only Dollars matter.

Rating

I would never work for you
by: Anonymous

What kind trainer would I be if DIDN'T spend time educating myself through other resources and trying things out for myself before teaching others. And, constantly trying new things that no one course could ever hope to cover. Seriously, I comes down to the individual, how you are with people and your creativity as a trainer. I'm certified through CanFitPro, I'm a successful trainer and I can't stand most conventional weight training techniques or machines. What I love about it is the constant research and trying out new unconventional things. The certification is just a piece of paper that says my theory is all in place...the rest is up to me is it not?

Rating

Reasons Can fit is bad
by: Anonymous

I'm a guy that's been through the Can-fit program, and going the Personal Fitness Trainer program from NAIT (Northern Alberta Institute of Technology) which is recognized by (CSEP, NASM, and NCSA). Being a Can-fit graduate I believe I have the right to criticize without bias.

1) Can-fit only scratches the surface. Even with the continuing education and conferences they host, the material is lacking.

2) No pre-requisite required for certification. This creates several problems, first it means they are pumping out people without the scientific knowledge required to properly train clients safely and effectively. Because of the lack of education required, many Can-fit grads do not understand the concepts of human movement,physiology... This is potentially dangerous for the people that hire the trainers.
Secondly programs like Can-fit promote a saturation of the personal training market which decreases the salary of educated professionals and replaces them with sub-standard individuals.

3) The so-called "creativity" does not necessarily make a good trainer. Creativity without scientific reasoning in this profession is dangerous. Creativity in conjunction with experience, and knowledge make a good trainer. You need all three.

Rating

not impressed
by: Anonymous

Wow! I love the nasty comment directed at people who choose to get active and lose their weight, then decide to turn their experience and newly discovered passion for fitness into a career. There's something to be said for training with someone who has had to learn how to be healthy too, rather than someone who has never struggled with health issues, no matter what their certification is.

Let's keep the comments directed to canfit pro as a tool and not the people who decide, for whatever reason, to enter the field.

Rating

Can Fit Pro & Goodlife
by: Anonymous

I am really getting annoyed with the "BIG shots" at Can Fit Pro. They think that they are the invinsible and superior.

David "PATCH" Adams is a JACKASS - . He walked by me a couple of yrs ago and I INSTANTLY felt negative energy!

As far as Goodlife goes, it is a "Stepford" organization. I have been in the industry for over 20 yrs. Under NO circumatances will I allow anyone to dictate how I teach, how I will speak, the music I use, my form of cueing or ANYTHING of the sort.

I believe that we as Instructors/Trainers nrrd to take a stand against this type of dictatorship.

We pay our yearly dues etc and we don't and yet we haven't received any opportunities for discounts or any other privlages.

Why is that??

Rating

SOOOO ANGRY
by: Soon2B

I have to agree with the person who said lets keep this about CAN-FIT-PRO and not a about the people using this to become trainers themselves. I am about to become a CAN-FIT-PRO personal trainer and well some of you may not respect the course that doesn't mean you don't have to respect those of us who are using it as a stepping stone into personal trainer.. I know my stuff I do a lot of independent reading and I watch a lot of video's and I talk with the trainers at my gym and I listen to anyone with experience( experience is the greatest knowledge)with health and fitness. I simply don't want to pay thousands of dollars and spend years in a class room to become a trainer... (let's just say i feel the same way about colleges and Universities that you do about CAN-FIT-PRO) I bet if you watched 2 trainers training 2 people you wouldn't be able to point and say "oh that's the CAN-FIT-PRO trainer" It all has to do with the willingness and the desire to be a good trainer as it does with anything else in life. I will continue to learn and grow after I am certified with CAN-FIT-PRO and be a damn good trainer and why????? Because I CARE and I WANT too be!!!!

Rating

CanFit Pro- nickle and dime you for everything
by: Anonymous

I think that CanFit Pro had good intentions when they created their organization. It is however too large and losing its personal touch and treating members like a number. Like a large university would a student.
They are not forgiving to members who have been with them for over 15 years. I imagine a member loyal for 15 years shows committment to the organization.
The organization is unforgiving to those members who may have gone through something that prevented them from getting their CEC's and basically tells the member to start the whole process all over again and pay the $300.00 to get certified. Anyway, it is too bad they do not take into consideration loyalty. They also need to hire more competent customer service representatives.

Rating

Took the words right out of my mouth
by: Anonymous

I agree one 100% with what you said. Canfitpro focusses SO much on the paper, and no nearly enough on the actually pratical use of it. And their courses are rediculously poor. When I took the course they were bragging about how difficult their exam was and how they had a 56% failure rate. Clearly that's a problem with the course, not with those who write it. The fricking Bar has a high pass rate, and I'm pretty sure become a Lawyer is far more difficult than becoming a trainer...

Rating

What a joke
by: cptn cert

There is a guy in Woodstock ontario at the goodlife fitness who will certify you with canfit and all yu have to do is pay him. Nothing else. No test no nothing. Waste of money getting trained by these goofs. The cert means absolutely nothing. Get CPTN or any other ticket.

Rating

Policies, fees and no customer satisfaction
by: Anonymous

Not mention the policies and fees added on top of any changes you require. Try getting a refund too, it's a nightmare. They have absolutely no consideration for their customers. They need to be reported to the BBB.

Rating

Terrible Customer Service
by: Anonymous

I went through the course then signed up for the exam and a few months later, I was finally able to arrange a time with my PRO TRAINER to complete the practical. I passed both exams with flying colours. In the meantime, it's beem 4 months and I have still yet to see my certification. Instead, they have sent me computer generated eMails explaining my certification process has expired and I have to send them more money for an extension. Of course, everytime I eMailed asking what the heck is going on, I was sent a response by someone different that they were looking into it.

In my last eMail, I requested my certification or my money back. I got a response right away offering a free year membership. I accepted, but made it clear I still want my certification. I was told my exam grade has been re-requested from my PRO TRAINER and should have it shortly. I hope this is the case or I will be taking it to the BBB.

Their customer service has been less than satisfactory which is too bad as I was going to go on to take other certifications with them. The course itself, did just cover the basics and the exams weren't rocket science by any means, but I already know my stuff (just needed the certification to apply for insurance). I've since ordered the PT course books from ACE. So far, their customer service rocks.

When dealing with Can Fit Pro, I felt like just a number and that they really don't care about their members.

Rating

Useless
by: Anonymous

I refuse to give Can-Fit-Pro any more money. I earned my WNS and PTS 2 years ago, just prior to completing a diploma course on health, fitness and nutrition. It didn't take me long to realize that their certifications have no value whatsoever. Not one potential employer asked to see either certification nor did they seem impressed by them in fact most gyms either have their own certification process or do not require one. The only certification you need as a personal trainer is your CPR which you can get through Snt john Ambulance. Can-Fit-Pro doesn’t care about you or your career or your current situation! They will take your money though and deliver absolutely nothing. Their website is designed to make you pay more for its features that should be part of the regular certification, the CEC requirements are designed to keep the money rolling in and if you don’t meet the requirements within a month after your certification expires (no matter what your situation is!) they will make you do another practical exam and charge you $99 on top of the regular certification cost (Scare tactics). That is really what they are all about oh and another thing they have the rudest and most inefficient customer service staff I have ever experienced. BYE, BYE CAN-FIT-PRO.

Rating

CFP? SMH
by: Akaalis

Nothing but pure inexperienced people are coming out of CFP, despite that they somehow still manage to earn a certificate.

Getting that certificate is like getting your drivers license, except that you don't know how to actually drive.

Rating

Unprepared
by: Anonymous

I completed the Canfitpro course and sat the exam (just to fail it by less than 10 marks).I sat it again and failed with the same grade even after focusing on the areas the Pro Trainer told me too. I feel like the course did not prepare me at all. There was no support during or after the course and they did nothing to try and help you. Only now the Pro Trainer is trying to get me to pay him $50 an hour to tutor me but I'd rather do another course to get certified in ACE where I know they will prepare me for not only the exam but also the career. I wouldn't recommend Canfitpro at all.

Rating

Rescheduling Exam
by: Alex

Booked a PTS course and they force you to select an exam date. The only exam date for my area was a date I knew I couldn't make but I booked it anyway as this was my only window for the classroom training and I have always wanted to get certified. Went in for the first class and spoke to their pro trainer and was told no problem you can switch exam dates fine and they would be putting on one the following month. Confirmed this at least 3 times in the four days the classroom course was on. Then to get a mail a couple days ago saying I was registered in the first exam (the one I can't make and told their trainer about). I called and was told that telling the pro trainer is not good enough that I had to email them or call them and because the exam was less than five days away I also now had to pay $75 to sit it the following month (the same price someone who took it and failed it would have to take). They are hiding behind their contract saying it clearly stated I have to call or mail. Well their contract is ambiguously worded and I spoke to the pro trainer numerous times who didn't tell me I had to call. Me and a friend paid $1,400 for this course intotal and they are trying to stick us $150 all because they have us in a bad spot. If we don't take the exam it is $1,400 down the drain. Customer service has been condescending and belligerent. I have taken my complaint to the BBB and will tell my story to anyone who will listen. All that for $150...to switch a date which would have cost them nothing. Boggles my mind.

Rating

Ok, but...
by: Anonymous

Did you know that there is actually no legal prerequisite to become a personal trainer? Literally none. Any jackass can start calling themselves a PT. Now, while Canfitpro is definitely limited, it gives at least some standard of education to new trainers. It's true, it doesn't take a lot to pass the course, but if you actually read through and retain most of what's in the textbook, you likely know more than most new trainers. And the ongoing education requirement is to motivate you to stay up-to-date. Yes, you can get away with just paying to go to the conference and then not go, but that's on you if you decide not to further your education. I work with a guy who's been doing PT for over 40 years with a phys. ed. degree and he's terrible because he never updated his knowledge. Canfitpro was started in 1993 to bring some regulatory standards to an industry that had none. So to all you professional trainers who want to rip on it, keep in mind, those same newbs who only have that could just as easily start doing what you do with zero education.

Rating

NWL certification a joke
by: Luise

I am certified with the YMCA and am a private trainer/group instructor. I was looking outside the Y (the Y doesn't offer a nutritional/weight loss certification) and I found canfitpro nutrition/weight loss. So I signed up and took the class. Most of the class is done at home, study at your own pace. There were 2, 5hour sessions with a certified teacher at her home. the house was a filthy disgrace which doesn't sit well for what it says about canfitpro employees. I learned the hole entire life of the teacher and nothing about the class. It took her 2 hours to have us all present ourselves, (we were 4 students) she kept interrupting us every time we opened our mouths she had a story to tell us. So if you want to learn nothing about NWL, take a class in Montreal.

Rating

Terrible customer service/wish I never signed up with them
by: Anonymous

I am in the middle of my FIS cert with CANFIT and I wish more than anything I could pull out. I inquired about changing my exam due to unforseen personal circumstances, and due to my situation, I gently asked about them waiving the fee change since I was giving a month's notice, and pushing it back only one week. I wasn't asking for a refund or anything.

The rep barely let me get one word out, interrupted me continuously and didn't give ONE indication that she was hearing what I was saying. I was horrified. I had never been on a customer service call like that and treated that way. never. I wasn't demanding money back, just probing the possibility of some lee way given I've already paid over $400 for the course.

I sent them a long email explaining what happened, and that I'm thinking of pulling out of the course. I do not want to be associated with an organization that has zero regard for customers who have paid hundreds of dollars to complete their course.

I'm between a rock and hard place because I was so excited about this cert and now I am completely deflated. Interesting to know that so many others have had identical issues.

Rating

Money Grab
by: Anonymous

I recently took the CanFit pro pts course and the class time was a joke.
I found I didn't learn anything that would help me grow in the fitness industry.

I've learned more from just being a gym member for the last 15 yrs.

Costumer service there is terrible. I wanted to change my exam date had to pay for it.
Then I realized they booked me into a different city then where I live for exam.
I asked to have it changed to correct city and they want me to double pay!! They won't change it unless I pay the fee again.

I quit. Can't be bothered!!!
Waste of time and money!!! I will go else where.

Rating

yup
by: Anonymous

Yeah this pretty much confirmed that far too many Canfitpro instructors are all about being on their fitness journey . Who cares about your journey .Its all about the monetization of fitness and making money off of people getting 'certified " . Its clear more and more its a ripoff

Rating

CanFit Pro student
by: Anonymous

Im studying now to be a certified trainer. I have 30 years of training under me. Yes I need to learn more. A science degree or kinisiology dgree I believe isnt required... My beef is they throw all this info at you. The answers on training module arent consistent with the questions. Im pissed because they just throw you to the dogs. I want to teach, motivate, mentor and learn every aspect of this discipline. Im frustrated because I feel like I ve been taken. Another craft thats been infested by money lovers and buffoons who dont live or look like they live this life. .... thanks for allowing me to vent about this organization. They appear to be hacks.... peace out

Rating

Complain and huge dissatisfaction
by: Anonymous

Hi
I just did my practical exam with one of Canfitpro's worst trainers ever(Steve Lee)in Finch and Yonge GOODLIFE located in Toronto. He didn't even believe that Stability Ball Squat is a Regression of regular squat+he was confused between Horizontal and vertical pulling which is totally ridiculous:D. He has a negative body language and he forgot to test me the last part of the exam which was Hinge variation and later on he lied about it. I already started to complain to Canfitpro.Plzzzzz do not take practical test with STEVE LEE.Just remember his name and he is totally rude

Rating

Ultimately up to you
by: PT-to-be

It's important to remember that getting certified doesn't mean you're qualified. I believe a CanFitPro personal trainer certification is a good entry point to working as a PT — that's all. You then take it from there.

Rating

it is good as long as you get a good instructor
by: Anonymous

the course is pretty basic if you have kinesiology background but can be tough and challenging if you lack that background. David Robertson was one of the instructors for the CPR course and he made it much easier to understand and remember for the class.

Rating

A NICE COURSE
by: Roger L

I really enjoy the three days course with my pro trainer(Daniel Smith).He a very nice man and made a very helpful lessons for the course. I really recommond
your guys choose him as your course trainer.

Rating

Wrong information
by: Anonymous

I got a broken CD with the materials. I called to tell them that I want to change my exam date as the CD is Broken. The guy told me I have to pay 15% for the change and that the CD doesn't change anything as I don't need to study Part 2 "the practical" part. Because of his information I didn't study Chapter 9 to 13 for FIS test.
I studied so much that I can remember the material word by word but got false info.

I feel like I wasted lots of money and time.

Not to mention the mistakes I found in the learning guide.

Rating

canfit experience
by: Anonymous

I actually had a decent experience with canfit. It's not as difficult as some other certs.
Tests were pretty straight forward.
I actually had a good experience testing with Steve over at Finch.
And I got some pretty cool tips as well at the end when I was done.

Rating

Feedback from a trainer and coach
by: Fyonna Vanderwerf

So, I've been a PRO TRAINER for 11 years. Lots of changes and adjustments made to programming.
It is always stated that this is a foundation course to get people started- and the cec's are there to ensure that people maintain their credentials as well as their cpr.
I have a university education, over 67 certifications in a variety of health and movement disciplines, a successful athletic career in 2 disciplines and I still am learning and developing skills to be better. as we all should. The minute you think you know everything is when you need to stop training.

To the people who have had those horrible experiences with customer service and with other PRO TRAINERS_ report them, email Patch, email Mo- please tell them so we can get rid of the stinkers. Awful. Those does not happen in MY programs and courses. I have made a few errors for sure- but have made up for them tenfold.

It's considered that every person taking the course is investing in their skills. It is a tough course-and yes, the exam is tough too.
As a former municipal programmer and present gym owner- I need to see someone who has been assessed through a written exam as well as a hands on practical exam where their facilitation skills can be explored. canfitpro does that.

I have also seen people come through my courses with amazing educations, but they cannot relate to clients and athletes and lack personal skills, and cannot market themselves or sell themselves because they dod not see this as a business. That takes time. But it's key.

And yes- Daniel is an AMAZING TRAINER. Gifted. Kind, decent as all out.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How? Simply click here to return to Can-Fit-Pro Personal Trainer Certification.