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Instructors

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BC Women's develops the Osteofit instructor training course curriculum, course design, faculty and manual. We establish the Osteofit instructor scope of practice and performance standards. As a BC Women's trademarked program, Osteofit must be delivered according to the pre-determined format and curriculum.

Become an instructor

Become an Osteofit and Get Up & Go! instructor 

Osteofit and Get Up & Go! instructors are registered through the BCRPA Fitness Registration Program and Canada Fitness and Education Service. Successful candidates are recognized as educated, well-trained individuals capable of providing a high quality of service.

Fitness instructors interested in becoming a certified Osteofit or Get Up & Go! instructor must complete the following: 

  1. BCRPA / CFES registration in group fitness OR weight training OR personal training
  2. BCRPA third age designation or Older Adult Module
  3. Current First Aid and CPR
  4. Osteofit/Get Up & Go! Instructor Training Course
  5. Osteofit instructor competency evaluation (ICE) valid for 3 years
*keep copies of all your current certifications*

There is no additional cost to register as an Osteofit instructor. Your BCRPA / CFES fitness registration will include Osteofit designation provided all requirements have been met.

Download the appropriate Osteofit instructor application below 

Form A -  BCRPA Osteofit Registration cover letter
Form B - Resume and lesson plan
Lesson plan only

CFES Osteofit Application package

CFES Osteofit Instructor Competency Evaluation (ICE) 

BCRPA Osteofit Instructor Competency Evaluation (ICE) 


The Osteofit and Get Up & Go! instructor training course includes the following curriculum:

  • Osteofit: Goals and Purpose
  • Bones and Bone Health
  • Managing Osteoporosis
  • Osteofit Program Design
  • Principles and Accommodations in Osteofit
  • Structuring Osteofit Classes
  • Get Up & Go!


 


The Osteofit and Get Up & Go!Instructor Training Course is being updated to a combination of online (learner led) and virtual (instructor led) learning.  We hope to pilot this new training in 2023. 

If you are interested in taking the course please email osteofit@cw.ca to get your name on our waiting list. 

 

Osteofit instructor’s scope of practice

Based on BC Women's guidelines and BCRPA standards, the Osteofit instructor is able to:
  • Provide initial health screening.
  • Design, modify and instruct safe, effective and appropriate fitness programs to meet the needs of apparently healthy individuals or special population who have received medical clearance* in a group fitness or weight room setting.
  • Lead exercise sessions based on BC Women's guidelines and BCRPA standards.
  • Incorporate the use of appropriate equipment based on specialized training and the needs of the participants.
  • Ensure a safe exercise environment utilizing standard screening tools.
  • Provide basic nutritional information based on Canada's Guide to Healthy Eating. Participants' requests for advanced nutritional information should be referred to a qualified nutrition professional.
  • Obtain specialized training and consult with appropriate health care professionals to work with Special Populations (seniors, youth, persons with a disease condition or disorder).
  • Act as a resource and refer to appropriate health care providers when dealing with participants who have conditions that the Osteofit instructor is not specifically accredited to address.
*Some participants may require medical clearance from a physician or nurse practitioner, those include patients over 69 years of age and/or who answer yes to any questions in the Par Q assessment. Osteofit instructors must ensure that they comply with the terms of such clearance as indicated by the medical practitioner regarding these individuals.
 

 
Benefits of being an Osteofit and Get Up & Go! Instructor
  • Annual continuing education updates at minimal costs through workshops in all regions of the province
  • Membership in an industry-standard not-for-profit organization (85% of fitness facilities require BCRPA registration as a standard of employment)
  • Decreased risk of liability exposure. In a court of law, the parties involved are measured against the industry standard.
  • $2 million liability insurance included in registration (discounted insurance program for personal trainers)
  • Scope of practice and code of ethics
  • Nationally recognized registration, transferable to other provinces (part of the National Fitness Leadership Alliance - NFLA)
  • Recognition of expanded skills in working with the older population
  • Connection to the fitness / health industry
  • Discounts at various retail outlets
Certify + recertify

Osteofit Instructors are required to keep their certification current by following  3 steps:

  1. renew  fitness registration every year
  2. renew Instructor Competency Evaluation (ICE) practical exam every 3 years AND
  3. complete professional development workshops

Renewing fitness registration and ICE 

Step 1: Keep certifications current

  • First Aid and CPR 
  • BCRPA Third Age designation or Older Adult Module
  • BCRPA/CFES  fitness registration in Group Fitness OR Weight Training OR Personal Training

Step 2:  Contact an evaluator

Step 3: Register for continuing education workshops

Osteofit continuing education workshops are offered throughout the year in communities around the province. Workshops are open to  Osteofit instructors as well as Physicians, Physiotherapists, Nurses and other allied health care providers.

Workshops

Workshops are listed below.  For more information, contact osteofit@cw.bc.ca

 

Online. Access code provided upon registration.

Join us for a review of this unique and highly regarded program. Based on best practices and published research, Osteofit delivers a safe and appropriate education and exercise program for adults especially for those with low bone mass and at risk for fractures. This workshop will review the theory and research behind the Osteofit program design, safety and exercise cautions, various levels of Osteofit, and the certification and registration of the Osteofit instructor and includes a sample Osteofit session. 
Presented by Debbie Cheong, Osteofit Trainer and Evaluator
4.0 CECs.


Download registration form

 

‎Online. Access code provided upon registration.

This session will review the Osteofit program design and explore the evolution of this unique fall prevention program. Is it still meeting the needs of our long time attendees of Osteofit and what components should we be considering for our active seniors as they age?
Presented by Debbie Cheong, Osteofit Trainer and Evaluator
2.5 CECs
Download registration form

 

Online. Access code provided upon registration.

This workshop will inform the participant about the impact of urinary incontinence on elderly women and women with osteoporosis. It will describe the importance of having knowledge about urinary incontinence and advice that can be given to prevent falls and low trauma fractures that stem from these falls. This workshop will describe behavioural treatment options and simple exercises that will greatly impact the health and safety of the women with osteoporosis.
Presented by Pat Leiblich, Physiotherapist, BC Women’s Health Centre
1.5 CECs
Download registration form‎

 

Online. Access code provided upon registration.

Strong bones are crucial to good health, and good nutrition is crucial to strong bones. This workshops will review: dietary requirements and key sources for calcium and Vitamin D; the stance on supplements including what kind, how much and possible side effects of taking too much; and commonly asked questions including suitable dairy alternatives, the concerns surrounding soy products, effects of caffeine and carbonated beverages on bones, and alkaline/acid diets. 
Presented by Sadia Badiei, Dietitian, BC Women’s Hospital & Health Centre.
1.5 CECs
Download registration form

 

‎Online. Access code provided upon registration. 


This session will review the current guidelines from Osteoporosis Canada for exercises for those at risk for fractures. 
Presenters: Marcella Paoletti, Physiotherapist from BC Women's Osteoporosis Clinic and Debbie Cheong, Osteofit Trainer and Evaluator 
Open to all instructors and health care professionals.
2.0 CECs

Download registration form


 

Online. Access code provided upon registration. 

This session will explore effective strategies for incorporating balance in exercise programs. 
Presenters: Marcella Paoletti, Physiotherapist from the Osteoporosis Clinic at BC Women’s Health Centre and Debbie Cheong, Osteofit Trainer and Evaluator 
Open to all instructors and health care professionals.
2.0 CECs

 

Online. Access code provided upon registration. 


Join Debbie Cheong, Osteofit Trainer and Evaluator for this practical review of the Osteofit program design. The Osteofit instructor training manual has over 80 illustrations and describes more than 25 agility activities that instructors can incorporate into their Osteofit classes. Are you using them all?

2.0 CECs

Download registration form

 

Online. Access code provided upon registration. 

The benefits of strength training for seniors are well documented and most of our exercise programs include some resistance training. Are we providing opportunities for progression? This workshop reviews the principles of Progressive Overload and explores techniques to safely increase intensity for seniors of varying abilities, function and mobility.

Presenter: Debbie Cheong, Osteofit Trainer and Evaluator

Open to all instructors and health care professionals.

2.5 CECs

Download registration form

 

 

Online. Access code provided upon registration. 

As our population ages, enrollment in exercise programs for the older, more frail adult continues to increase. How safe is it to include strength training? Which exercises are best for this older population? In this workshop we will review strength training principles, use of resistance, FITT principle, program design and progressions as it applies to seniors. 

Presenter: Debbie Cheong., Osteofit Trainer and Evaluator
Online workshop open to all instructors and health care professionals.  
2.0 CECs
Download registration form

 

 

Online. Access code provided upon registration. 

As fitness instructors we are facing an increase in the number of older adults attending our classes. These vibrant and active participants present with various chronic conditions of which Arthritis is a common concern. This workshop will provide an overview of Arthritis and the modifications and precautions necessary to accommodate individuals in Osteofit classes who present with this disease condition.

Presenter: Wendy Turner, Physiotherapist at Lions Gate Hospital Arthritis Program. 
Open to all instructors and health care professionals.
1.5 CECs 
Download registration form

 



Become an evaluator

Become an Osteofit evaluator!

There are two ways to become an Osteofit evaluator.

OPTION 1

University degree, diploma or certificate in physical education, kinesiology or other related health and fitness area

OPTION 2

Current fitness leader registration in Osteofit

In addition, both options require the following:

  • Current BCRPA registration (out of province registration will be reviewed and assessed on an individual basis)
  • Current First Aid and CPR
  • Resume of practical experience detailing 30 hours of recent supervisory experience as well as minimum 2 years of on-floor instruction in Osteofit (approximately 100 hours)
  • Recognized supervisors course from an established university, college or business school (i.e. Justice Institute, Open Learning Institute, community college)
  • BC Women's instructional competency evaluation (ICE) workshop and practicum
  • Advanced Osteofit ICE
  • Two shadow Osteofit ICE
  • Two reference letters (current within 1 year) from a supervisor or manager/owner of a fitness facility
  • Transcript indicating university/college education in related health and fitness area (minimum 27 credits)
  • Letter indicating apprenticeship (50 hours of shadowing the Osteofit instructor training course) under a BCRPA registered trainer of Osteofit fitness leaders (TFL)
  • Recognized trainer of trainers workshop/adult education course
  • Osteofit-specific trainer of trainers workshop
For more information, email osteofit@cw.bc.ca
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