Home | AFAA group fitness certification: section 1

AFAA group fitness certification: section 1

by Heather

Do you like hearing the good news or bad news first?

Me, I like to hear the bad news first.  Get it out of the way and hope the good news cheers me up.  Plus if I heard the good news first, then the bad, the bad would bring me down.  This is important stuff here.

So… my bad news.  I’m already behind in my studying!  Section 1 took me 3 extra days.

I don’t have much extra time to be behind.

The good news.  I think I can easily get caught up + ahead during my vacation.  Plus I am loving every minutes of this, so that makes it easier.  That’s good news!

Here are a few of the important items I’ve been learning about so far in section 1.

Essentials of Exercise

Exercise offers so many health benefits.  Just a few are…

  • Lowered risk of stoke, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, coronary heart disease and breast cancer
  • Improved cardio respiratory + muscular fitness
  • Prevention of weight gain
  • Reduced depression

What happens to the body when you start exercising…

  • Increased blood flow
  • Increased oxygen delivery + carbon dioxide removal
  • Increased oxygen uptake to muscles and aerobic power

The 3 types of energy systems our bodies use…

  • ATP – lasts 1-15 seconds – fuel source is creatine phosphate
  • Lactic acid system – lasts 45-90 seconds – fuel source is carbohydrates only
  • Aerobic system – lasts 3 minutes or longer –  fuel source is carbohydrates, fat and protein

About the body…

  • Joints
  • Ligaments
  • Tendons
  • Cartilage
  • Anatomical terms
  • Planes dividing the body: horizontal, sagittal, frontal
  • Joint actions: flexion, extension, adbuction, adduction, rotation, circumduction
  • Muscle terms: agonist, antagonist, primary movers, assistors, stabilizers
  • Muscular contractions: isometric, concentric, eccentric (most common 3) plus isotonic and isokinetic
  • Muscle fibers: fast and slow twitch
  • Postural deviations: scoliosis (curve in the spine), kyphosis (very rounded shoulders), lordosis (excessive low back curve)

There’s a lot more to learn about the body… major muscle groups will be a huge section.

Let me know if you have any questions about anything I’m learning.  I’d love to answer your question.

Heather

You may also like

0 comment

Erica June 28, 2011 - 6:27 am

Keep pushing through it girl! I am the same way- I like to the bad news first too 😉

Reply
Allie June 28, 2011 - 9:58 am

Aww, I’m sorry you got behind.. you will totallt catch up because you are an eager learner! 🙂

I like to hear bad news first so then the good news seems extra good!

Reply
Jess June 28, 2011 - 3:44 pm

I’m a bad news then good news type gal, too 😀

Reply
Elaine June 28, 2011 - 9:27 pm

I know you can do it! Whenever you set a goal you always seem to do it.

Reply
Kathleen @ KatsHealthCorner June 29, 2011 - 6:46 pm

I’m so sorry that you’re behind. I’m working on my classes right now too. I know you can catch up. I BELIEVE IN YOU!

Reply
AFAA Group Fitness Certification: Section 2 + Sweet Carrot Oats | Get Healthy with Heather July 21, 2011 - 5:02 am

[…] case you missed section 1 on the Essentials of Exercise, be sure to check that one […]

Reply
Hillary [Nutrition Nut on the Run] July 24, 2011 - 6:34 am

I need to learn the muscles!

Reply
{Gettin’ Crepe-y With It} Chickpea Flour Crepes | Get Healthy with Heather July 29, 2011 - 6:25 am

[…] fitness certification was helpful!  I plan to finish reviewing all the sections I started (find section I and section II) to help out those working towards their certification.  Plus it’s just a great […]

Reply
sharon November 9, 2011 - 6:50 pm

I will be attending my certification in January. I don’t have a book nor can afford one. I seem one on half.com, the price was reasonable. The book was 2002. Would that book work for the current certification? would it have the same information i need for the exam?? if not can you give me a resource to getting a book?

Reply
Get Healthy with Heather November 11, 2011 - 6:37 am

Hi Sharon 🙂 The book I have is the 5th edition from 2010. I’m sure if the 2002 book is the only one you can find it’ll be better than nothing. If you can find the study guide online somewhere that would be helpful so you know what all to study since it really does cover everything on the exam. Good luck! Let me know if you have any other questions.

Reply
Mary Lou September 18, 2013 - 11:04 am

Hey Heather!
I was about to register for AFAA primary cert. and it says that the 299 price does not include the textbook. Would you say that was really necessary to get?

Reply

Leave a Comment