LILLINGTON - Have you ever thought of becoming a certified personal trainer or certified group exercise instructor?

Central Carolina Community College will offer its first classes in Sports Medicine Technology in January at the Harnett Health Sciences Center, 51 Red Mulberry Way, Lillington. The one-year (320 hours) program includes 160 hours in the spring and 160 hours in the fall.

The instructor for the class is Shelly Watkins, a North Carolina Licensed Physical Therapist whose work experience has included Carolina Physical Therapy Associates Inc. in Fuquay-Varina and Johnston Memorial Hospital in Smithfield.

"The Sports Medicine Technology program will benefit students who are interested in exercise and a career in various areas pertaining to exercise instruction. This program will also provide a thorough foundation for students who wish to pursue different avenues, including athletic training or physical therapy," said Watkins. "There is good job potential for graduates who successfully complete this program."

The Sports Medicine Technology Certificate Program enables participants to obtain two certifications from the American College of Sports Medicine. These certifications are:

ACSM Certified Personal Trainer: The Certified Personal Trainer works with apparently healthy individuals and those with health challenges who are able to exercise independently to enhance quality of life, improve health-related physical fitness, performance, manage health risk, and promote lasting health behavior change. The Certified Personal Trainer conducts basic pre-participation health screening assessment, submaximal aerobic exercise tests, and muscular strength/endurance, flexibility and body composition tests. They facilitate motivation and adherence as well as develop and administer programs designed to enhance muscular strength/endurance, flexibility, cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition, and/or any of the motor skill related components of physical fitness.

ACSM Certified Group Exercise Instructor: The Certified Group Exercise Instructor works in a group exercise setting with apparently healthy individuals and those with health challenges, who are able to exercise independently to enhance quality of life, improve health-related physical fitness, manage health risk, and promote lasting health behavior change. A Group Exercise Instructor leads safe and effective exercise programs using a variety of leadership techniques to foster group camaraderie, support, and motivation to enhance muscular strength and endurance, flexibility, cardiorespiratory fitness, body composition, and any of the motor skills related to the domains of health-related physical fitness.

For more information on the CCCC Sports Medicine Technology program, contact Shelly Watkins at 910-814-8989 or email her at swatkins@cccc.edu. To register for the program, call 919-718-7500.