Offering exercise and fitness programs that are delivered by qualified, knowledgable instructors and health practitioners is important to us and ensures that you can enjoy the best exercise for you in a safe and supportive environment.

Our Strength for Life instructors are allied health and fitness professionals and must be qualified and appropriately trained.

On this page you will find information about the difference types of instructors and, if you are an allied health or fitness professional, you will find information about our training requirements and how to register.

A prerequisite of the Strength for Life Endorsement Scheme is that all personnel directly involved in Strength for Life must complete the Strength for Life In-Service Training prior to becoming involved in the program.

Tier 1 instructors are required to have completed a tertiary qualification and be accredited as an exercise physiologist by Exercise Sport Science Australia or a physiotherapist by Australian Physiotherapy Association. Exercise physiologists and physiotherapists are required to complete the Tier 1 induction. Exercise physiology and physiotherapy graduates with less than one year of clinical experience are required to complete the full Strength for Life Instructor Training. It is recommended that allied health professionals attend the face-to-face practical session of the full training program.

Tier 2 instructors are required to have completed a minimum Certificate IV in Fitness. Fitness professionals who have completed a minimum of Certificate III in Fitness are eligible to undertake training to become a Tier 2 Strength for Life Instructor. Upon completion of training, instructors with Certificate III in Fitness will be limited to supervising Tier 2 sessions only if they are supported by a Certificate IV in Fitness qualified and trained Strength for Life Instructor.

Aqua instructors are required to have completed the full Strength for Life training and have aqua certification. Please contact us to enquire about Strength for Life aqua.

COTA SA offers Strength for Life instructor training sessions at regular intervals throughout the year. The objective of the training is to equip allied health and fitness professionals with the knowledge and tools to:

• Conduct individual assessments, and
• Deliver Strength for Life sessions for program participants.

The Tier 1 induction is required to be completed by all Tier 1 instructors. This is an online course followed by a 30 minute Zoom review with the Strength for Life Manager.

Fee: $100 incl. GST

Fitness instructors must supply copies of Certificate III or IV in Fitness, or gym/personal training qualifications. This training course is accredited for 12 Continuing Education Credits (CEC).

The full training program requires completion of an extensive theory component through an online learning management system prior attending a full day (10am – 5pm) face-to-face training session that includes:

• Assessment and health appraisal
• Strength for Life forms
• Pyramid of performance
• Case studies
• Warm up and practical strength and power ideas
• Practical program applications for older clients
• Balance.

Fee: $299 incl. GST (manual included)

Upcoming full face to face training sessions — 3 November 2024, 9 February 2025, 4 May 2025, 3 August 2025, 2 November 2025

All personnel directly involved in Strength for Life programs must have completed the initial Strength for Life full training and must attend an update every two years (proof of updated registration required). The update training course is accredited for 8 Continuing Education Credits (CEC). Modules include:

• Assessment and health appraisal review — Tier 1, Tier 2 and forms
• Assessments and writing programs with clients — review
• How to service existing clients
• Updated warm ups
• Updated strength training ideas.

Fee: $220 incl. GST (manual included)

Upcoming update training sessions — 17 November 2024; 23 February, 25 May, 24 August and 16 November 2025

Training is delivered at:

Centre for Physical Activity in Ageing (CPAA)
207-255 Hampstead Road, Northfield

Parking is available on site for a fee or outside of the complex. Make your way to the large red and blue building marked Reception, near the front entrance. Morning tea will be provided, please bring your own lunch. An invoice will be provided at your training session.

Strength for Life training is delivered through interactive sessions that provide participants with opportunities to discuss pertinent issues when working with people aged 50+ (40+ for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander and people from a refugee background) in a strength training setting, including training variables and service delivery.

*Regional Training is delivered at:
The Station - 3-5 Railway Terrace, Murray Bridge

Strength for Life now has a variety of promotional merchandise available to purchase. Click below to order yours.

COTA SA is committed to delivering accessible and culturally responsive programs for diverse South Australian communities.

If you are a fitness instructor, physiotherapist and/or exercise physiologist with a culturally and/or linguistically diverse and/or Aboriginal background, and interested in joining the Strength for Life program, we would love to hear from you.

For more information about becoming an instructor, please contact:

Strength for Life Program Team, COTA SA
08 8232 0422
sfl@cotasa.org.au