• Home
  • About
  • Exercise at Home
    • 10-Day Challenge
  • Blog
  • Workshops
  • Resources
    • Articles
    • Videos
    • Posters
Performance RedefinedPerformance Redefined
  • Home
  • About
  • Exercise at Home
    • 10-Day Challenge
  • Blog
  • Workshops
  • Resources
    • Articles
    • Videos
    • Posters
Featured Image

F2T 101 Fitness Principles and Practice – Peer Fitness Trainer (PFT) Certificate

Wellness is not a mission – it is a message. Building a wellness program that will improve the quality of fire fighters’ lives begins with genuine, passionate and influential leadership from all levels of a department (e.g. labor, management, Peer Fitness Trainers). The program must be comprehensive, evidence-based, and relevant to the unique demands of each participating fire fighter. It needs to be accessible, inclusive, designed to inspire cultural change, and must place an emphasis on frequent collaboration and communication between all parties.

Central to this integrated approach is a framework that can be easily adopted and understood by all stakeholders – every fire fighter needs the capacity to meet their demands, both on and off the job. This model provides an excellent foundation to establish recommendations for training, exercise, or rehabilitation by focusing on the application to each fire fighter’s life. Ultimately, the same principles that are used by return-to-work specialists and Peer Fitness Trainers can be adopted by training officers when discussing the safest and most effective ways to perform a given job duty. Streamlining the continuum of care and providing a consistent message will provide every fire fighter with the opportunity (and motivation) to improve their health, wellness, performance, and overall quality of life.

What to Expect from the Course

Attendees will improve their ability to assess, design, implement and evaluate exercise sessions for fire fighters with varying interests – they will have the knowledge and skills to become fitness and wellness leaders within their department.

How Long is the Course
  • 4 days (Mon – Thu); 32 hours (8AM – 5PM)
  • To receive PFT Certificate, students must pass an online exam released 4 weeks following course completion
  • Students will have 14 days to complete the online exam
What is Included in the Course
  • PFT Reference Manual
  • Access to Online Learning Modules
  • PFT Curriculum Workbook
  • PFT Certification Exam
  • Three modules (lecture and hands-on) for certified PFTs to share with their department
Who Can Attend this Course

Attendees should be fire fighter-EMS providers employed by a fire department and involved in administering their wellness-fitness program.  To become a certified PFT you must:

  • Register for the course (at least 3 months prior to date)
  • Complete online modules and study the PFT manual
  • Complete all activities in the 4-day course (lecture and practical)
  • Have access to a computer and high speed internet to complete the F2T 101 exam
    F2T 101 Exam Policies
Hosting a Course

Yes, you can host a course! Please contact Jason Atkin (pft@iaff.org) at the International Association of Fire Fighters (IAFF) or info@performanceredefined.ca for more information.

Why Become a Certified PFT?

Throughout the United States and Canada, the PFT Certificate identifies fire fighters who have demonstrated the knowledge and skills to design and implement exercise programs and improve the wellness and fitness of their peers. It differs from other Personal Training credentials because of the unique physical, psychological, and social aspects of firefighting. Training is also provided FOR FIRE FIGHTERS, BY FIRE FIGHTERS.

Course Overview

Download a copy of the course overview using the link below
F2T 101 Course Overview

Course Manual

Download a preview-copy of the course manual using the link below
F2T 101 Course Manual (Preview)

Course Breakdown

Lectures 22 %
Hands On Table Activities 35 %
Practical Exercise Sessions 43 %

Designed using the latest research on fire fighter health and wellness, exercise science, and the prevention injuries, the PFT curriculum is delivered by industry leaders using a combination of teaching styles (i.e. lecture, reflection, discussion, observation, demonstration), small and large group activities, and hands-on exercise sessions.

What People Are Saying

  • I feel confident teaching this to my department and moving forward in a positive way. The instructors were awesome!

    Firefighter
    Port Moody Fire Rescue
  • Best course I have ever taken! Exceeded my expectations. Lots of information, but the structure made it easy to understand.

    Firefighter
    Ottawa Fire Services
  • Great course for both experienced and inexperienced trainers. Loved the discussions after the hands-on activities!

    Firefighter
    Evansville Fire Department
  • I have been athletic my whole life but this allows me to approach my training in a whole new way. I can also share this experience easily with others. Very informative, challenging and enjoyable!

    Firefighter
    Fairfax County Fire and Rescue

Related Projects

F2T 203 – Overcoming Obstacles to Implementation

F2T 206 – High Intensity with Bands and Bodyweight

F2T 110 – Fitness Fundamentals (Legacy PFTs)

F2T 303 – More Fire Fighters. More Active. More Often.

Send Us a Message!

Send us an email and we'll get back to you ASAP.

Send Message

Contact Info

  • info@performanceredefined.ca
Kindness can improve happiness. Dopamine is releas Kindness can improve happiness. Dopamine is released in our brain in response to acts of kindness, which can improve our mood. Help others to help yourself.

Kindness can improve heart health. Witnessing acts of kindness can produce oxytocin which helps to lower blood pressure. Lead with compassion, follow with kindness.

Kindness can improve relationships. Kindness can strengthen our connection to others and help to build new relationships. Small gestures will go a long way.

Kindness is contagious. The positive effects of kindness have been shown to be experienced by everyone who witnesses the act. Be kind, and others are likely to follow.

#performanceredefined #kindness #bekind #kindnessiscontagious #mindset #happy #bekindtoothers #bettertogether #health #connectedness #wellness #fittothrive
Combine static and dynamic activities to challenge Combine static and dynamic activities to challenge your active mobility!

Restricting motion in one limb while the other moves freely can change the distribution of joint loads, alter whole-body stability (balance), and make it much more challenging to control specific joint positions.

Push-up with altered hand placement x 60s
(4 reps, each with 15s hold at bottom while left and right hands move medially and laterally)

Right leg back lunge with altered rear foot placement x 60s
(4 reps, each with 15s hold at bottom while rear foot moves forwards and back)

Inverted row with altered hand placement x 60s
(4 reps, each with 15s hold at top while left and right hands move medially and laterally)

Left leg back lunge with altered rear foot placement x 60s
(4 reps, each with 15s hold at bottom while rear foot moves forwards and back)

#performanceredefined #activemobility #mobility #mobilitywod #mobilitymatters #movementhygiene #physicalliteracy #movementmatters #beactive #iaffwfi #iaffpeerfitness #5minutesoffun #fittothrive
Although our reasons to be active can be quite per Although our reasons to be active can be quite personal, we are often drawn to and motivated by the stories of others who have transformed their lives with exercise.

Special thanks to the fire fighter from local 1075 for allowing us to share his personal story with the Fit To Thrive community! #bettertogether

“As a firefighter I am constantly surrounded by reminders of why fitness matters. Heavy gear, hard work, and long shifts take a toll on our bodies. 

In 2017, I was transferred to a new shift and invited on a morning run. I said sure before asking what I was agreeing to.

It wasn’t an epic run where we lay down Olympic times, but I can honestly say I had never felt so energized. My mind was clear, my body felt great, and I didn’t even start work for another hour. 

The physical fitness aspects are all obvious, but what I hadn’t realized at the time was how much I would come to need and crave that run. It is my favourite way to start the day.

The routes vary, the pace is usually set by the slowest person, and there’s usually lots of chatter. Sometimes it’s just a quick mention. Sometimes it takes the full run. But then we go off to our respective stations. I’m physically warmed up but more importantly I’m mentally focused and calm.

I feel the stress and distraction that comes with a busy life is lessened. The calm start provides an opportunity to establish the mood and tone for the day. And that mood and tone carries over to my crew and the public interactions I have. The mental health benefits are incredible. 

The fresh start to the day, with a good push of your heart rate has helped me through some very tough times, and that has had a tremendously positive impact on me and my family.”

#fittothrive #iaffwfi #iaffpeerfitness #firefighterwellness #firefighterfittness #exercise #community #exercisebenefits #exerciseandmentalhealth #beactive #beactiveeveryday #motivation #meditation #lessstress #performanceredefined

Recent Blog Posts

  • Build a growth mindset to be active for life!
  • The pros and cons of CrossFit…

Recent Articles

  • Keys to implementing healthy workplace initiatives
  • Firefighter fitness MUST be prioritized beyond the training academy!

Upcoming Courses

  • F2T 101 Fitness Principles (Virtual) September 19 – October 25, 2022 Register Now!!
  • F2T 110 Fitness Fundamentals (For Active PFTs) June 7th, 2022 Register Now!!
  • F2T 110 Fitness Fundamentals (For Legacy PFTs) June 7th, 2022   Register Now!!

© 2022 - Performance Redefined

  • Home
  • About
  • Workshops
Next