Our 750-hour Massage Therapy and Personal Training Program contains both classroom teaching and supervised, hands on gym/massage time. It was developed to accommodate the growing need for qualified health and wellness professionals. Together, this gives the student one of the most comprehensive courses to date. This program is also suitable for those who are adding skills to their current profession as health care workers in nursing, massage or other health-related fields.
Upon completion of this program, graduates will have received extensive knowledge in the art and science of human movement, nutrition, exercise and bodywork. You will also have the ability to perform massage for wellness and sports, the testing skills to assess a client’s state of fitness, and the knowledge and practical experience to recommend and implement a safe fitness, nutritional, weight management and wellness program in a variety of settings.
All graduates who successfully complete the program will receive an Institute for Therapeutic Massage Therapy and Personal Training Certificate, be prepared to take the national certification examination given by the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) and The National Certification Exam for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCETMB). They will also qualify for New Jersey State Licensure as a massage therapist.
If you’re looking to become certified for personal training only, the course can also be taken as a stand alone option without the licensed massage therapist program. To learn more and find out what the best options are for you, speak to a knowledgeable ITM representative by calling us or filing out the form on this page to get more information.
Financial aid is available for those who qualify.
Massage Therapy & Personal Training Program Courses
Sun Anatomy and Physiology Module (40 clock hours)
Sun is an introduction to comprehensive study of the structure and functioning of the human body including the study of chemistry, cells, tissues, the Skeletal and Muscular systems. Students will discuss in this module the homeostatic mechanisms of each system. An introduction to Pathology will teach the students pathological conditions of each system as they relate to the study of massage therapy, medical terminology, the direct and indirect causes of disease, the nature of the inflammatory process and its role in all phases of injury recovery. In Myology, the student’s instruction includes the study of muscle tissue, muscular injuries and implications for massage therapy, and the study of the skeletal system and all major muscles of the body. Students will also cover postural analysis related to the anatomy of the body.
Sun Therapeutic Massage Module (80 clock hours)
Sun introduces students to the history of Massage and all the influential people that helped to make massage what it is today. Students will learn strokes and hands-on skills that are used throughout massage therapy. We will teach them communication skills to use in practice when they graduate. They will learn; uses, effects, and chemical ingredients of powders, oils, and other products used in massage therapy, as well as safety, hygiene, and universal precautions. This module will teach draping and bolstering techniques used in practice. Students will learn the effects of massage, as well as the indications and contraindications for massage. They will learn the basic strokes of effleurage, petrissage, tapotement, shaking, rocking, friction, compression, and range-of-motion techniques. In order to reduce mechanical stress and potential of injury, students will also study the fundamentals of body mechanics and correct wrist and hand alignment, as well as self-care and stretching exercises. The course also will teach the treatment planning of client intake, assessment, and documentation. Once the foundational massage strokes are learned, the students will learn the fundamentals of medical massage strokes which will be applied in later modules. Students will learn to perform a one-hour full body relaxation massage incorporating all strokes and techniques learned. Students will also learn Myofascial Release to address these changes through the use of slow, sustained movements that restore normal function while providing the client with a sense of relief, balance and improved well-being.
Moon Anatomy and Physiology Module (60 clock hours)
Moon is an introduction to comprehensive study of the structure and functioning of the human body including the study of the Integumentary, Nervous, & Endocrine Systems. Students will discuss in this module the homeostatic mechanisms of each system. An introduction to Pathology will teach the students pathological conditions of each system as they relate to the study of massage therapy, medical terminology, the direct and indirect causes of disease, the nature of the inflammatory process and its role in all phases of injury recovery. Myology the student’s instruction includes the study of muscle tissue, muscular injuries and implications for massage therapy, and the study of the major muscles of the body; their origin, insertion and actions related to the upper extremities.
Moon Therapeutic Massage Module (60 clock hours)
Moon introduces students to the strokes and hands-on skills that are used throughout massage therapy. We will teach them communication skills to use in practice when they graduate. Students will learn the effects of massage, as well as the indications and contraindications for massage as it relates to the upper extremities. They will review the foundational strokes of effleurage, petrissage, tapotement, shaking, rocking, friction, compression, and range-of-motion techniques. In order to reduce mechanical stress and potential of injury, students will continue to study the fundamentals of body mechanics and correct wrist and hand alignment, as well as self-care and stretching exercises. The module also will teach the treatment planning of client intake, assessment, and documentation as it relates to medical massage. Students will practice foundational massage strokes and build on fundamentals of medical massage strokes which will be applied to the shoulder, arm and hand. Students will learn to perform a one-hour full body relaxation massage incorporating all strokes and Medical techniques learned. Students will also learn Myofascial Release to address these changes using slow, sustained movements that restore normal function while providing the client with a sense of relief, balance and improved well-being.
Mountain Anatomy and Physiology Module (60 clock hours)
Mountain is an introduction to comprehensive study of the structure and functioning of the human body including the study of the Cardiovascular, Lymphatic, & Respiratory systems. Students will discuss in this module the homeostatic mechanisms of each system. An introduction to Pathology will teach the students pathological conditions of each system as they relate to the study of massage therapy, medical terminology, the direct and indirect causes of disease, the nature of the inflammatory process and its role in all phases of injury recovery. Myology the student’s instruction includes the study of muscle tissue, muscular injuries and implications for massage therapy, and the study of the major muscles of the body; their origin, insertion and actions related to the axial skeleton.
Mountain Therapeutic Massage Module (60 clock hours)
Introduces students to the anatomy of the head and neck. As the student is learning the anatomy they will incorporate the strokes and hands-on skills that are used throughout massage therapy of the head and neck. We will continue to teach and use the communication skills that will be used in practice when they graduate. Students will learn the effects of massage, as well as the indications and contraindications for massage as it relates to the head and neck. They will review the foundational strokes of effleurage, petrissage, tapotement, shaking, rocking, friction, compression, and range-of-motion techniques. In order to reduce mechanical stress and potentMountain introduces students to the strokes and hands-on skills that are used throughout massage therapy of the head, neck, and spine. Students will learn the effects of massage, as well as the indications and contraindications for massage as it relates to the head, neck, and spine. They will review the foundational strokes of effleurage, petrissage, tapotement, shaking, rocking, friction, compression, and range-of-motion techniques. To reduce mechanical stress and potential of injury, students will continue to study the fundamentals of body mechanics and correct wrist and hand alignment, as well as self-care and stretching exercises. The module also will teach the treatment planning of client intake, assessment, and documentation as it relates to medical massage. Students will practice foundational massage strokes and build on fundamentals of medical massage strokes which will be applied to the head, neck, and spine. Students will learn to perform a one-hour full body relaxation massage incorporating all strokes and Medical techniques learned. Students will also learn Myofascial Release to address these changes through the use of slow, sustained movements that restore normal function while providing the client with a sense of relief, balance and improved well-being.
Sky Anatomy and Physiology Module (60 clock hours)
Sky is an introduction to comprehensive study of the structure and functioning of the human body including the study of the Digestive, Urinary, & Reproductive systems. Students will discuss in this module the homeostatic mechanisms of each system. An introduction to Pathology will teach the students pathological conditions of each system as they relate to the study of massage therapy, medical terminology, the direct and indirect causes of disease, the nature of the inflammatory process and its role in all phases of injury recovery. Myology the student’s instruction includes the study of muscle tissue, muscular injuries and implications for massage therapy, and the study of the major muscles of the body; their origin, insertion and actions related to the lower extremities.
Sky Therapeutic Massage Module (60 clock hours)
Sky introduces students to the strokes and hands-on skills that are used throughout massage therapy of the lower extremities. Students will learn the effects of massage, as well as the indications and contraindications for massage as it relates to the lower extremities. They will review the foundational strokes of effleurage, petrissage, tapotement, shaking, rocking, friction, compression, and range-of-motion techniques. To reduce mechanical stress and potential of injury, students will continue to study the fundamentals of body mechanics and correct wrist and hand alignment, as well as self-care and stretching exercises. The module also will teach the treatment planning of client intake, assessment, and documentation as it relates to medical massage. Students will practice foundational massage strokes and build on fundamentals of medical massage strokes which will be applied to the lower extremities. Students will learn to perform a one-hour full body relaxation massage incorporating all strokes and Medical techniques learned. Students will also learn Myofascial Release to address these changes using slow, sustained movements that restore normal function while providing the client with a sense of relief, balance and improved well-being. Students will also learn Modified Swedish Massage for Cancer Survivors designed to teach students already proficient in Swedish Massage how to modify their techniques for a client who is at least two months post treatment for cancer (treatments may include surgery, reconstruction, radiation, and/or chemotherapy). Students will learn to effectively address such issues as communicating with physicians, their client’s sensitivity to possible hair loss, and others.
Student Clinic: Therapeutic Massage (70 clock hours)
Clinic provides students with an invaluable opportunity to apply their classroom learning in a supervised setting. While enhancing their hands-on massage skills, students gain experience in working with a variety of body types and physical conditions. Clinic has also proven to be a tremendous confidence builder in working clients. Students must complete a minimum of 65 clinic hours as well as a 5 hour clinic orientation.
Business, Ethics & Practice Management (BEPM) (16 clock hours)
The course is a study of marketing, local law, certification requirements, and business logistics. Included in lecture are marketing techniques, legal entity formation, ethics, and insurance requirements.
Exercise Science for Bodyworkers (25 clock hours)
Students will learn and develop their understanding of the physiological effects of physical activity upon the human body and the body’s ability to perform work. Students will acquire adequate knowledge in the following: Structure and function of the skeletal muscle and nervous system, neuromuscular adaptation to training and bodywork, metabolism, the basic energy systems, hormonal regulation of exercise, cardiovascular and respiratory function, environmental influence on performance, bodywork and sports.
Fitness Assessment/ Planning and Programming for Bodyworkers (64 clock hours)
Students will learn how to select and conduct fitness tests to determine a client’s muscular strength, muscular endurance, flexibility, body composition, postural analysis and cardiovascular endurance. Students will be able to interpret the results from these tests and recommend appropriate massage and exercise programs. They will also learn how certain medications alter the exercise response and how to modify each program accordingly.
Exercise leadership concepts explore theories and techniques from different schools of thought as they pertain to the physiological basis of strength training/conditioning and aerobic fitness. These theories are then brought to life via live demonstrations in the gym setting, on the equipment that is commonly used in the fitness industry.
Fitness Training Concepts for Bodyworkers (30 clock hours)
Students will learn how to explain the effects of muscle imbalances, cardio respiratory, core, balance, reactive (power), and speed and agility training concepts. They will learn the scientific rational for the use of each training concept and how to integrate the concepts into a training program. The instructor will show the student the differences of the training concepts and varies techniques used in training programs. At the end of the class the student will be able to perform and instruct appropriate flexibility, cardio respiratory, core, balance, reactive (power), and speed and agility training concepts.
Nutrition & Weight Management for Bodyworkers (15 clock hours)
Eating the right foods can help an individual maintain a desirable body weight and stay physically fit. For an athlete to reach their highest potential, it is an absolute must, and all body systems must be perfectly tuned, in sync, and adequately fueled. In other words, there is nothing more important when discussing the ability to perform exercise, and then recover, than “proper” nutrition, and what works for one client will not necessarily work for another — it is a highly individualized endeavor. It will also be a determining factor when talking about an athlete’s response to massage, and the benefits that are available to them. With sports and athletes becoming increasingly competitive, more and more stress is being placed on performance nutrition and supplementation. At the same time, without proper nutrition, all of the expert coaching, physical conditioning, and massage therapy in the world will not be enough to reach optimal fitness levels. In this course, students will learn the role of nutrition when promoting health, controlling body weight, developing fitness programs, and maximizing physical performance.
Professional Development for Personal Training and Bodyworkers (10 clock hours)
Since many personal trainers have little or no business education, this course will help the student save time and learn to avoid some common business mistakes. Also covered, will be the critical components needed to increase the likelihood of success and future employment for graduates of the personal training program.
Students will learn how to create a market and manage a personal training business. Students will also learn how to develop a mission statement and business plan, establish policies for services, as well as how to hire and train staff.
Personal Training Externship for Bodyworkers (50 clock hours)
Must be currently passing all exercise courses. This internship will provide the student with an opportunity to apply their classroom knowledge in a supervised setting. Students will work on fitness testing, designing programs, and perhaps lead classes to a variety of age groups, special populations and/or athletes. Students will practice stretching and myofascial techniques used in personal training. Site and hours are to be arranged by your advisor. You must have taken Heartsaver CPR prior to starting Exercise Internship.
Upon completion of this program, graduates will have received extensive knowledge in the art and science of human movement, nutrition, exercise and bodywork. You will also have the ability to perform massage for wellness and sports, the testing skills to assess a client’s state of fitness, and the knowledge and practical experience to recommend and implement a safe fitness, nutritional, weight management and wellness program in a variety of settings.
All graduates who successfully complete the program will receive an Institute for Therapeutic Massage Therapy and Personal Training Certificate, be prepared to take the national certification examination given by the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) and The National Certification Exam for Therapeutic Massage and Bodywork (NCETMB). They will also qualify for New Jersey State Licensure as a massage therapist.
Financial aid available for those who qualify.
If you’re looking to become certified for personal training only, the course can also be taken as a stand alone option without the licensed massage therapist program. To learn more and find out what the best options are for you, speak to a knowledgeable ITM representative by calling us or filing out the form on this page to get more information.