The YMCA of Metro Denver and Community College of Denver (CCD) are partnering to support the health and wellness career paths of students throughout the Denver metro area.

In the fall of 2021, CCD began offering a 15-week Personal Trainer Preparatory course for students in support of the college’s Personal Trainer certificate and a 2-year degree in Health and Exercise Science. Held Tuesday and Thursday evenings at the Downtown YMCA, the new program offers professional instructors and hands-on learning opportunities to explore and identify key concepts related to health and exercise science.

Student lab sessions are taught in the YMCA’s recently renovated wellness center, which features a large gym, indoor track, cycling room, state-of-the-art fitness equipment and the latest fitness classes including yoga, Zumba and a Pilates Reformer.

Through this collaboration, students gain training in their pursuit of specialized certifications and degrees in the health sciences field. Students who complete the courses are prepared to sit for the personal training certificate examination, offered through CCD’s academic partnership with the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM).

 “We hope this is the beginning of a long-term partnership with CCD that has the potential to expand to programs in our YMCAs across metro Denver,” said YMCA Senior Vice President of Strategic Growth and Membership Kimberly Armitage. “This is also an opportunity for all students, including our Y Staff, to explore specialized learning at CCD.”

The YMCA will also offer off-campus work-study positions for CCD students, including fitness floor attendants and experience representatives.

“CCD is thrilled to partner with the YMCA,” said Michelle Hoffer, RDH, MPHN program chair of health and wellness. “This partnership not only offers students the opportunity to focus on real-world skills in a state of the art, newly remodeled, industry partners space, but it also gives them access to potential employers, provides off-site work-study positions, and allows CCD to offer worked based learning experiences thanks to the Y.”

Enrollment for the upcoming Spring semester is open now at ccd.edu.

About the YMCA

The YMCA of Metropolitan Denver is dedicated to the health and well-being of all. As a catalyst to transform lives and communities, our programs are embedded throughout metro Denver in wellness centers and through partnerships with other nonprofits and community-serving agencies. Each year, the Y brings together over 72,000 children, teens, members, and volunteers to develop a new generation of change-makers, deliver lifestyle medicine and uplift communities. The Y is one of 2,700 YMCA organizations nationwide, collectively helping more than 21 million people learn, grow, and thrive. To join, donate, or get more information, visit www.denverymca.org.

About Community College of Denver

Community College of Denver (CCD) is a leading point of entry to higher education for the city and county of Denver. CCD provides cost-effective, high-quality college education, along with access and opportunity for non-traditional students, workforce development, training resources for local organizations, and community partnerships. CCD is a federally funded Hispanic Serving and designated Military Friendly Institution. Learn more at ccd.edu.