In the dissertation for the first time the theoretical and methodical foundations of the future fitness coaches’ preparation in higher education institutions are formulated and scientifically substantiated: for the first time the system of professional preparation of future fitness coaches in higher education institutions is developed. It is substantiated, that this system is the subsystem of the general system of higher education for specialists in the field of physical culture and sports, it forms by the ordered unity of objectively interconnected and interdepended structural subsystems, ensures the formation of professional competence of future fitness coaches, where the system-generating factor is a set of social requests, employer requirements, regulatory framework, foreign preparation experience and target block (aim, tasks of the profession preparation, components and types of competence of future fitness coaches), the system-regulating factor – a methodological block (a set of approaches and principles), the system-completing – a set of content block (curriculum and stages of professional training), organizational and technological block (methods, means, forms of education process, pedagogical conditions, subjects of pedagogical activity) and a diagnostic-result block; for the first time the concept of professional training of future fitness coaches during education in higher institutions are substantiated, which defines its goal, terminological apparatus, methodological approaches, patterns and complex of general and specific principles; for the first time the structure of future fitness coaches’ professional competence, which is formed in higher education institutions and includes motivational, axiological, epistemological, personal and praxeological components, and is generated by the system of general, basic and special competence (didactic-motor, planning-design, control-analytical, organizational-regulatory, marketing-commercial, motivational-communicative); for the first time a diagnostic tool for evaluation of the levels of professional competence formation of future fitness coaches has been developed. The motivational component of the professional competence of future fitness coaches, which is formed in higher education institutions, is characterized by the presence of professional orientation of the individual. It has been determined that "professional preparation of future fitness coaches in higher education institutions" is a pedagogical system designed to execute the requirements of the customers of educational services (employers) and society, aimed at obtaining a bachelor's degree (qualification "Fitness coach") and forming of graduates’ professional competence, and which will allow successfully carry out fitness services for various groups of the population after completing the educational program. Improved content, forms and methods of professional preparation of future fitness coaches in higher education institutions.
