Becoming a Fitness Instructor

rayraynicole15

Hi everyone! I recently had the opportunity of possibly becoming a fitness instructor. I have been wanting to get certified as a spin instructor for awhile now because I love the way I feel and the high it gives me after class it’s like therapy for me haha. But I never thought of becoming an overall fitness instructor. I am not a “fit” all muscle type of girl. Sometimes I let my confidence get the best of me that I’m not fit enough to become an instructor. I love the idea of helping people reach their goals and bettering their lives. I just am passionate about helping people. I would love some advice. I thought that since I have a realistic body type that I can inspire people that if I can do it so can they. Any advice on how to get started and what a good instructor is to you. Thanks

lorrpb

What does your opportunity source require?

ninerbuff

Spin is one of easiest certs to get.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

AnnPT77

My spin instructors (at a YMCA) have included people of fairly varied body types, i.e., they didn't all look like fitness models.

I think it's important to be fit enough to run a good workout for a group that includes varied fitness levels (including very fit), keep up with it yourself, and still have the energy to do the cueing energetically, and be upbeat and energetic through the whole class.

Looking a particular way might influence people just looking in the door or something, but once people are in the workout, as long as it's a good one, I don't see why a rational person would care what the instructor looks like.

I will say this: I routinely help with my rowing club's learn-to-row classes. I think I had a more useful influence on some of the beginner/less-fit students when I was still obese (but had been an OK rower for a long time). I could see it on faces: If I demoed an adaptation for getting into a shell, one that was good for less-flexible people, the new/less-fit people seemed persuaded that they could do it. Doing the same thing the last couple of years, since losing weight so looking fitter, I don't get that same effect: They often look skeptical and hesitant. (I'm not sure how fit beginners would've reacted if they showed up and fat-me was the main instructor, though.)

I think as long as you can run the class well and energetically, you should go for it.

L1zardQueen

What is a realistic body type? I have seen all shapes and sizes of fitness instructors. Some are very good and some are horrible. The really good instructors are the ones that are not there for their own workout.

fishgutzy

I went to a spin class in China. The instructor looked very fit. But he didn't come close to pushing the class as hard as a gray haired older woman did or even a pregnant woman, at my Y.

MikeNASMGFI

I myself got certified as a Group instructor through NASM/AFAA. NASM is the preferred but AfFAA and ACE are fine as well. It needs to be NCCA accredited. If you go through NASM make sure you read not skim. The material is awesome I actually enjoyed it.