Tips on becoming a fitness instructor?

lk27
lk27 Posts: 257 Member
edited December 21 in Fitness and Exercise
I have always wanted to be a group fitness instructor. I've started looking into getting certified. I'm just wondering what course I should take. I've tried to find a class locally, but there don't seem to be any so the next best would probably be an online class. There just seems to be so many to chose from. Does anyone have any ideas on which one would be best? Also, those of you who are fitness instructors, did you get certified and then go to gyms or studios to see about teaching a class? Any advise would be appreciated!

Replies

  • fittiephd
    fittiephd Posts: 608 Member
    I don't know too much about it, but I know that my university has training courses for being both a personal trainer or a group trainer. Do you have a university near you? Try looking at their course book or their PE website. I actually am hoping to take the personal trainer course in the spring :D Then I'll get certified if I like it.
  • lk27
    lk27 Posts: 257 Member
    I don't have a university near me. I'd much rather take a course in person than online. Maybe the local community college? I'm also wondering if I should go around to the local gyms and see what they require first.
  • BobbyDaniel
    BobbyDaniel Posts: 1,459 Member
    I'm doing online study to be certified as a Personal Fitness Trainer through the US Career institutes study at home program, most of the testing is done online. When I'm done with this I will test through the NCSF for certification and beyond that I'll look at areas I want to focus on, like group exercise, where ever I can.
  • slbeutler
    slbeutler Posts: 205
    I have been a group fitness instructor for 13 years and I started by finding a couple of experienced instructors who let me gradually learn how to teach by doing small portions of their classes. Teaching group fitness is different from personal training because it involves counting beats in music, proper cueing and then of course the format you are teaching.

    AFAA and ACE are the best and most widely recognized certifications. Both require a practical and written exam, so that is why you want to get a little practical experience before you take the class or test.

    I also went to a class that a gym offered on intro to group exercise. It was not a certification, but it gave you the basics and taught you how to count beats, how to cue and how to design or choreograph routines.

    Les Mills has a variety of formats that you can get certified in like PUMP, combat, etc. and all the routines are choreographed and the certification is very comprehensive. You would then need to find a gym that offers those types of classes such as 24 hour fitness and YMCA's.

    Feel free to message me if you have any questions. I would love to help out in any way that I can.
  • ChristinaBarnhouse
    ChristinaBarnhouse Posts: 274 Member
    Bump!!
  • Cr01502
    Cr01502 Posts: 3,614 Member
    Keep up to date with current research.

    Learn and digest as much info as you can.

    Find a mentor.
  • ValerieMomof2
    ValerieMomof2 Posts: 530 Member
    Go to the gym and find out what certification or programs they want their instructors to have. There are tons of different certifications so find the one which would allow you to teach at a gym near you
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