Become a Group Fitness Trainer

A group fitness trainer is a highly beneficial profession. Group fitness trainers are constantly involved in social interaction. They encounter people from different walks of life, making it a suitable career for social persons. Second, group fitness trainers are given the opportunity to help a lot of people achieve their maximum physical potential. The support that they render is rewarded with personal gratification. Finally, the profession itself helps fitness trainers to stay in shape due to its line of work. They get a continuous workout from instructing their classes.

Becoming a group fitness trainer is an extensive and continuous process. An aspiring fitness trainer would need to obtain instruction, certification, and continuing education to be competitive.

Fitness Trainer Education

If you aspire to be a group fitness trainer, you have to determine the type of group exercise that you want to teach. There are a number of exercise systems to choose from: aerobic exercise, pilates, step workouts, etc. Afterwards, you can establish an educational background that is relevant to your chosen profession. For example, in aerobic exercise, you have to know safe exercise practices and their rationales. You also have to know the body’s response to the exercise and how long it can endure it.

Group fitness trainer education can be obtained from health clubs and recreational centers. You can also avail of workshops from health organizations and schools like the American Council on Exercise and the American College of Sports Medicine. Online training can also be an option. If you know of a professional fitness trainer, you could enlist to be his/her apprentice and learn on-the-job. Lastly, you could study on your own with resources borrowed from a local library, or purchased from fitness resource providers.

Obtaining Certification

If you plan to apply as a group fitness trainer in a health club, ask the club’s health director what certifications they require of their trainers. Even if you opt to be self-employed, you should still be certified to increase your chances of acquiring clients.

There are two major certifying organizations for group fitness trainers: American Council on Exercise (ACE) and Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA). For a fee, both will administer you an exam which if you pass, will give you their certification. Certification is also paid. ACE is a non-profit organization that aims to secure “safe and effective physical activity.” Training for their examination is individual and self-paced. The exam can be computer-based or through pencil and paper. Recertification from them is required every two years. AFAA provides a one-day workshop prior to their exam; however, a self-study period is required before joining the workshop. Recertification is also every two years.

Both group fitness certifications require you to be proficient in practicing group teaching techniques. If possible, you should have had past group teaching experience. You should also have first-hand knowledge in healthy lifestyle principles. As like in primary and individual fitness certifications, you should be certified in CPR and basic first aid. Both exams also require you to be proficient in anatomy, kinesiology and exercise physiology, injury prevention, effective communication, instructional methods, and motivational skills. You would also need to do a practical exam before three examiners.

Continuing Education and Supplemental Studies

After successfully passing the exams and landing a job, you would have to continually educate yourself on fitness trends. Wellness regularly evolves so you have to reeducate yourself time and again for your students’ benefit.