Aquatic fitness takes traditional exercise classes and puts them in the pool -- with a few modifications -- to promote physical and mental health for a wide range of participants.Water provides an all-around cushioning effect that makes exercise less stressful for all your joints, which makes it an excellent choice for people who have arthritis, those recovering from injuries or for runners who would like to cross-train in a lower-impact sport. To teach an aquatic exercise class, you must complete a certification program.
Programs
Many aquatic instructor certification programs are available. WaterArt Fitness International provides aquatic instructor certification. To complete WaterArt's program, you must do a home-study course or a two-day in-person workshop. After the workshop, you have about four months to study before taking a practical and written exam for certification.
Prerequisites
You don't have to be a lifeguard to be an aquatic fitness instructor. According to WaterArt, it is helpful if you have taken aquatic fitness classes for some time before you attempt the certification, but the organization does not require previous water fitness experience. Personal trainers, land-based aerobics instructors and group fitness program managers might want to take the class just to get a better understanding of program design.
Requirements
WaterArt does not require CPR certification to take the workshops or get certified, but they do include some lifesaving skills instruction in the workshop. If you want to work as an aquatics instructor, your future employer will probably require you to complete a CPR certification. Many employers will also require a general group fitness instructor certification from a nationally recognized organization, including the American Council on Exercise. The additional certifications will help you become a better instructor, and they also help keep your students safer while they exercise.
Outlook
Jobs for all fitness workers are expected to increase much faster than the average for all occupations, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The aging baby boomer population is a major driver of this trend, and this group of people is particularly well-suited to benefit from water exercise. The BLS says that the median wages of fitness instructors in 2008 were $29,210. Many fitness instructors only work part-time, and part-time opportunities are easier to find.
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