If you enjoy helping people reach their fitness goals, leading group exercise classes and having fun in the pool, then consider becoming an aqua aerobics instructor. Exercising in the water provides a safe environment for all fitness levels to workout in and allows instructors many options to present a variety of fun and lively classes. The watery world of aqua aerobics offers opportunities to instructors and students alike.
Types of Certification
Many different types of aqua aerobic fitness instructor certifications are available. Depending on what type of group you intend to teach and where, choose from a basic certification, advanced and master levels. The higher level certifications provide instructors with additional information on teaching, such as how to administer fitness assessments on students. Additionally, specific certifications are available for instructors to teach classes like aquatic kick-boxing. Some forums may also require certifications that are particular to the group they will instruct including seniors children. All certifications provide you with a basic understanding of exercise, physiology and kinesiology while training you how to organize class structures with safety and varied workout routines.
Pre-Requisites
Every certification has its own list of pre-requisites. Some ask only that you be 16-years or older. Others require you be 21, plus have additional certifications like basic group fitness instructor certification. Normally the higher the level of certification, the more work that needs to be done beforehand. For instance, to obtain a master level certification from United States Water Fitness Association, you will need to have one year of experience teaching similar classes with at least 100 hours on the job.
Certification Process
With two choices of certification -- on-site in a workshop setting or through the mail or on-line -- there are benefits to both. On-site certification usually involves hands-on training which is a great learning opportunity for instructors to see how exercise is affected by the water's buoyancy. The certification sometimes carries a higher level of notability, as well. Online or by mail, on the other hand, offers a fast, efficient way to train and is usually available at a lower price.
Teaching Styles
Once certified and ready to teach a group, choose to teach from "on deck," which is at pool-side, or in the water. A positive aspect of teaching on deck is greater visibility -- your students can see your moves without wondering what you might mean by unfamiliar aquatic terms. Also, you can see them, which makes it possible to correct improper form or provide encouragement when students need to pick up the pace. Standing outside the pool has the down side of not being able to feel how the water is affecting your moves. Many exercises are completely different when done in the water and it is sometimes difficult to convey the difference from the side of the pool. Teaching from in the water offers students a closer connection to you. This helps form a social network that keeps students returning to classes.
Class Options
All exercise components are applicable to water workouts. Plan your routines to include warm-ups, cardiovascular training, strength-training, core exercises, balance building moves, cool-downs and stretching. If you will be teaching more than once per week, it is not necessary to include every aspect in each class. You can focus, for instance, on cardio one day, strength-training on another. Each class should contain the warm-up and cool-down plus some stretching, though.
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