Regular participation in exercise can help you boost your mood, manage chronic disease, lose weight, boost your energy level and more. Exercise leaders are commonly required to maintain a national certification from a reputable agency. Find out about four of the most reputable certifying agencies.
The American Council on Exercise
The ACE group fitness instructor certification allows exercise leaders to teach any form of exercise in a group setting. This certification teaches participants the motivational skills, teaching techniques and effective communication needed to successfully lead a group fitness class. A passing score on an exam certifies exercise leaders and demonstrates that they have knowledge and skills in anatomy, kinesiology, class design, cueing, injury prevention, class design, exercise physiology and instructional techniques. ACE requires participants to be 18 or older and hold a CPR/AED certification in order to take the exam.
Aerobics and Fitness Association of America
An AFAA primary group exercise certification provides participants with the skills and knowledge to successfully lead a group fitness class. The certification involves a practical application of group exercise, a study guide overview, a question-and-answer session and written and practical exams. Instructors certified by AFAA have knowledge in AFAA's basic exercise standards, anatomy, exercise science and exercise evaluation. Prerequisites for taking this certification include teaching experience and a current CPR certification.
National Exercise Trainers Association
The NETA is an NCAA-accredited group exercise instructor certification. People interested in teaching in a group exercise setting benefit from the hands-on training this certification provides. This certification covers anatomy, nutrition, kinesiology, physiology, cueing, communication, choreography, music and safe exercise evaluation. Registrants have two options when taking this certification. They can either attend a one-day exam preparation workshop, where an exam is given at the end of the day, or register for the "test only" option.
National Exercise and Sports Trainer Association
The NESTA is a home-study based group exercise instructor certification. Certification through this organization gives people the basics, foundations, fundamentals and strategies needed to teach group exercise classes. In this home-study certification course, participants learn muscular anatomy and how to teach warm-up, cardiorespiratory, sculpting, cool-down and stretching sections of a group fitness class. Passing an exam with an 85 percent or higher certifies you with this agency.
References
- American Council on Exercise: Group Fitness Instructor Certification
- Aerobics and Fitness Association of America: Primary Group Exercise Certification
- National Exercise Trainers Association: Group Exercise Instructor Certification
- National Exercise and Sports Trainer Association: Group Exercise Instructor Certification
- MayoClinic.com: Exercise: 7 Benefits of Regular Physical Activity
Member Comments