Exercise provides a variety of health benefits including improved heart and lung health and preventing ailments such as diabetes and cancer. But exercise carries risks of its own, which is why gyms and fitness centers typically insist instructors are trained and certified. Many reputable organizations offer instructor certification programs in primary group fitness, as well as specialty areas, such as step-aerobics or personal training. Each organization has its own method of training and certifying instructors, but all require learning about anatomy and body mechanics, as well as teaching methods.
Step 1
Attend fitness classes. Aerobic certification programs recommend that you have experience in performing exercises, as well as a familiarity of the terminology and cuing. Certification courses provide information on class design and teaching, but not on specific steps and movements. The Aerobics and Fitness Association of American requires a practical portion of its exam, which you can learn by taking aerobic classes.
Step 2
Sign up for training with a fitness certification program. Check with local gyms and fitness centers to find out what certifications they accept before signing up for a course. A few of the most well-known certification organizations are the American Council on Exercise (ACE), the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) and Interactive Fitness Trainers of America (IFTA).
Step 3
Study course materials. Fitness certification programs offer self-paced home study courses that provide information you need to pass the exam. This information includes anatomy, kinesiology, exercise physiology, teaching methods, cueing, class design and injury prevention.
Step 4
Register and take the exam. The most reputable fitness organizations require that you take the exam at one of their testing centers. AFAA provides a full day of review before taking the written and practical exam. AFAA and ACE give details about testing dates and locations on its websites. Only IFTA allows you to take the exam at home.
Step 5
Get trained in CPR and AED, which is required for exercise instructor certification. Some fitness organizations offer CPR and AED training, but others don't. Ask instructors at your local gym where they got their training or contact your local Red Cross if your certification program doesn't offer CPR or AED.
Step 6
Submit your certification application and proof of CPR and AED to the fitness organization once you've passed the exam. Some organizations include the certification fee in the exam and training fees, while others will charge you separately.
Step 7
Maintain continuing education credits. Fitness trends and knowledge change, and, as a result, certification organizations require that you complete continuing education units every two to three years. Fitness organizations require that the majority of your education units come from its courses. Most offer home or Internet-based courses. You need to maintain your CPR and AED certifications as well.
