How to Become a Certified Group Fitness Instructor
The world of group fitness is booming in popularity.
Over 5.7 million people took part in fitness classes between 2021 and 2022 in the UK alone.
There’s now something for everyone, regardless of your goal, age, or level of experience in the gym.
Sessions cater to a diverse range of people seeking everything from yoga tranquillity, fast-paced spinning classes, or high-intensity interval training (HIIT) that gets the heart racing.
And that’s the beauty of it…
Everyone’s keen to get involved. Without doubt it’s an area of personal training that’s likely to become more and more popular.
With that, there’s plenty of opportunities to become a fitness class coach, but you need to make sure you’ve got the right skills, relevant qualifications, and correct approach if you want to succeed.
Here’s all you need to know about getting your career started…
The first step
Our Level 2 Gym Instructor course is the starting point for every aspiring personal trainer.
Whether you want to pursue a career as a gym floor trainer working with your own clients…
Or whether you want to focus all your efforts on becoming a group fitness coach…
First of all, you’re legally required to pick up your Level 2 qualification.
Why? Well, picture this: going from zero experience straight into leading a cardio class of 30 people. it's a nerve-wracking prospect that's best avoided. The key is preparation and mastering your craft.
From the day you enrol on our L2 Gym Instructor course, you’ll learn everything you need to know about working with your own clients. You’ll also pick up crucial experience in communicating and instructing within a class setting, setting you up for long-term success in a job you love.
About your Level 2 Qualification
Attaining your Level 2 Gym Instructor qualification is your foundation for entering the realm of personal training and group instruction. This qualification is open to anyone aged 16 and above, possessing a reasonable level of fitness. While familiarity with gym equipment, including free weights and resistance machines, is advantageous, the course covers it all.
The course can be completed in just weeks, and while it encompasses various aspects of fitness instruction, we’ll teach you how to design and deliver effective programs, show you what excellent customer service really looks like, and help you build a strong understanding of how to use equipment on the gym floor so you run your own group training classes.
What classes can you teach?
- Cardio workouts encompassing HIIT, kickboxing, and jump rope routines.
- Mind-body sessions such as Yoga and Pilates
- External activities like bootcamps.
- Dance workouts synced to vibrant music.
- Aquatic training featuring low-impact exercises in pools.
- High-energy indoor spin classes
What makes a great group instructor?
Being a stellar group fitness instructor goes beyond merely barking commands from the front of a class. It requires adept communication, listening skills, and the flexibility to cater to various fitness levels and individual needs. Adapting your plans on the fly is a hallmark of excellence.
While a strong grasp of your specific class is essential, maintaining awareness of related subjects and classes broadens your expertise and your ability to offer advice and customised fitness programs. Above all, approachability and an ability to infuse fun into your sessions will set you apart and get your classes fully booked out.
Our last piece of advice…
Just a few more words from us...
To continually grow in your role, make it a priority to keep learning through online courses, podcasts, videos, and free resources.
Connect with seasoned instructors, coaches, and mentors for valuable insights. Seeing how other people engage their class can be invaluable for your development and confidence.
We’d also encourage you to ‘get involved’ as much as possible. Engage in networking events to remain at the forefront of trends while sticking to the effective techniques you know work for your specific classes.
Get all this right, and you’re ready to start a purposeful career as a group fitness coach with an earning potential that might surprise you!
