Teaching others about leading a healthy lifestyle and motivating them to achieve their goals can be one of the most rewarding challenges you can undertake.  Whether you intend on making fitness your full time career, or just a part-time job, there are several steps you will need to take to ensure your success, as well as the success of your students!

1. First you’ll need to take a course in CPR and First Aid in person, as online versions are not acceptable. Contact the local American Red Cross or American Heart Association for times and dates these courses are offered, or look for our in-club “Always Prepared” CPR and First Aid trainings offered by Tony Jeffries. We offer them about 4 times per year.

2. Determine if you want to work one on one with clients, or in a group training situation and then get certified! Many certifications for Personal Trainers and Group Fitness instructors are available and some even offer prepatory courses and workshops prior to the exam. Conveniently, Monmouth Fitness Club hosts an Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) group fitness prep workshop and primary certification on a regular basis. Visit AFAA.com for  more information and to register for these events. ($299 plus study materials)  This primary group fitness certification acts as a encompassing ”umbrella” and qualifies new instructors to teach basic formats like aerobics, bootcamps, and strength training classes. Underneath the “umbrella”,  instructors can then begin to add more training in specific formats like indoor cycling, yoga, pilates, kickboxing, and even water aerobics.

3. Find out what you want to teach, find a mentor, and then start practicing! The best way to learn to teach group fitness is to take as many different kinds of classes that you can to figure out what you enjoy doing. Once you narrow your focus down to one or two formats at most, then ask the instructor if they might be willing to mentor you. Our Fitness Director, Nichole Taylor, has mentored many new instructors over the years and is always willing to share teaching skills and knowledge. If you are interested in teaching group fitness, becoming a personal trainer, or just want to ask some questions please feel free to email her: nichole@monmouthfit.com