Group Fitness Instructor
Online Course

Grow your income and your impact by learning how to successfully teach group fitness classes.

Whether it’s yoga, HIIT, Zumba®, indoor cycling, or any other popular format, this certification will prepare you to effectively teach groups both virtually and in-person.

Are you dissatisfied with your current job and are thinking about a new career?

You have a passion for fitness, but you are not sure if it is the right choice for you?

Thanks to our education, you can profile yourself as a fitness trainer. You don’t need previous experience! You will learn everything you need to be a successful group fitness instructor on the course itself. If you are already a trainer, our courses will clarify all ambiguities and improve your existing knowledge.

If you want to learn to create your own choreography, to adapt the training to a different population such as pregnant women, the elderly population, as well as to teach a class to a large group of people offering a diverse, safe and effective experience, this training is the right choice for you!

What do you gain by completing this course?

Internationally recognized certificate Athletics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA), an organization with more than 35 years of experience and leadership in the fitness industry. (www.afaa.com). The AFAA certificate is fully accredited by EREPS and represents the gold standard in the certification of group fitness instructors.

Motivating people to believe in their own power. And inspiring others to move toward healthier and happier lives. That’s what makes the Athletics and Fitness Association of America™ (AFAA) a dominant force in movement-based health and fitness. Our vision isn’t to just change bodies — but to advance the lives of instructors and those they guide through their own personal fitness journeys.

AFAA has been a leading force in the group fitness community for 40 years. AFAA instructors have gone out to the world to share their love for fitness and be the person that others look to for a superior experience.

AFAA FACTS

The AFAA organization has educated and certified over 350,000 fitness instructors.
All specializations are based on scientific evidence and supported by the latest research and scientific achievements. That way, you can be sure to learn the most accurate and reliable methods and give your clients the best guidance.
AFAA certified instructors successfully build their careers in over 35 countries around the world.

How does an online course work?

Group fitness classes provide a proven way to reach more participants, and in this program you’ll benefit from our decades of experience teaching the world’s best group fitness professionals. Learn how to design group classes, adapt to class needs and dynamics, get your participants engaged and motivated, and create amazing group movement experiences.

You have the right to access the course for one year.

The education includes: digital book, , video presentations, a script with exercises and their modifications, a database of recordings with exercises, examples of trainings, as well as a final test.

The course is in English, with the fact that under each video presentation you have transcript (also in English) which makes it much easier to understand.

The exam is in the form of a test in which you recognize the correct answers.

What will you learn in the course

How to plan and prepare a workout in a group fitness so that all your clients achieve the desired results, and more.
How to do an assessment of your client's physical condition for a quality prescription of the training program.
You will get a large selection of exercises to keep your clients satisfied and motivated.
You will learn to manage large groups by offering a diverse, safe and effective experience.
You will learn to adapt programs to clients of different levels of physical fitness (beginner, intermediate and advanced)
To achieve quality communication, connection and motivation before, during and after training with all clients, in order to successfully attract new clients and keep existing ones.

Curriculum

Section 1: Fundamentals of Exercise Science

Chapter 1: The Group Fitness Industry

Learn about the state of health and fitness today. This understanding will provide insight into why your pursuit of a career in fitness will help you become so influential in improving the lives of others.

Chapter 2: Foundations of Exercise Science

Helping others reach their fitness goals requires the knowledge to analyze the basics of human movement thoroughly. Biomechanics and the interactions of the muscle action spectrum provide you with the language of exercise science and a foundational understanding of the human body.

Chapter 3: The Human Movement System

Armed with the basics of biomechanics, you can now begin to learn the functions of the Human Movement System (also referred to as the kinetic chain). The kinetic chain is comprised of three different, yet intimately interwoven, systems that allow our bodies to move. The knowledge related to these systems and their interactions will help you guide the individuals you work with to move safely and effectively.

Chapter 4: Integrated Fitness

Integrated fitness is the foundation for the successful development of any fitness program, combining multiple types of exercise to help participants achieve their goals. Through the application of the various components of integrated fitness, you can design safer, more effective fitness classes.

Section 2: Class Design and Planning

Module 5: Teaching Basics

Using the principles of integrated fitness, you may now begin to piece together the five components of a workout for a unified class flow. Through an in-depth exploration of each of the five components (intro, movement prep, the body of the workout, transition, and outro), you can identify the various considerations for the most popular formats, including training intensities and appropriate exercise selection.

Module 6: Teaching Multi-training and Exercise Technique

One precious resource for an aspiring Group Fitness Instructor is a vast inventory of exercises that might be useful across multiple formats. Additionally, instructors should be familiar with the appropriate technique for each exercise they offer, as well as be prepared to offer modifications to accommodate participants’ needs.

Module 7: Class Planning and Preparation

After understanding integrated fitness, the components of a workout, and appropriate exercises across popular formats, instructors can apply their knowledge in the classroom. Thoughtful class planning allows instructors the opportunity to refine the intended outcomes of their classes by selecting elements such as music, equipment, and movement options to best suit their intended goals.

Section 3: Class Instruction and Presentation

Module 8: Adapting to Class Dynamics

Instructors must do more than simply plan for their classes. They must also be prepared to encounter unexpected variables the day-of. Knowing how to respond to numerous situations, from surprise visitors to medical emergencies, will help you in your efforts to provide a safe and inclusive experience for everyone. Diligent classroom set-up can help avert complications before they begin.

Chapter 9: Communication and Learning

While in-depth knowledge of proper exercise execution and workout design is essential for all Group Fitness Instructors, the test of a genuinely successful instructor lies in connecting with participants through their preferred learning styles and active cueing. Generally speaking, the best way to connect with participants is by providing participant-centered instruction that acknowledges individual needs while still serving the group.

Chapter 10: Inclusive Instruction for Special Populations

Participant-centered instruction requires an understanding of the various levels of conditioning that may affect an individual’s performance in a group workout. By understanding the various considerations and modifications available, you can provide support for every participant without singling them out or sacrificing the quality of a workout.

Chapter 11: Class Engagement and Motivation

Effective instructors do more than offer safe movement experiences. They connect with their participants, which engages and motivates them to continue returning time and time again. By motivating every participant in a way that empowers them to meet their goals, you’ll build value for your participants.

Section 4: Other Notable Topics

Module 12: Professional and Legal Responsibilities

As with any career, there are legal, ethical, and professional expectations for certified Group Fitness Instructors. Included in these expectations is the need for continued educational and experiential development, as well as methods for self-care to help you sustain and thrive.

Module 13: Nutrition

Achieving optimal health and fitness goes beyond human movement, it also encompasses nutrition. Nutrition is an evolving and quickly changing science. As new research is conducted, new information provides fresh insights that may influence the work you do as a Group Fitness Instructor. This module will provide you the basic nutritional information you will need for discussions with participants, as well as to benefit your health and well-being.

BONUS! The basics of virtual coaching

Want a job you can do from home? as part of the AFAA-GFI course, you now receive bonus NASM Fundamentals of Virtual Coaching content for free. You will learn how to coach clients online. You’ll learn everything from setting up equipment, creating digital programs, taking payments and more! The course includes 5 in-depth lessons, 1o short videos and much more.

Final Exam

After the completion of the course, you will take an online final exam from the comfort of your own home, or wherever you prefer to take tests. The test consists of 120 multiple-choice questions The exam is timed and cannot exceed 90 minutes. The exam is timed and cannot exceed 120 minutes

Program includes:

13 In-Depth Chapters with Audio Summaries
65+ High-End Videos
Online Practice Exam and SFC Final Exam
Material that you can download to your computer
An internationally recognized certificate that is fully accredited by the NCCA
100% Online & Self-Paced Program You can listen to lectures anywhere and anytime

Experiences of our students

"I am very satisfied with the way the course is organized, the order of learning is clear and what is expected from the participants. I also like how different topics are approached, as well as the scope of the course which includes many aspects not only fitness but also human anatomy and movement. Even for someone who encounters this topic for the first time, it is very nicely processed and easy to understand. Although I had experience with group training before this course, now I definitely have more knowledge and self-confidence to continue doing this job. 🙂 "

Frequently asked Questions

1.How many CEUs can I earn?

The Group Fitness Instructor course is worth 15 AFAA CEU points and 1.5 NASM CEU points.

2. Are there any conditions to enroll in the course?

You need to know English. The course is in English, with a transcript below each video presentation (also in English) that makes it much easier to understand. It will not be a problem for you to follow the lectures if you have studied this language before.

3. When can I start course?

You can start online course whenever you want. You determine the time when you will attend classes depending on your free time. You can access the content from your phone, tablet or desktop, wherever you are.

4. How long will I have access to the course content and exam?

You will have 1 year from the day of enrollment to access the course content. You will get access to the exam separately from the content and you will also have one year from the day of enrollment to take your final exam. Also, you will have a total of 3 attempts to pass the exam.

5. How is the final exam administered?

The final exam is administered online. It is all multiple-choice questions and can be taken on your personal computer or mobile device, upon completion of the course content. It consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and 90 minutes for completion. You must score a 70% or higher to pass, and you will have 3 attempts.

6. What if I don't pass the final exam?

Don’t worry! You’ll have 3 attempts within one year to pass the final exam. If you do not pass the first time, you can pause, go over the areas you were not sure about again, and then try again. You can also buy additional tests at a price of 249 euros.

Do I have to renew this qualification?

The certificate is renewed every two years at a price of 199 euros, or you can pay for lifetime certification after two years at a price of 449 euros.

In order to recertify, you must complete 15 AFAA CEUs (continuing education units) as well as maintain a current CPR and AED certifications (worth 2 AFAA CEUs). You can collect CEU points through various educations, seminars and conferences that are accredited and recognized by AFAA.

You need a total of 15 AFAA CEU points to renew your certification which includes the mandatory first aid certification which carries 2 AFAA CEU points.

The price of the course with discount is 425 euros, with the possibility of paying in two monthly installments.

The training includes NASM digital book, presentations, video presentations, video and script with exercises and their modifications, examples of completed trainings, knowledge tests, exam preparation questions, as well as accredited exam.

After completing the course, you will receive an internationally recognized certificate!