It is common knowledge that exercise plays a vital role in keeping us healthy in body and mind. Aerobics Instructors integrate insight, direction and motivation into individual and group strength training and stretching routines. Forever after, exercise becomes a celebration and fitness, a journey to be ... Continue Reading
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What are the typical responsibilities of an Aerobics Instructor?
An Aerobics Instructor would typically need to:
By and large, Aerobics Instructors work in fitness facilities or a client’s choice of location if they are willing to make house calls. They may conduct group or one-on-sessions independently or under the supervision of fitness coordinators and gym managers.
It is common to have loud music blasting in the background. Travel may be part of the workday if you are a freelancer or part-timer working for different clients or employers.
Aerobics Instructors need to keep very flexible work schedules to suit the needs of their clients who often wish to work out either before or after work.
Essentially, you may have busy mornings, evenings, weekends and holidays with an inevitable downtime in the afternoon. Be aware that building up a client base will need you to work 12-hour days.
Finding a new job might seem challenging. Aerobics Instructors can boost their job search by asking their network for referrals, contacting employers directly, using job search platforms, going to job fairs and leveraging social media. You can work for more than one employer if they do not ask you to sign a non-compete agreement.
Self-employment includes freelance work, work from home or owning a gym.
Aerobics Instructors are generally employed by:
The International Confederation of Registers for Exercise Professionals (ICREPS) is an international partnership between single-entity national registers for all qualified exercise professionals.
It helps Aerobics Instructors pursue professional development or connect with like-minded professionals in their industry or occupation. Membership in one or more adds value to their resume while bolstering their credentials and qualifications.
Increasing competition in the fitness industry makes it imperative that you get optimal work experience. It will give you a more profound knowledge and understanding of the industry while providing unique opportunities to network with other fitness professionals and market yourself to potential clients.
Adequate work experience gained as a personal trainer or exercise instructor may compensate for the lack of formal education and fulfil the expectations of prospective employers and clients. Gyms, recreation centres and aerobic studios are ideal locations to provide insight into the field and help potential Aerobics Instructors gain valuable experience.
Experienced customer service or sales representatives in gyms and health clubs who demonstrate strong customer service and interpersonal skills can also aspire to transition to this profession.
Even certified Aerobics Instructors must work alongside an experienced colleague before training clients without supervision.
A high school diploma or equivalent may be the minimum qualification required of Aerobics Instructors. Still, employers increasingly prefer an associate or bachelor’s degree in exercise science, physical education, biology, physiology or nutrition.
Associate programs offer basic knowledge of exercise physiology & methods, program design & instructional strategies, strength training, sports injuries, and fitness assessments that could significantly improve your employment prospects.
A relevant bachelor’s program should ideally furnish additional knowledge about anatomy & physiology, kinesiology, biomechanics and fitness theory.
Ensure your high school classes include biology, physical education and human psychology.
Aerobics Instructors must have CPR and First Aid Certification. These are the most common prerequisites for accredited certifications in physical fitness.
Eligibility to teach group classes will help you make more money and increase your professional value while teaching anywhere in the world. Choose the certification that suits your needs best from among the various options available.
Most course providers offer both online and hands-on training in the creation, development and safe implementation of customised group fitness programs for a wide range of healthy individuals with differing fitness levels. You must pass an exam to be qualified.
In addition, Aerobics Instructors who wish to teach or direct clients in a specialised exercise such as yoga, Pilates and Zumba must earn valid certifications in the area.
Individuals who wish to pursue Classic Aerobics as a profession must pass a course that incorporates principles of exercise, training guidelines, exercise adaptations & progressions and the theory behind exercising to music.
You must also pass the practical element, which invites you to choreograph your class and then teach it to a group of participants while being assessed by an examiner.
Look for a single-entity registering body for all qualified exercise professionals in your country which will offer you membership to the International Confederation of Registers for Exercise Professionals (ICREPS).
Self-employed Aerobics Instructors may want to invest in public liability insurance.
Most Aerobics Instructors choose to work for an employer at the beginning of their career. They use the time to gain valuable practical experience, pursue further studies in health or fitness and realise their potential.
Individuals who choose to stay with the employer may be promoted to management positions with additional administrative, financial and personnel responsibilities. Some may choose to gain further qualifications in a specialism such as yoga or Pilates and increase their client base.
A good client base may prompt others to branch out on their own and set up a new fitness centre. A steady increase in loyal clientele and consequent increase in earnings is the best way a self-employed or freelancing professional can gauge their career progression.
Aerobics Instruction can prove to be a stepping stone to other careers, such as being a health writer.
Candidates with professional certification and increased levels of formal education in health or fitness have the best job prospects.
Invest in a bachelor’s degree in exercise science, physical education or kinesiology to advance to a management position. You might want to pursue a master’s degree in the above subjects if the job you seek requires it.
Aerobics Instructors who wish to open their fitness centres should pursue bachelor’s programs, including business management, marketing, and finance.
Successful Aerobics Instructors are continuously upskilling themselves. Continuous professional development (CPD) is essential for the renewal of earlier certifications.
Besides, new certifications in different exercise techniques and training specific populations like children or older adults can add to your potential client base and boost your earning power.
CPD also keeps you up to date on the latest in fitness, weight management and health.
Take Care of Numero Uno
You are in a profession where you are often viewed as a positive role model by your clients. It's a perfect reason to take care of your health and wellbeing so you can better promote a healthy lifestyle to others.
A Step Down Memory Lane
Professional gymnast, Gin Miller, developed step aerobics after a knee injury. Her doctor recommended she step up and down on a milk crate to help strengthen the muscles around the knee.
The ‘Golden Age of Fitness’ Has Begun
A fitness industry report predicted that the health and fitness industry would continue to grow significantly over the next decade.
Job Perks
As a rule, Aerobics Instructors can expect days off but no health insurance benefits. Full-time employees may receive monetary incentives to manage a significant increase in gym memberships or class enrollment.
The only benefit for part-time employees, who work on an as-needed basis or take specific classes or training sessions, is free-of-charge use of the facility.
Tools of the Trade
Aerobics Instructors use music equipment such as cell phones, tablets or MP3 players, and workout equipment such as jump ropes, hand weights, floor mats, and steps.
In a pinch, they can manipulate the program to work with their current environment. They can incorporate moves such as stepping up onto benches and sprinting upstairs to use the client's weight as resistance.
Alternate Paths
Aerobics Instructors can choose to work for a specific gym or fitness centre and work out of one location. That would make them full-time employees working for a salary.
They could also be freelancers who use the gym facilities to teach their classes and pay rent to the gym owner or teach a few lessons for free to cover rent costs.
In both cases, you will be able to use everything provided by the gym; insurance is often a part of the agreement.
Aerobic Instructors would be the first ones to deny the widespread perception that they are magicians who can bring about miraculous changes in their clients’ physical personalities. However, when an aerobic exercise program works wonders for its practitioners, there is cause to think that it is more of a therapy than a workout session and reason enough to elevate an Aerobic Instructor to the level of a sorcerer.
Keep it simple. Use a signature style to keep clients engaged and keep coming back.
People who take to aerobics consume more oxygen than those who just go on a regular morning walk and breathe in the fresh air.
What do Aerobics Instructors do?
An Aerobics Instructor would typically need to:
Accredited
$47,112
