Group Fitness Instructor Course Syllabus

Course Textbooks: Methods of Group Exercise Instruction, Second Edition, Carol Kennedy Armbruster & Mary M. Yoke & Group Exercise Cardiovascular Fitness: Supplement Reading from Concepts of Physical Fitness: Active Lifestyles for Wellness, 16^th ed.

Course Description: Experience a group fitness course like no other! Optional formats based on the college preference of 5, 8 or 12 weeks of intensive training will help you to develop skills for leading a group to the best of your ability. The program will include lecture materials, practical lab demonstrations and interactive participation.  Lecture materials will cover the essentials of group exercise history, music, choreography, safety techniques, as well as basic applied science specifically relating to group fitness cardiovascular, muscular, and flexibility health. Practical labs will expand into skill development for functional training, sports conditioning, circuit, boot camp, dance, step, kickboxing, hi-low, aqua, indoor cycling, and equipment-based class techniques. A mind body overview in Yoga & Pilates will cap it off so you can incorporate this knowledge into sections of your traditional class formats. Passing this group fitness course will provide students with a certification and skill set for private & public fitness centers. It is perfect for those passionate about starting a part-time or full-time career in fitness or improving their own exercise experience!

Special Note: The written and practical test voucher / exams are included in this course on the 6th week.

Level 1 Certification: Current CPR/AED certification and pass both written and practical certification exams.

Level 2 Certification: Level 1 plus completion of a 30-hour internship.

Course Overall Objectives: At the conclusion of this course, students will be able to do the following:

1. Discuss the evolution of group fitness.
2. Conduct health-screening assessments appropriate for a group fitness environment.
3. Determine appropriate and safe exercise movements & intensities.
4. Apply principles of group cohesion to group fitness.
5. Safely, incorporate music and sound into a group fitness program.
6. Describe the basic anatomy as it applies to each class format.
7. Discuss balancing body mechanics & musculature.
8. Correctly cue, perform, monitor and design exercises for a group setting.
9. Demonstrate warm up and cool down movements and stretches.
10. Apply principles and methods of group exercise to alternative formats such as sport conditioning, functional training, indoor cycling, kickboxing, step aerobics, equipment-based classes, and lifestyle type classes.
11. Demonstrate motivational strategies to encourage group exercise participation.
12. Create, demonstrate, and lead a group exercise class with personality, safety, technique, & an expansive knowledge base.

W.I.T.S. is a member of the International Association of Continuing Education and Training (IACET). The American Council on Education has recommended 3 undergraduate academic credits for students who complete the full program including the 30-hour internship.

Reading Assignments

Group Fitness Instructor

Assignments & Learning Objectives – Lecture session:

Session 1

Objectives: After completing this section, students will be able to:

1. Describe the evolution of group exercise (GX) since the
2. Explain the shift in focus of GX from aesthetics to
3. Describe research trends in GX and how they relate to industry
4. Explain how  cultural  trends  influence  consumer  demand  for  group
5. Explainthe difference between physical activity and
6. Explainthe difference between a student-based versus a teacher-based
7. List the six skill-related components of
8. List four health-related components of fitness and explain how GX addresses
9. Discuss how  the  baby  boomer  generation  has  influenced  group
10. Define the principles of overload, specificity and
11. Explainthe FITT principle and how it applies to exercise
12. Describe the components and benefits of
13. Explainhow to foster a healthy emotional class
14. Discussthe image of a fitness instructor as a role model.
15. Define aerobic
16. Explaincardiovascular fitness
17. Define different methods for measuring cardio

Session 2:

Objectives: After completing this section, students will be able to:

1. List and define the fitness class
2. Describe pre-class preparation and creating a positive
3. Define and explain terminology associated with resistance
4. Identifythe health and fitness benefits of resistance
5. Locateand identify major muscle groups of the human
6. List exercises for each major area of the
7. Define the fundamental components of good body
8. Describe the elements of good body
9. List the guidelines for resistance training safety and

Session 3:

Objectives: After completing this section, students will be able to

1. Explain the causes of muscle imbalances and identify strategies for
2. Identify primary opposing muscle groups and their role in good postural
3. Explain the importance of balancing muscle strength and
4. Describe the importance of specialty
5. List key practice guidelines for formulating class
6. Learn the GX scope of practice in regard to Nutrition
7. Provide a  class  with  referral  and  additional  resources  for  nutrition
8. Define a healthy plate in terms of nutrients and
9. Define a calorie, and describe how it affects
10. Define how many calories are in 1 gram of fat, carbohydrate, and
11. Know what an empty calorie is and be able to discuss with clientele why it is desirable to reduce empty calories in their
12. Define which nutrients should be reduced in the
13. Be able to identify the appropriate caloric intake for sedentary and active individuals of varying ages and
14. Utilizetools for tracking food and

Session 4:

Objectives: After completing this section, students will be able to:

1. Explain the role music plays in enhancing exercise
2. Apply music skills in a group exercise
3. Define the elements of music in terms of beat, measure and
4. Create smooth transitions.
5. Define desirable music tempo for various class
6. Explain howvarious musical  styles  can  be  adapted  to  diverse populations and class
7. Discuss legal responsibilities as they pertain to music
8. List the various options for sound
9. Explain OSHA
10. Discuss instructor voice care and
11. Explain the evaluation criteria for the cardiovascular segment of a
12. Describe safe technique for choreography patterns and foot
13. Explain the basic building block techniques for creating choreography
14. List seven different types of cues used to teach
15. Explain how instructors can communicate corrections to students in a non-offensive and constructive

Session 5:

Objectives: After completing this section, students will be able to:

1. Describe the benefits of aerobic
2. Explainthe Cardiorespiratory training
3. Describe the physiological difference between anaerobic and aerobic
4. List three modes of monitoring exercise
5. Name the exercise intensity levels recommended for participants of varying fitness classifications, expressed as a percent of maximal heart
6. Explainthe premise behind monitoring participant exercise
7. Calculate appropriate exercise intensity for class
8. Instruct participants on how to self-monitor exercise
9. Modulateexercise intensity to appropriate levels for varying class
10. Describe the fundamental principles of step
11. Describe the fundamental principles of cardio
12. Explainthe importance of cool-down after the cardiorespiratory

Session 6:

Objectives: After completing this section, students will be able to:

1. Describe bone
2. Describe how GX promotes bone
3. Identify the risk factors for
4. Discuss the key elements of exercise prescription for bone
5. Identify the recommendations for muscle conditioning, benefits, equipment and the safety and technique for each
6. Describe the difference between neuromotor training, functional training and sports
7. List equipment for functional
8. List equipment for sports
9. Define balance-training
10. Conceptualize when it is appropriate to add balance training to a GX

Session 7:

Objectives: After completing this section, students will be able to:

1. Define the five governing principles of
2. List the organizations and certifications associated with yoga
3. Be able to incorporate basic yoga poses in the flexibility segment of a
4. Be able to discuss the Pilates
5. List the organizations and certifications associate with
6. Identify safe yoga and Pilates
7. Describe safety and technique for indoor
8. List the certifying organizations for
9. Demonstrate proper cueing for cycling class and how to “set a tone” for
10. Define terms associated with water
11. Describe the importance of water
12. List the benefits of water exercise in terms of interval

Session 8:

Objectives: After completing this section, students will be able to:

1. Create client-centered GX
2. Describe why it is important to incorporate and encourage lifestyle- based physical
3. List lifestyle-based physical
4. Define the components of a dance based class
5. Describe when equipment-based cardiorespiratory training is
6. List potential complications with equipment-based
7. List benefits to equipment based
8. Discuss fusion classes
9. Describe guidelines for GX ethical
10. Successfully participate in test review questions and

Assignments & Learning Objectives – Practical Skills Lab

* Labs will cover hands on activities in these chapters.

Session 1:

Learning Objectives: By the end of this session, students will be able to:

1. Enjoy a general group exercise (GX) class format.
2. Conduct a HSQ, informed consent, and PAR-Q.
3. Assess risk factors for cardiovascular disease.
4. Describe group cohesion tactics and creating a healthy environment for the participant.
5. List examples of student-centered and teacher-centered instruction.
6. Explain the importance of monitoring exercise intensity
7. Demonstrate and calculate resting heart rate (RHR), HR max, and HR reserve for various scenarios at both the carotid and radial pulse.
8. Administer accurate fitness assessments (YMCA 3-minute step test and 12-minute run or walk test).
9. Participate in a YMCA 3-minute step test.

Session 2:

Learning Objectives: By the end of this session, students will be able to:

1. Define the five components of a class and have the tools to develop a well-rounded warm-up.
2. Analyze the traditional GX warm-up and participate in a sports conditioning warm-up.
3. Describe the differences between the traditional and sports warm-up.
4. Define terminology for muscular conditioning, roles of muscles and muscle actions.
5. Define terminology and demonstrate examples for joint actions.
6. List the five categories of exercise class evaluation.
7. Calculating musical beats per minute (bpm)
8. Develop a warm-up routine that includes dynamic and static stretches, rehearsal moves, and gradually increases the HR.

Session 3:

Learning Objectives: By the end of this session, students should be able to:

1. Identify the beginning and end of an 8-count and 32-count musical phrase.
2. Identify musical phrases of 8-count and 32-count patterns in various pieces of exercise music.
3. Explain how to identify a downbeat and upbeat.
4. Feel comfortable leading a group through a warm-up.
5. Explain how muscles work in pairs to produce movement and stabilize joints.
6. Describe common muscle imbalances and their causes.
7. Identify the names and locations of major muscles and joints, and their actions.
8. Identify exercises associated with each muscle group.

Session 4:

Learning Objectives: By the end of this session, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate simple 2-count and 4-count choreography segments, using a variety of movement options, as well as arm and foot patterns.
2. Construct a simple combination of four 8-count phrases, transitioning smoothly from one phase to the next.
3. Demonstrate fluid transitions between choreography segments.
4. Demonstrate verbal and visual cueing skills.
5. Match upper and lower body movement patterns.
6. Define the appropriate selection of GX music based on beats per minute (bpm).
7. Participate in a step and kickboxing demonstration.
8. Develop an appreciation for developing choreography for step and kickboxing.

Session 5:

Learning Objectives: By the end of this session, students will be able to:

1. Participate in an instructor led warm-up.
2. Practice monitoring exercise intensity during the cardiovascular component.
3. Demonstrate simple choreography variations for general format cardiorespiratory training
4. Demonstrate stretches for major muscle-joint complexes.
5. Differentiate between dynamic and static stretching.
6. Identify appropriate scenarios for dynamic versus static stretching.
7. Develop an understanding of an appropriate cool-down routine.
8. Develop choreography for an appropriate cool-down including dynamic and static stretches.

Session 6:

Learning Objectives: By the end of this session, students will be able to:

1. Demonstrate a simple 32-count, 4-phrase combination with correct cueing and musical interpretation for a cardiovascular cool-down.
2. Participate in a muscle conditioning demonstration.
3. Participate in a sports conditioning and functional training demonstrations.
4. Be able to demonstrate movements from each area of the functional training continuum
5. Describe proper safety and technique for muscle, sports conditioning, and functional training.

Session 7:

Learning Objectives: By the end of this session, students should be able to:

1. Identify markers associated with proper body alignment.
2. Analyze exercise body mechanics.
3. Describe the safety and technique for Pilates, yoga, cycling, and aqua.
4. Identify common errors in exercise execution for Pilates, yoga, cycling, and water aerobics.
5. Demonstrate the basic skill set for Pilates and yoga to incorporate mind and body techniques as a portion of GX class when needed (on occasion).
6. Understand that additional certifications are necessary to teach Pilates, yoga, cycling, and water aerobics on a regular basis.
7. Continue building confidence in front of a group.

Session 8:

Learning Objectives: By the end of this session, students should be able to:

1. Explain the practical testing format.
2. Participate in a dance or equipment based demo
3. Create a group exercise class, using all five components of a traditional GX class.
4. Utilize music to establish the tone, tempo and pace of a GX class.
5. Design simple choreography patterns that conform to eight- and 32-count phrasing typical of GX music.
6. Transition smoothly from one movement pattern to the next.
7. Design a balanced and productive muscle-conditioning segment.
8. Lead a class through all five components of a traditional class, including warm-up, cardiorespiratory conditioning, post-cardio cool-down, muscle conditioning and flexibility/cool-down.
9. Satisfy the evaluation criteria as outlined in Group Exercise Class Evaluation Form, Methods, Appendix A.