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Students will be able to:
1. Integrate health-related components of fitness into group exercise class segments and
individual training sessions.
2. Identify certifications, continuing education, professional memberships, journals and
research, and other resources for fitness instructors.
3. Understand the evolution and ethical standards of group exercise and personal fitness
training.
4. Discuss the cultural influence on body image, creating a healthy atmosphere, and positive
role modeling.
5. Demonstrate proper music selection, basic moves and combinations, building choreography,
and cueing for various group exercise formats.
6. Demonstrate safety techniques and proper use of weight training and other exercise
equipment.
7. Demonstrate exercise modifications for special populations and various fitness levels.
8. Demonstrate effective communication, exercise selection, proper technique and safety in
individual and group exercise instruction.
9. Describe the liability issues and responsibilities involved in fitness instruction.
10. Describe best business management practices, sales and marketing, client retention, and
motivation techniques for group exercise instructors and personal trainers.
11. Identify standards, wages, and opportunities for employment for fitness instructors.
12. Identify the procedure for applying, auditioning, and interviewing for employment as a group
exercise instructor, personal trainer, and other related fitness careers.
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I. Best Practices in Group Exercise and Personal Training
A. Evolution of group exercise and personal training
B. Health-related components of fitness
C. Student-centered versus Teacher-centered instruction
D. Professional Certifications
E. Best practices
F. Group cohesion research
II. Foundational Concepts
A. Exercise motivation
B. Cultural influences on body image and exercise
C. Fitness instructors as role models
D. Creating a healthy exercise environment
E. Principles of muscle balance
F. Balancing strength and flexibility
G. Range of motion for major joints
H. Progressive functional training continuum
I. Safety issues, alignment, technique
III. Instructing Individuals and Groups
A. Integrating health related components
B. Health history and consent form
C. Injury prevention for mixed-level participants, modifications, special populations
D. Pre-organization, introduction, orientation, and creating a positive atmosphere
E. Communication skills
F. Music selection for group exercise
G. Exercise adherence and motivation
H. Intensity monitoring
I. Importance of participant interaction and enjoyment
IV. Guidelines for Group Exercise Class Segments
A. Warm-up
B. Cardio respiratory Training
C. Muscular Conditioning
D. Cool-down
E. Flexibility Training
V. Practical Teaching Skills
A. Cardiovascular Conditioning
1. HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training) and TABATA training technique and safety
2. Basic exercises and elements of variation
3. Smooth transitions
4. Building balanced programming
5. Cueing methods
B. Step training
1. Technique and safety
2. Basic moves, combinations, and choreography techniques
3. Training systems
C. Kickboxing
1. Warm-up and dynamic rehearsal moves
2. Technique and safety
3. Basic punches and kicks
4. Basic combinations and choreography techniques
D. Indoor Cycling
1. Warm-up and dynamic rehearsal moves
2. Verbal cues and tempo
3. Technique and safety
4. Basic moves, formatting, and intensity
5. Cueing methods
E. Water Exercises
1. Properties of water and Newton's laws of motion
2. Land and water differences
3. Technique and safety
4. Verbal cues and tempo
5. Basic moves and equipment
F. Other group exercise modalities: Yoga, Pilates, Hip Hop, Rebounding, Boot Camp, Zumba,
NIA, Barre
VI. Techniques of Weight Training
A. Contraindications
B. Safety and effectiveness of various exercises
C. Spotting techniques
D. Proper biomechanics and technique using weight machines and free weights
E. Using other equipment (resistance bands, TRX, kettlebells, stability balls, foam rollers, agility training,
plyometrics, medicine balls, balance trainers, etcÂ…)
VII. Continuing Education Sources
A. National Group Exercise and Personal Trainer Certifications
B. Conferences and workshops
C. Professional memberships
D. Credible websites
E. Choreography and music
F. Current trends
VIII. Liability and Business Management
A. Insurance
B. Personal Training Software for Business Management
C. Sales and marketing
D. Client retention strategies
E. Time management and organizational strategies
F. Accounting
IX. Applying, Interviewing and/or Auditioning for a Group Exercise or Fitness Instructor
Position
A. Job searches in the fitness industry
B. Types of positions in the fitness industry
C. Salary, pay scale, and advancement
D. Employee versus independent contractor
All topics are covered in the lecture and lab portions of the course
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1. Required reading from textbook 10-25 pages per week
2. Identify and write 1-3 reports on a topic using professional journal articles and other credible resources for fitness
professionals and summarize the information orally in class or video on CANVAS from your written report.
3. Design and lead 1-2 individual personal training sessions based on fitness and health questionairre information.
4. Design and lead 1-3 formats of group exercise to music
5. Attend 1-3 group exercise classes and complete an evaluation and written report on the
observation(s)
6. Demonstrate regressions and progressions for exercises using modifications for all skill levels and injuriy needs
7. Quiz(zes) (1 - 4)
8. Exams (2 - 4)
Lecture-Related Assignments:
1. Required reading from textbook 10-25 pages per week
2. Identify and write 1-3 reports on a topic using professional journal articles and other credible resources for fitness
professionals and summarize the information orally in class or video on CANVAS from your written report.
7. Quiz(zes) (1 - 4)
8. Exams (2 - 4)
Lecture- and Lab-Related Assignments:
3. Design and lead 1-2 individual personal training sessions based on fitness and health questionairre information.
4. Design and lead 1-3 formats of group exercise to music
5. Attend 1-3 group exercise classes and complete an evaluation and written report on the
observation(s)
Lab-Related Assignments:
6. Demonstrate regressions and progressions for exercises using modifications for all skill levels and injuriy needs