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Upon completion of this course the student 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. Introduction to 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. Group cohesion research
II. Evolution of Fitness
A. Exercise motivation
B. Cultural influences on body image and exercise
C. Fitness instructors as role models
D. Creating a healthy exercise environment
III. Instructing Individuals and Groups
A. Integrating health related components
B. Health history and consent form
C. 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
IV. Guidelines for Group Exercise Class Segments
A. Warm-up
B. Cardio respiratory Training
C. Muscular Conditioning
D. Flexibility Training
V. Practical teaching skills
A. High/Low impact
1. Technique and safety
2. Basic moves and elements of variation
3. Smooth transitions
4. Building basic combinations and additional choreography techniques
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 technique using weight machines and free weights
E. Using other equipment (resistance bands, stability balls, foam rollers, agility training, plyometrics, medicine balls, balance trainers, etcÂ…)
VII. Continuing Education
A. National Group Exercise and Personal Trainer Certifications
B. Conferences and workshops
C. Professional memberships
D. 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
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Methods of Group Exercise Instruction, 2nd Edition By Carol A. Kennedy-Ambruster and Mary M. Yoke, Human Kinetics. 2009
NSCA's Essentials of Personal Training by Roger W. Earle and Thomas R. Baechle. Human Kinetics. 2004
Instructor Prepared materials