Description
The FSSA Certified Group Exercise Instructor is the best credential to start with in the fitness industry if you wish to work as a group exercise trainer in a gym, studio, or wish to start taking group exercise classes in any facility.
With our excellent, yet easy to understand, research based study resources and highly competent faculty (i.e. tutors as well as assessors) the FSSA GXI is a must have, especially if you are a beginner.
Job role
The role of a group fitness instructor is to build fitness participation of new and existing members through fitness experiences that meet their needs. An Instructor delivers fitness instruction to individuals with the use of equipment (Fitness Instructor) or to a group through fitness classes (Group Fitness Instructor). Both types of instructor have the same purpose of promoting and delivering safe and effective exercise but depending on the specific situation, some additional knowledge, skills and competences may be required.
Pre requisites / Eligibility
• Must have basic understanding of English
• Must be over 18 years of age
• Must have cleared Xth standard or equivalent
Syllabus
Learning objectives:
Maintain the exercise environment
Help to provide a safe, clean and friendly fitness environment
Provide customer care
Observe clients/members at all times and inform them where necessary about health and safety requirements and emergency procedures and be able to deal with foreseen accidents and emergencies
Provide appropriate customer service
Welcome clients/members, keep records and bookings of their activities, and direct them for further technical assistance or to other appropriate members of staff for guidance and support
Identify customer motives and goals
Identify individual motives and resulting short, medium and long term fitness goals
Collect information
Identify client information, which is to be collected and advise clients of correct procedures, protocols and risks prior to commencing physical assessment and exercising
Provide safe instruction
Provide safe and effective fitness instruction
Integrate Exercise Science to the design of the programme
Apply the knowledge of the musculoskeletal system, biomechanical concepts as they relate to movement and exercise, the knowledge of related physiological concepts, the knowledge of the cardio-respiratory system and energy systems, to programme design
Observe and correct
Observe customers who are exercising and suggest corrections and adaptations as necessary to ensure techniques and procedures (posture, range of motion, control, timing and form) are safe and effective
Adapt exercise
Suggest relevant exercise adaptations or options to allow for individual client differences or needs and provide participants with advice on intensity and how to progress their individual performance and results
Offer motivation
Positively interact and motivate clients/members using appropriate strategies in order to promote adherence to exercise
Promote a healthy lifestyle
Provide information about the role of physical activity, modes of exercise and related services and the importance of healthy activities for daily living to clients
Promote customer referral
Invite customers to bring friends and family along and promote their fitness activities in their social environment
Demonstrate professional conduct
Understanding your scope of practice i.e. recognising standards and professional limitations that this provides, and ensuring essentials personal skills and knowledge to be a group fitness instructor are maintained and updated
Scheme of study:
SCHEME / PLAN FOR GROUP FITNESS INSTRUCTOR CERTIFICATION
MODULE 1
THIS UNIT IS ABOUT THE ROLE OF A GROUP FITNESS INSTRUCTOR
• To explain the benefits of the particular group fitness programme
• To demonstrate and explain exercises to a group and correct incorrect technique of individual participants provide clients and members with general advice on how to progress heir individual
• To create a positive, encouraging social atmosphere and group interaction
• To ensure pre- and post- class interaction with participants
• Understanding of health and safety issues, including responding to emergencies.
• Understanding and application of skills involved in the supporting of participants in developing and maintaining fitness.
MODULE 2
THE UNIT IS ABOUT UNDERSTANDING THE ANATOMY AND THE HUMAN MOVEMENT
• Identification of muscles responsible for various movements.
• Understanding the muscles and its actions
• Demonstrating knowledge and understanding of the heart, lungs and circulations
• Having knowledge and understanding of the basic principles of human movement and exercise physiology and its application to component of fitness
• Understanding the various energy systems.
MODULE 3
THIS UNIT IS ABOUT EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY
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• Understanding the components of physical fitness
• Demonstrating knowledge of components of health related fitness.
• An overview of the factors that affect physical fitness.
• Understanding the relationship between physical fitness, health related exercise, sports specific exercise and health.
• Demonstrating knowledge on stretch theory, warm up, cool down and progression
MODULE 4
THIS UNIT IS ABOUT LIFESTYLE MANAGEMENT.
• Determining the related benefits of cardio respiratory , muscular and flexibility related benefits of physical activity and its relation to reducing the risk of disease.
• Learning the importance of appropriate exercise activity required for health benefits and fitness benefits
• Learning the barriers and motivators to exercise participation
• Learning the exercise prescription for health, wellbeing and physical fitness
• Learning how to promote a healthy lifestyle
• Learning about basic nutrition and hydration techniques
• Demonstrating knowledge on basic stress management techniques
• Understanding about adaptations and progressions
• Demonstrating knowledge on safe and effective exercises
• Demonstrating knowledge on modification to exercises
• Understanding body awareness and exercise techniques
• Demonstrating knowledge on health and safety and dealing with accidents and emergencies
• Understanding legal requirements and emergency procedures
MODULE 5
THIS UNIT IS ABOUT COMMUNICATION SKILLS
• Understanding how to connect with people and how to learn and remember people’s names
• Demonstrating knowledge on empathetic listening
• Understanding motivational strategies
• Demonstrating knowledge on customer care
MODULE 6
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR A GROUP FITNESS TRAINER
• Understanding of importance of gathering information prior to the start of the class in relation to the participants and their needs to include new participants, programme experience, names inquiry about injuries, checking for correct gear
• Understanding of informing participants of programme benefits and target audience
• Having basic understanding of the skills involved in delivering a group fitness class
• Understanding of how to teach group fitness to music by focusing on music and choreography, how to use music to motivate participants, hot to deliver self or pre designed programme specific choreography.
LEARNING HOURS FOR GROUP EXERCISE CERTIFICATION
TLH, GLH |
CORE LEARNING UNITS |
ASSESSMENT METHODS |
15-20 TLH
4-8 GLH |
ROLE OF THE GROUP FITNESS TRAINER |
THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL EVALUATIONS |
15-20 TLH
10-15 GLH |
HUMAN MOVEMENT AND FUNCTIONAL ANATOMY |
THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL EVALUATIONS |
5-20 TLH
5-10 GLH |
EXERCISE PHYSIOLOGY |
THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL EVALUATIONS |
15-20 TLH
4-8 GLH |
LIFESTYLE MANAGEMENT |
THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL EVALUATIONS |
10-15 TLH
4-5 GLH |
COMMUNICATION SKILLS |
THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL EVALUATIONS |
25-30 TLH
10-15 GLH |
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS FOR A GROUP FITNESS TRAINER |
THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL ASSESSMENT |
TLH – TOTAL LEARNING HOURS
GLH – GUIDED LEARNING HOURS 16
Total Qualification Time: 150-180 Hours
Guided Learning Hours: 50-70 Hours
Self Study / Assessments: 120-130 Hours
Note: These hours are an approximation according to the measure and standards of the qualification