Top 10 Group Exercise Instructor Certifications

Certifications are very important for a group exercise instructor in the job market. Certifications demonstrate that an individual has the qualifications, education, and experience to teach group exercises safely and effectively. It also shows potential employers that the instructor is committed to continuing their education and staying up-to-date with the latest trends in fitness instruction. Additionally, certifications can open up more job opportunities as many employers prefer to hire instructors with certifications. Finally, having a certification can help an instructor stand out from other applicants and show potential employers that they have taken the time to develop their skills and knowledge on the topic of group exercise instruction.

The purpose of this article is to provide an overview of the top certifications for Group Exercise Instructors and explain how they can contribute to a Group Exercise Instructor's career.

What are Group Exercise Instructor Certifications?

Group exercise instructor certification is a program designed to prepare individuals to teach group exercise classes. These classes typically include group exercise activities such as aerobics, strength training, yoga, dance, Pilates, or other forms of physical activity in a group setting. Certification programs generally require completion of an approved course and successful completion of a written exam and/or practical assessment.

The benefits of becoming certified as a group exercise instructor are numerous. Certified instructors have greater credibility with both clients and employers than those without certification. This can increase the number of clients they attract and the amount they can charge for services. Additionally, certification may qualify instructors for higher-level positions within their organizations or give them access to more types of jobs.

Being certified also provides instructors with the necessary knowledge and skills needed to safely lead their classes and reduce the risk of injury to their participants. Certification courses provide information on proper form for exercises, how to modify movements for different levels of fitness and abilities, how to create effective class plans, as well as how to properly use equipment such as weights or mats. Having this knowledge allows instructors to confidently lead classes that are safe yet challenging for their participants.

Finally, certification can open up opportunities for additional education and career advancement in the field of group exercise instruction. Many certifying organizations offer continuing education units (CEUs) which allow certified instructors to maintain their certifications through ongoing professional development activities such as attending workshops or taking additional courses. In some cases, these CEUs may even be applied toward further academic degrees or advanced certifications in related fields such as personal training or sports nutrition.

Pro Tip: Make sure to research the different group exercise instructor certifications available and find one that best fits your goals. Some certifications may require a certain number of hours of experience or provide additional benefits such as continuing education credits. Additionally, look into any prerequisites required prior to taking the certification exam.

Related: What does a Group Exercise Instructor do?

Top 10 Group Exercise Instructor Certifications

Here’s our list of the best certifications available to Group Exercise Instructors today.

1. American Council on Exercise (ACE) Group Fitness Instructor Certification

The American Council on Exercise (ACE) Group Fitness Instructor Certification is a comprehensive program designed to provide fitness professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to teach safe and effective group exercise classes. This certification is ideal for those who want to become certified group fitness instructors, as it covers topics such as anatomy, kinesiology, exercise physiology, nutrition, and leadership.

To get ACE Group Fitness Instructor Certification, you must first complete an online course or attend a live workshop. The online course includes over 20 hours of instruction and can be completed at your own pace in about two weeks. The live workshop consists of three days of intensive training and can be completed in one weekend.

Once you have successfully completed the course or workshop, you must then take and pass the ACE Group Fitness Instructor Certification Exam. This exam consists of 150 multiple-choice questions that cover all aspects of group fitness instruction. To prepare for the exam, ACE offers study materials such as practice tests and flashcards.

The cost for the ACE Group Fitness Instructor Certification is $399 USD for the online course or $499 USD for the live workshop plus the cost of any additional study materials. After passing the exam, there is an annual fee of $99 USD to maintain your certification status.

2. National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Group Exercise Instructor Certification

The National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Group Exercise Instructor Certification is a comprehensive certification program designed to provide fitness professionals with the necessary knowledge and skills to teach safe, effective, and enjoyable group exercise classes. The program focuses on developing an understanding of the fundamentals of group exercise instruction, including anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, exercise science, nutrition and safety.

The NASM Group Exercise Instructor Certification requires approximately 30 hours of coursework and can be completed online or through a combination of online and in-person workshops. The program consists of four modules: Foundations of Group Exercise Instruction; Anatomy & Physiology; Kinesiology & Exercise Science; and Nutrition & Safety. Each module includes lectures, activities, quizzes and assignments. Upon successful completion of all four modules, participants receive their certification from NASM.

To become certified as a NASM Group Exercise Instructor, individuals must complete the required coursework as well as pass an exam with a score of 80% or higher. The cost for the certification program is $399 USD plus any applicable taxes.

3. Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) Group Exercise Instructor Certification

The Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) Group Exercise Instructor Certification is a certification program designed to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to become a certified group exercise instructor.

This certification is applicable for those who are interested in teaching group exercise classes such as aerobics, kickboxing, step, yoga, Pilates, and more. The AFAA Group Exercise Instructor Certification is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).

In order to obtain this certification, individuals must complete an online course that consists of 10 modules. The course covers topics such as anatomy and physiology, exercise science principles, class structure and organization, cueing techniques, music selection and use, safety considerations for group exercise classes, special populations considerations for group exercise classes, and more.

The cost of the AFAA Group Exercise Instructor Certification is $199 USD. This fee includes access to all 10 online modules as well as a practice exam and final exam. Upon successful completion of the course and exams, individuals will receive their AFAA Group Exercise Instructor Certification.

4. National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) Certified Personal Trainer with Group Exercise Specialty

The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA) Certified Personal Trainer with Group Exercise Specialty (CPT-GES) is a certification designed to prepare fitness professionals to work with clients in group exercise settings. This certification focuses on teaching individuals how to design, lead, and modify safe and effective group exercise classes.

It takes approximately six months to complete the program and become certified. The program consists of three parts: an online course, a practical exam, and a written exam. The online course covers topics such as anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, nutrition, exercise programming for groups, safety protocols for group exercises, and more. The practical exam requires candidates to demonstrate their ability to teach a group exercise class safely and effectively. And the written exam tests knowledge of the material covered in the online course.

To become certified as a CPT-GES you must be at least 18 years old, have current CPR/AED certification from an approved provider, have completed an accredited personal training program or hold an equivalent certification from another organization recognized by NSCA, and pass both the practical and written exams.

The cost of becoming certified as a CPT-GES varies depending on where you take your courses and exams. Generally speaking though it can range anywhere from $500-$1000 USD.

5. International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) Certified Group Fitness Instructor

The International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) Certified Group Fitness Instructor is a certification program designed to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills necessary to become a successful group fitness instructor. The program focuses on teaching safe, effective and fun group exercise classes.

The ISSA Certified Group Fitness Instructor program consists of two parts: an online course and an in-person practical exam. The online course covers topics such as anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, nutrition, exercise programming, class design and safety considerations. The course takes approximately 8-10 hours to complete. Upon completion of the online course, you will be eligible to take the practical exam which includes demonstrating your ability to lead a group fitness class safely and effectively.

To get certified as an ISSA Certified Group Fitness Instructor you must first complete the online course and then pass the practical exam with a score of 80% or higher. Once you have successfully passed both parts of the certification process you will be awarded your certification.

The cost for the ISSA Certified Group Fitness Instructor program varies depending on where you purchase it from but typically ranges from $199-$299 USD.

6. American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Certified Group Exercise Instructor

The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Certified Group Exercise Instructor is a professional certification program designed to recognize those individuals who have demonstrated the knowledge and skills necessary to teach safe and effective group exercise classes. The certification is valid for three years and requires continuing education credits to maintain certification.

To become an ACSM Certified Group Exercise Instructor, applicants must meet the following eligibility requirements:

• Be at least 18 years of age
• Have a current CPR/AED certification from a nationally recognized organization
• Possess a minimum of an associate’s degree in exercise science, physical education, kinesiology, or related field OR have successfully completed an ACSM approved group exercise instructor training program
• Successfully complete the ACSM Group Exercise Instructor Certification Exam with a passing score of 70% or higher.

The cost for the ACSM Certified Group Exercise Instructor Certification Exam is $199 USD. This fee includes access to the online exam, study materials, and exam results. Once you pass the exam, you will receive your official certificate in the mail within 4-6 weeks.

7. American Fitness Professionals & Associates (AFPA) Certified Group Exercise Instructor

American Fitness Professionals & Associates (AFPA) Certified Group Exercise Instructor is a certification program designed to provide individuals with the knowledge and skills to safely and effectively lead group exercise classes. The program focuses on the fundamentals of group exercise instruction, as well as proper form, technique, and safety.

The program takes approximately 8-10 hours to complete and consists of an online course that covers topics such as anatomy and physiology, kinesiology, class structure, music selection, choreography, cueing techniques, and more. Upon successful completion of the course, individuals will receive their AFPA Certified Group Exercise Instructor certification.

To get the AFPA Certified Group Exercise Instructor certification, individuals must first purchase the online course from AFPA’s website. After completing the coursework and passing the final exam with a score of 80% or higher, individuals will be awarded their certification.

The cost for the AFPA Certified Group Exercise Instructor certification is $99 USD.

8. National Federation of Professional Trainers (NFPT) Certified Group Exercise Instructor

The National Federation of Professional Trainers (NFPT) Certified Group Exercise Instructor is a credential designed to help fitness professionals demonstrate their knowledge and skills in leading group exercise classes. This certification program focuses on the fundamentals of group exercise instruction, including anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, and exercise science.

To become an NFPT Certified Group Exercise Instructor, applicants must complete a comprehensive written exam that covers topics such as class structure and design, safety considerations, music selection and cueing techniques. The exam consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and takes approximately two hours to complete.

In order to be eligible for the certification exam, applicants must have completed at least 10 hours of practical experience teaching group exercise classes under the supervision of a qualified instructor or mentor. Additionally, applicants must have current CPR/AED certification from an approved provider.

The cost of the NFPT Certified Group Exercise Instructor exam is $129 USD. After successfully passing the exam, applicants will receive their official NFPT Certified Group Exercise Instructor certificate and wallet card within four weeks.

9. Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga Teacher with a Specialty in Group Exercise Instruction

Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga Teacher with a Specialty in Group Exercise Instruction is a certification that allows yoga teachers to teach group classes. This certification demonstrates that the teacher has the knowledge and experience necessary to provide safe, effective instruction for groups of all sizes and abilities. The certification requires the completion of an approved course, which includes both online and in-person components. The course typically takes about one month to complete and covers topics such as anatomy, alignment, sequencing, teaching methodology, safety considerations, and more.

In order to become certified as a Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga Teacher with a Specialty in Group Exercise Instruction, you must first complete an approved course. After completing the course requirements, you will need to submit your application along with documentation of your completed training program to Yoga Alliance for review. Once approved by Yoga Alliance, you will receive your certification and be able to use the designation “RYT-G” (Registered Yoga Teacher – Group Exercise Instructor) after your name.

The cost of becoming certified as a Yoga Alliance Registered Yoga Teacher with a Specialty in Group Exercise Instruction varies depending on the specific program you choose. Generally speaking, most programs range from $500-$1000 USD.

10. Schwinn Cycling Indoor Cycling Instructor Certification

Schwinn Cycling Indoor Cycling Instructor Certification is a comprehensive certification program designed to provide fitness professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to instruct safe, effective, and enjoyable indoor cycling classes. The certification includes both online and in-person components.

The online portion of the certification consists of an eLearning course that covers topics such as anatomy, biomechanics, class structure, music selection, and instructor etiquette. This portion of the certification must be completed before attending the in-person workshop.

The in-person workshop consists of two days of hands-on instruction from experienced Schwinn Master Instructors. During this time, participants will learn how to teach proper form and technique for various types of indoor cycling classes. They will also practice teaching drills and receive feedback from their instructors on their performance.

The entire certification process takes approximately four weeks to complete. To get certified, individuals must first purchase the Schwinn Cycling Indoor Cycling Instructor Certification package which includes access to the eLearning course and registration for the in-person workshop. The cost of this package is $399 USD plus applicable taxes.

Do You Really Need a Group Exercise Instructor Certificate?

Whether or not you need a group exercise instructor certificate depends on the type of group fitness class that you plan to teach. If you are teaching a general form of exercise, such as aerobics, Zumba, or Pilates, then it is likely that you will need some sort of certification in order to teach classes professionally. Having a group exercise instructor certificate helps to demonstrate that you have the necessary knowledge and skills to lead a safe and effective class for your students.

A group exercise instructor certificate also demonstrates that you are committed to staying up-to-date with the latest trends in fitness and health. Instructors who hold certificates often have access to additional education opportunities, such as workshops and conferences, which can help them stay informed about the latest developments in their field. This can be particularly helpful if you plan to teach more specialized classes such as yoga or spinning.

Finally, having a group exercise instructor certificate may also help you stand out when applying for jobs at gyms or fitness centers. Many employers prefer applicants who have taken the time and effort to formally certify themselves in their chosen field. This can be an advantage when competing against other instructors who do not have formal credentials.

In conclusion, whether or not you need a group exercise instructor certificate depends largely on what type of fitness classes you plan to teach. While having this credential is not always necessary, it can provide useful benefits such as increased knowledge and better job prospects.

Related: Group Exercise Instructor Resume Examples

FAQs About Group Exercise Instructor Certifications

Q1: What qualifications do I need to become a group exercise instructor?

A1: You will need to complete an accredited certification program that covers the fundamentals of exercise science, teaching methods, and safety. Most certifying organizations also require CPR/AED certification as part of the process.

Q2: How long does it take to become a certified group exercise instructor?

A2: The length of time it takes to become certified depends on the organization offering the certification, but typically it takes anywhere from 6-12 weeks of study and practice before taking an exam and becoming certified.

Q3: Are there any continuing education requirements for group exercise instructors?

A3: Yes, most certifying organizations require ongoing continuing education units (CEUs) in order to maintain your certification status. CEUs may include attending workshops or conferences, taking online courses, or completing other educational activities related to fitness instruction.

Q4: What is the cost of getting a group exercise instructor certification?

A4: The cost varies depending on which organization you choose to certify through; however, most certifications range from $200-$500 USD. Additionally, some organizations offer discounts for students or those who have recently completed their education in the field.

Q5: Is there an age requirement for becoming a group exercise instructor?

A5: Generally speaking, there is no minimum age requirement for becoming a group exercise instructor; however, it’s important to check with the certifying organization as some may have specific rules regarding age requirements.