aerobic certification
Melissa K Boyd
Does anyone have any info. on how to train for and then become certified
aerobic instructor?
Thanks a lot,
Melissa Boyd
Tim Fullerton
Here is the excerpt from the FAQ:
23. CERTIFICATION
23.1 How do I get certified in the U.S.?
(from Larry DeLuca <hen...@husc.harvard.edu>)
23.1.1 Who certifies aerobics instructors and personal trainers?
The two major certifying bodies in the US for Aerobics Instructors
and Personal Trainers are the American Council on Exercise (ACE) and
the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA). Many other
organizations provide certifications as well, including the National
Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA), the American College of
Sports Medicine (ACSM), and a number of regional organizations.
23.1.2 Are they licensed?
Currently, there is no license (as in a medical license) required to
be an Aerobics Instructor or Personal Trainer. Periodically
legislation is drafted, but the industry has done a remarkably good
job of policing itself.
While most clubs require certifications of their instructors, there
is no law against teaching without a certification.
23.1.3 Why get certified then?
In the time since the dawn of aerobics, when people still exercised
in bare feet, drawing from dance classes, and having soaring injury
rates the industry has grown up, gotten educated, and as a whole
approaches exercise very differently.
While certification is required to work at the majority of clubs
these days, that alone should not be a reason to obtain one.
Preparation for any of the major certifying bodies' exams will
require the candidate to grasp the fundamentals of the exercise
sciences - anatomy, kinesiology, physiology. In addition, the
latest research and trends in exercise testing and programming will
be covered, and the standards and guidelines for exercise for
different populations will be discussed.
We know a lot more about group and individual exercise now than we
did ten years ago, and a lot more is expected of today's instructors
than to look fit and know a bunch of exercises and choreography.
23.1.4 Who should I certify with?
Either ACE's Aerobic Instructor Certification or AFAA's Primary
Certification are excellent starting points for aerobics instructors,
and either organization's Personal Trainer Certification for Personal
Trainers.
There may also be other organizations in your area. In the northeast
(New Hampshire and Massachusetts) there is an organization called
Fitness Resources, based in Bow, New Hampshire. (Not to be confused
with Fitness Resources Associates in Needham, MA - another excellent
organization). Fitness Resources offers an aerobic instructor
certification program specifically targeted at new instructors that
is not terribly expensive (see How much does it cost?, below). There
may be other such organizations in your area.
Another consideration is the preferred certification in your area.
While both organizations are well-respected in the industry, some
clubs (and some geographic regions) prefer one or the other. If
you've got a specific place to teach in mind, find out who most of
their instructors are certified by.
Other organizations offer certifications at the national level. The
American College of Sports Medicine offers six different
certifications (three on the health and fitness track, three on the
clinical track), which range from Group Exercise Leader to Cardiac
Rehabilitation Director. The National Strength and Conditioning
Association offers Personal Trainer and Certified Strength and
Conditioning Specialist certifications.
23.1.5 What kind of training and preparation do I need? Do I need a
degree in exercise science?
None of ACE or AFAA's certifications require a degree in a fitness-
related field, nor does the ACSM Exercise Leader certification.
Other ACSM certifications and the NSCA Certifications have different
requirements, depending on the depth of knowledge and experience
expected. You should contact those organizations for more
information. If you are an experienced instructor or personal
trainer, you may be able to pass AFAA or ACE's exams merely by
studying their materials and taking the exam. If you are
inexperienced, it is strongly recommended that you take a training
course before attempting any of the exams (except the AFAA Personal
Trainer Certification, which is a 3-day workshop complete in itself).
23.1.6 What is the format of the ACE exam? When is it given?
The ACE exams are written only, and consist of 175 multiple choice
questions. Do not be fooled by this - they require a thorough
knowledge of the material, and the ability to not only remember
facts but to apply them to specific situations as well.
ACE offers sample examinations that can give you a good feeling for
the types of questions the exam will ask and their level of
difficulty.
The ACE exam is given quarterly in many cities across the US, and in
conjunction with several major fitness conventions.
23.1.7. What is the format of the AFAA exam? When is it given?
The AFAA exams include both written and practical components. The
written exam consists of 100 multiple choice and matching questions,
and is similar to the ACE exam, though the scope is more limited.
The practical exam for the Primary Aerobic Certification includes a
group exercise demonstration for appropriate warm-up, aerobic
exercise, and muscle strengthening for the major muscle groups. The
practical exam for the Personal Trainer Certification includes a
demonstration of a fitness- testing protocol and an oral component
requiring the candidate to answer questions demonstrating a
knowledge of exercise science. The AFAA Primary Aerobic
Certification is usually given in conjunction with an AFAA-sponsored
Primary Certification Review (1-day) or Primary Certification
Workshop (2-day), though it is possible to "Challenge" the exam by
paying a reduced fee and just taking the written and practical
components without the workshop.
The Personal Trainer Certification is given as a 3-day workshop.
There is an optional course presented during the first day called
"Introduction to Exercise Science". If you do not have a strong
background in anatomy and kinesiology, it is recommended that you
take this course as well.
AFAA tours the country, presenting many workshops each month in every
geographic region.
23.1.8. What training courses are available to me?
ACE does not provide training directly, but offers ACE accreditation
to independent organizations to provide preparation for its exams.
You can obtain more information about these by contacting ACE.
AFAA provides certification reviews, workshops, and instructor
training courses periodically. Independent providers also offer
training to prepare candidates for the AFAA exams. AFAA clearly
states in its literature that the 1-day reviews are intended for
experienced instructors who merely need a review of information
before taking the exam. Do not expect to be able to absorb enough
material in the one-day review to pass the exam if you are not
already an experienced instructor.
23.1.9. Is it expensive?
ACE's exam costs $145. To challenge the AFAA Primary Exam is $99.
AFAA's one-day review is $229, and the Personal Trainer Workshop is
$299. Intro to Exercise Science is $90.
Prices on training courses vary widely, but $300-$400 is not at all
unheard of.
23.1.10. What else do I need?
You'll need to be certified for CPR. The American Heart Association
and the American Red Cross both provide acceptable programs.
23.1.11. What sort of study materials are available to me?
ACE publishes two excellent textbooks, their "Aerobic Instructor
Manual" and their "Personal Trainer Manual". Each is about $40, and
an excellent investment.
AFAA publishes a single textbook, called "Fitness: Theory and
Practice". It's also about $40.
23.1.12. Who can I contact for more info?
You can reach ACE at:
American Council on Exercise
5820 Oberlin Drive, Suite 102
San Diego, CA 92121-3787
1-800-825-3636
You can reach AFAA at:
Aerobics and Fitness Association of America
15250 Ventura Blvd., Suite 200
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
1-800-446-2322
Thanks to Bill Whedon and Laura Hoey for their help on the
information about ACE.
--
Tim Fullerton tful...@infinet.com
Senior Software Engineer -- DM2 Solutions (614) 529 - 1969
Cool Job: Guitar Teacher -- Columbus Music Center (614) 846 - 7744
Healthy Job: Aerobics Instructor --Continental Athletic (614)846-8400
Victory Fitness (614) 351 - 1688
Dexoflex
are highly respected, but some folks think that ACE carries more prestige.
You can contact them for more info, including dates of tests, study
materials, etc.
ACE: American Council on Excercise (800) 234-9229
5820 Oberlin Dr #102 San Diego CA 92191 Fax: (619) 535-1778
AFAA - Aerobic & Fitness Assoc Phone: (800) 446-2322
Hope this helps.
Dennis
D
Larry DeLuca
about the major certifying organizations. This article is an excerpt from
the misc.fitness.aerobic FAQ.]
1. Who certifies aerobics instructors and personal trainers?
The two major certifying bodies in the US for Aerobics Instructors and
Personal Trainers are the American Council on Exercise (ACE) and the
Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA). Many other organizations
provide certifications as well, including the National Strength and
Conditioning Association (NSCA), the American College of Sports Medicine
(ACSM), and a number of regional organizations.
2. Are they licensed?
Currently, there is no license (as in a medical license) required to be
an Aerobics Instructor or Personal Trainer. Periodically legislation is
drafted, but the industry has done a remarkably good job of policing itself.
While most clubs require certifications of their instructors, there is
no law against teaching without a certification.
3. Why get certified then?
In the time since the dawn of aerobics, when people still exercised in
bare feet, drawing from dance classes, and having soaring injury rates
the industry has grown up, gotten educated, and as a whole approaches
exercise very differently.
While certification is required to work at the majority of clubs these
days, that alone should not be a reason to obtain one. Preparation for
any of the major certifying bodies' exams will require the candidtate to
grasp the fundamentals of the exercise sciences - anatomy, kinesiology,
physiology. In addition, the latest research and trends in exercise
testing and programming will be covered, and the standards and guidelines
for exercise for different populations will be discussed.
We know a lot more about group and individual exercise now than we did
ten years ago, and a lot more is expected of today's instructors than to
look fit and know a bunch of exercises and choreography.
4. Who should I certify with?
Either ACE's Aerobic Instructor Certification or AFAA's Primary Certification
are excellent starting points for aerobics instructors, and either
organization's Personal Trainer Certification for Personal Trainers.
There may also be other organizations in your area. In the northeast
(New Hampshire and Massachusetts) there is an organization called
Fitness Resources, based in Bow, New Hampshire. (Not to be confused with
Fitness Resources Associates in Needham, MA - another excellent organization).
Fitness Resources offers an aerobic instructor certification program
specifically targeted at new instructors that is not terribly expensive
(see How much does it cost?, below). There may be other such organizations
in your area.
Another consideration is the preferred certification in your area. While
both organizations are well-respected in the industry, some clubs (and
some geographic regions) prefer one or the other. If you've got a specific
place to teach in mind, find out who most of their instructors are
certified by.
Other organizations offer certifications at the national level. The
American College of Sports Medicine offers six different certifications
(three on the health and fitness track, three on the clinical track),
which range from Group Exercise Leader to Cardiac Rehabilitation
Director. The National Strength and Conditioning Association offers
Personal Trainer and Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
certifications.
5. What kind of training and preparation do I need? Do I need a degree
in exercise science?
None of ACE or AFAA's certifications require a degree in a fitness-related
field, nor does the ACSM Exercise Leader certification. Other ACSM
certifications and the NSCA Certifications have different requirements,
depending on the depth of knowledge and experience expected. You should
contact those organizations for more information.
If you are an experienced instructor or personal trainer, you may be
able to pass AFAA or ACE's exams merely by studying their materials and
taking the exam. If you are inexperienced, it is strongly recommended
that you take a training course before attempting any of the exams
(except the AFAA Personal Trainer Certification, which is a 3-day
workshop complete in itself).
6. What is the format of the ACE exam? When is it given?
The ACE exams are written only, and consist of 175 multiple choice questions.
Do not be fooled by this - they require a thorough knowledge of the material,
and the ability to not only remember facts but to apply them to specific
situations as well.
ACE offers sample examinations that can give you a good feeling for the
types of questions the exam will ask and their level of difficulty.
The ACE exam is given quarterly in many cities across the US, and in
conjunction with several major fitness conventions.
7. What is the format of the AFAA exam? When is it given?
The AFAA exams include both written and practical components. The written
exam consists of 100 multiple choice and matching questions, and is
similar to the ACE exam, though the scope is more limited.
The practical exam for the Primary Aerobic Certification includes a
group exercise demonstration for appropriate warm-up, aerobic exercise,
and muscle strengthening for the major muscle groups. The practical exam
for the Personal Trainer Certification includes a demonstration of a fitness-
testing protocol and an oral component requiring the candidate to answer
questions demonstrating a knowledge of exercise science.
The AFAA Primary Aerobic Certification is usually given in conjunction with
an AFAA-sponsored Primary Certification Review (1-day) or Primary
Certification Workshop (2-day), though it is possible to "Challenge"
the exam by paying a reduced fee and just taking the written and
practical components without the workshop.
The Personal Trainer Certification is given as a 3-day workshop. There
is an optional course presented during the first day called "Introduction
to Exercise Science". If you do not have a strong background in
anatomy and kinesiology, it is recommended that you take this course as
well.
AFAA tours the country, presenting many workshops each month in every
geographic region.
8. What training courses are available to me?
ACE does not provide training directly, but offers ACE accreditation to
independent organizations to provide preparation for its exams. You can
obtain more information about these by contacting ACE.
AFAA provides certification reviews, workshops, and instructor training
courses periodically. Independent providers also offer training to
prepare candidates for the AFAA exams. AFAA clearly states in its
literature that the 1-day reviews are intended for experienced instructors
who merely need a review of information before taking the exam. Do
not expect to be able to absorb enough material in the one-day review to
pass the exam if you are not already an experienced instructor.
9. Is it expensive?
ACE's exam costs $145. To challenge the AFAA Primary Exam is $99.
AFAA's one-day review is $229, and the Personal Trainer Workshop is $299.
Intro to Exercise Science is $90.
Prices on training courses vary widely, but $300-$400 is not at all
unheard of.
10. What else do I need?
You'll need to be certified for CPR. The American Heart Association and
the American Red Cross both provide acceptable programs.
11. What sort of study materials are available to me?
ACE publishes two excellent textbooks, their "Aerobic Instructor Manual"
and their "Personal Trainer Manual". Each is about $40, and an
excellent investment.
AFAA publishes a single texbook, called "Fitness: Theory and Practice". It's
also about $40.
12. Who can I contact for more info?
You can reach ACE at:
American Council on Exercise
5820 Oberlin Drive, Suite 102
San Diego, CA 92121-3787
1-800-825-3636
You can reach AFAA at:
Aerobics and Fitness Association of America
15250 Ventura Blvd., Suite 200
Sherman Oaks, CA 91403
1-800-446-2322
Modification History:
Larry DeLuca 26 May 1995 added 800 number for ACE,
corrected # of questions on ACE
exams per comments from
Bill Whedon and Laura Hoey
--
--------"It's my personal opinion that people need to be more clear about what
is fact and what is in fact their personal opinion." -- me
Carla Wallis
directly at http://www.planetreebok.com....you'll find information and
instructions there on where to apply. One of your easiest bets is to
contact your local fitness club and investigate their possibilities.
Usually they have certified instructors on staff that can lead you in the
right direction. Hope this helps.