Remaining physically active is how you keep your body in good shape and your heart healthy. But rather than simply dabble in it, you’re hoping to make a full-blown career out of it. If you’re looking to get a career in the world of fitness, one of the best options is to become an aerobics instructor. An aerobics instructor is there to help guide newcomers and teach them various techniques to keep themselves fit. However, becoming this type of teacher does require tenacity and patience. It’s not an easy career to get into, as there are requirements to fulfill. But don’t worry, as that’s why we’re here to aid you in your journey to become an aerobics instructor. In this article, we’ll be going over how you can become a successful aerobics instructor.
You’ll Need to Get Certified
Similar to many careers in the fitness industry, you don’t generally need a high level of education to become an aerobics instructor. That said, you don’t need to worry about pursuing a degree. What counts toward your credibility as an aerobics instructor is your certification. While you can get away with one, it’s best to have multiple certifications. You’ll want to be certified as a reputable personal trainer and receive a certificate from the American Council on Exercise, the Athletics and Fitness Association of America, and the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCAA). Clients want to know that they’re putting their physical well-being in the hands of a capable teacher, and these certificates can do the trick.
Get Your BA or Master’s
Despite not being necessary, a college education can go a very long way for a fitness career. You’ll want to pursue a degree in health science, physiology, or kinesiology. The choice of which is better is ultimately up to you; kinesiology is probably going to be the most valuable. Kinesiology is the study of how the human body moves and how physical activity impacts a person’s life. Regardless of your choice, you’re probably wondering how you’re going to afford it.
College is known for being one of the biggest investments you’ll ever make. But you may not be able to afford the steep costs. But who said you had to? You can easily bypass paying for anything by applying for a scholarship. Utilizing college scholarships is a fantastic way to get the education you need, as you won’t have the financial stress of paying back student loan debt. What’s more is that you can easily find what you’re looking for by using an online search and application platform. These platforms allow you to filter out the sheer number of available scholarships and only the ones you need.
Take the Necessary Exams
Some of the certifications we mentioned earlier require you to pass an exam before you’re eligible to receive your certificate. The NCAA provides all applicants with a 30-question exam. It should take you no more than an hour at most to complete. To get your certificate, you must pass with a score of 80 percent or higher. The American Council of Exercise will require you to pay to take their exam.
If you fail, you’ll have to pay around $300 if you didn’t purchase the voucher. Should you not have a voucher, the ACE will offer you a discounted rate. No matter what exam you decide to take, however, all of them will put your knowledge and skills to the test. Make sure you’re prepared before taking your exam. Before moving on, we should also mention that you may participate in more training to teach extra programs. This will be a great way to expand your skill set and repertoire, which will make you a more effective teacher.
Start Looking for Career Opportunities
Once you’ve gotten your education and certification, you can finally start looking for positions. You’ll typically find available positions at various gyms and fitness centers. Alternatively, you may also apply for a job at schools with open PE positions. With the certifications and college education we recommended, your chances of being hired are increased dramatically.
Another career path you can choose is to become a freelancer fitness professional. Freelancing is when you work for yourself instead of having superiors over you. This gives you a lot more flexibility than working in a school or facility. However, attracting clients isn’t easy, as that’s what ultimately makes a freelance aerobics instructor successful. You need to put yourself out there if you want to appeal to your audience.
Disclaimer
The Content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
