Fitness Instructors???

Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace started this discussion · 3/18/2011

Hi all, was wondering if anyone could give me some advice on the process involved in becoming a qualified fitness instructor/personal trainer, and also, how helpful/relevant this job is to Pole training and Instructing? Im considering it for the personal physical benefits of gaining strength and knowledge to advance my pole skills, to make me more employable in scoring a job as a Pole Instructor, and as a hobby (I've always been into health and fitness). Not sure if I actually want to use it for traditional personal training though.... Its mainly for the pole benefits. Do you think this is a worthwhile and viable idea or would it be a waste of my time/way too time consuming/demanding etc? Any advice, ideas, input, info? Thanks!!! :)

18 replies

chemgoddess1 · 3/18/2011
If you want to become an instructor I HIGHLY recommend that you get some sort of fitness certification. There has been discussion that at minimum you should have group fitness qualifications. There are several sites that offer fitness certifications and it looks like mainly it is study materials, a class and then a test. Not sure what is available where you are. I am currently looking into this myself.
Veena · 3/18/2011
Getting certified as a group fitness instructor or personal trainer is the first step in getting ready to teach pole. If you pole, chances are you know "how" to do the moves, now you need to understand the body. 😀
minicoopergrl · 3/18/2011
Im going for my group fitness as well. The community college near me offers it as a summer course, its $405 to take the class and take the test. You may want to look into that. Im thinking I want to do something in fitness/nutrition. I really dont see myself at my desk job for the rest of my life. I kinda see myself doing kids nutrition and fitness, but I do want to open my own studio one day.
Polepuma · 3/18/2011
ACE, and AFAA, NASM, are very reputable companies that offer both personal training certifications as well as group fitness certifications. There are also a number of fitness companies that offer continued fitness education as well as other certifications. One of these companies is SCW Fitness. I was quite surprised at the number of dedicated fitness professionals that attended these "SCW Mania" continued education classes. The selection of fitness classes that you could take for continued education credits was astounding. That being said, non of it was pole related but hopefully, that could all change. Maybe Veena could come and offer a class......I have included some links for you look at. http://www.afaa.com/ http://www.acefitness.org/ http://www.nasm.org/ http://www.scwfitness.com/index.php?story=124
AFAAGet AFAA Certified! Group Fitness, Nutrition & Personal TrainingSince 1983, AFAA has issued 350,000+ certification in 73 countries, providing trainers with Group Fitness Certifications and trusted fitness education acefitness.orgHealth and Fitness Certifications, Continuing Education & Resources | ACEExplore ACE resources for health and fitness education including personal trainer, group fitness instructor, health coach and medical exercise specialist certification programs, continuing education, career resources, and more. nasm.orgNASM: Trusted by 1.9M+ Pros | #1 Accredited Fitness CertificationNASM (National Academy of Sports Medicine) is the authority in accredited fitness certification. Science-backed, trusted since 1987. Career-ready from day one.
deniellecheers · 3/18/2011
I'm an ISSA certified Personal Trainer. I definitely reccommend getting certified if you want to take your lessons to a higher level. Being able to name muscles is going to let your clients know that you're a serious fitness professional. It's also going to help you put together more appropriate warm ups and cool down as well as stretching sessions that directly relate to what you'll be teaching that day. Also, I reccomend getting your certificate in nutrition because so many of your clients are interested in weight loss. The more you know, the more valuable you become and they'll think paying you $15-$50 dollars an hour is money well spent!
nymphdancer · 3/18/2011
I just did my test for group fitness through AFAA waiting on the results. I'm also in the process of getting my Pole certification through Empy and her courses are approved through AFAA.
Scarlett Honey aka Lola Grace · 3/18/2011
Fantastic feedback, thanks everyone! I didn't realise that having atleast a group fitness instructor qualification was actually required for pole teaching! Well so it should be... Thanks for the Links Polepuma but Im in Australia, so I'll have to track down the right organisations for certification over here myself... Do any Australians on SV have recommendations for particular courses/institutions? So after you've done your group/general fitness qualification, do you then have to do a course for pole instructing qualification? I have heard people on here mention different pole associations/acronyms.... not sure if its all aplicable to Australians though.... From speaking to my own instructors at Bobbis and friends who teach at other pole studios in AUstralia, it seems most juts land their jobs through experience at that studio and networking etc... I've even emailed Bobbi's manager and she said there is no formal process, Bobbi just choses whoever she likes, so its pretty much just networking and exposure, no qualifications necessary. If I ever wanted to teach in America or Europe though (and this is a possibility as I want to live abroad) would a pole qualification be necessary? Thanks for the info guys, I cant believe Im only just coming to understand all these details! :P
litlbit · 3/18/2011
I am not a certified personal trainer or certified group fitness instructor...I teach pole and I own a studio...I disagree that YOU HAVE to have one of those certs....having said that...I do BELIEVE that you need a solid knowledge of anatomy and physiology. I have students that are on this forum, I don't want them to think that I am not qualified to teach them because I do not have those certifications. :)
keex · 3/18/2011
I am a firm believer in education. The more you understand anatomy, myology and kinesiology the more effective you'll be able to teach proper bio-mechanics and technique to your students. That, in turn, helps to ensure the safety of your students who are entrusting you with the health and well-being of their bodies. That is a HUGE responsibility. Do I think becoming a Certified Fitness Instructor or Personal Trainer should be a pre-requisite to becoming a pole dance instructor? It certainly can't hurt. But, you can also search for a comprehensive pole dance certification training program where pole--specific functional anatomy is taught. And if a pole dance program emphasizes strong bio-mechanics and technique, it's surely grounded in a thorough understanding of the human body. Another option is to take extension classes in anatomy/physiology/kinesiology at a local college. The key is finding quality, comprehensive education that will legitimately help you to become the best pole teacher you can be. The more hands-on and experiential your training is, the better. Good luck! Teaching pole is one of the best careers ever!!!
litlbit · 3/18/2011
I agree regarding the education...I am a retired nurse with a 35+ years background in OT/PT, ortho/nuero, and rehab. I think that gives me a solid foundation for teaching pole without a personal trainer or group fitness cert. :)
keex · 3/18/2011
@litlbit: You most definitely have a thorough education in the human body! That's one of the reasons I mentioned QUALITY, COMPREHENSIVE education because I've worked everywhere from mid-level to top gyms alongside "highly qualified & certified" Personal Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors and some of the stuff I've seen them do with clients is appalling and potentially dangerous. I'm sure they could name origins and insertions of muscles and calculate your BMI and VO2 max, but many of them knew nothing about muscle mechanics or ideal alignment. By the way, I actually started off as an ACE certified Personal Trainer & Group Fitness Instructor. But later I earned 2 comprehensive Pilates Certifications and another as an Active Isolated Stretch Technician. But my real education came from earning my degree in massage therapy and years of hands-on work in injury prevention and rehabilitation. My years of experience in fitness, bodywork and rehab is embedded in the Climb & Spin Inc's educational programming. I feel like Climb & Spin and select other pole dance certification programs are working hard to elevate standards in the pole dance fitness industry by beefing up their programs and offering more than just tricks and choreography. To me, this is ideal. I believe that people within our community should create comprehensive pole dance education specific to our industry. For example, all of my Pilates training came via the Pilates industry. I wasn't required to become a group fitness instructor 1st. I really think pole fitness is heading in that direction. It just takes time. And it will be so exciting when, like Pilates, potential pole dance instructors have so many solid certification options to choose from.
LizzyLiz810 · 3/19/2011
BeSpun is one of the best schools and the teachers arent certified, and some of the best pole dancers/champions travel the world doing workshops. I dont think it should be mandatory to be certified, but of course it doesnt hurt.
Flexx10 · 3/19/2011
Also make sure you are CPR and/or First Aid qualified/certified :)
heathalynne · 3/19/2011
Not in Australia but if anyone is in San Francisco, Los Angeles, or NYC, Kyra from Body & Pole started a X-Pert Teacher Training Certification. Gives ACE and AFFA credits. Out of all the studios and teachers I've been with, shes the ONLY person I trust as a spotter.
JBStarryEyedGirl · 3/20/2011
I am considering getting certified for a fitness career, but I'm not sure what the pros and cons of choosing different programs are, or if I should get my personal training or group fitness or pole fitness certification! Any advice??
Mary Ellyn · 3/20/2011
It is not required in the US to be certified in anything to teach anything. Some gyms require it for hire, some insurance companies give better rates if you're certified but you can teach pole, pilates, yoga without a certification. The question is what do you need and what is relevant to what you teach? I have my RN and was a nurse for 21 years including ER/Trauma, Trauma recovery, ortho and ICU - none of that prepared me to teach pole dancing but it did add to my knowledge base. I believe that pole instructors need to be dedicated to continuing education no matter who you are or what your background is. No one can possibly BE everything and DO everything perfectly. We network, share knowledge, cross-train, etc. Everything you learn, is going to enhance your teaching abilities. Personally I feel group fitness certification is most efficient for pole dance instruction as it's about dealing with teaching within a group setting - however, CPTs are also highly skilled and understand the biomechanics of training. A&P classes are great...all knowledge is good...but biomechanics and kineseology takes it further. A good pole program may include all you need without requiring group or personal training certification as a pre-requisite. However, some programs require it to keep their prices down and to streamline their courses since so many people already have this certification, why force them to re-learn and pay for including this same knowledge in their pole certification? That's why my7 program requires it as a prerequisite. However, someone who doesn't have group or CPT may look into a more in-depth program which will include those aspects of the group cert within the pole program. Many good programs are extremely thorough and incorporate all you need for those who are starting with nothing but pole dance experience.
tatpoleny · 7/21/2011
I have a bachelor of science degree in Helath, Physical Education, Recreation, and Dance, a health fitness concentration, and a dance minor. I have studied and taught gymnastics, and various forms of dance. As a physical educator, my degree is my "group fitness" certification; coupled with my17 years experience in teaching physical education and 30 years of experience in gymnastics and dance, the transition to learning and teaching pole was an easy one. However, my business partner, our instructors, and I recently took an awesome, thorough Pole Dance Instructor Certification course that is ACE approved and PFA sanctioned. Not only does certification add credibility, but with my degree and extensive experience, even I learned great things during the course that will help improve my instruction. If you are interested in a faboulous pole instructor certification course that won't cost you an arm and leg, check out Discoveries Pole Dance Instructor Certification (tell Angel Tammy sent you!). If you are already ACE or AFFA certified, earn CEU's!
revolve · 7/29/2011
Revolve Fitness International has introduced Level 2 Gym Instructor Courses, the Next Generation Fitness Instructor Qualification in association with its partner Paramount Fitness. This Level 2 Gym Instructor Course is online, fully interaction and having 3D animations.