New Fitness Certificate Program

Did you know KSU is the only school in Georgia to offer a Group Fitness Instructor Certificate program? It’s our newest addition to more than a dozen professional Healthcare programs. We sat down with instructor Beth Linn to learn more about this burgeoning industry.

Give us an overview of the program.
The American Council on Exercise (ACE) is one of the most highly regarded fitness certifications in the industry.  Holding the NCCA-Accredited Group Fitness Instructor Certification will make you a stand out in the world of group fitness instruction.  With the resurgence in popularity of group fitness classes, qualified instructors are currently in demand.  Doors open for ACE-certified professionals!

How is this class different from our Personal Trainer and Health Coach?
Personal Trainer is just that — personal — which means it is intended for those who wish to provide fitness training for individuals or small groups.  Health Coach includes a component of personal training by providing fitness programming to individual clients. They also support and guide individuals through weight management and physical fitness.  The Health Coach is trained more extensively in the psychology of the individual, goal development, and behavior change strategies.

Group Fitness Instructors lead groups of people in exercise class settings.  They must learn how to design and tailor classes to meet the needs of a wide variety of abilities — all in the same class at the same time.  Along with being knowledgeable in their craft, be it aquacise, Zumba, or boot camp, they must also be outgoing, organized and highly motivational.

Who is the ideal person to take the Group Fitness Instructor course? How is it beneficial?
The ideal person is anyone who truly loves and values fitness and simply can’t contain that passion!  They desire to share that passion with a room full of people, leading them through a workout and leaving them breathlessly wanting more! He/she is a teacher of fitness moves and a tremendous motivator.  Men, women, young or older — there are no boundaries to fitness — everyone has something to bring to the table. However, you must be at least 18 years old.

What are some of the trends regarding group fitness? Why it is growing so fast?
The group fitness scene has truly evolved since the 1980’s “aerobics” that started the trend.  Zumba is very popular right now, but it involves learning choreography and that does not appeal to everyone.  The Boot Camp mode of training is also very popular.  Based on a minimal-to-no-equipment required format, camps include a lot of body weight exercises and can be done just about anywhere.  Aquacise is also growing in popularity, as athletes rediscover the soothing effects of movement in the water.  Yoga, body sculpting, and spin (indoor cycling) are also packed classes these days.

Group fitness offers camaraderie. The classes are designed to meet a wide range of fitness levels. The broad array of classes and class times suit our ever-busy society. Equipment is generally supplied, so the financial investment is reasonable. Last, they are FUN!

What is your teaching style?
My particular teaching style is more casual and conversation than “lecturer.”  While delivering information in my classroom, I make sure to invite input from the students.  My role is to coach them to achieve the certification they want to obtain. I’m not there to make it easy or hard, simply to get them thinking like fitness professionals while training them in acceptable methods and modes.

What are some of the main components people will learn from this program?
In the early weeks of the semester, the students will learn basic Human Anatomy, Physiology, Kinesiology, and Nutrition.  After establishing these basics, we will move into planning and preparing exercise classes, choosing music, and teaching the class, principles of adherence and motivation, exercising for special populations with an emphasis on pregnancy, learning to manage common injures, running a fitness business and the legal and professional responsibilities associated with it.

You can find out more at our next free Career Training Expo. Receive a course discount coupon at the Expo just for attending!

Here’s a link to ACE’s thoughts on the certification.