Quote:
Originally Posted by shock_and_awe
Are instructors ICs?
Do you work at different gyms?
What's the quickest way to get started?
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What does 'IC' mean? I work out of one gym only. Last year I was teaching at a school too, but it was inconvenient for me so I dropped it. I've mentioned our traffic problems before and that is why I prefer to work out of one place.
To get started, you need to get certified. AFAA have a good general certificate that most American gyms recognise. This is what I have.
However, I have to point out that group exercise is a heck of a lot more than counting repetitions. It's grand if you teach a boot camp or circuits-based class because nothing has to be in time with the music, but if you get into choreography and timing movements to the beat of the music (we use 32 count blocks of music in group exercise), then it becomes a whole other ball game.
And, believe me, one of the most terrifying experiences in my life was the day I taught my first group exercise class. The manager rang me out of the blue and told me that I had to cover it, so I had no preparation. As it happened, 86 girls turned up for the class. I felt so exposed and vulnerable at the top of the class that I may as well have walked in there completely butt naked.
But, I pretended that I was confident and just got on with it. At the time, the building was undergoing renovations, so there was no proper sound system. I had borrowed music that I was playing on a gettoblaster. I couldn't hear the music and the CD started skipping. But, I just kept going and go through the class. I will never forget it. That was 4 years ago. Now, I can choreograph my own classes, including dance.
So, in addition to the certificate, you also need confidence, the ability to create routines, an understanding of the basic structure of music and how to count music and a good imagination. In fact, your imagination is the limiting factor here.
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