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Best group exercise instructor certifications
Group exercise instructor certifications allow job seekers to demonstrate their competency as an group exercise instructor to employers. However, not all group exercise instructor certifications provide the same value for job seekers.
The best certifications for a group exercise instructor are Certified Personal Trainer, Group Exercise Instructor, and Group Exercise Certification.
Below is a list of the best group exercise instructor certifications. Obtaining an group exercise instructor certification will give you a leg up when you apply for jobs and increase your potential salary.
17 best certifications for group exercise instructors
| Rank | Group exercise instructor certification | Organization |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Certified Personal Trainer | CIAR |
| 2 | Group Exercise Instructor | AFAA |
| 3 | Group Exercise Certification | NETA |
| 4 | First Aid, CPR and AED Instructor | NSC |
| 5 | Instructor | NAUI |
| 6 | Certified Exercise Physiologists (EP-C) | ACSM |
| 7 | Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS) | NSCA-CC |
| 8 | Group Fitness Instructor | IFPA |
| 9 | Advanced Personal Training Certification (APT) | AFPA |
| 10 | Yoga Instructor Certification - Level I | AFPA |
| 11 | Personal Fitness Trainer | AFAA |
| 12 | Certified Pilates Instructor | IFPA |
| 13 | Corrective Exercise Specialty Certification | ACE |
| 14 | Cycling Instructor | NSPA |
| 15 | Certified Personal Fitness Trainer - Health Fitness Instructor (CPFT-) | AAPTE |
| 16 | Instructor Certification (EPIC) | ACCA |
| 17 | Fitness Nutrition Certification | ISSA |
17 best group exercise instructor certifications
1. Certified Personal Trainer
The purpose of The Cooper Institute Personal Trainer (CI-PTr) Certification Examination is to provide assurance of mastery and application of knowledge and skills directly related to the performance of the job entitled `Personal Trainer' through a defensible, reliable, valid and rigorous process. The successful completion of the CI-PTr Certification Examination results in credentialing to ensure certificants' professional knowledge, skills and tools to provide sound fitness and health programming to their clients, provide assurance to clients and employers, protect the public, and advance the profession.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
2. Group Exercise Instructor
AFAA's Primary Group Exercise Certification is designed to equip those seeking to become certified as group exercise instructors with the competencies needed to design safe and effective group exercise programming for the general healthy population.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
3. Group Exercise Certification
NETA's Group Exercise Instructor Certification is continuously updated to keep you on the cutting edge of the fitness industry, promote safe and effective teaching strategies, and help you develop the critical skills required to become an effective group exercise instructor.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
4. First Aid, CPR and AED Instructor
Knowing how to respond to a first aid or CPR emergency is one of the most important skills a person can possess. The Standard First Aid, CPR and AED course meets the OSHA requirements and is your tool for training employees or the general public on the latest skills, techniques and expertise in life-saving procedures. The practice and feedback of using related skills in a realistic situation is integrated into the actual teaching experience.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? No
- Renewal required? No
5. Instructor
A NAUI Instructor is a person dedicated to the motto of "Dive Safety Through Education"; a person whom others look to for leadership and knowledge. NAUI has always been and remains today the most prestigious agency focusing on diving instruction. You can share the adventure - and help create it! If you believe your work should be enjoyable and exciting, if you are eager to share your knowledge with others, if you believe that to train the best you must be among the best trained, join the finest. Join the adventure!
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? No
6. Certified Exercise Physiologists (EP-C)
Becoming ACSM Certified as an Exercise Specialistsays a lot about you. It says you have chosen to become certified by the organization that's leading the way in health fitness and clinical certifications.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 4 year(s)
7. Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS)
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialists (CSCS) are professionals who apply scientific knowledge to train athletes for the primary goal of improving athletic performance. Learn more about becoming a strength and conditioning coach with the NSCA certification! Visit NSCA.com for more information on strength and conditioning jobs, strength and conditioning internships, continuing education and CEUs.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 3 year(s)
8. Group Fitness Instructor
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
9. Advanced Personal Training Certification (APT)
AFPA's Advanced Personal Trainer Certification Program has been nationally and internationally recognized since 1994. AFPA provides the most comprehensive and authoritative resources for you as an Advanced Personal Trainer, whether you are working in a health/fitness club currently as a Personal Trainer or if you are working with athletes at the high school or collegiate level.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
10. Yoga Instructor Certification - Level I
The AFPA Yoga Fitness Instructor Certification program emphasizes safe, effective, and inspiring teaching methods that prepare you to be a confident and competent Yoga Fitness Instructor. You will learn excellent teaching skills, how to plan a class, how to create confidence in your students and how and when to provide posture corrections. This program offers instruction on how to live the yogic lifestyle enhancing personal health and centeredness through yoga. The Yoga Fitness Instructor Certification program is designed to educate participants about various yoga techniques and how to incorporate them into an individual and group setting. This course will enable you to formulate your own personal teaching style.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required?
11. Personal Fitness Trainer
A three-day certification workshop including lectures, practical demonstrations and written and practical exams. This course will help prepare you for both AFAA's Personal Fitness Trainer Certification and the Personal Fitness Trainer National Boards.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
12. Certified Pilates Instructor
Certified Pilates Instructor is a physical and mental conditioning program that allows you to fully understand the movements. This course will cover the art and science of human movement as it relates to the Pilates Method. Joseph Pilates planted the seeds for what is now a mainstay in fitness centers everywhere.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
13. Corrective Exercise Specialty Certification
Musculoskeletal pain is one of the most common and debilitating issues affecting Americans today. According to the National Institutes of Health, approximately one in two American adults suffers from musculoskeletal conditions-meaning that more than 120 million Americans are living in pain. Whether it's low-back pain, sciatica, neck pain, non-arthritis joint pain, arthritic conditions or other musculoskeletal pain disorders, you can help.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
14. Cycling Instructor
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? No
15. Certified Personal Fitness Trainer - Health Fitness Instructor (CPFT-)
Certified Personal Trainers are fitness professionals proficient in the understanding of client assessment, exercise program design, physiology of human performance, biomechanics, nutrition, medical considerations and terminology, effective communication, and personal trainer ethics. In addition, they are also credentialed in CPR-AED.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
16. Instructor Certification (EPIC)
Are you an experienced vocational instructor or HVAC professional who is looking to take your career to the next level? If so, EPIC may be an option for you. EPIC is an extremely intensive four-day class.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? Yes
- More than two years of work experience required? Yes
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 5 year(s)
17. Fitness Nutrition Certification
ISSA's Fitness Nutrition Certification course blends nutritional science and practice in order to help you successfully guide them toward a better body... both inside and out.
- More than two years of education or training after high school required? No
- More than two years of work experience required? No
- Oral or written exam required? Yes
- Renewal required? Every 2 year(s)
What is the best certification for a group exercise instructor?
The best group exercise instructor certification is Certified Personal Trainer. The Certified Personal Trainer is awarded by the Cooper Institute for Aerobics Research. This certification is great to have as it shows an improvement in your competency to perform your role. You can earn this certification at the beginning of your career, as it often doesn't require a minimum education level and work experience.
Here's a bit more background on how to obtain this group exercise instructor certification:
- To become a certified Certified Personal Trainer, you need to pass the exam.
- Lucky you - certification doesn't require more than two years of work experience.
- Renew certification every 3 year.
What are some of the most in-demand certifications for group exercise instructors?
The most in-demand group exercise instructor certification is Group Exercise Instructor based on all active job postings. Having this group exercise instructor certification will give you access to more group exercise instructor jobs with higher salaries.
What certifications can impact a group exercise instructor career and salary?
The Certified Personal Trainer certification will help you to secure a personal trainer position, which will increase your pay and career trajectory. A personal trainer's average salary is $38,768 whereas group exercise instructors make an average salary of $34,348.
The most common combination of group exercise instructor certifications include: Certified Personal Trainer, Group Exercise Instructor, and Group Exercise Certification.
Online courses for group exercise instructors to earn certifications
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