How it Works | About Us | Reviews | Articles
MY ACCOUNT
Institute of Personal Trainers
  • Home
  • Roadmap
  • Resources
  • Articles
  • Reviews
  • Join
  • Login
  • Home
  • Roadmap
  • Resources
  • Articles
  • Reviews
  • Join
  • Login

The Top Group Fitness Courses For Personal Trainers


 
The Top Group Fitness Courses For Personal Trainers

If you want to take your personal training business to the next level, offering group fitness classes could be the thing! Whether you got your personal training certification recently or a while ago, you might find that offering group sessions means you can help more people while potentially generating more income.

Group fitness classes are appealing for many reasons! Firstly, clients love them, and anything good for the client is good for business.

But 
why do clients enjoy group fitness classes?

  • People find it motivating to workout with others
  • They are more budget-friendly than one-on-one sessions

At the same time, group fitness classes make sense from a profit potential for personal trainers. If you charge $30 for a group fitness class lasting one hour with 10 participants, you will make $300. If you're charging $120 for a one-on-one PT session, you're making more from one person, but you're not making more in total! 

Considering this, it is easy to see why group fitness classes appeal to clients and trainers. However, you will need to receive some training to provide this service. 

Below, we will take you through the ten best group fitness courses for personal trainers so you can get a better understanding of the options available to you:

1. ISSA - Group Exercise Instructor

https://www.issaonline.com/certification/group-exercise-instructor
1 Group Exercise Instructor ISSA
ISSA courses are well-known in the personal training industry, and for a good reason. This Group Exercise Instructor course will help you to master 12 popular exercise formats, including boot camps, kickboxing, and HIIT.

The aim is to give you all the skills and knowledge you need to create energizing group classes that will leave your clients wanting more.

You will also learn the science behind group exercise, how it works, how to design and instruct a group fitness class at all levels, and safety and injury prevention.

2. ACE - Group Fitness Instructor

https://www.acefitness.org/fitness-certifications/group-fitness-certification/default.aspx
5 ACE Certified Group Fitness Instructor
Next, we have the ACE Group Fitness Instructor Certification, which provides you with the skills and versatility required to teach a wide range of fitness classes. This includes all of the following:

  • Qigong
  • Aquatic exercise
  • Barre
  • Tai chi
  • Boot camp
  • Martial arts
  • Pilates
  • Sports performance
  • Kickboxing
  • HIIT
  • Aerobics
  • Spinning 
  • Yoga
  • Cardio training
  • Strength training
  • Dance Fitness
  • and much, much more!

When you select an ACE fitness course, you have three different packages: Basic, Plus, and Advantage. The more comprehensive (and expensive) the course, the more study materials and extras you get, so bear this in mind when selecting the right one.

3. ORIGYM - Group Exercise Instructor

https://origympersonaltrainercourses.co.uk/course/cpd-group-training
9 ORIGYM Group Exercise Instructor
The ORIGYM Group Exercise Instructor course is a good option for UK personal trainers because it is accredited by both CIMSPA and REPS.

Throughout the course, you will learn the following:

  • What are the advantages of group training?
  • Phases of training and periodization 
  • The '16 session periodized plan.'
  • Fitness tests and combinations
  • Observational assessments 

This course is assessed via an observed assessment in person. You must show your competence and skills before an assessor and qualified teacher who will lead your training.

You must hold a minimum Level 2 Gym Instructor Qualification to take this course, so keep this in mind!

4. AFAA - Group Fitness Instructor

https://www.afaa.com/courses/group-fitness-certification
7 AFAA Group Fitness Instructor Certification
The AFAA Group Fitness Program lets you capitalize on years of experience from some of the industry's best group fitness instructors. 

You will learn all of the following during this course:

  • How to design, lead, and choreograph a group workout class
  • Professional responsibilities and business skills
  • How to adapt for special populations, for instance, senior participants or pregnant women
  • Foundations of healthy eating and nutrition
  • Essentials of physiology and exercise
  • Training on modalities, for example, cycling, yoga, boot camps, HIIT and interval, and strength and resistance

Once you have studied online and are ready, take the Proctored, NCCA-Accredited exam online to get certified.

5. ISSA - Group Personal Trainer

https://www.issaonline.com/certification/group-personal-training-certification
2 Group Personal Trainer ISSA
The Group Personal Trainer course is another option worth considering at ISSA. You will discover how to create practical and fun classes for both small and large groups.

This course is an extensive one, which covers everything you need to know about group fitness. Some of the different areas covered include:

  • Identifying conditioning, cardiovascular training, muscular endurance, strength, and training modalities for each
  • Applying training cycles, program periodization, and exercise adaptations 
  • Recognizing Newton's Laws of Motion
  • Reviewing the physiology of muscle contraction, mechanisms of fatigue, energy production pathways, and muscle fiber types
  • How to describe joints and their common injuries
  • How to identify the body's major structures 
  • Recognizing the essential elements of marketing and managing your group exercise business
  • Selecting, scaling, modifying, and blending exercises
  • and much, much more! 

6. NASM - Group Personal Training Specialist

 https://www.nasm.org/continuing-education/fitness-specializations/group-personal-training-specialist
8 NASM Group PErsonal Training Specialization
This course from NASM teaches you how to design, develop and provide successful group personal training programs. 

You will learn the communication and coaching skills required to teach a group and discover how to motivate, train, and teach participants in this setting. 

The course is split into three different learning sections:

  1. The basics of group personal training
  2. Program design and coaching
  3. Building your group training business

Once you have completed the curriculum, you can take the final exam to achieve certification.

7. Fitness Mentors - Virtual Group Fitness Instructor

https://www.fitnessmentors.com/virtual-group-fitness-instructor-certification/
6 Fitness Mentors Virtual Group Fitness Instructor
This course is excellent for personal trainers who want to learn how to build, grow, and scale their businesses by offering virtual group fitness classes.

The course is entirely online, and you will discover the physiology, anatomy, and study of human movement, virtual class setup and implementation, marketing, program design, technology, and much more.

You will get access to an instructor and personal fitness mentor, ensuring help is on hand should you need it. Experienced group fitness instructors also create awesome premade templates for you to make the most of.

8. AIF - Group Training CPD by Network

https://network.fitness.edu.au/category/group-training
10 Group Training Network
Lastly, we have the Group Training CPD Course offered at AIF. This comprehensive course gives you everything you need to teach group classes.

The course is split into six different parts. Taking these as standalone modules is possible, rather than doing all six.

  1. What's your style? - Group fitness motivation
  2. Lesson plans that never fail - Planning the perfect group workout
  3. Cueing your next move - The performance
  4. Group training dynamics - Triumphant team training
  5. Teaching group exercise
  6. Pilates for your shoulders and hips

Some of these modules are longer than others and priced accordingly.

9. ISSA - Indoor Cycling Instructor

https://www.issaonline.com/certification/certified-indoor-cycling-instructor
3 Indoor Cycling Instructor ISSA
We have seen spin classes soar in popularity as of late, and this is something you can capitalize on by becoming a certified Indoor Cycling Instructor. Learn how to take the lead and provide fun, successful, and results-driven indoor cycling classes.

You will learn how to design classes, riding techniques, and equipment. You will also grow your skills as an instructor and learn about cycling-specific nutrition demands, energy systems and performance, and the foundations of human anatomy and movement.

One of the great things about taking ISSA courses is that you can learn at your own pace. You can set up your study schedule based on your lifestyle. Furthermore, the final exam is untimed, open-book, and can be taken from anywhere.

10. ISSA - Kickboxing Instructor

https://www.issaonline.com/certification/kickboxing-instructor
4 Kickboxing Instructor
Another type of exercise that is very popular in a group format. ISSA's excellent course will teach you everything you need to know to become a certified Kickboxing Instructor.

You will start by learning what sets kickboxing apart from other exercise techniques. What will it do for you and your clients?

The course also covers technique and terminology, giving you the information you need so you can safely and confidently instruct a kickboxing group.

Plus, you will discover different combinations, ranging from the fundamentals to the complex. The course explains how to translate techniques into combinations challenging the body and mind.

You will get an online course textbook with the ISSA Kickboxing Instructor program and a dedicated Success Coach to provide you with study assistance.

Grow your personal training business by offering group fitness classes.

So there you have it: 10 of the best group fitness training courses for personal trainers! We hope this has given you a better understanding of the options available. Getting certified can enable you to offer group sessions while boosting trust amongst your clients. This is an excellent way of taking your personal training business to the next level.

Did you find this information useful?

✓ YES
Thanks for your Feedback!

Why not create a free account and get weekly updates sent straight to your inbox?
​
✗ NO
Drat! We would love to hear your feedback.
​

Send Feedback


What Next?

Keen to grow your business? Discuss this blog with other trainers in our friendly Facebook Group.

Or;

Get instant access to the Institute of Personal Trainers fitness business courses, resources and tools.

Or;

Know anyone who needs this in their life? Share the love!



    Business Training for Personal Trainers

    Picture
    See our Reviews or Start for Free

    Popular Articles

    • How to Become a Personal Trainer
    • Short Guide to Online Personal Training Insurance
    • Personal Trainer Business Plan Template
    • How to Build Online Personal Training Packages
    • How to Create and Enforce a Cancellation Policy

    Trusted Partners

    We work closely with some of the best service providers in the fitness industry.
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture
    Picture

    Categories

    All
    Branding
    Finance
    Management
    Marketing
    Mindset
    Reviews
    Sales
    Skills

Courses

Business Mindset
Become a Personal Trainer
Money & Finance
Marketing Basics
Business Setup
Build Your Business Brand
Become an Online Trainer
Business Management
Social Media Marketing
Build a PT Website
Email Marketing for PTs
Search Engine Marketing

Community

Community
Code of Conduct

Resources

Tools & Templates
Fitness Industry Discounts
Fitness Website Design

Company

About
Privacy & Terms

Connect

Contact
Facebook Group
Twitter Page

About

The Institute of Personal Trainers is the worlds leading business course specifically created to help fitness industry professional get better at business.
Start For Free
© Institute of Personal Trainers

My Account

Member Dashboard
Join Here

Company

Roadmap
Resources
Reviews
Articles
About
Contact

Resources

Fitness Website Design
Online Training Software

Community

Facebook Group
Code of Conduct