Group fitness is more popular than ever attracting over 22 million people every year. People demand talented and skilled trainers who can diversify and customise workouts according to their clients’ needs. Gyms are hiring versatile instructors who can adapt to the market’s changes and deliver courses fit for their clients.
This is the perfect time to start your journey if you have always dreamt to become an aerobics trainer.
1. Find a study program
Once you know this is the career path you want to follow, you need to decide what certification program is fit for you. It’s recommended to choose an accredited certification because most employers prefer candidates who meet a gold standard of fitness and health.
While you study for your certification you’ll need support to guide you in the right direction, and you should check out a CSCS practice exam for free because it can help you answer complex fitness related questions. To get your certification you’ll have to pass theoretical and practical exams, so prepare for both.
2. Identify your possible employers
Aerobics trainers can benefit from countless job opportunities, so you need to decide what path you want to follow. You can collaborate with a gym, you can become self-employed, or you can do both of them at the same time. If you want to work for a gym you should check job adverts to understand what people are looking for. Identify the skills, knowledge and experience possible employers require for the perfect candidate.
3. Get insurance
Even if you may find it surprising, you need insurance to cover for yourself in case your students injure themselves or experience an accident during classes. When working for a gym, it probably provides insurance that covers these situations. For your peace of mind check with your employer if you need to get insurance or they provide it.
When self-employed you should find a company specialised in providing aerobics insurance for trainers.
4. Ask yourself how much you want to gain
Of course, you need to determine if the salary you’ll get is enough to pay your expenses and to save money. Unfortunately, no one can tell you how much you can earn as a fitness instructor because multiple factors influence the sum. Your job can provide you access to numerous financial opportunities, but it depends on external factors like the employer, the number of students, the aerobics you teach, and the location. Part-time instructors obviously earn less because they cannot commit to certain jobs. Where you work highly influences how much you earn because in some areas people are willing to pay more for enrolling in an aerobics class. The average salary is somewhere between $10 and $40 per hours.
5. Gain experience
All employers prefer experienced candidates, so you need to familiarise yourself with the industry before applying for jobs. You need at least 1-year experience to meet the average employer’s conditions. As an aspiring aerobics instructor, you should volunteer to work in health clubs and gyms to gain experience.