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Fitness Instructors???
Hi all, was wondering if anyone could give me some advice on the process involved in becoming a qualified fitness instructor/personal trainer, and also, how helpful/relevant this job is to Pole training and Instructing?
Im considering it for the personal physical benefits of gaining strength and knowledge to advance my pole skills, to make me more employable in scoring a job as a Pole Instructor, and as a hobby (I've always been into health and fitness). Not sure if I actually want to use it for traditional personal training though…. Its mainly for the pole benefits. Do you think this is a worthwhile and viable idea or would it be a waste of my time/way too time consuming/demanding etc?
Any advice, ideas, input, info? Thanks!!! 🙂
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18 Replies
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If you want to become an instructor I HIGHLY recommend that you get some sort of fitness certification. There has been discussion that at minimum you should have group fitness qualifications. There are several sites that offer fitness certifications and it looks like mainly it is study materials, a class and then a test. Not sure what is available where you are. I am currently looking into this myself.
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Getting certified as a group fitness instructor or personal trainer is the first step in getting ready to teach pole. If you pole, chances are you know "how" to do the moves, now you need to understand the body. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_e_biggrin.gif
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Im going for my group fitness as well. The community college near me offers it as a summer course, its $405 to take the class and take the test. You may want to look into that.
Im thinking I want to do something in fitness/nutrition. I really dont see myself at my desk job for the rest of my life. I kinda see myself doing kids nutrition and fitness, but I do want to open my own studio one day.
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ACE, and AFAA, NASM, are very reputable companies that offer both personal training certifications as well as group fitness certifications. There are also a number of fitness companies that offer continued fitness education as well as other certifications. One of these companies is SCW Fitness. I was quite surprised at the number of dedicated fitness professionals that attended these "SCW Mania" continued education classes. The selection of fitness classes that you could take for continued education credits was astounding. That being said, non of it was pole related but hopefully, that could all change. Maybe Veena could come and offer a class……I have included some links for you look at.
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I'm an ISSA certified Personal Trainer. I definitely reccommend getting certified if you want to take your lessons to a higher level. Being able to name muscles is going to let your clients know that you're a serious fitness professional. It's also going to help you put together more appropriate warm ups and cool down as well as stretching sessions that directly relate to what you'll be teaching that day. Also, I reccomend getting your certificate in nutrition because so many of your clients are interested in weight loss. The more you know, the more valuable you become and they'll think paying you $15-$50 dollars an hour is money well spent!
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I just did my test for group fitness through AFAA waiting on the results. I'm also in the process of getting my Pole certification through Empy and her courses are approved through AFAA.
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Fantastic feedback, thanks everyone! I didn't realise that having atleast a group fitness instructor qualification was actually required for pole teaching! Well so it should be… Thanks for the Links Polepuma but Im in Australia, so I'll have to track down the right organisations for certification over here myself… Do any Australians on SV have recommendations for particular courses/institutions?
So after you've done your group/general fitness qualification, do you then have to do a course for pole instructing qualification? I have heard people on here mention different pole associations/acronyms…. not sure if its all aplicable to Australians though…. From speaking to my own instructors at Bobbis and friends who teach at other pole studios in AUstralia, it seems most juts land their jobs through experience at that studio and networking etc… I've even emailed Bobbi's manager and she said there is no formal process, Bobbi just choses whoever she likes, so its pretty much just networking and exposure, no qualifications necessary. If I ever wanted to teach in America or Europe though (and this is a possibility as I want to live abroad) would a pole qualification be necessary?
Thanks for the info guys, I cant believe Im only just coming to understand all these details! 😛
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I am not a certified personal trainer or certified group fitness instructor…I teach pole and I own a studio…I disagree that YOU HAVE to have one of those certs….having said that…I do BELIEVE that you need a solid knowledge of anatomy and physiology. I have students that are on this forum, I don't want them to think that I am not qualified to teach them because I do not have those certifications. 🙂
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I am a firm believer in education. The more you understand anatomy, myology and kinesiology the more effective you'll be able to teach proper bio-mechanics and technique to your students. That, in turn, helps to ensure the safety of your students who are entrusting you with the health and well-being of their bodies. That is a HUGE responsibility.
Do I think becoming a Certified Fitness Instructor or Personal Trainer should be a pre-requisite to becoming a pole dance instructor? It certainly can't hurt. But, you can also search for a comprehensive pole dance certification training program where pole–specific functional anatomy is taught. And if a pole dance program emphasizes strong bio-mechanics and technique, it's surely grounded in a thorough understanding of the human body.
Another option is to take extension classes in anatomy/physiology/kinesiology at a local college. The key is finding quality, comprehensive education that will legitimately help you to become the best pole teacher you can be. The more hands-on and experiential your training is, the better.
Good luck! Teaching pole is one of the best careers ever!!!
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I agree regarding the education…I am a retired nurse with a 35+ years background in OT/PT, ortho/nuero, and rehab. I think that gives me a solid foundation for teaching pole without a personal trainer or group fitness cert. 🙂
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@litlbit: You most definitely have a thorough education in the human body!
That's one of the reasons I mentioned QUALITY, COMPREHENSIVE education because I've worked everywhere from mid-level to top gyms alongside "highly qualified & certified" Personal Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors and some of the stuff I've seen them do with clients is appalling and potentially dangerous. I'm sure they could name origins and insertions of muscles and calculate your BMI and VO2 max, but many of them knew nothing about muscle mechanics or ideal alignment.
By the way, I actually started off as an ACE certified Personal Trainer & Group Fitness Instructor. But later I earned 2 comprehensive Pilates Certifications and another as an Active Isolated Stretch Technician. But my real education came from earning my degree in massage therapy and years of hands-on work in injury prevention and rehabilitation. My years of experience in fitness, bodywork and rehab is embedded in the Climb & Spin Inc's educational programming.
I feel like Climb & Spin and select other pole dance certification programs are working hard to elevate standards in the pole dance fitness industry by beefing up their programs and offering more than just tricks and choreography. To me, this is ideal. I believe that people within our community should create comprehensive pole dance education specific to our industry. For example, all of my Pilates training came via the Pilates industry. I wasn't required to become a group fitness instructor 1st.
I really think pole fitness is heading in that direction. It just takes time. And it will be so exciting when, like Pilates, potential pole dance instructors have so many solid certification options to choose from.
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BeSpun is one of the best schools and the teachers arent certified, and some of the best pole dancers/champions travel the world doing workshops. I dont think it should be mandatory to be certified, but of course it doesnt hurt.
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Also make sure you are CPR and/or First Aid qualified/certified 🙂
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Not in Australia but if anyone is in San Francisco, Los Angeles, or NYC, Kyra from Body & Pole started a X-Pert Teacher Training Certification. Gives ACE and AFFA credits. Out of all the studios and teachers I’ve been with, shes the ONLY person I trust as a spotter.
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I am considering getting certified for a fitness career, but I'm not sure what the pros and cons of choosing different programs are, or if I should get my personal training or group fitness or pole fitness certification! Any advice??
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