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Fitness Certification?!?!?!?
Okay, so I know I’ve posted some a while back about wanting to open my own studio hopefully in the near future and this goes right along with it. For instructors on here…what fitness certifiction’s do you think are good to have? I have been looking into these and there are just so many out there that I don’t know which are reputable and which are crap. So do you think it’s important if it’s with AFAA or ACE or ….or all of the above? For students, do you look for an instructor based on these certifications? I know that having certain certs allow discount with liability insurance…
I have recently gone back to school for another degree in Exercise Science…I’m totally serious about doing this! I want as much knowledge about the body as possible. I’ve already been talking with a lawyer, insurance…etc..
Now as far as instructor training…real pole instructor training…any that you would suggest? I have seen Shawn Frances Lee, Vertical Dance, Pole Position etc…but most with exception of Pole Position are like $3000 each and in california. Any on the east coast? I want to do one that is well rounded (injury prevention, anatomy along with actual pole moves/tricks) but also provides a lot of knowledge. I definitly don’t want to do a Pole lotta fun type thing…I want the real deal! I am willing to do whatever it takes to make this dream come true.
Any tips or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
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8 Replies
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Honestly I dont really look to see if they have certifications? I look to see how long they’ve been doing it, referrals from other students, and observation of a class. If they do have certifications I think its just a bonus, but its not necessarily something I look for! I hope this works out smoothly for you. Congrats!
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Hey Roxy! All i know is that my pole instructor was ACE certified… as for east coast training there is a studio in NYC, http://www.nypoledancing.com/, that does pole dance certification… i believe its around the $2,500 range but it covers everything from spins to anatomy… I want to take it myself but the price is whats holding me back… let me know if you find anything else out!
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I personally feel that 3000 dollars is pretty expensive for any kind of fitness related certification. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_eek.gif I think if you do a good job teaching word gets around about a studio.
I feel that with your degree in Exercise Science and doing an ACE or AFAA cert would be plenty! A good instructor understands body mechanics and injury prevention, all things you will learn with your current studies. You are an advanced dancer so I don’t know what the benefit of a pole certification would be for you. For ACE personal training and group exercise would be a good start. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_cheers.gif
I’m sure there are other who will disagree with me but, that just my thoughts.
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I agree with Veena. $3000 is WAY too expensive!!! I have my ACE group fitness cert. which allows me to teach any form of group exercise and I recently received a "pole position fitness" certification http://www.polepositionfitness.com/ppfteachertraining.html and the cost was only about $300. The person who developed it is Sharon Polsky and she knows her sh*t!!! She’s been in the fitness industry for years. I learned a lot via this course and I bring it into my classes all the time. I think the most important things I learned had to do with protecting your joints (esp. shoulder) and breaking down spins so that EVERYONE can do them. I get a lot of women in my beginner classes without the strength they need to execute a spin and even they can participate in the whole class. I learned about piecing together choreography.
I taught for over a year without any certification. Honestly, no one at my studio including the boss cares that I took it upon myself to get certified. Students never ask. However I think it comes across in my style of teaching and I personally feel better knowing I am certified. Let me know if you have any questions!
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Thanks V! Really when it comes to the instructor training that is mainly for myself…to see other styles. I have thought about the ACE/AFAA certs as well…lots to think about!
Thanks Angel. I actually came across that same training program, but I’m looking for something more on the east coast as I live in SC and travel across the country at the moment is not really an option (small kids, work, school etc.). I do like the fact that the price is much more fitness based verses industry based. I have been getting information on the CLimb and Spin training that is offered by NY Poledancing (Wendy Draskos (sp?) of the USPDF). I do like the idea of a governing body that supports the training…plus the training is part home study and part live study…which NY is a lot closer than CA…ughh
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Oh yes, thats right Angle…I forgot there is an ACE certification for pole dance its a continuing ed class, and when I looked into it it was over in the eastern part of the US!! I don’t know if its still available. https://www.studioveena.com/img/smilies/icon_flower.gif
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Roxy, I did the pole position fitness at a studio in Long Island, New York. I flew there and stayed overnight at a local hotel. I wrote it all off as a business expence since I am considered an independent contractor. Sharon Polsky flies to L.I. several times a year to offer the training. I think she’ll do a training at a location of your choice if you have enough people.
As an aside, we didn’t learn new tricks. We learned the 5 foundation movements for most spins. For example, one of them is ‘inside planted foot’ foundation movement where you keep the inside foot stable and swing with the outside leg to execute moves such as fireman or pinwheel. Another is ‘blind hand grab’ movements where you grab the pole behind you to execute moves like the noodle. It’s a very safe way to learn, very fitness based rather than dance/artistic based. I think it is great for the general public and it’s a great way to promote pole dance to the average woman. Any one can participate, even the very out of shape.
This class gave me a lot of material that I use. My classes are structured, safe, and fun. I’m building people’s skills and strength so they can pick up spins easier. I even use the principles for teaching inverts and advanced tricks. It’s a heck of a lot better than the way I was taught. I was just asked, do you know the "X" move? Ok, let’s do that now. There were no transitions, no filler, no way to move from X to X. There was no beginning, middle or end to the class. The teachers used to stretch right at the beginning without even warming up first. And looking back, I was probably damaging my shoulder joint using incorrect hand placement on the pole.
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This topic is really helpful for figuring out was certs I really want to get. Thank you all for your wonderful incite here. I have been wanting to get a pole cert for a while but I have been hesitating on the prices and wondered which one was better and what not. So I decided to start with ACE Group Fitness Instructor, and will go from there.
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