Aerobics Instructor - Career Advice - Leisure and Entertainment

Aerobics instructors create, teach and lead groups in a variety of aerobic exercise routines.

Aerobics instructors usually work in a gym or health centre. Their job includes developing/choreographing aerobic routines which they teach during aerobic classes. Aerobic classes Future Growth Very Strong are attended by people who want to improve or maintain their health or simply for fun.

Definition of Aerobics:

Aerobic means with air or oxygen.
Using the same large muscle group, rhythmically, for a period of 15 to 20 minutes or longer while maintaining 60-80% of your maximum heart rate.
In an aerobic class, you can do moves in low intensity or high intensity. The level of intensity depends upon how high you bring your arms (not whether the class is low impact or high impact).

Aerobic instructors should show class members how to do moves in high or low intensity. Participants should choose their own level of intensity dependent upon their level of fitness and how frequently they exercise.

Types of Aerobics

Step	Pump	Aqua-aerobics	Circuit
Boxercise	Tai-bo	High-energy	Fat-burner
Low-impact

Aqua aerobics

ANZSCO ID: 4521

Knowledge, skills and attributes

An aerobic instructor should have:

a high level of fitness
the ability to teach a group of people
enthusiastic, outgoing personality
co-ordination, intiative and creativity
background in fitness activities may be an advantage
good communication skills.

Aerobics class

Duties and Tasks

consulting with various Health Professionals to develop and design fitness programs
designing individual fitness programs based on assessment of the client's age, level of fitness, goals and abilities
delivering group exercise classes and personal tuition in a variety of fitness activities in a safe and creative manner
demonstrating and teaching body movements and skills used in fitness routines
setting up and monitoring fitness equipment and ensuring that equipment is safe, clean and in working condition
teaching and advising on the use of fitness equipment
ensuring clients are aware of and adhere to safety and injury prevention procedures
reporting accidents and preparing accident reports
maintaining a working knowledge of current health and safety standards and ensuring working practices and procedures conform to current legislation
maintaining current first aid certificates

Working conditions

Aerobics instructors work in gyms, fitness clubs and leisure centres, which can be noisy and crowded. They are often required to work shift work for early morning or late evening fitness classes or client appointments. Some Aerobics instructors work on a casual basis and may work at a number of different locations.

Tools and technologies

Aerobics instructors use gym and pool equipment, weights, steps, pads, mats and safety gear during training. They also may use fitness testing equipment such as heart-rate monitors and scales to gauge a client's progress. When leading large fitness classes, they often use stereo systems and microphones.

Education and training/entrance requirements

There are no formal qualifications necessary to become an aerobics instructor but knowledge of aerobic exercises is needed. Often students who have attended classes for a while become instructors.

As businesses, government, and insurance organisations continue to recognise the benefits of health and fitness programs for their employees, incentives to join gyms or other types of health clubs is expected to increase the need for fitness trainers and instructors.

As baby boomers age, many remain active to help prevent injuries and illnesses associated with ageing. With the increasing number of older residents in nursing homes or residential care facilities and communities, jobs for fitness trainers and instructors are expected to rise in the fitness centres in these locations.

Other employment growth will come from the continuing emphasis on exercise to combat obesity and encourage healthier lifestyles. More people are likely to join fitness institutions or commit to personal training programs.

Did You Know?

How to estimate your maximum heart rate:

Your maximum heart rate in beats per minute = 220 minus your age

But remember, this is a rough estimate, and there is a lot of individual variation.

(Your maximum heart rate tends to decline by about 1 beat per year with increasing age.)

(Source: mydr)