Tag Archives: group fitness instructor

In Moving Comfort Workout Clothing You Can Actually Breathe While Burning Calories

Because I’m a fitness instructor I own a lot of spandex. Like a whole dresser full of the stuff. But there occasionally are days when I don’t feel like squeezing my body into super tight active wear, when I don’t want to have to “suck it in” for 60 minutes straight. So after returning from a week in New York—a trip that included more than one bagel splurge—I was on the lookout for a workout outfit that was flattering and functional, but not quite so fitted.

I’ve always loved Moving Comfort sports bras—they are super supportive without being constrictive—but I haven’t worn much of their other fitness apparel. When I saw the brand’s new dance and studio collection I knew it was time to give it a try.

Here’s what I found:

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The Metro Capri ($68) is made of a super lightweight poly/spandex blend—chances are these pants are much thinner and cooler than the leggings you usually wear. The waistband is elastic, there are pockets in front, and the drawstrings at the bottoms of the legs can be adjusted to be as loose or tight as you like. Of course what I really love about these pants are the shape of them: The hips and legs of the crops are a little loose (as in, they don’t hug every inch) yet they’re fitted enough to flatter. (more…)

The National Exercise and Sports Trainers Association Adds Sport Yoga Certification

With more than 55,000 members in 55 countries, the National Exercise & Sports Trainers Association (NESTA) is one of the largest fitness associations in the world.  Founded by John Spencer Ellis in 1992, NESTA not only certifies personal trainers and fitness instructors, it is now branching out with a new Sport Yoga certification for fitness center based yoga teachers. Recognizing the rise in popularity and interest for yoga in health and fitness centers, Ellis saw a need to add yoga to NESTA’s menu of fitness certification programs.

The Sport Yoga certification program costs $297 and is done exclusively online. Training materials include online videos, a digital manual and several audio lessons. The final exam consists of a combination of 100 multiple choice, matching and short answer questions. The entire program takes between 30 and 40 hours to complete. Prior fitness knowledge is not a requirement to enroll in the course. Basic understanding of the English language, moderate flexibility and a relative level of fitness are the only prerequisites.

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90 Year Old Fitness Instructor Still Going Strong

90-year old Lillian Lucas in action

You can learn a lot from a 90-year-old woman. They have seen so many changes in the world, from the rise and fall of the Third Reich to television and the World Wide Web. Their wisdom runs deep, but I bet you wouldn’t think that they could teach you a thing or two about how to be fit.

Then again, if you make it to 90, maybe you are doing something right. On March 21, 2024 Lillian Lucas celebrated her 90th birthday with some of her students.

Lucas is no gimmick. No, she isn’t guesting in some 30-year-old instructor’s class to show how much “spunk” she has. The New Baltimore, Michigan woman has been teaching fitness for 30 years. (more…)

How to Become a Group Fitness Instructor

Teaching group fitness classes might sound like a fun profession- and it is- but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a lot of hard work involved in becoming qualified. Like becoming a spinning instructor, there are numerous certifications needed to teach group fitness classes.

With a variety of class options at gyms across the country, including step, high or low impact aerobics, cardio-funk, cardio kickboxing, strength training, and many others, training to be a fitness instructor is no easy feat. In addition to understanding the specific format of the class, instructors must learn to cue, choreograph, perform, give feedback, and motivate students – all to the beat of their favorite music.

If instructing aerobics or fitness classes is on your life list, there are a few steps to becoming certified.

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