Expert: Ken Alan - 1/12/2006

Question
Thanks for your reply.

I plan on highering instructors to do the teaching, however I don't think it will hurt if I also get certified in case I have an instructor call out last minute and I can't find a replacement.

Thanks for the resources, I'll so some research.

I have been researching gyms and will be talking to the instructors that stand out the most or that seem to have a big following. Any other ideas on how to build a staff?

Thanks for your input I greatly appreciate it and anything else you can offer.

Thanks

Mia

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Followup To
Question -
The reason for my becoming certified is that I am researching opening up a fitness studio. The focus would be soley clases (ie, Spinning room, Kickboxing class, Latin dance class, step class, Pilate, yoga, etc.)
Whst would you recommend for someone who is an avid gym goer and who loves to take classes and wants to go into this new business venture?

Thanks for your help.

Mia

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Followup To
Question -
I am interested in becoming certified for a number of different classes; Kickboxing, Step, Dance Aerobics, etc. However I am having trouble finding information on becoming certified. All I find are on-line or distance certification. Is there something in particular I should be looking for?
I live in West Palm Beach, FL.
Please advise.
Answer -
Good question.
Certification is a process that tests your knowledge and ability to conduct various types of exercise programs.  Do you already have experience and training in the classes that you listed? Or are you looking to be trained in those kind of programs?

ACE and AFAA offer the most certifications nationwide, and they usually offer some in the Miami area a few times a year.  

Glad you're interested in teaching.  We need more like you.
Answer -
Wow, where do I start?  Are you planning on teaching a lot of classes or a majority of classes initially?  Or do you just want to be knowledgeable about the different programs?  

I'd suggest you join IDEA and get a business membership so you can receive all of their publications, especially Fitness Manager newsletter.  If you would like to open a fitness business, you should think about having others teach classes because you will need to be taking care of business outside of the classes.  You will want to get a staff built up so they can pack the classes full of people.
Certification doesn't provide you with any business skills or information needed to run a fitness business.  It's concerned with safety, effectiveness and techniques of exercise, which is important for the classes themselves.  

What you want is education and training first and then certification later.  Trouble is, there are not too many practical training programs available anymore.  So you have to use correspondence courses, videos, and get to conventions for crash courses in the different kinds of exercise.  ECA has a convention every November in Miami.  ACSM has their Health & Fitness Summit in Orlando this year in April (I'll be talking about older adult programming at ACSM). Once you join IDEA, you'll be able to keep up with many events, workshops, resources, etc. through their ads, links et. al.

Hope this helps.

Resources:
ideafit.com
ecaworldfitness.com
dswfitness.com
aerobeat.com
scwfitness.com
fitour.com
ndeita.com
acefitness.com
acsm.org

Answer
Mia,

You ask a simple question that does not have a simple answer!  There is a lot to talk about, but I don't have any info on your background and experience, so it is not productive to suggest this or recommend that.  This portal, also, is not conducive to discussing business/industry related issues, as it is designed for exercise-related issues.  

Once you explore some of the resources and links from them, you can find a number of individuals who you can contact to consult with or to help advise or guide you in a number of different areas. (In the past, I've done some consulting for a few clubs; you can visit www.aerobeat.com and go to the workshop page for a little info on that). IDEA's Fitness Manager newsletter is all about running a fitness business, so there are many articles about hiring/training/building a staff.  

Hope this helps.