Every individual’s fitness needs are different from that of others. This means that fitness programs must be designed according to the individual requirements. Since you and I are not professional fitness experts, it requires the expertise of a professional fitness instructor. Fitness instructors help in developing your training regimen keeping in mind your individual requirements. However, becoming a fitness instructor is a specialized job and requires professional study about the various aspects of human body and physical exercising and other techniques.
Fitness instructors help people to exercise in a safe and secure manner. You will find them workings in gyms, health clubs, leisure centers, yoga centers, hospitals and also at independent client homes. They help in delivering aerobic classes, group exercises, etc. they may also be a fitness instructor for an individual or a group of individuals. So, what should we look for in a fitness instructor?
Well, there are a few qualities that you can look for in a professional fitness instructor.
- The fitness instructor should have good interpersonal skills and also effective communication ability.
- Should have the enthusiasm for motivating people to stay fit and healthy.
- Should be personally physically fit and healthy.
- Ability to come up with innovative fitness ideas for your training programs.
- He or she should be completely aware of the various safety and health issues and at the same time be aware of their legal implications.
- He or she should be able to provide their clients with sound advice on nutrition and healthy eating habits.
- Further, he or she should be completely aware of the latest developments in fitness equipment and new techniques.
- He or she should have basic knowledge of first aid.
Fitness instructors quite often work in shifts. They instruct their clients on a variety of activities. They help in designing new fitness regimen for new comers or they may devise an innovative exercising program for their existing clients. At the same time they may provide assistance in selecting the right kind of music for your exercise session. They will also make sure that all the necessary fitness equipment is in perfect condition and at the same time make sure that other equipment like weights, straps, training mats, etc. are in place or not.
Though there are no specific academic qualifications required, it is suggested that you have a professional fitness instructor certification as it will stand your in good stead if you are seeking a long term career option in this profession.
There are many who enter this profession as an assistant instructor. This job requires specialized knowledge about the human body and how it works. You will find that there are many state recognized or accredited schools and colleges that offer a wide range of fitness courses. There are specialized fitness diploma programs that you can opt for. These programs are essentially for a period of one year and you will learn quite a lot in these programs. Then you have a fitness bachelor’s degree that actually help you get in depth into the various aspects of fitness and health.
These instructor courses help you in developing individual fitness training programs and also prepare initial assessments about the progress of their clients. Further, they also learn to use the various fitness equipments and how they help in developing specific parts of the human body.
They also learn how to tailor suitable fitness training programs based on individual needs. At the same time they will also learn how to develop specialized programs for people with health problems and injuries. They also learn about nutrition and diet and their impact on our body. This will help them to advise their clients accordingly.