Group Exercise Instructor

YMCA of Upper Palmetto•Indian Land, SC

25d•$19 - $25•Onsite

About The Position

Under the supervision of the Fitness Coordinator/Director or Branch Director, and consistent with the YMCA’s Christian mission, the Group Exercise Instructor teaches safe, effective, and enjoyable group exercise classes. The instructor helps improve program quality and growth and retain fitness program participants. The role also supports branch activities, including special events, and promotes member relationships, program development, and member retention. The instructor guides participants through workouts appropriate to the scheduled class format, offers modifications for different abilities, keeps the workout area and equipment clean, follows emergency and abuse-risk-management procedures, and communicates equipment problems and incidents to supervisors. Instructors are expected to arrive prepared, begin and end classes on time, arrange coverage if unable to teach a scheduled class, attend required meetings and events, and keep classes engaging with updated music and exercises.

Requirements

Be at least 18 years of age.
Hold, or be able to obtain within 60 days of hire, Adult and Pediatric CPR/AED, Bloodborne Pathogens, and First Aid certification, and maintain these certifications.
Hold a current national certification from a recognized organization such as ACSM, ACE, AFAA, ISSA, IFTA, NSCA, or NETA; approval may be requested for certifications from other organizations.
Maintain a nationally recognized certification appropriate to the type of class taught.
Teach at least one regularly scheduled group exercise class per week.
Maintain appropriate certifications and provide copies of certifications and required continuing education credits annually.
Have excellent human relations and communication skills.
Be a team player and willing to substitute teach for other instructors.

Nice To Haves

Current certification in the specialty taught for instructors teaching classes such as Cycle, Pilates, Yoga, Zumba, or Les Mills.

Responsibilities

Provide a safe and effective workout appropriate to the scheduled class format.
Guide participants through appropriate warm-up, cardiovascular endurance and strength work, cool-down, and stretching, while considering participants’ abilities and potential form issues.
Keep the workout area safe, clean, and free of obstacles; clean and put away equipment and mats before leaving.
Arrive in time to sign in and prepare to teach.
Demonstrate exercise variations or modifications to encourage participants.
Report malfunctioning equipment to a supervisor, including a description of the problem and when it occurred.
Follow emergency procedures and complete incident forms for accidents or injuries; submit reports to a supervisor or Branch Director before leaving the facility.
Start and finish classes on time and find a substitute when unable to teach an assigned class.
Choose appropriate music and clothing; ensure music does not contain offensive language.
Encourage healthy lifestyles without promoting special diets or supplements.
Attend scheduled staff meetings, special events, and launches.
Keep classes fresh by incorporating new music, exercises, or movement patterns.
Develop member relationships and encourage member involvement.
Provide individualized exercise and fitness instruction based on the overall needs of the class.
Speak positively about other instructors and programs to members.
Help resolve member concerns and elevate feedback to leadership rather than encouraging complaints.
Adhere to policies and procedures regarding consumer boundaries, abuse-risk management, high-risk activities, consumer supervision, and mandated reporting.
Complete required abuse-risk-management training.
Maintain required certifications and provide copies of certifications and continuing education credits to the Fitness Director or Branch Director each year.
Be willing to substitute teach for other instructors.