Group Exercise Instructor - West Shore YMCA

YMCA of Greater Cleveland Recruitment Team • Westlake, OH

1d

About The Position

The Group Exercise Instructor designs and teaches safe, high-quality, effective, challenging, and enjoyable group exercise classes appropriate to the class format and participants’ abilities. The instructor uses suitable music, proper progressions and cueing, demonstrates exercises accurately, offers movement modifications, monitors participants’ form, intensity and hydration, and encourages participants to work at their own pace. Classes should be planned in advance, begin and end on time, and be delivered with energy and enthusiasm.

The instructor prepares and maintains class equipment and supplies, records attendance, maintains positive relationships with participants, and encourages involvement in YMCA programs and events. The role may involve teaching at multiple branches or offsite locations and leading classes in live or recorded virtual settings. YMCA employees are mandated reporters and must follow the organization’s child abuse and neglect reporting process.

The position requires the ability to perform the listed physical demands, including lifting or moving up to 50 pounds. Work may take place in an office or program setting, with moderate to noisy sound levels; occasional outdoor work and inclement weather may occur.

Requirements

• High school diploma or GED.
• Current national NCCA-accredited Group Exercise Instructor certification or YMCA Group Exercise Instructor certification; if not currently certified, obtain it within 90 days of hire.
• CPR certification at the Basic Life Support or Professional Rescuer level, Basic First Aid, Emergency Oxygen Administration, and associated safety training within 30 days of hire.
• Maintain all required certifications.
• Current certification or proof of training in the specialty class format being taught, if applicable; if not currently certified or trained, obtain certification or training within 90 days of hire and be actively supervised until the requirement is fulfilled.
• Commitment to the YMCA mission, cause, values, and ethics.
• Ability to work effectively with people of different backgrounds, abilities, opinions, and perceptions.
• Willingness and ability to act as a mandated reporter and follow the YMCA child abuse and neglect reporting process.
• Ability to perform frequent sitting, standing, swimming, walking, reaching, stooping, kneeling, bending, or instructing for the duration of a shift.
• Ability to lift or move up to 50 pounds.
• Close visual acuity for tasks such as preparing and analyzing data, transcribing, viewing a computer terminal, and reading.
• Ability to perceive normal-level sounds, receive detailed oral information, and distinguish sounds.
• Ability to communicate spoken instructions accurately, loudly, or quickly as needed.

Nice To Haves

• Associate degree.
• Certification or proof of training in a specialty class format such as Zumba, yoga, Tai Chi, SilverSneakers, LiveSTRONG at the YMCA, Real You, or aquatic classes.

Responsibilities

• Design and teach safe, effective, enjoyable exercise classes using appropriate progressions and cueing techniques.
• Select music and tempo suitable for the class format and population served.
• Oversee appropriate use, maintenance, and cleaning of equipment and supplies.
• Attend mandatory staff meetings.
• Design classes that follow the designated format and accommodate participants’ abilities; teach with energy and enthusiasm.
• Demonstrate and clearly explain skills at an appropriate level, prioritizing members’ workouts over the instructor’s own workout.
• Demonstrate movement modifications and encourage participants to modify movements and work at their own pace.
• Monitor participants’ intensity, technique, form, and hydration throughout class.
• Use clear verbal and physical cues in advance of movement changes.
• Plan class composition or choreography in advance and regularly change music and routines.
• Accurately record class attendance using the designated method.
• Begin and end class on time; arrive at least five minutes early with music and equipment ready.
• Clean and return equipment and materials to their proper places, leaving the program area safely closed down.
• Maintain positive rapport with participants and, where applicable, their parents.
• Encourage participation in YMCA programs, events, and the Annual Campaign; read announcements when requested.
• Learn participants’ names, engage them in conversation, and foster interaction among members.
• Arrange a certified and competent substitute when unable to teach an assigned class and notify the supervisor.
• Travel to multiple branches or offsite locations and lead live or recorded virtual classes when required.
• Follow the YMCA child abuse and neglect reporting process, including completing the reporting form, contacting children protective services, and notifying the designated YMCA departments and supervisors.

Benefits

• Free membership to a local YMCA.
• Discounts on YMCA programs, including childcare; part-time positions do not receive the childcare discount.
• Additional employee discounts at participating local businesses.
• Eligible employees receive a comprehensive benefits plan, including health, dental, and vision coverage, an Employee Assistance Plan, retirement contributions of 9% paid by the YMCA of Greater Cleveland, and paid vacation.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Education Level: High school or GED