Group Exercise Instructor II

YMCA of Metropolitan Atlanta•The Villages, GA

About The Position

The Group Exercise Instructor-Level II conducts YMCA group exercise classes under the direct supervision of the Wellness Director. The role is part of a staff team responsible for delivering classes, selecting appropriate music, setting up and taking down class spaces, and educating class members about THE COACH APPROACH® and fitness-related issues. The instructor carries out program responsibilities in accordance with YMCA of Metro Atlanta policies, organizational competencies, mission, and values, and supports YMCA of the USA healthy-living initiatives. The instructor promotes and monitors classes to ensure they run smoothly and provide a high level of service. They maintain required certifications and continuing education, attend staff meetings and training, participate in wellness cabinet activities, and assist with other aspects of the YMCA and its community as needed. They are responsible for logging class attendance and checking GroupEx PRO for updates, arranging an approved substitute when unable to teach, and consistently following YMCA safety, risk-management, and emergency procedures. The role also requires adherence to applicable strength-training and nutrition guidelines and avoiding medical diagnoses, medical advice, or endorsement of commercial health products.

Requirements

High school diploma or GED required.
Must be at least 18 years old.
At least one year of experience teaching group exercise classes.
Land instructors must hold a current national group exercise certification recognized by Y-USA, such as ACE, ACSM, AFAA, or NETA, and maintain it to retain Level II status.
Water instructors must hold and maintain a current AEA national water group exercise certification to retain Level II status.
Land and water instructors must obtain the YMCA/ACE online Group Exercise Instructor Certification and required supplemental courses within 60 days of hire.
Instructors teaching group strength and/or conditioning classes must obtain the YMCA Strength and Conditioning Instructor Certification.
Water instructors teaching Aqua Arthritis programs must complete the AEA Arthritis Foundation Program Leader Certification within 60 days of hire.
Obtain and maintain full access to Y-Link and a Metro Atlanta YMCA Workday account.
Maintain certifications by uploading continuing education credits through Y-Link before expiration.
Hold current CPR/AED certification and renew it every two years before expiration; upload updated licenses through Y-Link.
Obtain and maintain specialty certifications before teaching designated formats, including applicable YMCA or approved external certifications.
Pass a group exercise audition for the format(s) being hired to teach.
Be knowledgeable about fitness-related topics, including aerobic and anaerobic exercise, nutrition, exercise benefits, injury prevention, and THE COACH APPROACH®.
Complete THE COACH APPROACH® Orientation within 30 days of hire.
Possess strong human-relations skills and the ability to facilitate class interaction and socialization; be regarded as a team player by members, coworkers, and management.
Exemplify YMCA ideals and leadership qualities.
Be able to handle multiple tasks, work independently, and solve problems.
Possess effective time-management skills.
Possess strong customer-service skills and a personal commitment to service and hospitality.
Pass pre-employment screening, including criminal-record, drug, motor-vehicle-record, and reference checks, according to company policy.
Be legally eligible to work in the United States without current or future sponsorship.

Responsibilities

Carry out daily program tasks related to the position’s scope and responsibilities.
Stay updated on current issues regarding group fitness and wellness programs.
Promote, monitor, evaluate, and ensure group exercise classes run smoothly with a high level of service to participants.
Select suitable music for a family setting and secure the music used for classes.
Set up and take down class spaces and educate class members about THE COACH APPROACH® and fitness-related issues.
Maintain required branch and association certifications, including CPR/AED, and meet continuing education requirements for applicable land or water certifications.
Attend required staff meetings and training courses.
Assist as needed in all aspects of the YMCA and its community.
Participate in and partner with wellness cabinet activities.
Follow incident and accident reporting procedures.
Log class attendance in GroupEx PRO by 11:59 p.m. on the night the class is taught.
Log in to GroupEx PRO at least twice per week to check facility updates, subbing opportunities, and other important information.
Arrange a substitute instructor in a timely manner when unable to teach, and ensure the substitute request is accepted and approved before being relieved of responsibility for the class.
Know, understand, and consistently apply Metro Atlanta YMCA risk and safety guidelines, best practices, and branch emergency procedures.
Adhere to strength-training and nutrition guidelines aligned with Y-USA, ACE, and ACSM guidelines.
Refrain from diagnosing injuries, offering medical advice, or dispensing or endorsing commercial health products, including supplements, vitamins, performance-enhancing substances, and pain relievers.
Perform other duties as assigned.