Group Exercise Instructor (Certified) - Parma Ridgewood Center YMCA

YMCA of Greater Cleveland•North Royalton, OH

About The Position

The Group Exercise Instructor designs and teaches safe, high-quality, effective, challenging, and enjoyable group exercise classes appropriate to the designated format and participants’ abilities. The instructor demonstrates and explains skills clearly, uses suitable music and cueing, offers movement modifications, monitors participants’ intensity, technique, form, and hydration, and encourages participants to work at their own pace. Classes should be planned in advance, begin and end on time, and be prepared with music and equipment at least five minutes before the start. The instructor oversees equipment use, maintenance, and cleaning; records attendance accurately; leaves program areas safely closed down; and builds positive relationships among participants. 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. A high school diploma or GED is required; an associate degree is preferred. The instructor must hold a current national NCCA-accredited or YMCA Group Exercise Instructor certification, as well as required CPR, first aid, and emergency oxygen credentials within the stated timelines. Specialty-format certification or training may also be required. The position requires maintaining applicable certifications and demonstrating commitment to YMCA values and the ability to work effectively with people from different backgrounds and abilities.

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 certification within 90 days of hire.
CPR certification at the Basic Life Support or Professional Rescuer level, Basic First Aid, Emergency Oxygen Administration, and associated-determined safety training within 30 days of hire.
Current specialty class-format certification or proof of training when applicable; if not currently certified or trained, obtain certification or training within 90 days of hire. Instructor must be actively supervised in class until the requirement is fulfilled.
Ability to demonstrate commitment to the YMCA mission and cause and uphold its values and ethics.
Ability to work effectively with people of different backgrounds, abilities, opinions, and perceptions.
Willingness and ability to serve as a mandated reporter and follow the child abuse and neglect reporting process.
Ability to perform frequent sitting, standing, swimming, walking, reaching, stooping, kneeling, bending, and instructing for the duration of a shift.
Ability to lift or move up to 50 pounds.
Close visual acuity for tasks including preparing or analyzing data, transcribing, viewing computer terminals, and extensive reading.
Ability to perceive sounds at normal speaking levels, receive detailed oral information, distinguish sounds, and communicate spoken ideas and instructions accurately, loudly, or quickly.

Nice To Haves

Associate degree.
Current certification or proof of training in the specialty class format to be taught, 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.
Design classes that follow the designated format and suit participants’ abilities.
Demonstrate and explain skills clearly, teaching at an appropriate skill and intensity level while emphasizing members’ workouts.
Demonstrate movement modifications and encourage participants to modify movements and work at their own pace.
Monitor participants’ intensity, technique, form, and hydration throughout classes.
Use clear verbal and physical cues in advance of movement changes.
Plan class composition or choreography in advance and regularly change music and routines.
Oversee proper equipment use, maintenance, and cleaning.
Record class attendance accurately using the designated method.
Begin and end classes 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; learn participants’ names and encourage interaction.
Encourage member involvement in YMCA programs, events, and the Annual Campaign; read announcements when requested.
Arrange a certified and competent substitute when unable to teach an assigned class and notify the supervisor of coverage.
Teach at multiple branches or offsite locations when required, and lead classes in live or recorded virtual settings when required.
Follow the child abuse and neglect reporting process, including completing the reporting form, calling children protective services, and notifying the designated YMCA personnel.
Attend all mandatory staff meetings.
Maintain all required certifications.