Thread: Anyone AFAA group fitness certified?

So I'm taking the test at the end of the week. Any advice? I'm studying but am nervous about the practical exam.

Good luck! I'm going to take it in Nov, I haben't started studying though.

I took it (and passed) at the end of May to complete my SharQui™ certification. I shared the following with some SharQui™ classmates a couple of days after I went through the Group Fitness certification.

Be ready to do lots of strength exercises! I was worn out by the end of the day and a little sore the next day, even with an Epsom salt soak that night.

Because of my schedule, I wasn’t able to take the Choreo class the day before. I researched two exercises and one stretch for each muscle group, as directed in the study materials. I had a rough idea of what I wanted to do for the warm-up and cardio based on what we did in the SharQui training. I wasn’t completely sure what I wanted to do for the 1-2 min. teaching section with three levels. I had thought about hip bumps, but in the end did push-ups (!) Our instructor encouraged us to avoid teaching cardio (unless we were experienced) because we would have to do mirror image and she wanted us to keep it as simple as possible to be easy on ourselves. She did a great job going through the muscle groups and their appropriate exercises and stretches with us. I studied those during lunch. She also had us do the warm-up and cardio as a group in the morning so she could tell us if we needed to change anything. As long as my push-up instruction was okay, I feel confident about how I did on the practical.

For the written section, I would say I went through the materials thoroughly for about 40% and skimmed about 60%. Not ideal, I know, but I think it ended up being enough. There were certainly a couple of questions that I wasn’t completely confident about, but when I looked them up afterwards, I had guessed correctly. I would say the actual test was more difficult than the practice test. I definitely studied more for the SharQui test (which certainly helped for the “muscle man” part of the test). Our instructor went through some of the info in the morning, but went through the study guide very quickly in the afternoon because we were short on time (and she had to leave early for her flight home).

I hope that is helpful! Please let me know if I can give you more info.

This, too:

The warm-up, cardio, and muscle group demos are done as a group all at once. One of the instructors (we had three watching our group of nine) calls out what to do, such as, “Begin the Warm-Up”, and you do a warm-up for about 3 min., showing some mild cardio to warm up the muscles and at least two static stretches to prepare for cardio. Then the instructor will say, “That’s the end of the warm-up. Now show the cardio.” Cardio lasted about 5 min. and you were supposed to start out basic/slow and increase to a higher cardio level, then come back down (bell-curve). Then they announce cardio is over and start calling out the muscle groups, as outlined in the pink booklet that came with the materials from AFAA. You show at least two strength exercises per group and they’ll say, “If you haven’t already done so, show a stretch for this group” at some point for each one. All this time the three (or more/less) instructors are watching you and scoring you with 3 (pass), 2 (might not pass – don’t want many of these), or 1 (won’t pass). You need to do the movements or exercises long enough for them to see before you transition to the next. This whole time you aren’t saying anything or leading anyone. Then everyone “teaches” for 1-2 min., one at a time. This is where you actually lead the group through an exercise, showing three levels of difficulty and giving safety and form cues.

Thanks Kiyaana, this has been very helpful! So the only thing that you have to teach by yourself is one muscle group strengthening exercise done in beg/inter./advanced levels? Do you pick the muscle group or do they?

Yes, you only teach one thing by yourself. You can choose a cardio exercise or a strength training exercise, it's completely up to you. Our instructor recommended doing strength training unless we were already very experienced at cardio instruction.

You demonstrate the warm-up into cardio while the whole group is doing it at the same time. Each person is in her/his "own little world", as if they were leading a class (but without saying anything). Same with the muscle group demos - the instructor calls out a muscle group and each student selects and performs two exercises, independently from the rest of the students, but at the same time as the other students. (Hope that makes sense!)

Originally Posted by clueless23de

Thanks Kiyaana, this has been very helpful! So the only thing that you have to teach by yourself is one muscle group strengthening exercise done in beg/inter./advanced levels? Do you pick the muscle group or do they?

Makes perfect sense! Thanks so much. Sounds like it will be a strenuous day. I'll be sure to hit the gym extra this week to prepare.

Thanks I appreciate the info too.

Hi - Is AFAA better than NETA?

-Devora

Where did you get the books to study for the certification? I looked at the website and I couldn't find them.

I'm not familiar with NETA. I chose between AFAA and ACE.

Originally Posted by Devora

Hi - Is AFAA better than NETA?

Do you mean this? Primary Study Package On the home page for AFAA.com, click on "Study Materials - Group Exercise Study Package" on the left.

Originally Posted by ShazadiNahid

Where did you get the books to study for the certification? I looked at the website and I couldn't find them.

Ooops! I didn't see that. Thanks!

What are the major diffs between ACE and AFAA?

NETA is "National Exercisers Trainers Association" based in Minneapolis but offer nationwide certifications for personal or group trainers. Says it's NCCA accredited, but I have no idea whether that means much. Their website is www[dot]netafit[dot]org, URL: Personal Trainer Certification -- NETA National Exercise Trainers Association | NETA National Exercise Trainers Association | Group Exercise Certification, Pilates Certification, Personal Trainer Certification, Yoga Certification, Aerobics Certificat, phone number is 1-800-237-6242.

I can't seem to get a firm response from clubs in my area (CA) as to which they prefer (ACE, NETA, AFAA), and whether they are considered relatively similar/equal and acceptable - NETA seems a little cheaper, wondering if it's worth it to pay more to do ACE.

Thanks
-Devora