Thread: AFAA Certification Question

Hey all - I'm going for my AFAA cert this week. I'm wondering how to structure the portion of the test where I lead a short workout. Because this test seems largely geared towards aerobics instructors, I'm a little confused about how to do this and have it make sense. A bellydance class mostly falls under the category of skill development, but also overlaps the areas of muscle strengthening and occasionally cardiorespiratory training. Have any of you taken this test? Any advice?

- Leela

so this is for the group certification?

I am both group certified & personal trainer certified through AFAA.
It has been quite some time since I took the practicals. . .

I believe I had to give a warm-up and also give a demo of toning a body part.
They picked which part we had to lead- out of a hat.
You have numbers on you,
and go in front of a few AFAA judges.
If you know your guidelines- you should do fine.
There was somebody who lifted both legs off the floor at the same time
during their ab demo,
and got bumped out right away.
Another person got bumped out for crossing the mid-line of the body,
before the body was warm enough.

There was a practical & written,
for my group cert- we were on the floor,
no desks or chairs,
so bring a clipboard and maybe something to lay on just incase.

It is geared for aerobic teachers.
They look that you start w/ breathing,
and then that you start warming up the body.

When changing cues in your warm-up,
be sure to only switch one part at a time
example: if you are doing step touchs with arm curls
you may either change your legs OR arms
so you can go into hamstring curls. . .then change arms
to something like a tricep press.

They look that you can build combos.
And cue you combos to the music.
And that you do the same combo on both sides of the body.

Bring lots of pencils, and a snack or lunch.

If you have any more questions,
or if I wasn't specific enough,
post more or PM me

Good Luck on your exam!
~Zayna : )

The AFAA cert is a breeze! Egypt Dancer gives really great suggestions- and they all can fit into a dance class format/vocabulary, too. :)

very simple, but remember to work in groups of 8's, 8 step touches, leads to 8 hamstring culrs, leads to 8 knees, start simple and focus on cueing.

I've done the UK equivalent, RSA in exercise to music, and am a qualified NVQ assessor, I can't imagine it is too dissimilar.

The most important things about your teaching is that your class is SAFE and EFFECTIVE. It can be extremely simple and basic, in fact it will make you life easier if it is because it is one less thing to think about for you.

Other things they will look for are that you:
Build up the intensity gradually,
Mobilize all muscle groups before you use them,
Have some knowledge of musical timing (ie, mostly work with the phrasing, like Kina said, sets of 8's is the easiest way.)
Cue both verbally and visually
Observe and correct any members of your class who are doing movements incorrectly/dangerously.
Sprinkle liberally with teaching points -reminders on posture, foot placement, not locking knees etc.
ALWAYS teach facing your class during the exam, never with your back to them unless you are demonstrating and they are standing still.
I can't think of anything else right now that the other posters didn't already cover, good advice ladies!

Originally Posted by flimflamgirl

Hey all - I'm going for my AFAA cert this week. I'm wondering how to structure the portion of the test where I lead a short workout. Because this test seems largely geared towards aerobics instructors, I'm a little confused about how to do this and have it make sense. A bellydance class mostly falls under the category of skill development, but also overlaps the areas of muscle strengthening and occasionally cardiorespiratory training. Have any of you taken this test? Any advice?

- Leela

Hey Leela! I have nothing to add. Just saying hi, hehehe!!! ..g.: