Adrienne Stauffer – Do you regulary take group fitness classes and think to yourself, “I could teach this class”? If you are thinking that, then chances are it’s true.

Group fitness instruction is a great way to make some extra cash, and the best part is, you get paid to work out. Gyms often free membership to their instructors, so you may also save your monthly fees.

The Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) is a widely recognized certification organization that offers courses all over the country, including right here in Portland.

Certification costs around $300, which may seem costly, but if your current gym membership costs more than $25 a month, you are already paying $300 or more per year just to go to the gym.

There are several upcoming certification workshops in Portland, South Paris, Lewiston, and Windsor. The workshops do require you to study the materials in advance, so don’t leave it to the last minute. There are also certification courses for Personal Training, KickBoxing, Pilates, and Choreography.

AFAA is not the only certifying body, but they are very easy to work with and have established credibility. Other recognized groups are linked below. If you know which gym you want to work for, ask them which certifications they accept before you make the investment.

Malia Frey – Stereotypes notwithstanding, there is actually quite a bit of training involved in becoming a group fitness instructor. And like becoming a personal trainer, the education is just the beginning of the process. Most fitness instructors teach a variety of classes: step, high or low impact, spinning, cardio-funk, cardio-boxing, strength training, and many others. In addition to understanding the specific format being taught, instructors must learn to cue, choreograph, perform, give feedback, and motivate students all while keeping pace with the music.

Local instructor MaryBeth Hammerlund has been teaching fitness classes for over 20 years. Currently she teaches 4 classes a week at Lifetime Fitness clubs around cities. She sat down to answer a few questions about what it takes to become an instructor.

What training is required to teach in a health club environment?

Instructors are generally required to carry a national certification. The American Council on Exercise is the most common certification, although there are several other agencies which certify instructors.

How much money do aerobics instructors make?

It really depends on where you teach and how long you’ve taught there. There are instructors in the Twin Cities who get paid per head – that is, they receive a fee for every person who attends class. They might make $50-100 per class, but many health clubs pay as low as $15/class. Most instructors average about $20-30/class.

Are there costs involved with teaching?

Instructors have to buy their own music which can get expensive. But music is what motivates a class so it’s not something you can skimp on. I buy new music every few weeks and I generally have 4 or 5 mixes in rotation. Each mix runs about $30 or so. There are also cost involved with maintaining certification. ACE requires that you take several continuing education classes each year in order to stay certified. Classes can run hundreds of dollars. The bottom line is that most instructors teach because they love to teach. No one gets rich teaching aerobics.