Group Exercise Instructor

• Must be at least 18 years of age
• Must have at minimum a high school diploma (or the equivalent)
• Must hold a current adult CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) and AED (automated external defibrillator) certificate including live skills check

1. Scope of Practice
   • Adhere to professional standards, guidelines, or evidence-based research in order to provide safe and effective instruction.
   • Recommend consultation with healthcare professional for concerns that fall outside of scope of practice.
2. Legal Liability
   • Obtain liability insurance in order to minimize personal risk.
   • Adhere to music copyright laws in order to minimize personal risk.
   • Obtain signed pre-participation waivers and consent forms in order to minimize personal risk.
   • Adhere to branding rules in order to mitigate personal risk.
   • Maintain current cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and automated external defibrillator (AED) certifications in order to minimize risk.
3. Conduct
   • Dress in appropriate attire for class format in order to provide a safe and welcoming environment.
   • Greet participants in order to build rapport.
   • Introduce self and class format at the beginning of class in order to set participant expectations.
   • Arrive early in order to ensure preparation of environment and prompt start.
   • Use inclusive language in order to provide a non-discriminatory environment
4. Business Principles
   • Adhere to contract policies and procedures related to employment in order to maintain employment in good standing.
   • Acquire continuing education credits in order to stay current with industry trends or standards.
   • Respond to participant feedback in order to enhance participant satisfaction.

1. Environment
   • Inspect equipment in order to identify potential hazards and minimize risk.
   • Assess class environment, such as temperature and potential hazards, in order to minimize risk.
   • Determine maximum number of participants in order to provide a safe and effective workout.
   • Select appropriate equipment and movement patterns for participant abilities, class size, and format in order to provide a safe and effective workout.
2. Format
   • Select and sequence exercises in order to provide a safe and effective workout.
   • Prepare modifications (i.e., progression/regression movements) for a variety of fitness levels and backgrounds in order to provide safe and effective instruction.
   • Select appropriate movement intensity and duration for class format and participant demographics in order to provide a safe and effective workout.
   • Design appropriate warm-up and cool-down activities in order to provide safe preparation and recovery for participants.
   • Select appropriate music style, tempo, and volume for class format in order to provide a safe and motivational environment.
   • Incorporate destabilization movements in order to enhance balance and stability.

1. Instruction/Coaching
   • Provide nonverbal/visual cues in order to provide effective leadership.
   • Provide verbal cues in order to provide effective leadership.
   • Demonstrate proper exercise form and alignment in order to provide safe and effective instruction.
   • Observe participant form and provide feedback in order to ensure proper technique and injury prevention.
   • Monitor participant performance for signs of distress in order to minimize risk.
   • Present alternative movements (modifications) in order to provide a safe and effective workout for all participant ability levels.
   • Instruct participants to monitor level of exertion in order to minimize risk and enhance workout.
2. Motivation
   • Provide positive reinforcement in order to enhance participant experience.
   • Coach participants in order to encourage them to put forth their best efforts.

• Demonstrate and explain functional activities of daily living (ADL) in order to provide muscle balance.
• Select and sequence strength and conditioning exercises in order to provide a safe and effective workout.
• Demonstrate and cue proper range of motion in order to prevent participant injury.
• Demonstrate and cue proper joint action and lever length in order to prevent participant injury.
• Use anatomical terms to refer to muscle groups in order to educate participants and provide clear instruction.

After the completion of the course, you will take a proctored final exam. This exam can be taken in-person through a live proctor, or in-person at one of our many testing facilities. The test consists of 100 multiple-choice questions. You will have 120 minutes to complete the exam. To pass, you need a score of 70% or higher. To register for your exam, please see our Exam Information page.

You have six months from your date of purchase to pass your exam. If you missed your deadline or failed your initial exam attempt, a retest for the exam can be purchased. Requirements and limitations for retesting are described in the Candidate Handbook. Please contact the Member Services team for additional details regarding pricing and limitations.

Yes, you can purchase only the final exam for a $199 fee. Please call (480)758-5119 option 146

After the completion of the course, you will take a proctored final exam. This exam can be taken in-person through a live proctor, or in-person at one of our many testing facilities. The test consists of 100 multiple-choice questions. You will have 120 minutes to complete the exam. To pass, you need a score of 70% or higher. To register for your exam, please see our Exam Information page.

You have six months from your date of purchase to pass your exam. If you missed your deadline or failed your initial exam attempt, a retest for the exam can be purchased. Requirements and limitations for retesting are described in the Candidate Handbook. Please contact the Member Services team for additional details regarding pricing and limitations.

To support NAFTA’s commitment to protecting health and safety, the NAFTA-CGEI certification must be recertified every two (2) years

As an NAFTA-CGEI, you are required to recertify every 2 years. In order to recertify, you must complete 15 CEUs (continuing education units) as well as maintain a current CPR and AED certifications (worth 2 CEUs). CEUs ensure you're current with best-practice guidelines, plus they will expand your knowledge, skills, and abilities in key areas.

To see the complete requirements for maintaining certification, please visit our recertification page.