Group Exercise Instructor- Tai Chi, Line Dance

Essential Functions

• Enthusiastically lead an energizing, fun, safe, and educational group fitness class, as directed by the supervisor, to accomplish the YMCA mission and goals.
• Answer questions from members to nurture goal achievement related to healthy living.
• Maintain working knowledge of current wellness trends from respected industry leaders to inform and support members.
• Build effective, genuine, and professional relationships with members; encourage building a community by fostering connections with other members and YMCA staff.
• Observe and adjust approach to support all participants’ capabilities, physical conditions, health, and culture.
• Celebrate achievement of program participants related to program or personal goals, mastering of specific skills or overall health and well-being.
• Document accurate class attendance records on a timely basis.
• Begin each class with a Higher Thought, story or inspirational word.
• Attend all required staff meetings; departmental, branch and, association level.
• Follow YMCA policies and procedures; respond appropriately to emergency situations.
• Maintain required certification(s) by meeting/exceeding continuing education requirements and keep current with legitimate trends in individual proficiency and the industry.
• Refrain from diagnosing injuries, offering medical advice and dispensing or endorsing any commercial health products especially nutritional supplements, vitamins, performance-enhancing substances and pain relievers/treatments/therapies.
• Refrain from the promotion of any merchandise or services from outside the YMCA.

Leadership Competencies

• Communication & Influence
• Inspiring & Engaging Community
• Inclusive & Collaborative

Qualifications

• At least one year of experience instructing group wellness classes is preferred.
• Have a general knowledge of group exercise equipment, sound systems, cardiovascular and strength training, and health and wellness techniques.
• Strong background in experience and/or education, and training in working with older adults and a genuine interest in this population is essential.
• Must have effective interpersonal skills and be able to facilitate group interaction/socialization and exhibit teamwork with members, co-workers, and management staff.
• National certification (ACE, ACSM, AFAA, FitTour, ISSA, NETA, and some others) in group fitness instruction or YMCA Foundations of Group Exercise certification required*, or may be obtained within six months of employment.
• Additional certification(s) in other proficiencies/areas of expertise (i.e., Group Cycling, Les Mills Programming, Pilates, Yoga, ZUMBA, etc.) are required.
• Certifications required within the first week of hire: Bloodborne Pathogens and Hazardous Communications.
• Certifications required within the first 60 days of hire: YMCA Healthy Lifestyles, YMCA approved basic life saving skills such as CPR, First Aid, AED.
• The following instructor certifications are exempted from the National Group Exercise requirement. However, you are strongly encouraged to obtain this type of certification as it serves as a foundation for movement and provides other basic education information needed for leading any group exercise class:
• Les Mills proficiency certification
• Yoga - Registered Yoga School RYS instructor certification
• Pilates - National Commission for Certifying Agencies NCCA accredited Pilates school certification
• Working Conditions
• Work is generally performed indoors in a health & wellness facility with the use of fitness equipment or, on occasion, outdoors with supervisor approval.
• Physical ability to conduct classes and activities.
• Ability to perform all physical aspects of the position; including leading class, walking, standing, bending, reaching, and lifting.
• Visual acuity required for reading computer screens and other documents as well as teaching a safe group exercise class.
• The instructor must be able to correct unsafe movement in a nurturing, encouraging manner, and consistently deliver professional instruction to a wide variety of learning styles and skill levels.