YMCA Level 2 Award in Group Exercise Instructing: Exercise to Music (Freestyle)

YMCA Level 2 Award in Group Exercise Instructing: Exercise to Music (Freestyle)

This qualification is specifically for learners who are aspiring to progress to an exciting and highly rewarding career as an Exercise to Music Instructor on an employed or self-employed basis. This qualification is mapped directly to The Chartered Institute for the Management of Sport and Physical Activity (CIMSPA) professional standard for a Core Group Exercise Instructor and The Register of Exercise Professionals National Occupational Standards for Level 2 Certificate in Fitness Instruction (Exercise to Music) and is your first step towards a career as an Exercise to Music Instructor in just 2 terms!*

This course combines elements of both practical and theoretical learning where you will have the opportunity to apply the theory in our on-campus, fully equipped, sprung-floor dance studio. Our industry-experienced lecturers are all fully qualified and practicing professionals themselves and will guide you every step of the way, enabling you to progress towards a career as an Exercise to Music Instructor. You’ll be learning everything industry requires from designing bespoke classes to developing skills when instructing. You will cover everything that makes up a session including warm ups through to the main component as well as body weight exercises. In essence, you’ll be developing all of the essential skills you need to start your journey towards a career as an Exercise to Music Instructor.

If you want to work in the fitness industry as an Exercise to Music Instructor, our course is for you. Taking place over just two terms, part-time, you will study the elements required to plan, deliver and evaluate exercise to music-based sessions to clients within a gym or health club facility. Our highly-skilled and motivated staff have a wealth of industry experience and are here to give you the very best start to your career as an Exercise to Music Instructor.

What you will learn Entry requirements Work experience Assessment Progression Cornwall College Camborne

What you will learn

This 2-term* part-time course will enable you to develop the knowledge and skills a fitness instructor needs to present themselves in a professional manner, provide excellent customer service and demonstrate effective communication skills. You will also learn how to plan, deliver and evaluate group exercise to music session (freestyle format) with apparently healthy adults. This may include older adults (50 plus) and (providing they are part of a larger adult group) young people aged 13-18.

*Applicants who do not possess a Level 2 Certificate in Gym Instructing will need to attend for 3 terms to acquire the mandatory units

Entry requirements

Candidates must be over 16 at time of interview. A grade C or level 2 equivalent in English and Maths is desirable – if you do not hold either of these qualifications the college can support you to complete these alongside this course.

Ideally learners should have some experience of group exercise through personal practice and should have a certain amount of physical fitness. In order to achieve this qualification learners will be required to lead a group exercise to music class to a small group (minimum of 6 participants), learners therefore will be required to demonstrate effective communication skills.

Work experience

The college has a fully equipped gym and dance studio open to both students and the public. Learners will be able to gain work experience working within in this environment and we also have links with local facilities where work experience can be gained.

Assessment

The YMCA Awards Certificate in Teaching Group Exercise to Music (Freestyle) is assessed through internal and external assessment. You will be provided with a Learner Assessment Record which will document your progress through an assessment workbook, multiple choice theory papers (externally set), formative and summative practical observation and a portfolio of evidence. Learners are expected to bring two participants along to your final assessment.

Progression

On completion of this level 2 course you would be ready for employment as a Teacher of Group Exercise to Music (Freestyle). Or why not complete one of our short courses in instructing circuits, kettlebells or exercise to music. Many of our students have gone on to employment further afield for David Lloyd premier clubs, Steiner Cruise ships, Champneys and Warner Holidays.

Cornwall College Camborne

Our Camborne campus has served as a vocational training hub for nearly a century. The iconic Tamar tower and the ‘big top’ that covers our construction and engineering provision, are landmarks known throughout the area. This legacy, combined with an exciting modernisation programme, has made Cornwall College Camborne the home of cutting edge facilities, dynamic learning experiences and fantastic student spaces. Open and modern learning areas, electric vehicle training labs, esports gaming facilities, chill out areas, an award-winning restaurant and plenty more besides, makes this the perfect place to have your #careercollege experience.

Read more on the exciting developments at St Austell & Camborne

What You Will Learn

This 2-term* part-time course will enable you to develop the knowledge and skills a fitness instructor needs to present themselves in a professional manner, provide excellent customer service and demonstrate effective communication skills. You will also learn how to plan, deliver and evaluate group exercise to music session (freestyle format) with apparently healthy adults. This may include older adults (50 plus) and (providing they are part of a larger adult group) young people aged 13-18.

*Applicants who do not possess a Level 2 Certificate in Gym Instructing will need to attend for 3 terms to acquire the mandatory units

Entry Requirements

Candidates must be over 16 at time of interview. A grade C or level 2 equivalent in English and Maths is desirable – if you do not hold either of these qualifications the college can support you to complete these alongside this course.

Ideally learners should have some experience of group exercise through personal practice and should have a certain amount of physical fitness. In order to achieve this qualification learners will be required to lead a group exercise to music class to a small group (minimum of 6 participants), learners therefore will be required to demonstrate effective communication skills.

Work Experience

The college has a fully equipped gym and dance studio open to both students and the public. Learners will be able to gain work experience working within in this environment and we also have links with local facilities where work experience can be gained.

Assessment

The YMCA Awards Certificate in Teaching Group Exercise to Music (Freestyle) is assessed through internal and external assessment. You will be provided with a Learner Assessment Record which will document your progress through an assessment workbook, multiple choice theory papers (externally set), formative and summative practical observation and a portfolio of evidence. Learners are expected to bring two participants along to your final assessment.

Progression

On completion of this level 2 course you would be ready for employment as a Teacher of Group Exercise to Music (Freestyle). Or why not complete one of our short courses in instructing circuits, kettlebells or exercise to music. Many of our students have gone on to employment further afield for David Lloyd premier clubs, Steiner Cruise ships, Champneys and Warner Holidays.

Cornwall College Camborne

Cornwall College Camborne

Our Camborne campus has served as a vocational training hub for nearly a century. The iconic Tamar tower and the ‘big top’ that covers our construction and engineering provision, are landmarks known throughout the area. This legacy, combined with an exciting modernisation programme, has made Cornwall College Camborne the home of cutting edge facilities, dynamic learning experiences and fantastic student spaces. Open and modern learning areas, electric vehicle training labs, esports gaming facilities, chill out areas, an award-winning restaurant and plenty more besides, makes this the perfect place to have your #careercollege experience.

Read more on the exciting developments at St Austell & Camborne

Case studies

I originally enrolled on the Level 2 course purely to gain the qualification to become a reputable health and fitness journalist (after graduating with a journalism degree). But the course was so interesting, informative and fun that I couldn't resist staying on to complete the Level 3! I didn't even want to leave after that! The qualifications enabled me to spend a few years working as a personal trainer and gym instructor alongside my writing work. And I know for certain that the knowledge and experience I gained from both the courses and my time spent working as a trainer has enabled me to write content at a much higher standard. It's also helped when interviewing high-level fitness professionals for articles as I can actually understand what they're talking about, which has given me a distinct advantage when pitching articles within the fitness industry. The knowledge has also improved my own training, so it's a win-win!

The college really helped me gain the knowledge and the capabilities to be able to streamline my business to where I am now. This has helped immensely as I am able to work with each individual client, helping to build self confidence and self esteem, whilst seeing them get fitter not only physically but also mentally. We really are very fortunate to have such a great college on our doorsteps.