Lakewood University

Group Fitness

Program Highlights

The Lakewood University all-inclusive Group Fitness Certificate Program offers premium fitness knowledge with empirical data and qualified instructors. This program is designed for exam preparedness. Additionally, upon completion, graduates are eligible to sit for multiple nationally recognized certifications. The program includes weekly online and practical assignments that incorporate fitness training services, typical facility tasks, and mentoring. The Lakewood University Group Fitness Certificate Program provides the foundation for aspiring group fitness instructors and gym operators to gain the skills and knowledge necessary for group fitness success.

Students completing this program are prepared for and able to sit for the Certified Group Fitness Instructor (GFI) with the Athletics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA).

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Program Outcomes

Program Outline

What You Receive

Career Outlook

Program Cost

Program Outcomes

Apply the theoretical information and subject matter (e.g., anatomy, exercise physiology, nutrition, and kinesiology) to the design and delivery of group exercise classes.
Formulate the appropriate response(s) for general safety issues such as injury prevention, preexisting conditions, special populations, and emergency response protocol in a group exercise setting.
Outline and appropriately apply the AFAA fitness training recommendations according to the Basic Exercise Standards and Guidelines in group program design.
State and appropriately apply the AFAA 5 Questions™ when evaluating exercise selection and technique.
Integrate the areas of instructional technique, cueing, music usage, exercise sequencing, and choreography within a group exercise class setting.
Incorporate professionalism in his/her practice by following the Code of Ethics and related legal guidelines.

Program Outline

Lakewood University’s Group Fitness Certificate Program is provides “hands on” instruction on the following topics:

Lesson 1- Essentials of Exercise »

This lesson provides the foundation of exercise and introduces the essentials of exercise science. Upon completion of this lesson, students gain the introductory knowledge of the broad scope of exercise as well as group fitness.

Lesson 2- Anatomy of the Body »

This lesson is an overview of the anatomy of the human body. Upon completion of this lesson, students understand the major areas and functions of the human body.

Lesson 3- Application of Exercise »

This lesson builds upon lesson one providing skills and best practices for applying exercise knowledge. Upon completion of this lesson, students will begin to apply their exercise knowledge through case studies and interactive assignments.

Lesson 4- Essentials of Nutrition »

This lesson is an overview of nutrition and introduces students to the basics of nutrition science. Upon completion of this lesson, students will know the important elements of nutrition science.

Lesson 5- Nutrition and Supplements »

This lesson builds upon lesson four and explores the intricacies of how supplements interact with the body as well as how they impact fitness as well as group fitness. Upon completion of this lesson, students will be able to identify the major supplement groups as well as when to use them.

Lesson 6- Safety Guidelines »

This lesson focuses on many safety aspects of fitness to include nutrition, exercise practice, and advising clients.

Lesson 7- Emergency Response »

This lesson builds upon lesson six and identifies the most common emergency responses. Students are introduced to best practices in emergency responses as they relate to fitness and group fitness.

Lesson 8- Instruction Fundamentals »

This lesson teaches students how to teach fitness. Students are introduced to best practices within teaching as well as case studies of successful group fitness instructors.

Lesson 9- Motivation Strategies »

This lesson focuses on motivation. Students are introduced to the art of motivation as well as the psychology of motivation.

Lesson 10- Multitraining Fundamentals »

This lesson is designed to introduce students to teaching multiple skill levels. Students are introduced to the intricacies of differentiated instruction and best practices within it.

Lesson 11- Mat Science »

This lesson focuses on using tools like the mat to perform group fitness activities. Students learn about this history of major fitness tools (like the mat) and how to effectively use them in group fitness instruction.

Lesson 12- Special Populations »

This lesson focuses on teaching populations with special physical or cognitive needs.

Lesson 13- Youth Fitness »

This lesson is designed to teach students the unique approaches and best practices for fitness instruction among youth participants.

Lesson 14- Business Skills »

This lesson introduces students to the fundamentals of business as well as how to manage a gym or fitness center.

Lesson 15- Legal Responsibilities »

This lesson is an overview of business law and how to maintain an operation within the limits of law.

Lesson 16- Gym Management »

This final lesson is a culmination of all the previous lessons where students are required to apply their acquired knowledge of exercise science, group fitness, nutrition, and business management in an end of program project.

TECHNOLOGY REQUIREMENTS The following lists the minimum recommended hardware and software requirements a student will need to successfully access Lakewood University’s online academic programs: Audio: sound card and speakers or headphones for listening Internet connection: 56 Kbps for self-paced courses (caution: if video is present, it may be poor at this speed) Screen resolution: at least 800 x 600 Internet browser: IE 7 or greater, Firefox 2 or greater, browser set to accept cookies and to show the newest version of a page Media Player such Windows Media Player, Camtasia, or Vidster (all of which can be downloaded for free at the respective websites). Pop-up blocker must be disabled **For optimal results the following is recommended: Internet connection: Cable modem, DSL or better (required for high-quality video) Screen resolution: 1024 x 768

State requirements

A career in this field may require you to meet certain licensing, training, and other requirements that can vary by vocation and state. You should check with your state, local government, and/or licensing board to find out which requirements may be applicable in your state. Click here for contact information on state licensing/regulatory boards and certain professional licensing information.

What You Receive

Lakewood University provides everything you need for the Group Fitness Program. You will receive:

Comprehensive textbooks & study guides
Career search & time management guides
Open-book, online exams
Instructor guidance and unlimited tutoring
Your own Student Success Coach!
Access to our online library!
Networking with Lakewood’s active student and alumni social community

Career Outlook

The employment of fitness trainers and instructors is projected to grow 15 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations.

As businesses, government, and insurance organizations continue to recognize the benefits of health and fitness programs for their employees, incentives to join gyms or other types of health clubs are expected to increase the need for fitness trainers and instructors. For example, some organizations may open their own exercise facilities onsite to promote employee wellness.

Other employment growth will come from the continuing emphasis on exercise to combat obesity and encourage healthier lifestyles for people of all ages. In particular, the baby-boom generation should continue to remain active to help prevent injuries and illnesses associated with aging.

Participation in yoga and Pilates is expected to continue to increase, driven partly by older adults who want low-impact forms of exercise and relief from arthritis and other ailments.

The median annual wage for fitness trainers and instructors was $40,510 in May 2020. The median wage is the wage at which half the workers in an occupation earned more than that amount and half earned less. The lowest 10 percent earned less than $21,640, and the highest 10 percent earned more than $76,550.

In May 2020, the median annual wages for fitness trainers and instructors in the top industries in which they worked were as follows:

Fitness and recreational sports centers	$42,160
Government	40,770
Educational services; state, local, and private	40,570
Civic and social organizations	33,860

Many fitness trainers and instructors work variable or part-time schedules that may include nights, weekends, or holidays. Some travel to different gyms or to clients’ homes to teach classes or conduct personal training sessions. Exercise trainers and group fitness instructors sometimes hold jobs in other fields and conduct training sessions or teach fitness classes at times that accommodate their work schedules.

Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, Fitness Trainers and Instructors, at https://www.bls.gov/ooh/personal-care-and-service/fitness-trainers-and-instructors.htm (visited August 23, 2021).

Program Cost

Payment Plan	Total Tuition	Enroll
Pay in full Payment in full: $7,400.00	Tuition: $7,400.00

Lakewood University provides all textbooks, study guides, supplemental materials, achievement exams, and instructional support at no cost to the student.

This is a 600 clock hour program with a tuition cost of $12.33 per clock hour (600 clock hours X $12.33 per clock hour = $7400.00 in tuition).

Administrative Fees (in addition to the tuition above)

Application Fee- $75 for degree programs; $0 for vocational programs

Registration Fee – $200 for degree programs; $125 for vocational programs

Library Fee – $100 per degree semester; $250 per vocational program term

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