AFAA test coming up/help??

K

kristieschultz

Cathlete
Hey Cathe,

How are you? I'm a dvd'er and should be getting mine on Monday. I've got my balls waiting(he-he) so I'm all ready to go. I have a couple quick questions. I know you're busy.

I have my AFAA group fitness instructor test coming up in one week(yikes) and I have to do a short presentation on an exercise of my choice. I have to show a beginner, intermediate and advanced version. I was thinking about doing planks. I'm sure I'll get some great ideas off the new dvds. But, just in case, I was thinking about going ahead and doing just regular planks on my elbows, starting with level 1 on the knees and elbows level 2 on the tows and elbows and level 3 on the elbows with one leg raised a couple inches. I know that in circuit max (or maybe its PH I cannot remember) you show the higher plank position(on hands) with the leg raised thing, but I've never seen you do it on the elbows. Is this appropriate for a level 3 position on the elbows do you know? If not, do you have another suggestion for a level 1,2 and 3 type demonstration with planks.

Thanks for making the new workouts, I cannot wait to start doing them. I'm really looking forward to them. Thanks cathe!

PS. My husband is a cop too. I met him when I used to work with him as a dispatcher.

Have a great day!

Kristie Schultz :)
 
Hi Kristie,

Don't fret! That test was super easy. Listen, before you take it, the instructor giving the test goes over everything, I mean everything on the test. She (or he) will demostrate different types of exercises for you before you have to show them yours. You will do it as a group, then you will perform it on your own as well. If my memory serves me correctly, they give you 2 minutes to do the exercise. Cathe's workout's helped me a great deal as well. Not only her combos but her expertise words of advise on form, breathing, lifting etc. If you been doing Cathe's vids for a while, you'll have no problem. The best tip I can give to you is: Have 100% full attention on the person administering the test. What they SAY and DO is ALL on the test. PAY ATTENTION!!!!!!! Don't think you cannot do it. Everything you know in your subconscious will come out! Have faith in yourself. You can and will pass. Remember, it's not a hard test. GOOD LUCK:D
 
Ditto! Candy is so right. Pay attention to the instructors because they'll be throwing test hints at you from the moment the group gathers! If you're familiar with the textbook and you've been working out regularly and do a lot of othere fitness related reading you'll do fine. :) Try to relax, it'll be over before you know it and then you'll wonder why you were so flustered in the first place! :)

I wishing you the best!
 
Oh this is so great, I wish you the best on your test! I am so interested in becoming an aerobics instructor/personal trainer-how did you decide which association you would certify with? Do you have any prior experience in the field or can you just go for it?
I have too many questions and really am interested in a mentor with this career move I am so passionate about.
 
>Hi Kristie,
>
> Don't fret! That test was super easy. Listen, before you
>take it, the instructor giving the test goes over everything,
>I mean everything on the test. She (or he) will demostrate
>different types of exercises for you before you have to show
>them yours. You will do it as a group, then you will perform
>it on your own as well. If my memory serves me correctly, they
>give you 2 minutes to do the exercise. Cathe's workout's
>helped me a great deal as well. Not only her combos but her
>expertise words of advise on form, breathing, lifting etc. If
>you been doing Cathe's vids for a while, you'll have no
>problem. The best tip I can give to you is: Have 100% full
>attention on the person administering the test. What they SAY
>and DO is ALL on the test. PAY ATTENTION!!!!!!! Don't think
>you cannot do it. Everything you know in your subconscious
>will come out! Have faith in yourself. You can and will pass.
>Remember, it's not a hard test. GOOD LUCK:D


Oh good luck!!!! Another tip that my YMCA trainer gave me before I took the AFAA test 6 yrs ago was that during group demonstration, if they see something you goofed on or need work on, when they call you back up individually, they will have you perform that muscle group again. So when I was taking the test, during the group test, the instructor called out Adductors and I thought she said ABductors...I did about 3 leg lifts before I realized my mistake and I corrected it...but they saw it. BUT I knew that when I performed individually that it would be for ABductors so I was prepared! It really wasn't hard.
Barbara P
 
Thanks for your replies. The test went fine. I passed the practical and will have to wait another month or so to get the written results. I think I did fine on that part too.

Roblyn,
I have been teaching body sculpting and a class similar to bodypump for about 3 months now at a small women's gym(linda evans). So, yes I do have a little bit of experience so far. The teaching has been fun and entertaining at the same time. It certainly isn't as easy as I thought it would be. I decided to start out with AFAA because the test has a practical part which I heard is good if you're a new instructor. The written is also supposed to be easier than ACE. It was also pretty cheap. I went through their yearly apex and the certification was only $99, so you can't beat that. Someday, if I stick with teaching, I'll probably go ahead and get certified through ACE, which is supposedly a better certification. Better I guess in the sense that it is more difficult and more professional. But I think that most clubs will hire you with AFAA or ACE. That is my understanding anyway. Good luck and email me at [email protected] if you have any questions.
 
I've been teaching group exercise for 11 years and am now the group exercise director of two gyms (5 years). Of the 17 instructors who teach group exercise, 15 of the instructors are certified by AFAA. I think AFAA and ACE are both very good certifying organizations. I disagree that ACE is more difficult and more professional. When I hire an instructor, I do want them to be certified by either AFAA or ACE. One of the reasons why I like AFAA's certification is the fact that you attend a one-day workshop and you have an oppportunity to ask questions, etc.
 
Thanks for the comparison of AFAA and ACE from a group ex director standpoint. You're right about AFAA. It is nice, especially for someone new, to be able to ask questions at the workshop. The person teaching our workship was very knowledgeable. Gosh, if AFAA and ACE aren't all that different I probably won't ever get certified through ACE. I can't see any reason to at this point. Thanks again!!
 
Hi Kristie! Yes, you can add the element of one leg in the air (while on the knees) for another degree of difficulty. Good luck with your exam. You will do great:)
 
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