I just posted under ask Cathe, but I figured Id post here too. Ive been working out at home for a while and have been using Cathe's tape for almost a year now (wow, I just realized its been that long, happy Catheaversary to me!) like all of you, it is a passion of mine and, my fear of failure set aside, would love to become an aerobics instructor. Here's my problem: I have no teaching experience. I went on the AFAA website and their primary certification course requires group teaching experience. so, where do I begin??? I need a basic teaching course. I am an RN, so I have a strong medical background, (not that that matters at all, but I thought Id mention it) I know there are a lot of instructors on this site, so I though Id ask all you experts out there!! Please help me realize a long suppressd dream!! Judym
instructor wannabe....
- Thread starter judym64
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kimroberts
Cathlete
Judy,
The AFAA literature may say that you need teaching experience, however, how do you get teaching experience with out a certification. Which came first, the chicken or the egg?
I was the most regular attender at my gym, always there and always on the front row. Our teacher used extremely choreographed routines in the verse/chorus/bridge method. So they were very easy to memorize. Eventually, she was sick and no one else could sub for her, and since I had it memorized anyway, why not? That led to my being a regular sub. Where I began, my gym had it's own certification that was much harder than AFAA, in my opinion. Then when I decided to branch out, I took AFAA. At my certification I was practically the ONLY one with teaching experience. Call them up and register for a primary certification. I'll bet they won't turn you down.
The AFAA literature may say that you need teaching experience, however, how do you get teaching experience with out a certification. Which came first, the chicken or the egg?
I was the most regular attender at my gym, always there and always on the front row. Our teacher used extremely choreographed routines in the verse/chorus/bridge method. So they were very easy to memorize. Eventually, she was sick and no one else could sub for her, and since I had it memorized anyway, why not? That led to my being a regular sub. Where I began, my gym had it's own certification that was much harder than AFAA, in my opinion. Then when I decided to branch out, I took AFAA. At my certification I was practically the ONLY one with teaching experience. Call them up and register for a primary certification. I'll bet they won't turn you down.
kimroberts
Cathlete
The AFAA primary cert just barely discusses cueing. The written exam has about 100 questions, all multiple choice or T/F. A few of them are tricky, I guess those are the ones to try to weed out the bimbos. But most of the class was dedicated to your practical exam, where you actually have to perform a condensed version of a hi-lo class. You had about 4 minutes to show a warm-up and pre-stretch. We only stretched one side of the body for time's sake. Then you had about 5-8 minutes where you went into your full-blown cardio, starting slow and low, building to fast and hi, then back down to slow and low. Then the examiner would say a specific body part and you would have to show at least 2 exercises for the bodypart, in different postures (ie sitting, standing, prone). The only actual cueing you were tested on is they assign you a bodypart and you have to get up in front of everyone there, introduce yourself, tell what bodypart you're going to work, and talk the other participants through that exercise safely and accurately.
The AFAA Primary certification class does not put a lot of emphasis on cueing. That seems to vary a lot depending on your personal style. There are some specific do's and don'ts like count down from 8 rather than up to 8. Then when you get down to where you're going to say "2 and 1", instead say the next move. Use hand signals, etc. I've seen workshops that deal with cueing. If you feel that's the area you need help in, I would take a workshop in that first, then take that info home and practice out loud in your living room. A workshop does not have a test at the end and they are usually very flexible in who they let come--the dollar rules! You just get a certificate saying that you were there, and you'll probably be able to use that as some of your Continuing Ed credits to renew your AFAA certification.
The verse/chorus/bridge method is like this. During the verse of a song, you repeat a move or a series over and over. When the chorus comes, you repeat another move or series of moves over and over. Go back to the verse, then to the chorus, etc. Then a different one for the bridge. This method is not the best in my opinion because the moves and the music are always the same and you have to have it memorized. It works best for people who are very methodical.
I personally teach in 32-count or 64-count phrases that I link together. The music is irrelevant as long as the beat is good. I keep a ton of combos (200-300) typed out in a notebook and I just pick out about 8-10 for a class and link them together. That way, all you have to think about is "where am I standing at the start of the combo, and where am I standing at the end of the combo" and make sure the next combo starts where you are standing. Is that as clear as mud??????
The AFAA Primary certification class does not put a lot of emphasis on cueing. That seems to vary a lot depending on your personal style. There are some specific do's and don'ts like count down from 8 rather than up to 8. Then when you get down to where you're going to say "2 and 1", instead say the next move. Use hand signals, etc. I've seen workshops that deal with cueing. If you feel that's the area you need help in, I would take a workshop in that first, then take that info home and practice out loud in your living room. A workshop does not have a test at the end and they are usually very flexible in who they let come--the dollar rules! You just get a certificate saying that you were there, and you'll probably be able to use that as some of your Continuing Ed credits to renew your AFAA certification.
The verse/chorus/bridge method is like this. During the verse of a song, you repeat a move or a series over and over. When the chorus comes, you repeat another move or series of moves over and over. Go back to the verse, then to the chorus, etc. Then a different one for the bridge. This method is not the best in my opinion because the moves and the music are always the same and you have to have it memorized. It works best for people who are very methodical.
I personally teach in 32-count or 64-count phrases that I link together. The music is irrelevant as long as the beat is good. I keep a ton of combos (200-300) typed out in a notebook and I just pick out about 8-10 for a class and link them together. That way, all you have to think about is "where am I standing at the start of the combo, and where am I standing at the end of the combo" and make sure the next combo starts where you are standing. Is that as clear as mud??????
Hi Kim.
I too am an instuctor. Just out of curiousity, and if you don't mind of course, could you tell me where you get all of your choreography from? You mentioned that you keep a notebook, as do I, with 200-300 combinations in it. So where does it all come from? I caught a lot of grief in the Ask Cathe forum for mentioning that I taught her Rhythmic Step workout today. I also have a lot of my own stuff which I mix up with choreography from other instructors. (pros and not so pros, hee! hee!) Let me know, if you don't mine.
Thanks,
Seasun
I too am an instuctor. Just out of curiousity, and if you don't mind of course, could you tell me where you get all of your choreography from? You mentioned that you keep a notebook, as do I, with 200-300 combinations in it. So where does it all come from? I caught a lot of grief in the Ask Cathe forum for mentioning that I taught her Rhythmic Step workout today. I also have a lot of my own stuff which I mix up with choreography from other instructors. (pros and not so pros, hee! hee!) Let me know, if you don't mine.
Thanks,
Seasun
Hi Kim.
I too am an instuctor. Just out of curiousity, and if you don't mind of course, could you tell me where you get all of your choreography from? You mentioned that you keep a notebook, as do I, with 200-300 combinations in it. So where does it all come from? I caught a lot of grief in the Ask Cathe forum for mentioning that I taught her Rhythmic Step workout today. I also have a lot of my own stuff which I mix up with choreography from other instructors. (pros and not so pros, hee! hee!) Let me know, if you don't mine.
Thanks,
Seasun
I too am an instuctor. Just out of curiousity, and if you don't mind of course, could you tell me where you get all of your choreography from? You mentioned that you keep a notebook, as do I, with 200-300 combinations in it. So where does it all come from? I caught a lot of grief in the Ask Cathe forum for mentioning that I taught her Rhythmic Step workout today. I also have a lot of my own stuff which I mix up with choreography from other instructors. (pros and not so pros, hee! hee!) Let me know, if you don't mine.
Thanks,
Seasun
Sandi S
Cathlete
Seasun,
I can't help with your choreography question but wanted to comment on your grief from the Ask Cathe forum. First, I think it's amazing that you could do all of Rhythmic Step AND also teach a class of it so quickly after getting the tape. I'm still struggling with the choreography. The other person on the Ask Cathe forum was trying to defend Cathe and you were paying Cathe the ultimate compliment. You're both very considerate in your respect for Cathe.
Sandi
I can't help with your choreography question but wanted to comment on your grief from the Ask Cathe forum. First, I think it's amazing that you could do all of Rhythmic Step AND also teach a class of it so quickly after getting the tape. I'm still struggling with the choreography. The other person on the Ask Cathe forum was trying to defend Cathe and you were paying Cathe the ultimate compliment. You're both very considerate in your respect for Cathe.
Sandi
kimroberts
Cathlete
I'm sorry to hear that you were fussed at for using Cathe's combos. Didn't someone say, "Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery." Every human in the world is just a composite of all the things they have seen and heard. Exposure to Cathe's videos has made me a better instructor, however my classes--where I work now--are made up of older women and they couldn't begin to follow some of her stuff.
I've been teaching 12 years. At first, I did it the hard way. Every Sunday afternoon I would be in my rec room with my step and a pencil and I would be stepping to come up with that week's moves. I would use the same combos for a week. I wrote it all down. My friends tell my that I should have been a dancer. I did this for about six months until I went dry, "steppers block." Then I discovered www.turnstep.com and www.vitasvibe.com. Both are message boards similar to this one, however the each have a separate place for instructors to share choreography---FREE. Turnstep has THOUSANDS. But now, you do have to read through a lot to find what you're looking for. Then when you find something you kinda like, there will always be that one step that you'd want to change that makes it more your style. The patterns are categorized by step, hi-lo, boxaerobics, aqua. Vitasvibe doesn't have as many, but they seem to be better quality. Turnstep gets a lot of the same thing posted by new instructors over and over. Try them. They'll change the way you write your next combo.
If you use a pattern, be sure to post a pattern as "payback." That's what keeps these message boards alive.
I've been teaching 12 years. At first, I did it the hard way. Every Sunday afternoon I would be in my rec room with my step and a pencil and I would be stepping to come up with that week's moves. I would use the same combos for a week. I wrote it all down. My friends tell my that I should have been a dancer. I did this for about six months until I went dry, "steppers block." Then I discovered www.turnstep.com and www.vitasvibe.com. Both are message boards similar to this one, however the each have a separate place for instructors to share choreography---FREE. Turnstep has THOUSANDS. But now, you do have to read through a lot to find what you're looking for. Then when you find something you kinda like, there will always be that one step that you'd want to change that makes it more your style. The patterns are categorized by step, hi-lo, boxaerobics, aqua. Vitasvibe doesn't have as many, but they seem to be better quality. Turnstep gets a lot of the same thing posted by new instructors over and over. Try them. They'll change the way you write your next combo.
If you use a pattern, be sure to post a pattern as "payback." That's what keeps these message boards alive.
Hi Kim,
That's a lot of great info, thanks for sharing it. I have a couple of questions if you don't mind. What if I just don't do hi/lo and would rather be tested on step instead? I think a lot of people specialize in kickbox and that's all they're interested in teaching, what about them?
I think I've seen the AFAA study book once and it was huge! I had gotten a NDEITA (http://www.ndeita.com) certification several years back and the book was quite small in comparison. NDEITA is supposed to be one of the better certifiers for beginning instructors (last I knew anyway) but I'm thinking it was more of an education for me than a preparation to teach people. Well, lots of NDEITA graduates go on to become great instructors and get other certs but I'm glad I did the NDEITA thing just because it really helped me feel like I knew what I was doing. I learned a lot and almost kind of feel like part of the industry, except that I never really tried teaching much. I feel like I'd be a better personal trainer than a group fitness instructor because my cuing skills would be what holds me back, even though I'm very knowledgable about fitness and working out. I only think fast on my feet if someone else is teaching!
That verse/chorus/bridge methed sounds kind of funny to me. I knew what you meant as far as song composition is concerned but it's the first time I've heard of teaching that way. Seems like that would be condusive to having to split combos before balance is achieved, so to say. Anyway, I think 32/64 is really the way to go.
Thanks again for your insights Kim. I always enjoy reading your posts
.
That's a lot of great info, thanks for sharing it. I have a couple of questions if you don't mind. What if I just don't do hi/lo and would rather be tested on step instead? I think a lot of people specialize in kickbox and that's all they're interested in teaching, what about them?
I think I've seen the AFAA study book once and it was huge! I had gotten a NDEITA (http://www.ndeita.com) certification several years back and the book was quite small in comparison. NDEITA is supposed to be one of the better certifiers for beginning instructors (last I knew anyway) but I'm thinking it was more of an education for me than a preparation to teach people. Well, lots of NDEITA graduates go on to become great instructors and get other certs but I'm glad I did the NDEITA thing just because it really helped me feel like I knew what I was doing. I learned a lot and almost kind of feel like part of the industry, except that I never really tried teaching much. I feel like I'd be a better personal trainer than a group fitness instructor because my cuing skills would be what holds me back, even though I'm very knowledgable about fitness and working out. I only think fast on my feet if someone else is teaching!
That verse/chorus/bridge methed sounds kind of funny to me. I knew what you meant as far as song composition is concerned but it's the first time I've heard of teaching that way. Seems like that would be condusive to having to split combos before balance is achieved, so to say. Anyway, I think 32/64 is really the way to go.
Thanks again for your insights Kim. I always enjoy reading your posts
.kimroberts
Cathlete
If there's an AFAA presenter looking at this, please correct me if I'm wrong . . . .
But "step" and "kickbox" are considered specialty certifications with AFAA. They ask that you get the primary certification first. My primary certification was held in a hotel conference room, not a gym. There were no steps available. Unless the literature has changed, they are expecting "floor" choreography. Now, they are very allowing for style/personality influences. If 32-count combos aren't your style, drill style would be just fine for the certification so long as you go with the "bell curve" of starting slow/low, moving to high/fast, and then back to slow/low. I basically did an add-on kinda thing where I started with marching forward/back, then I added on some side steps then I added on some heel digs, etc. Then when it was about the mid-point, I threw in some jumping jacks and lunging side to side. Then as we were cooling down, I went back to the marching, and side steps. Then eventually back down to just marching. They do NOT expect it to be fancy. You should work with the KISS method, "keep it simple stupid." Do just enough to satisfy the requirements, not one thing more. If you try something fancy and mess up, you could blow your certification.
Although I've never been pleased with the customer service that the AFAA office provides (another thread, very long), they are the only certification that I'm aware of that requires a demonstration. I think that's much more important than answering questions on a piece of paper. You have to be able to show your classes correct form and fix their mistakes or somebody could get hurt.
But "step" and "kickbox" are considered specialty certifications with AFAA. They ask that you get the primary certification first. My primary certification was held in a hotel conference room, not a gym. There were no steps available. Unless the literature has changed, they are expecting "floor" choreography. Now, they are very allowing for style/personality influences. If 32-count combos aren't your style, drill style would be just fine for the certification so long as you go with the "bell curve" of starting slow/low, moving to high/fast, and then back to slow/low. I basically did an add-on kinda thing where I started with marching forward/back, then I added on some side steps then I added on some heel digs, etc. Then when it was about the mid-point, I threw in some jumping jacks and lunging side to side. Then as we were cooling down, I went back to the marching, and side steps. Then eventually back down to just marching. They do NOT expect it to be fancy. You should work with the KISS method, "keep it simple stupid." Do just enough to satisfy the requirements, not one thing more. If you try something fancy and mess up, you could blow your certification.
Although I've never been pleased with the customer service that the AFAA office provides (another thread, very long), they are the only certification that I'm aware of that requires a demonstration. I think that's much more important than answering questions on a piece of paper. You have to be able to show your classes correct form and fix their mistakes or somebody could get hurt.
Check out AAAI/ISMA too. They aren't quite as recognized as AFAA but they are an acceptable certification at most gyms and are a lot less expensive. Go to www.aaai-ismafitness.com to get more info. I have held several AAAI certs over the years and have yet to have a problem. They too, hold a lot of conferences with some great presenters. I actually saw Cathe at one a few years ago in Atlantic City, New Jersey. She was not one of the presenters but was just hanging out I guess. (She is adorable in person, by the way.) Hope this may be of some help to you.
Seasun
Seasun
Stebby
Cathlete
Judy, I don't know whether you're interested in this, but another option for you might be to get certified by ACE before AFAA. ACE doesn't require prior teaching experience. You can take any preparation courses you think would help, or do your own self study, do the exam, then volunteer your services at college, church or community fitness classes (perhaps you could offer to sub in for instructors who are sick or otherwise can't teach their classes). The ACE website is http://www.acefitness.org . At a later date, you could go for the AFAA.
thanks, Stebby. I have been on the ACE website, but I was rushed so I will check it out again. All of you are so helpful and supportive, I really appreciate it. Im begining to ask around, and maybe this morning will fool around with putting a mini routine together, after a Cathe workout, of course.