Fitness Instructor

 Position Summary

The YMCA Fitness Instructor is responsible for providing safe, engaging, and effective fitness experiences for members of all ages and abilities. This role promotes healthy lifestyle habits, supports YMCA values, and helps create a welcoming, inclusive environment for everyone in the facility.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

• Leads energizing, fun, safe, and educational group classes, as directed by the supervisor, to accomplish the YMCA mission and goals.
• Asks and answers questions from program participants and members to support them in achieving their goals related to health and well-being.
• Maintains working knowledge of wellness and trends to provide effective information and support to members.
• Instructors are expected to adhere to the scheduled format and description of the class.
• Builds effective, authentic relationships with members; helps members and program participants connect with each other and the YMCA.
• Observes and adjusts approach to support all participants’ capabilities, physical conditions, health, and culture.
• Celebrates achievement of program participants related to program and personal goals, mastery of specific skills, or overall health and well-being.
• Follows YMCA policies and procedures; responds to emergencies.
• Keep an accurate class attendance record.
• Contact the supervisor with any equipment issues.
• Music selection must be appropriate and in line with the YMCA’s position as both a community and family-based organization.
• Performs other duties as assigned.

YMCA COMPETENCIES (Leader):

Mission Advancement: Accepts and demonstrates the Y’s values. Demonstrates a desire to serve others and fulfill community needs. Recruits volunteers and builds effective, supportive working relationships with them. Supports fund-raising.

Collaboration: Works effectively with people of different backgrounds, abilities, opinions, and perceptions. Builds rapport and relates well to others. Seeks first to understand the other person’s point of view, and remains calm in challenging situations. Listens for understanding and meaning; speaks and writes effectively. Takes initiative to assist in developing others.

Operational Effectiveness: Makes sound judgments and transfers learning from one situation to another. Embraces new approaches and discovers ideas to create a better member experience. Establishes goals, clarifies tasks, plans work, and actively participates in meetings. Follows budgeting policies and procedures, and reports all financial irregularities immediately. Strives to meet or exceed goals and deliver a high-value experience for members.

Personal Growth: Pursues self-development that enhances job performance. Demonstrates an openness to change and seeks opportunities in the change process. Accurately assesses personal feelings, strengths, and limitations and how they impact relationships. Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills required to perform well; uses best practices and demonstrates up-to-date knowledge and skills in technology.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

Sufficient strength, agility, and mobility to perform essential functions. Ability to conduct classes and activities and exemplify the designated class modalities. Ability to perform all physical aspects of the position, including leading classes, walking, standing, bending, reaching, and lifting. The ability to move equipment is necessary in many class formats. The ability to follow musical beats is a requirement. In addition, verbal cues are needed to assist members in following along. Instructors must visually identify participants in need of modifications and cue the proper format.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS/QUALIFICATIONS:

• Current required group fitness certification from a nationally recognized organization, such as YMCA Foundations of Group Exercise, AFAA, ACE, IFTA,      NETA, and/or AAAI/ISMA.
• Minimum one year of experience teaching group wellness classes preferred.
• Ability to teach two or more class formats desired.
• Certifications are subject to annual audit.