When i started working in the fitness industry about 11 years ago (around 2016), all i know is that qualificed instructors have to be certified in areas that encompass knowledge in at least these 2 areas: Exercise Physiology and Human Anatomy (and also the usual First Aid CPR certification). Exercise Physiology and Human Anatomy are very important knowledge for all Fitness Professionals. They cover the knowledge on human body movement so as to ensure exercise in proper safe technique and also to understand the body's physiological response to exercise and the effects. It is the same also for instructors teaching group fitness aerobics classes; Exercise Physiology and Human Anatomy knowledge is a must, not just learning how to count music beats.
Fast forward about ten years later, you are now faced with a variety of Group Exercise Fitness Aerobics labels and brands... I am tempted to name a few brands here, but due to some sensitivity (especially some of my friends are instrcutors of these brands), i shall not name them. But just make a visit to any community centres, or Public sports centres, you will find that there are many types of fitness brands classes available for any interested exercise participant to join. (Take note i use the word 'Brand', because they are classes that are either belonging to a certain trademark or license program). Even i myself am a certified instructor in one of these 'Brand' of Group Fitness Workout, simply because they are getting very popular than common freestyle group fitness workouts.
You will be in for a surprise if i were to share with you that many of these new trendy Group fitness workout brands, the focus is only for the instructor to teach their own brand of workout well and follow their own guidelines, but however do not put major emphasis (or do not even teach) Exercise Physiology and Human Anatomy. And it is also easy for anyone who wants to be an instructor; you do not need to have any other certification or exercise science knowledge in order to attend the course and become an instructor.
This means that in the current market of Group Fitness instructors, not all are equipped with the proper knowledge in Exercise Physiology and Human anatomy. And this is going to be something worrying for the exercise participants. Cos i have come across many instances of these 'no knowledge instructors' embracing the wrong concepts or even to the extent of giving wrong fitness advice. Can you imagine if someone were to tell you 'Go use the abs machine to workout the abs so that you can see define six packs' (by the way this is super wrong misleading advice).
Below are some of the wrong (and dangerous) situations that i havecome across:
- 'No Knowledge Instructor' showing a very creative dance move that involves rotating the lower limbs in a circular movement and at the same time perforiming a squat (Ouch! i can hear my knees crying).
- 'No Knowledge Instructor' tell exercise particpant to squeeze out more reps for that abdominal crunch or stay longer for the plank, and soon you will have nice 6 packs.
- 'No Knowledge Instructor' perform a high intensity dance fitness aerobics workout in a park, where the ground is hard granite road surface. The dance fitness workout involves many sudden foot twist and turning moves, high impact movements.
Exercise should be healthy and benefit the body to become stronger. But if the instructor does not have basic Exercise Science knowledge, it is definitely worrying. Wouldn't you agree with me that the best and safest bet is to check if your current instructor holds at least certain Exercise Science Qualifications to play safe?
Btw, in case if you want to know my credentials, i shall present you below:
- Basic Exercise Course (Singapore Sports Council)
- Certified Fitness Instructor (Singapore Sports Council)
- Certified Aerobics Instructor (Singapore Sports Council)
- Certified Sports Massage Therapist (Sports Medicine Australia)
- Certified in Dual Zone Myofascial Release Technique (Functional Training Institute)
..and also: First Aid and CPR AED
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