Group Exercise

Group Exercise Fundamentals

This is the first step in obtaining the Group Exercise Certification. This 12-hour course covers a variety of topics specific to leading group exercise classes. These include: leadership, legal responsibility and accountability, class components, music, movement and cueing, program design, safety, leadership and exercise analysis.

This course must be combined with at least one specialty course. Group Exercise Fundamentals and specialty courses may be taken separately or as a combined offering.

Please note the following: Exercise Theory is a prerequisite for this course. Full attendance is mandatory for proper training and education. This module is active. Come prepared to exercise.

Group Exercise Specialty Courses

Leaders must complete one or more Group Exercise Specialty Courses to fulfill the requirements of the Group Exercise Certification:

1)  Total Body Conditioning (8 hours) This practical based course includes use of portable equipment combined with cardio classes such as Bootcamp, Circuit Training, HIIT and Muscle Sculpt. *May include use of, but not limited to the following: free weights, body bars/barbells, stability balls, tubing/resist-a-bands, BOSU, and medicine balls

2)  Step & Choreography (8 hours) This practical based course specific information for planning and developing choreography and step based classes. Content includes class structure and content, planning, class components, designing combinations, use of music, leadership and choreography; movement combinations using 32 count phrasing, instruction and cueing. May include, but not limited to high, low, moderate impact, combination, dance-based classes, step, cardio kickboxing.

3)  Group Cycle (8 hours) This practical based course includes bike set-up and safety, pedaling, cadence, posture, class structure and content, music, leadership and choreography design; movement combinations, cardiovascular conditioning and cueing.

4)  Fitness Yoga – Design safe and effective yoga including breathing techniques, strength and overall fitness. The Fitness Yoga will be granted upon completion of an approved yoga teacher training course.

Specialty Designations

Once you have completed Group Exercise or Aquatic Exercise Certifications, an SPRA fitness leader can add to their certification with the following speciality designations.

Pre/Post Natal Fitness
Based on evidence and new research, the SPRA Pre & Postnatal Exercise 6-hour certification course includes exercise considerations, contraindications, and foundational information to support you to safely lead pregnant and postnatal women in your classes. Learn the specific changes to the mother’s body as it relates to her participation in exercise and fitness classes.

Children & Youth Fitness
This course provides developmentally appropriate knowledge, skills and tools, including physical literacy and fundamental movements skills so you can design a safe and effective activity program for children and youth. This course is run by our FLC provincial partner, Manitoba Fitness Council. More information and registration can be found here.

Performance Standard

Fitness Leadership Canada sets out the Performance Standards for each of the module areas.  SPRA will implement these standards through the modules that we offer and ensure that fitness delivery meets the highest standards in the industry. 

Follow the links below to access the current standard:

• Group Exercise Performance Standard