Become a Group Fitness Instructor

Job Description

The role of the Group Fitness Instructor is to provide members with safe and effective instruction while promoting an inclusive culture which embraces all pursuits of wellness.

Students from all majors are encouraged to apply. This position provides numerous opportunities to gain skills that are beneficial in a variety of professions. No prior instructor experience is required.

Key Instructor Characteristics:  

1.  Empathetic
2.  Passionate
3.  Engaging 

General Duties:

1. Provide class with appropriate music selection to match class type and tempo.
2. Serve as a resource for accurate information related to fitness.
3. Teach and demonstrate the proper use of equipment and exercise technique. 
4. Instruct class through effective warm-up and cool down.
5. Adjust class difficulty with progressions and modifications that will challenge all fitness and ability levels.
6. Provide a welcoming and inclusive environment that is focused around building community and embracing all pursuits of wellness. 

Commitment and Pay:

Expect 2-4 individual classes per semester, with the option to pick up additional classes as a substitute.  Schedules are based on your availability and facility availability. Pay is based on years of experience. Starting pay: $14.50/hour, each consecutive year of experience is an additional $.25/hour.

It is the responsibility of the candidate to acquire and maintain an active certification for their respective class type. 

Spring 26 Semester Dates & Deadlines

• Two day Yoga Certification
  • Date: Saturday March 28th 9am-5pm & Sunday March 29th 9am-3pm
  • Location: Om Yoga Studio
  • Instructor: Tammy Zee
  • Price: $150
  • Register for Certification HERE 
• Friday April 3rd 11:59pm.
  • Employment application due 
  • Four class shadow forms due
• Week of April 6th at the REC
  • Group tryout session (Invitation via email)
• Week of April 13th
  • Employment offers made

Prerequisites

• Experience participating in yoga classes
• Certified Yoga Instructor by application deadline (2 options)
  • Yoga Instructor Certification (two options are available)
    • 200 Hour Certification
      • The gold standard in industry
      • Recommended for those who prefer to teach after graduation
      • Available locally at a discounted rate. Contact Tammy Zee for more information & 50% off.
  • Two day Yoga Instructor Certification
    
    • Offered through Om Yoga Studio or AAAI Certification by Tammy Zee, in person.
    • Specific two day certification option varies by year and current offering can be found under semester dates and deadlines.

How to Apply

• Become certified prior to application deadline.
• Submit an application and four class shadows by the application deadline. Class shadow instructions included within link.
• Receive invite to group tryout session to demo skills.

Group Interview Session

• If selected, you will be invited to schedule a tryout. The tryout consists of the candidate teaching a 20 minute yoga class. Consisting of centering, breath work, three standing poses and 3 seated posses along with options for varying abilities.

Onboarding, Training & Mentoring

• If selected to be hired by Rec Sports, you will need to complete the following paid experiences before you can get on the group fitness schedule for the following semester.
  • Attend new employee orientation
  • Attend 2 classes at community studios and complete a shadow form for each (except if you have 200 hour)
  • Partner teach 4 classes with a fellow Rec Sports instructors 
  • Evaluation meeting with group fitness manager.

Spring 26 Dates & Deadlines

• Zumba Instructor Certification
  • 8-10 hour training through Zumba.com
    • Choose how to take your Instructor Training: Livestream, On-Demand, and In-Person 
  • Price: Varies by promotion - Feb 2026 = $127.50 
  • Register for Certification HERE 
  • Zuma requires a monthly Zin membership when actively teaching classes which is roughly $40/monthly
• Friday April 10th 11:59pm.
  • Employment application due 
  • Four class shadow forms due
• Week of April 13th at the REC
  • Group tryout session (Invitation via email)
• Week of April 20th
  • Employment offers made

Prerequisites

• Experience participating in Zumba classes
• Licensed Zumba Instructor certification (1-day training online or off site)
• No teaching experience necessary

How to Apply

• Submit an application and four class shadows by the application deadline. Class shadow instructions included within link.
• Become certified prior to group tryout session.
• Receive invite to group tryout session to demo skills.
• Receive employment offer if selected

Group Interview Session

• If selected, you will be invited to schedule a tryout. The tryout consists of the candidate leading 3 assigned Zumba songs (10-12 minutes). 

Onboarding, Training & Mentoring

• If selected to be hired by Rec Sports, you will need to complete the following paid experiences before you can get on the group fitness schedule for the following semester.
  • Attend new employee orientation
  • Partner teach 2 classes with fellow Rec Sports instructors 
  • Evaluation meeting with group fitness manager.

Dates & Deadlines

• Not accepting applications at this time

Prerequisites

• Experience participating in cycle classes
• Cycle Instructor Certification (1-day training on site)
  • Certification courses offered through Rec sports 
• No teaching experience necessary

How to Apply

• Become certified prior to application deadline
• Submit an application and four class shadows by the application deadline. Class shadow instructions included within link.
• Receive invite to group tryout session to demo skills.
• Receive employment offer if selected.

Group Interview Session

• If selected, you will be invited to schedule a tryout. The tryout consists of the applicant teaching a 15-minute cycle workout which must include a warm-up, climb, sprint, jumps and a cooldown. You will be evaluated on your cuing, execution and enthusiasm

Onboarding, Training & Mentoring

• If selected to be hired by Rec Sports, you will need to complete the following paid experiences before you can get on the group fitness schedule for the following semester.
  • Attend new employee orientation
  • Partner teach 4 classes with  fellow Rec Sports instructors 
  • Evaluation meeting with group fitness manager.

Dates & Deadlines

• Not accepting applications at this time

HIIT Prerequisites

• Experience participating in HIIT style classes
• Instructor Certification (1-day training on site)
  • Certification courses offered through Rec sports to include either
    • Cross/HIIT/Tabata Certification 
    • Primary Aerobic/ Group Fitness Certification
• No teaching experience necessary

How to Apply

• Submit an application and four class shadows by the application deadline. Class shadow instructions included within link.
• Become certified prior to group tryout session.
• Receive invite to group tryout session to demo skills.
• Receive employment offer if selected

Group Interview Session

• If selected, you will be invited to schedule a tryout. The tryout consists of the applicant teaching for 15-minutes to include warm-up, tabatas and strength/core exercises. You will be evaluated on your cuing, execution and enthusiasm. 

Onboarding, Training & Mentoring

• If selected to be hired by Rec Sports, you will need to complete the following paid experiences before you can get on the group fitness schedule for the following semester.
  • Attend new employee orientation
  • Partner teach 4 classes with  fellow Rec Sports instructors 
  • Evaluation meeting with group fitness manager.

Dates & Deadlines

• Not accepting applications at this time

Pilates Prerequisites

• Experience participating in Pilates style classes
• Instructor Certification (1-day training on site)
  • Certification courses offered through Rec sports 
• No teaching experience necessary

How to Apply

• Submit an application and four class shadows by the application deadline. Class shadow instructions included within link.
• Become certified prior to group tryout session.
• Receive invite to group tryout session to demo skills.
• Receive employment offer if selected

Group Interview Session

• If selected, you will be invited to schedule a tryout. The tryout consists of the applicant teaching a 15-minutes Pilates class which must include extension, flexion, rotation and various exercises. You will be evaluated on your cuing, execut9ion and enthusiasm.

Onboarding, Training & Mentoring

• If selected to be hired by Rec Sports, you will need to complete the following paid experiences before you can get on the group fitness schedule for the following semester.
  • Attend new employee orientation
  • Partner teach 4 classes with  fellow Rec Sports instructors 
  • Evaluation meeting with group fitness manager.