CFES Group Fitness Instructor Certification Course

Are you passionate about fitness and motivated to inspire others on their wellness journey? The CFES Group Fitness Instructor Certification Course is your pathway to becoming a skilled and certified group fitness leader, recognized and respected in Canada’s dynamic fitness industry.

This course teaches you the foundation knowledge and instructor skills to successfully complete CFES Group Fitness Instructor certification — enabling you to program and lead basic group fitness classes

CFES Group Fitness Instructor Course Content

In this course you will learn:

To program plan for all class sections and fitness levels for group exercise classes.
How to create a safe and caring atmosphere.
Stabilization ball, step, free weights exercise ideas and techniques.
Cueing and working with music.
Use of space and group formations and choreography skills.
How to teach low/high impact group exercise aerobics classes and use equipment.
Communication skills and professional ethics.
Students will be given ample teaching opportunities within the course and practicums.

Prerequisite: CFES Fitness Knowledge Course or equivalency

Course Resources

Find a course near you
For course locations, dates and times click the hyperlink to get to our Group Fitness Instructor Course Calendar. To register for classroom courses contact the course provider near you.

CFES Group Fitness Instructor Certification Requirements

Successfully complete following CFES program steps or present an equivalent.*
1    CFES Fitness Knowledge Classroom or Home Study Course (30+ hours);*
2    Group Fitness Instructor Classroom Course (24+ hours);*
3.   Group Fitness Instructor Practicum or Mentorship Program (12-20+ hours);*
4.   Group Fitness Instructor Skills Assessment (in practicum or one to one)*;
5.   Group Fitness Instructor Certification Exam (80% +, 75-minute, closed book, proctored)*;
6.   Maintain current CPR-A minimum and Emergency or Standard First Aid certificates;
7.   Maintain annual liability insurance;
8.   Submit to CFES: Certification or cross-transfer application form, collateral documents, certification fee;
9.   Receive CFES Group Fitness Instructor certification.

* CFES Group Fitness Instructor certification fees:

Pass CFES Group Fitness Instructor course, practicum program, certification closed book exam and instructor skills assessment requirements and submit Certification Application Form and collateral documents
$120.00 (exam and first year certification fee) + $6.00 (GST) = $126.00
* additional skills assessment fees paid to Educator/Skills Assessment Evaluator
+ Prices subject to changes.

Note: Practicum Program Alternative Choices for Instructor: Students unable to attend a practicum program are required to work with a CFES recognized Leadership Mentor (LM) in their community at a facility offering this service. When there is no CFES LM in your community, discuss and agree with your educator how you will meet requirements for this practicum experience component of certification.

When your skills and confidence are apparent it is time to book your Group Fitness Instructor Skills Assessment with a CFES Educator or Skills Assessment Evaluator [SAE].

CFES Group Fitness Instructor Course How It Works video

CFES Group Fitness Instructor Recertification Requirements

Candidates are to successfully complete the following steps or present an equivalent*:
1.    Attend eight (8) hours CFES recognized workshops, seminars or conferences* (in-class or online);
2.     Submit twelve (12) verified Group Fitness instructional hours per certification*;
3.     Maintain CPR; First Aid and annual liability insurance;
4.     Submit to CFES: Recertification Application form and collateral documents; and recertification fee
5.    Receive CFES Instructor Recertification (electronically).

Annual CFES Group Fitness Instructor recertification fee
One year renewal: $70.00 + $3.50 (GST) = $73.50
Two year renewal: $140.00 + $7.00 (GST) = $147.00
+ Prices subject to changes.

Provincial and National Recognitions

CFES Fitness Leadership Program Modules: A Path to Certification in Aquafit, Group Fitness, Weight Training, and Personal Training
The CFES Fitness Leadership Program features comprehensive modules designed to guide candidates through the steps in Aquafit, Group Fitness and Weight Training Instructor, and Personal Trainer certification.

The Prerequisite: CFES Fitness Knowledge Course
The initial step in pursuing certification as a fitness instructor or personal trainer is completing the CFES Fitness Knowledge Course. This 24+ hour course covers anatomy, physiology, the skeletal and muscular systems, human movement principles, training principles and program planning, cardiorespiratory fitness, flexibility, active living, nutrition, body weight management, and exercise safety.

Choose Your Learning Path: Home Study or Classroom-Based
The Fitness Knowledge Course is flexible and caters to various learning preferences, offering both home study and classroom-based options. The home study version combines the traditional materials with online e-learning, allowing students to learn at their own pace. It includes a comprehensive resource manual, student program work booklet/study guide, online supplemental courseware, toll-free phone and email tutor support, and marking of the end-of-course open book exam.

Students typically spend 30 to 50 hours completing this module, and there’s no need to write an additional fitness theory exam unless registering with a provincial body.

Becoming a certified CFES Fitness Instructor
To become a full-fledged CFES fitness instructor, candidates must complete a 24+ hour classroom theory and on-the-floor/in-the-water practical training certification course. This is followed by an end-of-course open book completion exam, an 8-20 hour practicum, a 75-minute closed book proctored certification exam, and a 90-minute instructor practical skills assessment. Passing grade is 80%. Instructors are required to maintain CPR and First Aid certifications and obtain liability insurance if necessary.

Path to Personal Trainer Certification
Candidates seeking Personal Trainer certification first need to successfully complete the Weight Training Instructor certification (or equivalency) and then progress to the Personal Trainer course. The PT course consists of 40+ hours of classroom and practical teaching, along with a course completion open book exam, a 12-20-hour practicum, a closed book proctored certification exam, and a practical skills assessment. Passing grade is 80%. Like instructors, PTs must maintain CPR and First Aid certification and obtain liability insurance.

CFES: Recognized and Accredited
CFES is a recognized national certification body and an IDEA Fitness Connect Certification Verification Partner. Additionally, CFES resources are recognized by various specialized fitness leadership agencies, including CALA, CPTN, Canfitpro, and FLC, among others. The CFES Fitness Knowledge Course is also approved by the Massage Therapist Associations of Saskatchewan for Continuing Education/Professional Development credits.

Integration in Educational Programs
CFES certification courses are offered on a semester-by-semester basis through a variety of private fitness education training companies, civic recreation departments and independent Educators. Our programs are also integrated within college continued education and health and fitness diploma programs, and as an addendum to university health and exercise sciences curriculum for job-ready graduation credentialing. CFES resources are also recognized by the BC Ministry of Education and Alberta Education and utilized in individual Ontario Board Authorized high school physical education credit courses grades 9 to 12 students. The CFES Fitness Knowledge Course is listed in both the BC Min. of  Ed’s Integrated Resource Package and highlighted in their Grade Collection for meeting the most learning outcomes for PE 10/12 students and on Education Alberta’s Learning Centre.