AEROBICS FOR INSTRUCTORS
SYLLABUS
Instructor:
Office:
Phone:
E-Mail:
Class Time:
Location:
Credit Hours:
Laura Fonzi, MS
Suite 104 Trees Hall
412.648.9389
lfonzi@pitt.edu
Wednesdays 3:00-4:55pm
Trees Hall Dance Studio
2.0
Course Description:
This course is designed to provide students with the knowledge and practical skills
needed to lead group exercise classes including: Hi-Lo, Step, Kickboxing and Body
Sculpting. Upon completion of this course, the student should feel confident leading his
or her own group exercise class. In addition, this course will prepare students to take a
national group exercise instructor certification written exam and practical, which is
necessary in order to obtain an instructor position in the university or health club
setting.
Course Objectives:
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Appropriately design a group exercise class
Understand the fundamentals of group exercise instruction
o 8-counts, 32 count phrasing, transitions, creating and breaking down
combinations, cueing, etc…
Instruct the components of a group exercise class including: warm-up, aerobic
workout, sculpting and cool-down.
Ability to instruct a variety of group exercise formats
o Hi-Lo, Step, Kickboxing and Body Sculpting
Preparation for national group exercise instructor certification
Grading Criteria:
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Attendance and Participation
Attendance is MANDATORY! This class consists of mostly practical application
and learning and it is imperative that you attend class or you will fall behind.
ATTENDANCE POLICY
1 absence
No penalty
2 absences
1 Letter Grade
3 absences
Failing Grade
1
Assignments:
Attendance and participation
Instructor Critiques
Homework
30 points
50 points (5 points each)
25 points (5 points each)
Exams:
Mid-Term Practical
Final Practical
Total Points
50 points
50 points
205 points
Course Materials:
REQUIRED TEXT: ACSM’s Resources for the Group Exercise Instructor. 2011
Course notes will be accessible on courseweb. It is the responsibility of each student to
print off a copy prior to each class. Copies of notes will not be provided in class. All
handouts that are not posted on courseweb will be given out in class.
Disability Statement:
If you have a disability for which you are or may be requesting an accommodation, you
are encouraged to contact both your instructor and Disability Resources and Services
(DRS), 140 William Pitt Union (412) 648-7890, drsrecep@pitt.edu, (412) 228-5347 for
P3 ALS users, as early as possible in the term. DRS will verify your disability and
determine reasonable accommodations for this course.
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TENTATIVE COURSE OUTLINE
DATE
08.28.13
09.04.14
09.10.14
09.17.14
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09.24.14
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10.01.14
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TOPIC
Class Introductions
Review Syllabus
Introduction to Group Exercise
Group Exercise Class Design
Hi-Lo and Kickboxing Demonstration
Group Exercise Fundamentals - Hi-Lo and
Kickboxing
o Creating and breaking down combos,
choreography
Designing a warm-up
Practicing the warm-up
Group Exercise Fundamentals – Hi-Lo and
Kickboxing cont…
Student Demonstrations – Warm-up
Cueing for warm-up
Practice Hi-Lo or Kickboxing with cueing
10.08.14
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Student Demonstrations – Warm-up and HiLo with cueing
Evaluation
Conflict Resolution
Group Exercise Fundamentals – Cool-Down,
Abs and Stretching
Practice
PRACTICE FOR MIDTERM
10.15.14
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MIDTERM EXAM – Practical and Written
10.22.14
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10.29.14
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Step Aerobics Demonstration
Design and Practice Warm—up and 1 Step
Pattern
Special Conditions
Student Demonstration – Step Aerobics
Evaluation
Sculpting Demonstration
Aerobic Fundamentals – Resistance Exercises
Practice Resistance Exercises
Student Demonstration – Resistance Exercises
11.05.14
11.12.14
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Assignment/HW
Chapter 1
Chapter 3
DUE: Critique 1
Chapter 4
DUE: Critique 2
Chapter 5
Cueing Handouts
DUE: HW 1
Critique 3
DUE: Critique 4
Chapters 6 & 7
DUE: Critique 5
DUE: Critique 6
DUE: HW 2
DUE: Critique 7
DUE: Written
Breakdown
DUE: HW 3
Lecture 6 Notes
DUE: HW 4
Critique 8
DUE: HW 5
11.19.14
11.26.14
12.03.14
12.10.14
 Evaluation
 Practice for Final Exam
 Legal Considerations
 Practice all Skills for Final Exam
No Class – Thanksgiving Break
FINAL EXAM
FINAL EXAM
Chapter 10
DUE: Critique 9
DUE: Critique 10
HW 1: Hi-Lo Warm-Up with breakdown
HW 2: Hi-Lo Warm-Up and 1st pattern with breakdown AND Kickboxing Warm-Up with
breakdown
Written Practical Midterm: Hi-Lo warm-up, 4 patterns, and cool-down for Hi-Lo
Kickboxing warm-up, 4 patterns, and cool-down
HW 3: Step Warm-Up with breakdown
HW 4: Step Warm-Up and 1st pattern with breakdown
HW 5: Full Body Resistance Training Workout with warm-up, around 45 minutes of
resistance training, and cool-down
Written Practical Final: Step Warm-up, 4 patterns, and cool-down
60 minute interval (bootcamp style) workout
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