Interested In Joining Our Instructor Team
We are always looking for inspired people to join our Group Fitness Instructor Team. Take a few moments to
browse through this Team Member Toolbox and if you read it through the finish – APPLY TODAY!
FOUR CORE PIRATE FITNESS INSTRUCTOR REQUIRMENTS:
AVAILABILITY – Instructor team members must be available to teach classes during our Prime Times! If
your schedule is flexible, if you are willing to teach on weekends, if you are pretty much available
between 3:00PM and 8:00PM Monday – Thursday, available to teach at noon (at least) two or three
days of the week, we would LOVE to work with you! Availability also refers to your commitment to
attend team training sessions, instructor team meetings, and special events.
CAPABILITY – To keep customers coming back and to continue inspiring customers to live better lives…
our instructors have to be GOOD! Capability refers to the skills good teaching requires.
It takes about a year of regular practice, team teaching, and consistent skill development to acquire the
basics. Freshmen and sophomores willing to work at acquiring the skill sets are in the perfect position to
join our team. Other classifications can apply as long as the commitment and time resources are
available for the rigors of teaching.
VERSATILITTY – ECU instructor team members must embrace the Group Fitness Philosophy versus the
Specialization Philosophy. In other words: we are looking for individuals that have a passion for teaching
and leading exercise in a variety of class formats, styles, and participant levels. Another way to say this
is – we are not interested in “Zumba”, “Step”, “Aqua” or “Pilates” instructors… we are interested in
broad, versatile talent that can teach a wide variety of class formats.
ADAPTABILITY – Our group fitness team members wear a lot of different hats. In addition to teaching a
wide variety of classes, team members need to be able to positively adapt to: coworker & customer
attitudes, fitness & complexity levels, special events & administrative projects, and a wide customer &
coworker maturity spectrum.
WHAT YOU CAN EXPECT:
Time: Initially, becoming an instructor requires a lot of time! You will be practicing, taking A LOT of classes,
making notes, observing classes, networking with other instructors, pursuing certifications, increasing your fitness
and level of physical condition. It’s a remarkable process that will pay huge dividends – you just have to be
extremely committed to the lifestyle of a Health & Fitness Professional.
Cost: There are costs associated with becoming a marketable and sought after Group Fitness Instructor. In
addition to financing certifications, you will need to finance basic teaching tools of the trade: Music, Impeccable
Clothing, Athletic Shoes, Aquatic Footwear/Athletic Swim Suits, and Emergency Response Certifications.
Joining Our Instructor Team – Tool Box by Sam Combs
Pay Rate: This is a really valid issue. Ironically for the purposes of joining the ECU team: if you are worried about
pay – then this is not the team for you to join. Instructors do get paid; however, the expense of starting your
Group Fitness Journey will exceed your pay rate.
Number of Classes Per Week: Instructors are prioritized based on the Four Core Pirate Fitness Instructor
Requirements. The more you bring to the program, the more we will utilize you on the schedule.
Certifications: Adult CPR and First Aid are required by all instructors. AFAA, ACE, ACSM, and NSCA Group Fitness
or Personal Training Certifications are highly recommended but not required to start training as an instructor. A
Les Mills Certificate of Initial Training in one or more of the following programs is required: BODYPUMP®,
BODYVIVE®, BODYATTACK®, and/or BODYSTEP®.
Aqua Fitness Classes: All group fitness instructors with ECU CRW are required to be competent at facilitating
dynamic Aqua Fitness and Tidal Strength pool-based workouts. Yes - this means you!
Les Mills and Zumba Fitness: In order to teach any Les Mills Program including: BODYPUMP®, BODYVIVE®,
BODYATTACK®, or BODYSTEP®, successful credentialing within that program is required. Check the Les Mills
Southeast Website for more information. Zumba Fitness® also requires certification by Zumba Fitness®. Check out
the Zumba USA® website for more information.
Instructor Training: Instructors are required to attend intensive training sessions at the start of each semester.
New instructors will do the vast majority of skill development on his or her own… through networking with current
team members. We have a lot of training tools to help you along the way; however, it will be up to you to use the
tools and do the practice!
*************************************************************************************
*************************************************************************************
How to Apply: Submit an application to Campus Recreation & Wellness. You can also schedule a
meeting with Sam Combs (Assistant Director of Fitness) to further explore how to apply, how to start
training, and what to expect.
Already Have Instructor Experience: If you have already been teaching Group Fitness Classes you can
apply today! Include copies of CPR and First Aid Training Certifications, copies of any Group Fitness
Credentials or Certifications you already possess, and a resume. Submit to the attention of Sam Combs.
Once we receive your information, we will be in touch to schedule an audition/interview.
Becoming a Group Fitness Instructor and joining the ECU Team is an amazing process filled with tons of personal
and professional rewards. If you are inspired by accomplishment, educating others, and achieving high levels of
physical fitness… we would love to hear from you!
Joining Our Instructor Team – Tool Box by Sam Combs
Joining Our Instructor Team – Tool Box by Sam Combs