Chapter 1 - The Group Fitness Industry Flashcards
History & Evolution of Fitness
- has been developing & changing since the 1950s
- male dominated health clubs eventually started first group fitness classes (aerobics)
- Group fitness becomes popular in the late 1960s/early 1970s - aerobic-based dance classes emerge
- when other forms of group exercise (like cycling & pilates) were introduced in the 1990s, the term group fitness replaced aerobics, since dance skills weren’t required in these classes.
History of AFAA
- AFAA was formed in 1983 as the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America. It was later renamed the Athletics and Fitness Association of America.
- AFAA employed professionals such as exercise physiologists, physical educators, sports medicine experts, physical therapists and fitness professionals to compile the first ever exercise standards and guidelines for group fitness instructors.
- AFAA addresses the needs of fitness instructors to help them plan safe and effective fitness classes. It issues certifications in 73 countries.
AFAA 5 Questions
- What is the purpose of the exercise (purpose)?
- Are you doing the exercise effectively (effective)?
- Does the exercise create any safety concerns (safety)?
- Can you maintain proper alignment and form for the duration of the exercise (accuracy)?
- For whom is this exercise appropriate or inappropriate (participants)?
Key Changes in Group Fitness
- Participant centered focus (helps class members reach goals they’re working toward; encourages participants to be independent)
- Emphasis on functional movement (providing knowledge and methods to improve communication between nervous & musculoskeletal systems to develop efficient & pain free movement.
- Specific formats: kickboxing, cycling, yoga, dance, boot camp, resistance training, etc.
- Movement prep: instead of a general warm up of the body, specific movements and required range of motion are used to cater a warm up that better prepares participants the main body of workout. Also includes common movement impairments & corrective flexibility to reduce risk of injury.
Health Benefits of Fitness
- increased bone density
- improved cardiorespiratory efficiency
- increased metabolic efficiency (metabolism)
- elevated mood
- reduced pain
- better sleep
- decreased body fat & decreased risk of some chronic diseases
- increased lean body mass (muscle)
- increased energy
Scope of Practice
What an instructor can legally and eithically do in their professional practice -prepare and deliver effective class content
- avoid diagnosing and prescribing
- refer individuals to properly trained professionals (like doctors or nutritionists)
Three common group fitness methods
- Pre-choreographed: components of class are created by a single person, business or organization with a connecting theme, brand, & experience in mind
- Pre-designed: provides a class template for overall class direction; allows instructors control over other aspects of the class.
- Freestyle: instructor has complete control over class content, music, and other aspects of class.
Group Fitness Formats
- Strength & Resistance
- HIIT & Interval
- Boot camp (military style presentation)
- Mind-Body (yoga, pilates, Tai Chi, etc.)
- Cycling
- Speciality Formats (dance, aquatics, aging adults, equipment driven, hybrid, etc.)
Obesity
Being considerably overweight; BMI of 30 or more, or being 30 lbs. over the recommended weight for their height
Musculoskeletal System
Combined, interworking system of all muscles & bones in the body
Deconditioned
A state of lost physical fitness (can included reduced cardio capacity, muscle imbalances, loss of flexibility, lack of core or joint stability).
Muscle Imbalance
change of muscle length surrounding a joint
Career Instructor
Instructor who works full time (or most of the day) teaching, researching, and promoting fitness activities.
Hobby Instructor
Part time instructor who juggles a teaching job along with other comittments
Modality
A form of exercise that presents a specific stress to the body
