Methods of Group Exercise Instruction

About the Product

Completely revised, Methods of Group Exercise Instruction, Second Edition, highlights the commonalities of a variety of group exercise formats through common training principles, correction techniques, and safety.

Comprehensive, practical, and research based, this text features applied learning through practical mini-teaching assignments that are referenced with demonstrations found on the DVD. Teaching techniques convey appropriate training for each muscle group and methods for warm-up, cardiorespiratory training, muscular conditioning, and flexibility. In addition, starter routines, modification strategies, and assessments are presented for eight class formats: hi/low impact, step training, kickboxing, sport conditioning, stationary indoor cycling, water exercise, yoga, and mat-based Pilates.

Merging both text and video, the second edition is an in-depth and practical resource for beginning and preprofessional group exercise instructors working to improve their teaching skills and confidence. New to this second edition are the following features:

• Three chapters discussing popular group exercise formats for sports conditioning, yoga, and mat-based Pilates
• Research highlight boxes that share supporting research for the guidelines and procedures recommended in the text
• Three skill levels of instruction for many formats featured on the DVD
• DVD quizzes in the instructor guide for use in conjunction with the video segments
• An expanded instructor guide and test package

Methods of Group Exercise Instruction, Second Edition, moves from theory to practice in a logical progression that is helpful for both students and methods course instructors. The text is also organized for easy reference, putting the techniques that group exercise instructors need to know at their fingertips.

Part I of the text presents foundational knowledge for group exercise instructors, which is applied in part III of the book. An introduction to the field of group exercise instruction discusses differences between student-centered and teacher-centered instruction, presents research on group cohesion, and offers options for professional certificiation and continuing education. Insights on the evolution of group fitness, cultural influences, the instructor as role model, and basic business practices provide a deeper level of understanding that moves beyond the class routine to create a safe and enjoyable environment for all class participants. The final two chapters in part I present practical discussion of core concepts in class design and appropriate use of music, choreography, and cueing methods.

Chapters in part II are aligned with the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) guidelines for the four components of health and fitness: warm-up and stretching, cardiorespiratory training, muscular condititioning, and flexibilty training. Special focus is given to presentation of muscle groups, joints, and proper exercise techniques. Through an integrated use of illustrations, photos, text, and DVD examples, readers gain an accurate working knowledge of proper exercise technique and the physiology of muscle groups and joints required for each exercise.

Part III provides applied information on specific group exercise class modalities: step training, kickboxing, sport conditioning and functional training, stationary indoor cycling, water exercise, yoga, and Pilates. From technique and basic moves to music selection and safety considerations, these chapters, along with the material on the accompanying DVD, provide clear and dynamic instruction of the components of each modality. In addition, sample routines and class formats for each modality offer a confident strating point for novice instructors and fresh material for veterans. The final chapter discusses customized or hybrid classes such as lifestyle physcial activity–based classes, equipment-based cardio classes, and mind and body classes.

For students and course instructors, the practical assignments and practice drills throughout the text reinforce the content while facilitatng instruction. In addition, the accompanying DVD provides invaluable visual and practical information to help students convert the information presented in the text to applied skills necessary for success in their future professions. When used as a course text, Methods of Group Exercise Instruction, Second Edition, also includes an updated instructor guide and test package, which offer suggestions for effective use of the book and DVD package, lesson plan outlines, a sample week-by-week syllabus, lab activities, and sample test questions. Online course options are also available for those instructors and students who prefer the convenience of online learning.

Methods of Group Exercise Instruction, Second Edition, presents a comprehensive and research-based discussion of the commonalities of all formats of group exercise. This unique and in-depth approach, bolstered by the dynamic learning aids in the accompanying DVD, make this second edition a valuable resource and reference for both preprofessional and professional instructors of any group exercise format.

About the Author

Carol Kennedy-Armbruster, MS, is a lecturer in the fitness specialist program within the department of kinesiology at Indiana University at Bloomington. During her more than 25 years of teaching and training fitness leaders, she has served on the American Council on Exercise (ACE) and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) credentialing committees, and she chaired the IDEA Water Fitness Committee.

Certified through ACE as a group fitness instructor and ACSM as a health fitness instructor, Kennedy-Armbruster is a regular presenter at fitness conferences and has produced videos on exercise progression and water exercise. At Indiana University, she created and managed the recreational sports fitness and wellness program, which included more than 100 group exercise sessions per week, before moving to the department of kinesiology to assist with the creation of the fitness specialist undergraduate major.

Kennedy-Armbruster earned her bachelor’s degree in leisure studies from the University of Illinois and her master’s degree in exercise and sport science from Colorado State University. She has created and taught methods of group leadership classes at three major universities and continues to teach group exercise classes on a regular basis.

Kennedy-Armbruster and her family reside in Bloomington, Indiana. She enjoys outdoor activities, biking, exercising, traveling, and watching her children participate in dance and play baseball.

Mary M. Yoke, MA, MM, has more than 21 years of experience teaching and training group exercise leaders. In addition to leading group exercise classes on a regular basis, she is an adjunct professor at Adelphi University in New York, where she teaches a graduate course in exercise leadership. She is an adjunct board member and master trainer for the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) and served on the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) credentialing committee for six years.

Yoke has led seminars for fitness professionals in Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America. She gives numerous presentations throughout the United States to both fitness professionals and the general public. She is the author of two other books on fitness, as well as three videos.

Holding more than 20 certifications from organizations such as the ACSM, AFAA, American Council on Exercise (ACE), National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), and Stott Pilates, Yoke received her master’s degree in exercise physiology from Adelphi University, where she has authored several research studies on group exercise.

Table of Contents

Part I Fundamentals of Group Exercise Instruction

Chapter 1. Introduction to Group Exercise

• Enhancing Quality of Life
• Student-Centered Versus Teacher-Centered Instruction
• Professional Certification and Continuing Education
• Group Cohesion Research

Chapter 2. Evolution of Group Fitness

• Cultural Influences on Body Image and Exercise
• Group Exercise Instructors as Role Models
• Creating a Healthy Emotional Environment
• Basic Business Practices for Group Exercise Programming

Chapter 3. Core Concepts in Class Design

• Health-Related Components of Fitness
• Catering to Your Participant Base with Preclass Preparation
• Muscle Balance Principles
• Balancing Strength and Flexibility
• Range of Motion
• Progressive Functional Training Continuum
• Group Exercise Class Evaluation Form

Chapter 4. Music, Fundamental Choreography, and Cueing Methods

• Music for Group Exercise
• Fundamental Choreography
• Basic Moves
• Elements of Variation
• Smooth Transitions
• Building Basic Combinations
• Additional Choreography Techniques
• Training Systems
• Cueing Methods

Part II Primary Components of Group Exercise

Chapter 5. Warm-Up and Stretching Principles

• Dynamic Movement
• Dynamic Movement Versus Stretching
• Rehearsal Moves
• Major Muscle Groups

Chapter 6. Cardiorespiratory Training

• Beginning Intensity
• Movement Options and Verbal Cues for Intensity
• Monitoring Exercise Intensity
• Participant Interaction and Enjoyment
• Postcardiorespiratory Cool-Down

Chapter 7. Muscular Conditioning and Flexibility Training

• Cueing Posture and Alignment
• Recommendations and Guidelines for Muscular Conditioning
• Recommendations and Guidelines for Flexibility Training
• Safety Issues
• Muscular Conditioning and Flexibility Exercises
• Muscular Conditioning Equipment
• Cueing Methods

Part III Group Exercise Modalities

Chapter 8. Step Training

• Warm-Up
• Technique and Safety
• Basic Moves
• Basic Combinations and Choreography
• Training Systems

Chapter 9. Kickboxing

• Warm-Up
• Technique and Safety
• Basic Moves
• Basic Combinations and Choreography Techniques
• Other Kickboxing Formats

Chapter 10. Sport Conditioning and Functional Training

• Sport Conditioning Versus Functional Training
• Equipment
• Safe and Effective Exercise
• Basic Moves
• Technique and Safety
• Music

Chapter 11 Stationary Indoor Cycling

• Warm-Up
• Technique and Safety
• Basic Moves
• Formatting Indoor Cycling Classes
• Intensity
• Cueing

Chapter 12. Water Exercise

• Properties of Water
• Warm-Up
• Technique and Safety
• Basic Moves
• Training Systems
• Equipment

Chapter 13. Yoga

• Philosophy
• Breath Work
• Warm-Up
• Verbal Cues and Music
• Technique and Safety
• Basic Moves
• Equipment and Class Setting

Chapter 14. Pilates

• The Pilates Method
• Warm-Up
• Verbal Cues and Music
• Technique and Safety
• Basic Moves
• Ending Class

Chapter 15. Customizing Group Exercise Classes

• Creating a Client-Centered Group Exercise Class
• Group Exercise for Niche Markets
• Lifestyle-Based Physical Activity Classes
• Dance-Based Classes
• Equipment-Based Cardiorespiratory Training
• Mind–Body Classes
• Fusion Classes
• Ethical Practice Guidelines for Group Fitness Instructors

Audiences

A methods textbook for exercise science, fitness, physical education, kinesiology, and recreation majors preparing to teach various group exercise classes.

An applied reference for entry-level fitness and group exercise professionals identifying and practicing the skills for leading various group exercise classes. Also a reference for preprofessional group exercise instructors preparing for certification.

A reference for fitness program administrators, including those in park and recreation departments and YMCAs, who need to understand both the practical teaching skills and the evaluation criteria for hiring and assessing the performance of group exercise instructors.?