[MzPen]

I've gotten the notion in my head to set the goal of someday becoming an aerobics instructor. I've got a LONG, LONG way to go, because I'm horribly out of shape and have something like 70-80 pounds I need to lose. While I feel like I know a whole lot about fitness & anatomy already, I'm sure there's plenty I still will have to learn. I'm not coming from any kind of physical fitness background at all.

Any words of advice from someone who may have done something like this?

Thanks!
Pen

[stef]

I'm sure I have replied to another FatChick recently who felt exactly the same as you do Pen.

I am an obese instructor (200lbs at 5'5", BMI 32). I teach 8+ classes a week and have just started a range of classes exclusively for the larger person. It isn't easy, but it is great fun and earns me and the DH mortgage money!

If you have some physiology and biomech knowledge then you are winning. You now need to start looking around for right type of certification for you! Some people slam the shorter courses available as being too short and too uninformative. But the really good courses take a while to get and cost more!! So you have to do some reseacrh - try the back of all those horrible 'muscle' and 'fitness' magazines!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

First though you will have to get out there and do some classes yourself. It is almost impossible to get a good cert. without having taken classes for about 6 months. You just don't have the knowledge about the moves etc. You can also ask various instructors for their help in getting your certs. Persuade someone to be your mentor and you will have no trouble at all getting the cert and work afterwards.

Good luck, let us know if you take this any further, Stef

[MzPen]

Thank you, Stef!

I'm in no big hurry to get certified and start teaching, especially with two young children in tow! But I figured (1) I can start now trying to pick up some learning, taking classes (which I'm doing 3-4 times a week right now), reading, etc. and (2) what a GREAT way to get/keep in shape and make money at the same time! I imagine having a teaching schedule pretty much forces you to keep up with your exercising!!! I figure I'll set my goal to teach in a year or two, and in the meantime I'll keep building my fitness level.

There are a couple of instructors at my gym that I really like, so perhaps I'll approach one of them to ask about eventually going for certification. Plus, I suppose I could check in at the Community College and see what they offer in terms of pertinent classes ...

Here's to feeling strong!
Pen