How to Plan a Group Fitness Class?

Want to be the Group Fitness Instructor everyone talks about? Ready to create classes that get people addicted?

Being a great Group Fitness Instructor isn't just about knowing the exercises — it's about creating a positive workout experience. Every class is an opportunity to help someone reach their goals, push past their limits and feel part of a group. We'll show you exactly how to plan and deliver sessions that get great results no matter where you’re at in your career.

How to start running group exercise classes

Creating the best group fitness experiences starts with understanding the basics. Here’s exactly what you need to know to design group exercise classes that work for everyone:

1. Get qualified

Proper qualification is so important in fitness. Group fitness combines safety and results, going well beyond counting reps and playing fun music.

With a Certificate III in Fitness, you'll qualify as a Group Fitness Instructor and learn how to:

• Provide First Aid 

• Participate in workplace health and safety

• Complete pre-exercise screening and service orientation

• Complete client fitness assessments

• Plan group exercise sessions

• Instruct group exercise sessions

• Develop and instruct gym-based exercise programs for individual clients

• Use anatomy and physiology knowledge to support safe and effective exercise

• Provide healthy eating information

Find out more about the program on our course page: SIS30321 Certificate III in Fitness.

1. Get to know your clients

A great class starts before anyone steps foot in the studio. Understanding who's in the room shapes everything from what exercises you choose to intensity levels. 

Take time before class to get to know people. Learn their names, understand their goals and note any injuries or concerns. This information is gold for giving personalised attention in a group setting.

1. Understand the program

Program design is where science meets creativity. Your qualifications will teach you the principles, but it’s up to you to bring them to life in your classes.

A good session should be planned to maintain energy and engagement. Your warm-up isn't just about raising heart rates — it's about mentally preparing people and stretching out muscles. The main workout should flow and have varying levels of intensity for different fitness levels. The cooldown should let people clear out fatigue and lower their blood pressure.

Here’s how a 60-minute group exercise class normally goes:

• Warm-up: 5-10 minutes of progressive movement

• Main workout: 40-45 minutes of structured exercise

• Cooldown: 5-10 minutes of recovery

Group fitness class ideas for everyone

Group fitness offers heaps of opportunities to specialise and create unique experiences. Some of these classes require you to qualify as a personal trainer first. Here are a few ideas to help you figure out what you’d like to teach:

1. High-Intensity Interval Training (HIIT): HIIT combines short bursts of intense exercise with recovery periods. 

2. Spin: Indoor cycling leads people through different speeds and resistance levels in a fun experience set to music. 

3. Water aerobics: A low-impact workout that uses water resistance to build strength and improve cardio.

4. Yoga: Power yoga, hot yoga, aerial yoga; the possibilities are endless. Each type requires specific training beyond your initial fitness qualification.

Planning and delivering your group fitness classes

Now that you understand different class types, let's look at how to actually translate that into the real world.

Class formats and structure

Almost every group fitness class follows a warm-up, workout and cooldown flow, but what happens during those periods differs.

A yoga class usually starts with breathing and moves to challenging poses before winding down with chavasana. Circuit training usually starts with stretching and then keeps things fresh with different stations that people rotate through at their own pace. 

Setting up your space

The right equipment will make your job easier and keep the class safe. Here are some tools that work for different fitness levels:

• Resistance bands

• Dumbbells

• Step platforms

• Medicine balls

Set up your space thoughtfully. Think about traffic flow between exercises while making sure everyone can still see you.

Creating the perfect class environment

It all comes together with music and good vibes. Build playlists that match your workout vibe and help people pace themselves without being too loud. As far as you, be authentically enthusiastic but not overwhelming. Build an encouraging atmosphere that keeps people coming back.

Taking your group fitness career further

Want to develop your skills further or combine group fitness with personal training? The SIS40221 Certificate IV in Fitness lets you create advanced group programs while adding personal training to your skillset. Or, jump straight into our Complete Personal Training Course and get qualified for both group fitness and personal training.

See our full course catalogue or call 1300 616 180 and chat with our Career Advisors about turning your passion for group fitness into a profession.