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Frequently Asked Questions

What qualities does RecSports look for in an instructor? 
RecSports fitness instructors need to have a desire to share the TeXercise experience with Longhorns. This means being passionate about helping people find healthy lifestyle habits on and off the stage. This means being enthusiastic about changing lives. This means being energetic every time you walk into a studio. And most importantly, being authentic and being the best version of you! 

What is the time commitment for this position?
Instructors typically teach two classes per week and are required to attend two mandatory meetings in a semester. The time commitment for classes includes 15 minutes before and after each class in addition to the 30 minutes to an hour of instruction. 

Can I teach more than one format?
Absolutely! Most of our instructors do. We encourage our instructors to learn as many formats as they would like so when they graduate from UT they are more marketable to different gyms and have a better chance at getting an instructor job when they leave the Forty Acres.

What formats can I teach? 
You can select formats from the list below. However, if you are certified in a format that's not listed below, we want to hear about it! Please mention it during the application process. We love adding new formats to our schedule.

  • Aqua Aerobics
  • Barre
  • Cardio Kickboxing
  • Cycle
  • F45 Training
  • Cardio Dance
  • Pilates
  • POUND
  • Step
  • Tabata Interval Training
  • Total Body Conditioning
  • Yoga (Any Style)
  • Zumba

Do I need to be certified to teach group fitness classes at RecSports? 
You actually don’t need to be certified to join the team! Our requirement is that you earn your Group Fitness Certification within three months of being hired.

Do I need to have previous teaching experience to become a group fitness instructor? 
Not at all! We recommend students take one of our Instructor Training Camps or Fitness Instructor Training Series (FITS) before applying. However, if these programs do not fit your schedule, we will place you in a mentorship once hired to learn the specific fitness format you would like to teach.

What is the difference between Fitness Instructor Training Series and Instructor Training Camps?

  Fitness Instructor Training Series Instructor Training Camp
Time Commitment

10 weeks. Class meets twice a week (Mondays and Wednesdays) for two hours. 

6-8 weeks depending on the format. Class meets once a week for two hours. 
Cost

$400 (Students) 

$450 (Non-Students)

 $50-$100. Pricing varies depending on the camp/format. 
When is it offered? Spring Summer, Fall 
What does the course include?  Online resources, AFAA exam and re-test, physical textbook, in-class instruction, discount for the American Red Cross CPR/AED/First Aid Certification, a RecSports membership (if needed), and a TeXercise All-Access Pass.  In-class instruction, a RecSports membership (if needed) and a TeXercise All-Access Pass. 
How many formats do I learn? You will learn a little about each format but you will walk away from the course knowing two formats thoroughly, including how to instruct a full class for each of those two formats.  Camps are focused on one specific format. 
Does this course help me earn my Group Fitness Certification? Yes! AFAA materials are included in the coursework. No. You will need to earn your certification on your own. 
Will I have homework?  Yes! You will be studying for your AFAA certification and planning for format practice sessions. Think of it as a little less work than an academic class.  Yes! Homework will mainly be to take classes related to the camp's format and to plan for format practice sessions. 

If I do not have experience teaching or if I don't have a certification, where can I start? 
First, we suggest taking TeXercise classes to figure out which formats you would enjoy teaching. 

To get additional experience, we encourage you to enroll in one of our Instructor Training Camps or our Fitness Instructor Training Series (FITS). However, as mentioned above, if these programs do not fit your schedule, we will place you in a mentorship once hired to learn the specific fitness format you would like to teach.

To earn your Group Fitness certification, the process will depend on whether you participate in FITS or an Instructor Training Camp. If you participate in an Instructor Training Camp, you will need to earn an AFAA or ACE Group Fitness Certification on your own. If you participate in FITS, the AFAA certification is built into the course along with the hands-on learning experience. 

If you would like to teach yoga, you will need to have your 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training certification registered with Yoga Alliance prior to applying and prior to instructing yoga at RecSports. We highly recommend MyVinyasaPractice as this is an affordable option, self-paced, and virtual!

If you're an aspiring Zumba or POUND instructor, you will need to earn your Zumba or POUND licensure in order to teach under that class name. If hired, you will have three months to earn this certification. 

How do I know which certification I need for the format I want to teach? 
Please refer to the table below. All certifications listed are required unless otherwise noted. In addition, all formats require that you have a CPR/AED/First Aid certification. If you have any questions about the required certifications, please contact us at fitwell@utrecsports.org. 

Format Certification(s)
Aqua Aerobics Group Fitness Certification (AFAA or ACE)
Barre Group Fitness Certification (AFAA or ACE)
Barre Above Licensure (preferred) 
Cardio Kickboxing Group Fitness Certification (AFAA or ACE)
Cycle Group Fitness Certification (AFAA or ACE)
F45 Training Group Fitness Certification (AFAA or ACE) or Personal Training Certification (NASM, ACE, ACSM) 
Cardio Dance Group Fitness Certification (AFAA or ACE)
Pilates STOTT Certification (preferred but not limited to)
POUND Group Fitness Certification (AFAA or ACE) and POUND Licensure
Step Group Fitness Certification (AFAA or ACE)
Tabata Interval Training Group Fitness Certification (AFAA or ACE)
Total Body Conditioning Group Fitness Certification (AFAA or ACE)
Yoga (any style) Yoga YTT 200-hour Certification
Zumba Fitness Certification (AFAA or ACE) and Zumba licensure 

If hired, what is the onboarding process like?
Once hired, you will complete all required paperwork and online training for new RecSports employees. Upon successful completion of all paperwork, you will participate in an in-person tour and instructor orientation with our Fitness & Wellness Leadership Team. Depending on your readiness to teach, you will either complete a mentorship or start teaching right away!

Can I be a Personal Trainer and a Fitness Instructor for RecSports?
Yes! However, F45 Training is the only format you can instruct with just your Personal Training Certification. Review the required certifications chart to learn more about the specifics for each format.