When I (mom) quit my job to tend to kids, our household had to scale back. But one thing I knew I couldn’t let go was my gym membership. I have met so many great friends there, the community is full of amazing people, and it has shaped my life immeasurably. If I was going to stay sane while staying at home, I knew I needed a gym.
Unfortunately, the average cost of a gym membership is $55/month (and that was in 2013!). Over the course of a year, that adds up to nearly $700. For those who live in large metropolitan areas, that can be closer to $1,000.
But I found a secret way to avoid the cost of a gym membership.
Teach classes!
By teaching one hour a week, I have given our home an extra $1,924 in one year (then add that up over 10 years, the amount of time I have been in the business). While it isn’t enough to buy a new car, it is certainly enough for one vacation. This $2,000 doesn’t include the savings for not having to pay for a membership, either. If you count the $700 in gym membership I have not paid (gym facilities are complimentary for gym staff members), that’s a significant amount of dollars to our year-end budget.
Years ago, a gym friend approached me and asked if I had ever considered certification in group fitness. I hesitated. I hadn’t ever thought of myself up on stage teaching but with a lifetime of movement and performance behind me, it didn’t seem too crazy after all. But I also felt like I didn’t really need another thing in my life to keep up with.
Then she added that even if I were to substitute, even without a weekly commitment, I would receive free membership.
I have since learned that some gyms will even extend benefits to my entire family. For example, our local YMCA may not give my husband a free gym membership, but they will give me a discounted membership rate on all family and kids’ programs. As a parent, these savings add up fast. My two boys love soccer and swim lessons and summer camps.
There are many ways to become certified to teach, and it isn’t as hard as you may think.
Start by deciding what formats you enjoy. You know yourself: what classes do you normally attend? Don’t get certified in Step if you don’t take it.
Then, check with your gym’s management to see what programs they offer.
If you haven’t taught before, the best training programs are designed to teach you how to teach. So look for the right one. Please don’t attend a one-day conference and think that will give you the tools you need. Plan well and pick the best program for you. Remember that everyone starts somewhere.
Here are some ways to get trained, as well as the upfront costs.
How to get Les Mills certified.
Les Mills programs are wildly popular worldwide and happen to be my favorite. They offer options such as BodyPump, BodyCombat, BodyFlow (a yoga and Pilates blend), BodyStep, RPM (spin) and more. Trainings are held over one weekend. When training is complete, you leave with the real skills needed to teach.
You must be sponsored by a Les Mills gym to go through training, yet this is not too hard to arrange. Most gyms crave Les Mills instructors. Some gyms will even pay a part or all of the training costs (which are a one-time expense of $200-$300 dollars for the weekend). Most gyms will pay $20-$30 per class for a licensed Les Mills instructor, so within 10 classes training costs are recouped.
Once fully certified, instructors are required to buy a new release at a cost of nearly $40 every quarter. These releases are complete classes of choreography, music, video, and education. The only preparation is to memorize the class and deliver it.
How to get Zumba certified.
Trainings are more costly at over $200 for one day. Once certified, though, Zumba is an independent program. After you are certified you get to decide how much content to purchase and what you teach.
When I was a group fitness manager, I had such a hard time finding GOOD Zumba instructors, but my gym members loved their Zumba. So when I found a good one, I held on tight.
Again, assuming a payment of $20/class, about 11 classes later you have covered your investment. After this, you start to earn and, again, get a free gym membership!
How to get Yoga certified.
Nearly all gyms now offer a mind/body component and have built separate yoga rooms. Yoga teacher training can be quite intense, at 200 hours of required coursework for full certification, but also very rewarding. Yoga opens opportunities not only at gyms but also at the nearly 31,000 yoga and Pilates studios in the US (source). Most yoga studios will allow their instructors to attend any classes they like, too. Yoga training is not standardized, so it is best to contact your favorite local yoga studio to begin.
This is on my dream list but, unfortunately, trainings are in the $2,000 arena, so we are saving to make my yoga certification a reality.
What to know about Freestyle instruction.
Feel as though you’re a free spirit? Freestyle instructors, ones who create their own choreography, are needed in everything from spin to weightlifting to cardio classes. Freestyle instructors generally make less money per class than instructors licensed by a third party, but the certification process can be less intense. While some gyms will take a chance on an untrained instructor, most do require some sort of representative certification. My favorite place is the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA). Spending $100-$200, you can learn how to teach a variety of group fitness classes, including Jillian Michaels BodySHRED, personal training, core classes, and more.
If these programs still don’t feel right, remember that new programs are always being unveiled (like barre, Orangetheory, Insanity, Daily Method and PiYO) and they all need instructors.
Honestly, the most basic requirement for teaching is that you feel passionate about the program.
There is one hidden cost for all of these: you must be CPR-certified to be a group fitness instructor. I have found CPR/AED certifications that cost $50 for one day of training and are valid for 2 years. This is a $25/year price for a skillset that, as a parent, I love having anyhow.
If the gym is important to you but taking a toll on your bank statement, get creative! Teach! For one weekend and a minimal $200 in investment, you can save over $700 a year while bringing in active income to defray daily costs. Not a bad way to get your body, and checking account, in shape!