Fitness Leadership
Ages 16+
Our fitness leadership courses are a combined apprenticeship and teaching experience where learning is an integrated component. Your YMCA trainers and instructor mentors will support you along the way.
Fitness leadership participants must be a minimum of 16 years of age and have a minimum of 30 hours of participation in the desired discipline within the last year.
Refund and Course Cancellation Policy
Courses that do not have sufficient registration one week before the start date are subject to cancellation, with full refund to participants. Participants who choose to cancel their registration in a course two weeks or more prior to a course will be issued a full refund.
During the pre-course phone screen, the Y Champion may choose to issue a refund if the course pre-requisites are not met, or the course is not a good fit for that participant. Participants who choose to cancel their registration one week or less before the start of the course will not be refunded.
Instructor Apprenticeship and Certification Policy
In order to become certified as an instructor, all candidates must successfully complete the full course including 100% in-person attendance, full completion of all online learning, and successful completion of an apprenticeship with an experienced instructor.
We will work with participants to determine an appropriate location and timing of the apprenticeship with an experienced instructor, however please note we are not always able to accommodate specific requests from apprentices.
Apprenticeship must be completed within 6 months of completing the course. Extensions may be granted upon participant request.
Please note that participation in the course does not guarantee certification — not all participants are successful in becoming certified through our YMCA Fitness Leadership courses. Participants who are not successful in completing the course are not eligible for a refund.
The YMCA of Three Rivers relies heavily on volunteers to fulfill our group fitness class needs — not all group fitness instructors are paid. Course participants who wish to become a YMCA Group Fitness staff or volunteer after completing their certification must apply through our website and succesfully complete the interview and reference process for the desired position. Participation in the course does not guaranteed an instructor position at the Y after course completion.
YMCA Aquatic Fitness Instructor
This national certification course will give you the skills to deliver safe, effective and fun aquatic fitness classes to all ages. Class time, online resources, handouts, apprenticeship and practical evaluation are included in the course fee.
This course will cover topics including fundamental movements and water exercises, anatomy as it relates to Aquafit classes, the energy system, music and cueing, and the role of an Aquafit instructor.
Course requirements:
• 4 to 6 hours per week of online self-study
• 1 to 3 hours per week of apprenticeship
• 16 hours of classroom instruction
• CPR-A (completed by the end of the course)
Please note: 100% attendance is required for classroom instruction.
Financial assistance is available. Visit feeassist.ca to see if you qualify.
Register online using the link below, or visit us in-person at any of our Health and Wellness locations.
Registration closes two weeks before the course start date.
Upcoming Courses:
Spring 2025
Dates: April 4, 11, 25 and May 2
Times: Fridays, 5:00 – 8:30 p.m.
Cost: members $500 +HST, non-members $600 +HST
Instructor: Irina Broide
Location: Guelph YMCA/YWCA
Fall 2025
Dates: Coming soon
Times: Coming soon
Cost: members $500 +HST, non-members $600 +HST
Instructor: Lisa Gregson
Location: Stork Family YMCA (Waterloo)
Is this course right for you? Take our quick and easy quiz to find out.
Please review our Refund and Course Cancellation Policy and Instructor Apprenticeship and Certification Policy before registering.
Send us an email for more information or to express interest in future courses.
YMCA Cycle Instructor
The YMCA cycle course will certify you to design and deliver safe and effective cycle classes. This course will cover topics such as bike setup, use of music, class components, anatomy as it relates to cycle, training zones, drills, and cooldown.
Course requirements:
• 4 to 6 hours per week of online self-study
• 1 to 3 hours per week of apprenticeship
• 18 hours of classroom instruction
• CPR-A (completed by the end of the course)
Please note: 100% attendance is required for classroom instruction.
Financial assistance is available. Visit feeassist.ca to see if you qualify.
Register online using the link below, or visit us in-person at any of our Health and Wellness locations. Registration closes two weeks before the course start date.
Upcoming Courses:
Fall 2025
Dates: Wednesdays, October 22 - November 26
Times: 6:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Cost: members $500 +HST, non-members $600 +HST
Location: Stork Family YMCA (Waterloo)
Instructor: Shawn Ashe
Is this course right for you? Take our quick and easy quiz to find out.
Please review our Refund and Course Cancellation Policy and Instructor Apprenticeship and Certification Policy before registering.
Send us an email for more information or to express interest in future courses.
YMCA Group Cardio & Strength Instructor
Our cardio and strength instructor course will certify you to design and deliver YMCA group fitness classes in cardio (e.g. boxing, step, hi/low, dance, etc.) or strength (e.g. bars and plates, high intensity interval classes, TRX, etc.).
This course will cover fundamental movements, cardio exercises, strength exercises, equipment types, anatomy as it relates to strength exercises and cardio classes, the energy systems, choreography and moving to music, class design and delivery, and the role of a cardio and strength instructor.
Course requirements:
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4 to 6 hours per week online self-study
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1 to 3 hours per week of apprenticeship
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21 hours of classroom instruction
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CPR-A (completed by the end of the course)
Please note: 100% attendance is required for classroom instruction.
Financial assistance is available. Visit feeassist.ca to see if you qualify.
Spring 2025
Date & Times:
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Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. | March 29*
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Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. | April 11 & 26*
Cost: members $500 +HST, non-members $600 +HST
Instructor: Cary Paterson and Crystal Hughes
Location: A.R. Kaufman Family YMCA (Kitchener)
*Registration for the Spring 2025 course dates is now closed. Please send us an email to express interest in future courses
Is this course right for you? Take our quick and easy quiz to find out.
Please review our Refund and Course Cancellation Policy and Instructor Apprenticeship and Certification Policy before registering.
YMCA Personal Training Certification
Earn your personal training certification at the YMCA of Three Rivers. The personal training certification course is designed to certify you to coach exercise and set lifestyle goals.
This course covers strength and cardio exercises, equipment types, anatomy as it relates to strength and cardio exercises, planning, assessments and goal setting, and the role of a personal trainer.
Course requirements:
• 8 to 10 hours per week of online self-study
• 1 to 3 hours per week of apprenticeship
• 32 hours of classroom instruction
• CPR-A (completed by the end of the course)
Please note: 100% attendance is required for classroom instruction.
Financial assistance is available. Visit feeassist.ca to see if you qualify.
Register online using the link below, or visit us in-person at any of our Health and Wellness locations. Registration closes two weeks before the course start date.
Upcoming Courses:
Spring 2025
Dates: April 12, 19, 26 & May 10
Times: Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Cost: members $650 +HST, non-members $780 +HST
Location: Chaplin Family YMCA (Cambridge)
Instructor: Brandi Vincent
Fall 2025
Dates: September 20 & 27, October 18 & 25
Times: Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Cost: members $650 +HST, non-members $780 +HST
Location: A.R. Kaufman Family YMCA (Kitchener)
Instructor: Irina Broide
Is this course right for you? Take our quick and easy quiz to find out.
Please review our Refund and Course Cancellation Policy and Instructor Apprenticeship and Certification Policy before registering.
Send us an email for more information or to express interest in future courses.
YMCA Yoga Instructor Course
Learn how to deliver safe and effective yoga classes. Our yoga instructor course is designed to certify you in preparing and delivering Hatha Yoga classes. This course will cover the role of a YMCA Yoga Instructor, yoga history and philosophy, Pranayama (breath regulation), asanas (yoga poses), teaching skills, anatomy as it relates to yoga, and class design and delivery.
Course requirements:
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10 to 12 hours per week of online self-study
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1 to 3 hours per week of apprenticeship
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55 hours of classroom instruction
-
CPR-A (completed by the end of the course)
Please note: 100% attendance is required for classroom instruction.
Financial assistance is available. Visit feeassist.ca to see if you qualify.
Register online using the link below, or visit us in-person at any of our Health and Wellness locations. Registration closes two weeks before the course start date.
Fall 2024
Dates and Times:
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Thursdays, 6:00 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. | September 26, October 17, 24, November 14, 28
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Saturdays and Sundays 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. | October 26, 27, November 23, 24, December 14, 15
Cost: members $800 +HST, non-members $990 +HST
Instructor: Hayley Mott
Location: A.R. Kaufman Family YMCA (Kitchener)
Fall 2025
Dates: September 27 - November 27
Times: Saturdays, 9:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.
Cost: members $800 +HST, non-members $990 +HST
Instructor: Anne Cadoret
Locaton: Chaplin Family YMCA (Cambridge)
Is this course right for you? Take our quick and easy quiz to find out.
Please review our Refund and Course Cancellation Policy and Instructor Apprenticeship and Certification Policy before registering.
Send us an email for more information or to express interest in future courses.