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 50 hours of participation in the desired discipline within the last year.
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
• 21 hours of classroom instruction
• CPR-A (completed by the end of the course)
Please note: 100% attendance is required for classroom instruction.
Fall 2023
Dates: October 27, 28, November 10, 11
Times: Fridays 5 p.m. – 9 p.m., Saturdays 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Cost: members $500 +HST, non-members $600 +HST
Location: A.R. Kaufman Family YMCA (Kitchener)
Send us an email for more information.
Financial assistance is available. Visit feeassist.ca to see if you qualify.
YMCA Cycle Instructor
Learn how to deliver safe and effective group cycling classes. 50 hours of cycle participation within the last year is required.
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.
Please note: 100% attendance is required for classroom instruction.
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)
Fall 2023
Dates: October 18 – November 29 2023
Times: Wednesdays 6 p.m. – 9:30 p.m.
Cost: members $500 +HST, non-members $600 +HST
Location: A.R. Kaufman Family YMCA (Kitchener)
Send us an email for more information.
Financial assistance is available. Visit feeassist.ca to see if you qualify.
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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32 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.
Spring 2023
Dates: March 23 – May 11, and April 15 2023.
Times: Thursdays 6 p.m. – 9:30 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. – 5 p.m.
Cost: members $500 +HST, non-members $600 +HST
Location: A.R. Kaufman Family YMCA (Kitchener)
Send us an email for more information.
Financial assistance is available. Visit feeassist.ca to see if you qualify.
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
• 40 hours of classroom instruction
• CPR-A (completed by the end of the course)
Please note: 100% attendance is required for classroom instruction.
Fall 2023
Dates: September 30 – November 4, 2023.
Times: Saturdays, 9 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Cost: members $650 +HST, non-members $780 +HST
Location: A.R. Kaufman Family YMCA (Kitchener)
Send us an email for more information.
Financial assistance is available. Visit feeassist.ca to see if you qualify.
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
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CPR-A (completed by the end of the course)
Please note: 100% attendance is required for classroom instruction.
Fall 2023
Dates: September 30, October 14, 28, November 11, 25, December 9 (every other Saturday)
Times: Saturdays, 9 a.m. – 4 p.m.
Cost: members $800 +HST, non-members $990 +HST
Location: Chaplin Family YMCA (Cambridge)
Send us an email for more information.
Financial assistance is available. Visit feeassist.ca to see if you qualify.