The Group Exercise Instructor – Level 2 course is an advanced program designed to prepare students for the ACSM Group Exercise Instructor certification exam. Building on foundational knowledge, the course delves into preventative rehabilitation and evidence‑based fitness programming, combining scientific theory with real‑world application to support safe, effective exercise leadership.
Module 1: Physical Activity & Pre‑Exercise Screening
Covers foundational fitness terminology, public health perspectives, risks of sedentary behavior, health benefits of exercise, and pre‑participation screening protocols, including medical evaluations and risk assessment.
Module 2: Clinical Exercise Testing & Interpretation
Introduces clinical exercise testing concepts, including indications, monitoring, test termination, heart rate and ECG responses, exercise capacity, and diagnostic value for cardiovascular conditions.
Module 3: Principles of Exercise Prescription
Focuses on designing safe and effective exercise programs, including aerobic conditioning, muscular fitness, flexibility, neuromotor exercise, supervision strategies, and reducing sedentary behavior.
Module 4: Exercise Prescription with Special Considerations
Addresses exercise programming for specific populations such as children, older adults, individuals with low back pain, and pregnancy, including testing, adaptation, and safety considerations.
Module 5: Environmental Considerations
Explores exercise safety and performance in extreme environments, including heat, cold, and high altitude, as well as related medical risks, clothing needs, and prevention of environmental injuries.
Module 6: Exercise for Cardiovascular & Pulmonary Conditions
Examines exercise guidelines and adaptations for cardiac, cerebrovascular, and pulmonary diseases, including rehabilitation programs, heart failure, stroke recovery, asthma, and COPD.
Module 7: Exercise for Metabolic Disease & Risk Factors
Covers exercise recommendations for diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome, obesity, and post‑bariatric surgery populations to reduce cardiovascular risk.
Module 8: Exercise for Chronic Conditions
Focuses on adapting exercise programs for individuals with chronic health conditions such as arthritis, cancer, fibromyalgia, HIV, kidney disease, osteoporosis, Parkinson’s disease, and spinal cord injury.
Module 9: Brain Health & Neurological Disorders
Examines the role of physical activity in supporting brain health and individuals with neurological and cognitive conditions, including ADHD, dementia, anxiety, autism spectrum disorder, and cerebral palsy.
Module 10: Behavioral Strategies & Exercise Adherence
Integrates behavioral theories, motivation strategies, and cognitive approaches to reduce barriers, promote physical activity adoption, and support long‑term exercise adherence across populations.
Upon successful completion of this course, learners will be able to:
Apply ACSM knowledge, skills, and abilities (KSAs) to group exercise instruction
Design and modify fitness programs grounded in exercise science and physiology
Interpret foundational concepts in kinesiology, cardiology, and pulmonary health as they relate to exercise
Understand principles of exercise testing, training, and program progression
Integrate preventative rehabilitation concepts into group fitness programming
Demonstrate readiness to sit for the ACSM certification exam
After completing the Group Exercise Instructor Level 1 and Level 2 courses, students will be prepared to sit for the ACSM national certification exam to earn the Certified Group Exercise Instructor credential.
Please note: Certification exam fees are not included with course tuition.
This class is an independent-study course. Students will have all the resources needed to successfully complete the course within the online material. A student helpdesk is available for technical support during the course enrollment.