Formats, modalities, and trends in group exercise are constantly evolving. Methods of Group Exercise Instruction, Third Edition With Online Video, explores the most common group exercise modalities, enhancing readers’ marketability by giving them the skills to lead dynamic, safe, and effective classes. This text highlights the commonalities of a variety of group exercise formats through training principles, correction and progression techniques, and safety tips to enhance the skills of both group exercise leaders and program directors. Methods of Group Exercise Instruction, Third Edition, moves from theory to practice in a logical progression. Rather than simply providing routines, this book helps instructors develop the core skills needed for creating routines, use proper cueing, and adapt their teaching to new modalities. Teaching techniques convey appropriate training for each muscle group and methods for warm-up, cardiorespiratory training, muscular conditioning, neuromotor training, and flexibility. In addition, starter routines, modification strategies, and instructor assessment criteria are presented for seven class formats: kickboxing, step training, stationary indoor cycling, sport conditioning and boot camp, water exercise, yoga, and mat-based Pilates. The text also touches on alternative modalities, including dance-based classes, fusion, and mind–body training. Thoroughly revised and reorganized based on industry standards, the third edition of Methods of Group Exercise Instruction offers expanded content to help readers become better instructors. Updates to the third edition include the following: • Online video, totaling over 100 minutes, demonstrates key content in the text. • New chapters cover social aspects of group exercise, coaching-based instructional models, and neuromotor and functional training. • Callout boxes highlight important topics, research findings, technique and safety checks, and practice drills, which facilitate quick learning. • Short assignments at the close of each chapter encourage readers to look beyond the text to gain practical experience. • Evaluation forms and evaluation key points allow instructors to gauge their teaching success and adapt the key criteria of a successful class to each exercise modality. The three-part structure of this book is retained from the previous edition, but the content is reorganized to better reflect industry standards and guidelines. Part I provides a general overview of group exercise: the evolution and advantages of group exercise; the strategies for creating group cohesion in a class; the core concepts in class design; and the use of music, choreography, and cueing methods in designing and leading a class. Part II offers guidelines for leading the four major segments of a group exercise class: warm-up, cardiorespiratory training, muscular conditioning, and ?exibility training, and includes a new chapter on neuromotor and functional training. These basic concepts pertain to all modalities covered in part III, which focuses on practical teaching skills. Basic moves, choreography, and training systems are covered for each type of class. Sample routines and class formats for each modality offer a confident starting point for novice instructors and fresh material for veterans. The final chapter discusses customized or hybrid classes such as lifestyle physical activity–based classes, equipment-based cardio classes, and mind and body classes. When used as a course text, Methods of Group Exercise Instruction, Third Edition, includes instructor ancillaries, which offer suggestions for effective use of the book and online video, lesson plan outlines, a sample week-by-week syllabus, lab activities, and test questions. The third edition also features a newly added image bank containing all the figures and photos from the text to use in presentations.

Table of Contents:
Part I: Fundamentals of Group Exercise Instruction Chapter 1. Best Practices Evolution of Group Exercise Role of Group Exercise Trends in Group Exercise Business Basics for Group Exercise Chapter Wrap-Up Assignment Chapter 2. Social Aspects of Group Exercise Creating Group Cohesion Instructors as Role Models Creating a Healthy Emotional Environment Student-Centered Versus Teacher-Centered Instruction Chapter Wrap-Up Assignments Chapter 3. Foundational Components Integrating Components of Health Into Class Design Creating a Positive Preclass Environment Principles of Muscular Balance Balancing Strength and Flexibility Range of Motion for Major Joints Progressive Functional Training Continuum The Group Exercise Class Evaluation Form Chapter Wrap-Up Assignment Chapter 4. Traditional Concepts Applying Music Skills in Group Exercise Traditional Choreography Basic Moves Elements of Variation Creating Smooth Transitions Building Basic Combinations Additional Choreography Techniques Cueing Methods in Group Exercise Chapter Wrap-Up Assignments Chapter 5. Coaching-Based Concepts Motivational Strategies for Coaching-Based Group Exercise Creating Dynamic Team Environments Exercise Modification for Injury Prevention Demonstrating Proper Alignment and Giving a Variety of Cues Programming Music in a Class That Is Not Beat Driven Chapter Wrap-Up Assignments Part II: Primary Components of Group Exercise Chapter 6. Warm-Up and Cool-Down Designing a Warm-Up Evaluating Stretching in the Warm-Up Designing a Cool-Down Chapter Wrap-Up Assignments Chapter 7. Cardiorespiratory Training Cardiorespiratory Training Systems Beginning Intensity Appropriate Intensity Levels Intensity Monitoring Principles of Muscular Balance in Cardiorespiratory Training Safety Issues, Good Alignment, and Technique Importance of Participant Interaction and Enjoyment Cool-Down After the Cardio Segment Chapter Wrap-Up Assignment Chapter 8. Muscular Conditioning and Flexibility Training Recommendations and Guidelines for Muscular Conditioning Cueing Muscular Conditioning Exercises Demonstrating Progressions, Regressions, Modifications, and Alternatives Safety Issues in Muscular Conditioning Equipment for Muscular Conditioning Recommendations and Guidelines for Flexibility Training Cueing Flexibility Exercises and Ending a Class Appropriately Safety Issues in Flexibility Training Muscular Conditioning and Flexibility Exercises Chapter Wrap-Up Assignments Chapter 9. Neuromotor and Functional Training Neuromotor Training Principles and Recommendations Functional Training Principles Safety Issues in Balance and Functional Training Equipment for Balance and Functional Training Teaching a Balance Class Teaching a Functional Training Class Chapter Wrap-Up Assignments Part III: Group Exercise Modalities Chapter 10. Kickboxing Creating a Warm-Up Technique and Safety Issues Basic Moves Combinations and Choreography Techniques Other Kickboxing Formats Chapter Wrap-Up Group Exercise Class Evaluation Form: Key Points Assignment Chapter 11. Step Training Creating a Warm-Up Technique and Safety Issues Basic Moves and Step Patterns Basic Combinations and Choreography Techniques Training Systems Chapter Wrap-Up Group Exercise Class Evaluation Form: Key Points Assignment Chapter 12. Stationary Indoor Cycling Positioning, Alignment, and Safety Creating a Warm-Up Basic Moves Formatting Indoor Cycling Classes Intensity Monitoring Cueing and Coaching Techniques Chapter Wrap-Up Group Exercise Class Evaluation Form: Key Points Assignments Chapter 13. Sport Conditioning and Boot Camp Creating a Warm-Up Equipment and Setup Planning Safe, Effective Movements Basic Moves Chapter Wrap-Up Group Exercise Class Evaluation Form: Key Points Assignments Chapter 14. Water Exercise Benefits of Water Exercise Properties of Water and Newton’s Laws of Motion Creating a Warm-Up Formatting Water Exercise Classes Training Systems Water Exercise Equipment Basic Moves Chapter Wrap-Up Group Exercise Class Evaluation Form: Key Points Assignment Chapter 15. Yoga Philosophy of Yoga Breathwork in Yoga Beginning a Yoga Class Verbal Cues and Music Technique and Safety Issues Equipment and Class Setting Basic Asanas (Postures) Chapter Wrap-Up Group Exercise Class Evaluation Form: Key Points Assignments Chapter 16. Pilates The Pilates Method: Basic principles Creating a Warm-Up Verbal Cues and Music Technique and Safety Issues Ending a Pilates Class Basic Moves Chapter Wrap-Up Group Exercise Class Evaluation Form: Key Points Assignments Chapter 17. Alternative Modalities in Group Exercise Creating a Client-Centered Group Exercise Class Group Exercise for Niche Markets Lifestyle-Based Physical Activity Classes Dance-Based Classes Equipment-Based Cardiorespiratory and Strength Training Mind–Body Classes Fusion Classes Ethical Practice Guidelines for Group Fitness Instructors Chapter Wrap-Up Group Exercise Class Evaluation Form: Key Points Assignment