Prologue: From Klutzy Couch Potato to Physically Fit and Loving Every Moment

When I started working out at a local fitness facility in 1983, I was in total awe of the aerobics instructors and other class participants. I had always thought I was somewhat coordinated, but in class I felt like I was always one beat behind everyone else. I also realized that with my sedentary nine-to-five textile design job, I was more out of shape than I had ever been before.

It didn't take me long to get hooked on exercise. I started to attend two classes during a session at the club, worked out on the machines, and read everything I could get my hands on in the field of fitness. Jane Fonda was one of my idols. Even though my youngest daughter worked out with me, I never shared with her or anyone else, however, that my dream would be to become a fitness instructor.

Even though my career path changed to restaurant work, sales, and writing, I continued being faithful to exercise. I joined a new facility nearer to my work and home and attended the aerobic classes on a regular basis. You can imagine my excitement when my favorite instructor asked if I would be willing to train as a backup for her classes. I jumped at the chance.

She was a wonderful mentor and teacher - thorough and encouraging. She suggested that besides what I was learning from her, I should study to become certified, which I did. Little did I know at the time that she was planning to quit and wanted someone to take over teaching her two classes.

I was fit, I was certified, (I was also 55 years old) and I thought that I was ready to teach. I found that I still had a lot to learn. Teaching a fitness class is completely different from taking a fitness class. Rather than being in step, you have to be several steps ahead, letting everyone know what's coming next, motivating everyone, and also watching out for everyone to make sure they are O.K.

It took me three months before I started looking forward to instructing my classes, but I was determined to stick with it. After all, it was my secret dream.

Presently, I teach a total of eight to ten fitness classes a week between two locations. Besides helping a large number of people achieve their fitness goals, I have never felt more physically fit or more coordinated in my life - I am no longer that klutzy couch potato of the past! I love what I am doing so much that I have written an e-book titled "How to Get Started as a Fitness Instructor."

Introduction to How to Get Started as a Fitness Instructor:

As with all skilled professionals, an excellent fitness instructor makes leading classes look both easy and fun. Coupled with this observation, the idea of being paid to keep fit is appealing to many who already work out. To become an effective fitness instructor takes much more, however, than being fit and moving around to music.

Even though this career can offer one of the most flexible and rewarding of "dream jobs," it still demands many hours of training, practice, and keeping up with the ever-changing world of fitness. It takes discipline, personality, communication skills, and, above all, the desire to help others achieve their goals. Fortunately, if you are willing to devote your energy and time to this lively career, there are a plethora of opportunities.

The fitness industry is "hot." Health clubs add new classes on a regular basis. New members join clubs daily. Corporations are realizing the benefits of creating fitness facilities for their employees. Senior centers, assisted living complexes, and nursing homes offer fitness sessions. Committed fitness instructors are needed and in demand.

How to Get Started as a Fitness Instructor provides a realistic picture of what you can expect, share the experiences of currently successful fitness instructors, tell you what you need to know, offer insider tips on how to become successful, and provide a step-by-step plan to get you started.