It is becoming more evident that many children are lacking the opportunity to be fit and healthy. Schools offer some activity as part of their compulsory curriculum; however, it does not cover the government activity guidelines for children needing to accumulate 60 minutes of moderate activity on a daily basis.

YMCA Kids’ Fitness courses are ideal for anyone interested in running health-related exercise sessions for children, those already running sessions but without a formal qualification and current fitness instructors wanting to deliver fitness and activity sessions to children. If we want to tackle the growing problem of obesity amongst children we need to find activities kids’ will really enjoy. 

With younger children effective sessions need to be based on fun. Sessions will incorporate movement to develop balance, coordination, body and spatial awareness, confidence and social interaction. As children get older it is important to include more complex movement patterns which will challenge their senses, fitness levels and confidence and will also educate them about the benefits of physical activity.

Career options once qualified

• Set up after-school activities, holiday play and activity schemes and teaching on already established children’s programmes
• Organise children’s activity birthday parties
• Adapt skills and use different activities to motivate children from the ages of five to fifteen
• Reach out and inspire children to enjoy fitness activity

Learn to...

• Identify the major bones, muscles and muscle actions of the body
• Explain the workings of the body’s cardiovascular and energy systems
• Identify the components and principles of fitness
• Relate the Health and Safety at Work Act to working with kids
• Identify good customer care and strategies for the adoption and maintenance of physical activity
• Demonstrate good personal techniques and form when teaching a session
• Plan and teach safe and effective kids’ exercise and activity sessions appropriate to their age group
• Identify the physiological changes that occur during a child’s development, and demonstrate how this will affect your planning and delivery of children’s sessions
• Identify and deliver adaptations and modifications for different conditions and abilities

Prerequisites

• Over age 16

Format

Blended learning

Face-to-face: 5 days practical plus 1 day assessment
Distance learning: theory via eLearning and study pack

Assessment

• Multiple choice theory papers
• Practical
• Worksheets

Certification

• CYQ Level 2 Certificate in Fitness Instructing (Health Related Exercise and Physical Activity for Children)

REPs

Course Price

Price: £499

Deposit: fees include a non-refundable deposit of £195.

Payment methods

You can pay for YMCAfit courses in the following ways:

• Credit/debit card by telephone on 020 7343 1850 (option 1)
• In person at our offices during the hours (9am – 5pm Monday to Thursday and 9am – 3pm on Friday)
• Cheques or postal orders by post. Please make these payable to ‘YMCA Fitness Industry Training’
• Purchase order/invoice
• By fax on 020 7436 1278

Note: postal bookings can only be confirmed once we have received the payment and a completed application form, which is signed and dated. Please do not send cash through the post.

Similar Course

• Kids' Fitness Street Dance

We also offer Professional Development for Secondary Schools (Key Stage 3 & 4)

In order for secondary schools to get the most out of the curriculum, staff and facilities, YMCAfit has developed four unique one-day training modules for PE specialists and teaching assistants.

Each module explores a range of innovative practical activities designed to motivate and challenge secondary school pupils and help them learn about health and fitness through Physical Education and ‘out of school hours learning’.