5955 Golden Valley Road, Suite 240
Minneapolis, MN 55422
763-545-2505
800-237-6242
fax: 763-545-2524
www.NETAfit.org
Dear Group Exercise Instructor Certification Candidate,
NETAs Group Exercise Instructor Certification is accredited through the National Commission for
Certifying Agencies (NCCA). The process of earning accreditation is extensive and included the input of
many Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) to conduct an analysis of the group exercise instructors role and
responsibilities, and to develop the certification exam.
NETAs The Fitness Professionals Manual, 4th edition (2014) is an excellent resource to help prepare
for the exam. In addition to studying the Manual, NETA also recommends completion of The Fitness
Professionals Workbook for Group Exercise Instructors (item #26), which includes a 50-question Group
Exercise Instructor Practice Exam. A series of four online Exercise Science Review Modules (item
#124) may also be purchased to supplement your exam preparations. Visit our website for more
information on these additional study resources.
The 1-day live workshop is intended to serve as a final review of key topics in preparation for the
certification examination. The workshop is primarily lecture with some practical activities. To
successfully prepare for the exam, NETA recommends that participants study the material
beginning at least 30-45 days prior to attending the workshop or sitting for the examination.
Self-study time may vary depending on the individuals existing knowledge, the quality of time devoted
to study, and the rate at which candidates comprehend the information. A sample 30- and 45-day
preparation schedule is provided in this packet.
In addition, candidates should also review NETAs Group Exercise Instructors (Job) Analysis (also
known as a Role Delineation). This document serves as the blueprint from which the certification exam
was constructed. This document is available in the NETA-CB Certification Candidate Handbook (pgs.
9-14) located on NETAs website at http://www.netafit.org/certification/NETA%20Exam%20Candidate%20Handbook.pdf. Take
some time to familiarize yourself with the exam content and subject matter allocation. Your preparation
for the exam should be focused accordingly.
If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at 1-800-237-6242 or refer to Frequently
Asked Questions at www.netafit.org.
Good luck with your preparations for NETAs NCCA-accredited Group Exercise Instructor certification
exam!
Sincerely,
NETAs Education Department
NETA Group Exercise Instructor Certification
Study Guide
Chapter 1 The Role of the Fitness Professional
What you should know:
The roles of the fitness professional
Ideal qualities and characteristics
Ethical and professional standards
NETAs Professional Code of Ethics
Chapter 2 Relationship-Building & Communication Skills
What you should know:
The impact of a message
Active, verbal, and nonverbal listening skills
Asking effective questions (e.g., open, closed)
Chapter 3 Behavior Modification & Motivation
What you should know:
Stages of the transtheoretical model
Factors that influence self-efficacy
Approaches to setting SMART goals
Action- versus outcome-oriented goals
Strategies to increase motivation and adherence
Chapter 5 Human Anatomy
What you should know:
Anatomical location terminology
Planes of anatomical movement
Functions of the skeletal system
Major bones of the skeleton and vertebral column
Types of muscle tissue
Structure of skeletal muscle
Major skeletal muscles throughout the body
Type of muscle actions and muscle functions
Chapter 6 Applied Kinesiology & Biomechanics
What you should know:
Movement terminology
Joint actions throughout the body and the
corresponding muscles
Newtons three laws of motion
Types of lever systems
Principles of applied biomechanics
Chapter 7 Exercise Physiology
What you should know:
Components of the cardiovascular system
Pathway of blood flow through the body/heart
Cardiorespiratory variables, the responses during
exercise, and adaptations to training
Variables related to oxygen consumption
The three energy systems and their contributions
during exercise
Anaerobic threshold
Characteristics of skeletal muscle fiber types
Neuromuscular system and the motor unit
Chapter 8 Essential Nutrients for Health & Performance
What you should know:
Structure, function and food sources of
carbohydrates
Structure, function and food sources of protein
Structure, function and food sources of fat
Role and classification of vitamins and minerals
Function of water and fluid intake
recommendations
Recommended macronutrient percentages in a
healthy diet
The concept the Recommended Dietary
Allowances (RDAs)
Chapter 9 Dietary Guidelines
What you should know:
Overarching concepts and key recommendations
of the Dietary Guidelines for Americans (2010)
Recommended healthy eating patterns
Key messages of the MyPyramid and MyPlate
graphics
Interpretation of a Nutrition Facts label
How to calculate percent of calories derived from
each macronutrient in a food.
Chapter 10 Weight Management
What you should know:
Metabolism and energy balance
Guidelines for safe weight loss
Findings of the National Weight Control Registry
How to calculate goal body weight
Chapter 11 Eating Disorders
What you should know:
Risk factors for the development of eating
disorders
General characteristics of various eating disorders
Chapter 12 Initial Intake & Pre-Participation Screening
What you should know:
Components of the Informed Consent document
Physical Activity Readiness Questionnaire (PAR-Q)
Risk factors for CVD
Chapter 13 Health Screening Assessments
What you should know:
Normal resting heart rate range
Classifications of resting blood pressure
NETA Group Exercise Instructor Certification Study Guide
Chapter 14 Postural Analysis
What you should know:
Postural alignment and the kinetic chain
Factors that affect pelvic alignment
Characteristics of various spinal misalignments
Characteristics of upper and lower cross syndrome
Chapter 16 Physical Activity & Health
What you should know:
Health benefits of regular physical activity
Key recommendations of the 2008 Physical Activity
Guidelines for Americans
METs and classification of physical activity intensity
Definitions of the five components of health-related
physical fitness
Principles of training and their application to
exercise programs
Chapter 17 Cardiorespiratory Fitness Programming
What you should know:
Elements of a cardiorespiratory exercise session
Objectives and effects of the warm-up
Objectives and effects of the cool-down
Guidelines for cardiorespiratory exercise and FITT
How to calculate target heart rate using the
maximum heart rate method and the Karvonen
formula
Rate of perceived exertion
Based types of cardiorespiratory exercise workouts
Chapter 18 Programming for Muscular Fitness
What you should know:
Benefits of resistance training
Types of resistance training exercises
Closed-chain versus open-chain exercises
Signs and symptoms of overtraining
Guidelines for resistance training programs
Identify joint actions and primary muscles during
various resistance training exercises.
Chapter 19 Flexibility Programming
What you should know:
Understand the sensory receptors and their function
in the effect of flexibility training
Types of stretching exercises
Proposed benefits of stretching
Guidelines for flexibility training
Recommended static stretches for major muscle
groups throughout the body
Chapter 21 Group Exercise Class Structure and Formats
What you should know:
Components of a group exercise class
Guidelines for each group exercise class
component
Characteristics of the most popular group exercise
class formats
Chapter 22 Injury Management & Emergency Response
What you should know:
Basic etiology, considerations, and precautions
related to common exercise-related injuries
Immediate care for exercise-related injuries
(e.g., PRICE)
Strategies to prevent common-exercise related
injuries
Signs and symptoms of heat-related disorders
Strategies to reduce the risk of heat-related
disorders
Signs and symptoms of cardiovascular
emergencies (e.g., heart attack, stroke)
Emergency response procedures
Chapter 23 Medical Conditions & Special Populations
What you should know:
Exercise precautions and recommendations
related to common medical conditions including
asthma, arthritis, diabetes, hypertension, and
osteoporosis.
Exercise considerations, precautions and
recommendations for special populations including
pregnancy, older adults, and youth/adolescents
Chapter 24 Risk Management for Fitness Professionals
What you should know:
Legal concepts such as standard of care and
negligence
Common liability exposures for fitness
professionals
Scope of practice limitations with regard to medical
considerations and dietetics
Risk management strategies for fitness
professionals
Importance of professional liability insurance
Chapter 25 Documentation & Record Keeping
What you should know:
The importance of confidentiality of clients
personal information
Purpose of a waiver and release of liability form
Chapter 20 Teaching Skills
What you should know:
32-count music structure
Number of counts/beats in basic movements
Strategies to comply with music copyright laws
Verbal and non-verbal cueing strategies
Forms of adult learning styles
Base Movement Progression
Options of choreography development/teaching
methods
NETA Group Exercise Instructor Certification Study Guide
30 Day Group Exercise Instructor Study Schedule
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
Fri
X(XX)
Sat
1 (30)
Review NETAs Certification
Candidate Handbook.
Visit: www.netafit.org
Day #
2 (29)
Read Chapter 1 of Manual
Complete Review Questions
Countdown
3 (28)
Read Chapter 2
Read Chapter 3
Complete Review Questions
4 (27)
Read Chapter 5
Complete Review Questions
10 (21)
Read Chapter 10
Complete Review Questions
Read Chapter 7
Complete Review Questions
19 (12)
Read Chapter 19
Complete Review Questions
Practice Static Stretches
14 (17)
Read Chapter 13
Read Chapter 14
Complete Review Questions
27(4)
16 (15)
Read Chapter 16
Complete Review Questions
22(9)
Read Chapter 21
Complete Review Questions
28(3)
Review Section VIII:
Chapters 24-25
9 (22)
Read Chapter 9
Complete Review Questions
Visit: www.choosemyplate.gov
Visit: www.dietaryguidelines.gov
15 (16)
Review Section IV:
Chapters 12-14
21(10)
Read Chapter 20
Complete Review Questions
Practice listening and cueing
to 32-count music
Read Chapter 25
Complete Review Questions
8 (23)
Read Chapter 8
Complete Review Questions
20 (11)
Review Section V:
Chapters 16-19
26(5)
Read Chapter 24
Complete Review Questions
7 (24)
Review Section II:
Chapters 5-7
13 (18)
Read Chapter 12
Complete Review Questions
25(6)
Review Sections VI & VII:
Chapters 20-23
6 (25)
12 (19)
Review Section III:
Chapters 8-11
18 (13)
Read Chapter 18
Complete Review Questions
Practice RT Exercises
24(7)
Chapter 23
Complete Review Questions
Read Chapter 6
Complete Review Questions
11 (20)
Chapter 11
Complete Review Questions
17 (14)
Read Chapter 17
Complete Review Questions
5 (26)
23(8)
Chapter 22
Complete Review Questions
29(2)
Practice Exam (optional)
Review
30(1)
GX Workshop and Exam
45 Day Group Exercise Instructor Study Schedule
Sun
Mon
Tue
Wed
Thu
X(XX)
Fri
1 (45)
Review NETAs Certification
Candidate Handbook.
Visit: www.netafit.org
Day #
Sat
2 (44)
Read Chapter 1 of Manual
Complete Review Questions
3 (43)
Read Chapter 2
Read Chapter 3
Complete Review Questions
Countdown
4 (42)
Recovery Day
Read Chapter 5
Complete Review Questions
11 (35)
Recovery Day
18 (28)
25 (21)
32 (14)
39 (7)
40 (6)
Read Chapter 24
Complete Review Questions
28 (18)
34 (12)
Review Section VI:
Chapters 20-21
35 (11)
Recovery Day
41 (5)
Read Chapter 25
Complete Review Questions
NETA Group Exercise Instructor Certification Study Guide
15 (31)
21 (25)
Read Chapter 18
Pages 219-254
Complete Review Questions
Practice RT Exercises
16(30)
29 (17)
24 (22)
Read Chapter 16
Complete Review Questions
30 (16)
Recovery Day
36 (10)
31 (15)
Review Section V:
Chapters 16-19
37 (9)
Chapter 23
Complete Review Questions
43 (3)
Practice Exam (optional)
Review as needed
17 (29)
Review Section III:
Chapters 8-11
23 (23)
Review Section IV:
Chapters 12-14
Read Chapter 19
Complete Review Questions
10 (36)
Read Chapter 8
Complete Review Questions
Chapter 11
Complete Review Questions
22 (24)
Recovery Day
Read Chapter 22
Complete Review Questions
42 (4)
Review Section VIII:
Chapters 24-25
9 (37)
Review Section II:
Chapters 5-7
Read Chapter 10
Complete Review Questions
Read Chapter 14
Complete Review Questions
27 (19)
Read Chapter 18
Pages 211-218
8 (38)
Recovery Day
14 (32)
Recovery Day
20 (26)
Read Chapter 13
Complete Review Questions
33 (13)
Read Chapter 21
Complete Review Questions
7 (39)
Read Chapter 7
Complete Review Questions
13 (33)
Visit: www.choosemyplate.gov
Visit: www.dietaryguidelines.gov
26 (20)
Read Chapter 17
Complete Review Questions
Read Chapter 20
Complete Review Questions
Practice listening and cueing
to 32-count music
Read Chapter 6
Complete Review Questions
19 (27)
Read Chapter 12
Complete Review Questions
Recovery Day
6 (40)
12 (34)
Read Chapter 9
Complete Review Questions
Recovery Day
Recovery Day
5 (41)
38 (8)
Review Sections VI & VII:
Chapters 20-23
44 (2)
Review as needed
45 (1)
GX Workshop and Exam
