Checklist for Effective Aerobic Class Programming

1. Administration Systems
Are there administration systems in this Fitness Centre which effectively keep track of participant enquiries, class placement and individual progressive assessment throughout all class levels?

2. Screening / Referral - Aerobic Teacher Sighting System
Are there participant screening procedures implemented? Is there a system of referral which makes it possible for the aerobic teachers to become familiar with participants by name and to access relevant files? In other words are aerobic teachers aware of participant screening and fitness assessment details. (Note: With the present structure of aerobic teacher selection and employment often on a freelance basis, such a system of client awareness may be close to impossible. However, this issue is probably so important in terms of achieving results for clients, that a complete change of employment parameters may be easily justifiable. It could be that management needs to re-think employment structure to swing more to versatile full time staff in the fitness centre setting if the relationship between client history and client goals is to be successfully addressed on the aerobic floor).

3. Accreditation
Is each aerobic teacher fully accredited? If fully accredited we can assume that at least at some stage the instructor has had access to basic teaching techniques and class programming information. We can also assume that at some stage, they achieved a basic level of teaching and programming ability.

4. Education
a. Is there a participant education program or any educational reading matter incorporated in this Fitness Centre to assist participants to understand what they and the aerobic teacher are trying to achieve? It seems simply good common sense to acknowledge that it may be easier to make changes to a person's life if they actually understand the reasons why and processes by which changes are made. To a certain extent, the ideal is to provide enough information to allow for a client to become self managed in some vital areas related to workload adjustment and perceived exertion.

b. Is there a policy and plan related to in-centre and out of centre staff education?

c. Is there a policy and procedure for developing the skills of potential new staff and orientating new staff to centre procedures?

5. Aerobic Program Quality Control
a. Is there an aerobic co-coordinator who is responsible for ensuring that skills and principles learned in basic accreditation courses are maintained?

b. Is there some form of management control of class design to ensure that aerobic teachers 'stay on-track' with the programming objectives of the Fitness Centre in relation to its target market or clientele.

6. Authority Standards / and Employment Parameters
a. Does the aerobic co-coordinator appointed have well established rapport and control of the aerobic staff group?

b. Is there a procedure for commencing and terminating employment?

c. Is there a specifically designed employment agreement and task outline for each staff position and are these outlines being adhered to as a measure of performance criteria? Are such outlines adjusted and updated where necessary?

7. Aerobic Program Flexibility Parameters
a. Is the aerobics program structured to cater for individual differences of training type and times to ensure that all types of participants can receive an appropriate workout at all times?

8. Automation ...Relativity to Program Success
Are administrative, computerized, and other automated procedures designed to assist management, staff, and clients in achieving programming success?

9. Equipment / Music Delivery
Is the equipment on the aerobics floor of suitable standard, able to be suitably stored and positioned on the aerobics floor? Is the class music used motivating and of high quality production and played on adequate sound equipment...to ensure that motivation potential related to music is maximized?

10. Visual and Auditory Parameters
Can all participants see and hear the instructor while the aerobic class is in progress? Is the aerobic floor area set out, 'faced' and 'shaped' to ensure optimum advantage to the instructor in building rapport and getting the message across as clearly as possible?

11. Marketing / Staff Awareness
Is all staff informed as to the current marketing activities of the centre and all services available to clients as well as potential clients? Are staffs encouraged to use their initiative in this regard?

12. Administration & Programming Policies / Staff Awareness
Are all staff aware of administration and programming ideals and policies at the centre?

13. Staff / Management Communication Consistency
a. Are staff/ management meetings compulsory and attended by everybody?

b. Are meetings specifically structured according to: (Time/Content/Plans/Deadlines)?

c. Is the management and staff communication at this Fitness Centre usually positively orientated or usually negatively orientated? Is communication structured to take advantage of constructive ideas from all?