How to Become a Boot Camp Instructor

Are you a sports coach? Do you have some military training? Or simply, are you someone who gets a kick out of a heavy workout in open spaces instead of indoors? Do you enjoy leading others do physical trainings?

Then you might be interested in becoming a boot camp instructor. Learn how from our basic guide.

A boot camp could have many meanings depending on what discipline one is talking about, whether military, computer or physical fitness. In fitness, a boot camp or bootcamp is a military-inspired exercise well suited for those who want a heavy workout. A Boot camp program is different from most traditional exercises in that it takes students from the comforts of a fitness club to the outdoors where the conditions are ever changing. As such, in order to become a boot camp instructor one must be groomed well as a fitness teacher and must have extraordinarily high creativity, alertness and planning skills. For example, you need creativity in designing workouts such that you accommodate the varying expectations and needs of students with varying abilities such that everyone, the fast- and slow-goers, get the most of what they enrol for. And you must be prepared to find your way out of unexpected obstacles during classes, such as a change in the weather or traffic.

Becoming a Fitness Instructor

The path to pursuing a career as a boot camp instructor depends on where one is starting. Fitness centers looking for fitness instructors, including boot camp instructor, hire those with, at least, a fitness trainer or personal trainer certification from well known fitness associations such as the American Council on Exercise (ACE), the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) and the American Fitness Professionals & Associates (AFPA). You'd need to undergo physical and/or written exams to get some certification. The exam is around $200, excluding study materials.

Becoming a Boot camp Instructor

And so, if you are starting from point zero, then you can start by receiving proper instruction in one or more forms of fitness training. Then you get a CPR and first aid certification from your local YMCA or Red Cross. Afterwards, you can work to get a fitness training certification. If you are already a certified fitness instructor, former military personnel, or sports coach, and you want to be especially trained to become a certified boot camp instructor, you can take special courses such as the one offered by the ACE. Among the trainings one will receive is safety with regards to outdoor exercising as well as movement progressions. Completion of the program will qualify one for an outdoor boot camp instructor certificate. If you have a background in other physical trainings, it will not be for naught; you can incorporate your fitness specialization or background into your boot camp routine as a special feature.
 

9 Comments

  • Anel Bronkhorst said on October 26, 2010
    Hi, would love to become a bootcamp instructor. I am a qualified personal trainer, studio fitness trainer and sports massage therapist. I stay in South Africa, and urgently need to do this course. Please advise. Thanks Anel
  • Denise Porter said on December 14, 2010
    I live in San Diego, CA USA or El Centro, CA USA. I would like to become a boot camp instructor.
  • larry regales said on January 15, 2011
    we are a group off ex military guys(9)that served in the duch army for a few years, now we are living on the Iland Curacao duch caribbean were we have major problem with our younger generation (years start from 8 years till 17 years old) we are planing to start a discipline bootcamp school and is the reason that we want to travel to the state to get a course for may be 2 months or 3 to get certified for a bootcamp Instructor , we need information where we can get such course and how much it will cost for 9 people. thanks larry
  • William Steele said on May 4, 2011
    Hello, I am currently doing treatment at a military facility because of being injured in combat two years ago. Now that I am getting out I would love to become a boot camp instructor so that I can train young boys into men or whomever need my knowledge I am prior military so I have the experience just now I need the civilian education. thank you so much for helping me!
  • bright ng'andu said on June 5, 2011
    hello, I come from zambia in the city of lusaka, am a personal trainer as well as a gym instructor for the passed 8years and i want to become a boot comp instructor, we want to get in schools and outdoor training, and we only 've one instructor who comes from u.s one's after every after 6 months, looking forward to hear from you. Thanx bright
  • Elena Efimova said on September 9, 2011
    Hello, I am working 11 years as a fitness instructor and personal trainer in United Arab Emirates.Interested to become a certified boot camp instructor. Please send me the details of availability Boot Camp courses in UAE. Regards, Elena
  • Robert Brown said on December 2, 2011
    Hi,I have a Pilates center in Mallorca (Spain). i've been a pilates instructor for 2 years. Due to the good weather here on the Island becoming a certified boot camp instructor could really boost my business. Please send me details of availability Boot Camp course (Online or in Spain). Thank you very much,Robert
  • jayashree said on August 12, 2012
    I want to be Boot camp Instructor dubai marina dubai my cell # is 0502739480 thanks
  • james gaitens said on June 30, 2013
    hi i want to become a bootcamp instructor i take fitness classes bootcamp type of training for the last year in the park so now i would like to start my one business can you help me i live in glasgow thank james

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