AEA Aquatic Fitness Professional (AFP) study materials
AEA Aquatic Fitness Professional (AFP) study resources

AEA Aquatic Fitness Professional (AFP) study guide

AEA Aquatic Fitness Professional (AFP) · Work through your exam, one topic at a time.

The AEA Aquatic Fitness Professional (AFP) certification is issued by the Aquatic Exercise Association, a nonprofit educational organization committed to accessible and inclusive aquatic exercise for better health and wellness worldwide. The credential is aimed at instructors who lead vertical aquatic fitness classes - water-based group exercise built around upright movement rather than swimming - and who want a recognized professional standard behind their teaching. Because AEA publishes Standards and Guidelines offering general recommendations for aquatic fitness professionals and for aquatic centers or fitness facilities offering vertical aquatic fitness classes or programs, candidates should expect exam content to reflect that professional-practice framing: exercise science applied in water, class design and cueing, and the safety and risk-management responsibilities that come with leading groups in a pool. Preparation typically combines the AEA certification materials and prep resources with hands-on teaching practice, and candidates should confirm current exam logistics, fees, and renewal requirements directly with AEA, since those details are set by the organization and can change. The AEA Aquatic Fitness Professional (AFP) study guide has 2 sections and about 1,032 words.

01

Aquatic Fitness Professional Knowledge and Practice

An Aquatic Fitness Professional (AFP) designs and leads movement in water, so every decision rests on water's physical properties. Know these cold: buoyancy (upward force reducing apparent body weight; roughly 50% weight-bearing at chest depth, up to ~90% at neck depth), hydrostatic pressure (compresses the body, supports venous return, and increases with depth), resistance (water resists in all directions, proportional to speed and surface area), viscosity and drag (form drag, surface drag, wave drag), and thermal conductivity (water carries heat away far faster than air).

364 words, about 2 min
02

Aquatic Exercise Safety

Safety in the pool starts before anyone enters the water. Know the pre-participation screening process (health history, PAR-Q-style tools, physician clearance when indicated), informed consent , and emergency action plans (EAPs) .

668 words, about 3 min