AFAA GFI study plan
AFAA GFI · Give each week a clear focus.
8 weeks · About 7 hours per week
Group Fitness Instruction Fundamentals
Define the core responsibilities and scope of practice of a group fitness instructor in your own words
List the components of a complete class (warm-up, conditioning, cool-down) and state the purpose of each
Identify at least five instructor behaviors that build class cohesion and motivation
Create a one-page glossary of fundamental group fitness terminology
Your checkpoint
A one-page scope-of-practice and class-structure summary sheet written from memory
Group Fitness Instruction Fundamentals & Class Design, Choreography, and Cueing
Map each fundamental instruction skill to a specific moment in a class timeline
Draft a 5-minute warm-up script using only clear, directional verbal cues
Practice delivering the warm-up script aloud and record yourself
Self-evaluate the recording against a checklist of cue clarity and pacing
Your checkpoint
A recorded 5-minute warm-up with a completed self-evaluation checklist
Anatomy, Kinesiology, and Biomechanics
Label the major muscle groups and their primary joint actions
Explain agonist, antagonist, and stabilizer roles using three common exercise examples
Describe the planes of motion and match each to a sample movement
Identify five common movement faults and the biomechanical reason behind each
Your checkpoint
A labeled anatomy and kinesiology reference sheet covering muscles, actions, and planes
Anatomy, Kinesiology, and Biomechanics & Safety, Injury Prevention, and Professional Responsibilities
Connect each common movement fault to a cue that corrects it safely
List pre-activity screening considerations and when to refer a participant
Outline warm-up and cool-down rationale in terms of injury prevention
Draft a safety checklist for setting up a group fitness space
Your checkpoint
A movement-fault-to-correction table plus a one-page class safety checklist
Exercise Physiology and Energy Systems
Compare the three energy systems by duration, intensity, and fuel source
Explain how heart rate, RPE, and talk test estimate exercise intensity
Describe the acute cardiovascular and respiratory responses to aerobic exercise
Summarize the basic principles of warm-up, overload, and recovery
Your checkpoint
A one-page energy-systems and intensity-monitoring comparison chart
Exercise Physiology and Energy Systems & Class Design, Choreography, and Cueing
Design a 30-minute class that targets distinct intensity zones across its phases
Write choreography for one conditioning block using progressive build methodology
Layer three cue types (verbal, visual, kinesthetic) into the same block
Map music tempo to movement selection for the designed block
Your checkpoint
A full 30-minute class plan with choreography notes, cue layers, and tempo mapping
Class Design, Choreography, and Cueing & Safety, Injury Prevention, and Professional Responsibilities
Teach the 30-minute plan aloud in real time and time each segment
Identify where cueing broke down and revise those transitions
List modifications and progressions for at least three common exercises
Review professional responsibilities including consent, confidentiality, and emergency response
Your checkpoint
A revised class plan with documented modifications, progressions, and a timed teach-through log
Group Fitness Instruction Fundamentals & Anatomy, Kinesiology, and Biomechanics & Exercise Physiology and Energy Systems & Class Design, Choreography, and Cueing & Safety, Injury Prevention, and Professional Responsibilities
Complete a timed mixed-domain practice set and score it
Re-review the two lowest-scoring domains from earlier weeks
Recite key definitions and safety protocols from memory
Finalize a personal cueing and safety quick-reference card for exam day
Your checkpoint
A scored full-length practice set with a written remediation list for weak areas
Milestones
Week 2: Can deliver a 5-minute warm-up with clear cues and correct pacing without notes
Week 4: Can name major muscle actions, planes of motion, and correct five common movement faults
Week 6: Can produce a complete 30-minute class plan with layered cues and tempo mapping
Week 8: Scores at or above target on a timed mixed-domain practice set and has a remediation list