Cycle Instructor

Santa Monica Family YMCA; Santa Monica (CA); On-site; USD 34,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Santa Monica Family YMCA is seeking an energetic Cycle Instructor to lead indoor cycling classes, welcome participants, and promote safe, effective workouts. You will guide students through warm-ups, intervals, climbs, sprints, and cooldowns while maintaining high safety standards and encouraging progression.

The role requires a recognized Indoor Cycling Instructor Certification, at least one year of teaching experience, and completion of required trainings within 30 days of hire, including

Qualifications

• Certification in indoor cycling from recognized programs (Schwinn, Spinning, Stages, or equivalent).
• Minimum 1 year of experience teaching indoor cycling or group fitness classes.
• All trainings completed within 30 days of hire plus CPR/AED and First Aid within 30 days.

Responsibilities

• Lead safe, effective indoor cycling classes tailored to fitness levels.
• Greet participants, monitor form, adjust resistance, and provide guidance.
• Set up equipment, manage class flow, and ensure a positive, inclusive environment.
• Offer modifications for injuries or limitations and track progress toward goals.

Skills

Strong communication

Group leadership

Customer service

Education

Indoor Cycling Instructor Certification

Job description

POSITION SUMMARY

Under the direction of the Healthy Living Coordinator and in accordance with established Association policies, procedures, and goals, the Cycle Instructor is responsible for building positive relationships among members, participants, volunteers, and staff by actively greeting and providing excellent customer service, guidance, and leadership. The Instructor leads indoor cycling classes in a safe, effective, and timely manner, appropriate to the fitness levels and abilities of participants, to enhance cardiovascular endurance, muscular strength, and overall physical and mental well-being.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS

• Create a positive member experience through welcoming participants, learning names, and ensuring they are actively engaged in their workout
• Plan and lead engaging indoor cycling classes by implementing effective teaching methods, structured workouts, and giving equal attention to all participants.
• Provide safe and effective cycling workouts by demonstrating proper riding techniques, posture, bike setup, resistance adjustments, and appropriate modifications.
• Assist participants with proper bike adjustments, including seat height, handlebar positioning, and pedal placement, to promote comfort, safety, and injury prevention.
• Design classes that incorporate appropriate warm-ups, intervals, climbs, sprints, recovery periods, and cool-downs based on participant fitness levels.
• Monitor participants' progress and provide ongoing feedback, encouragement, and support to promote improvement and goal attainment
• Modify exercises and routines as needed to accommodate injuries, limitations, or varying skill levels while maintaining participant safety
• Ensure all instruction prioritizes proper alignment, body mechanics, and injury prevention at all times.
• Operate and manage studio sound equipment, ensuring music is appropriate for the class format, participant demographics, and YMCA standards
• Maintain a clean and safe workout area
• Effectively utilize scheduled class time
• Properly set up and breakdown class equipment in allotted timeframe
• Build community through forming positive relationships through learning names, and helping members reach their health & wellness goals
• Adhere to the core functions of the YMCA and exemplify Y Group Exercise Class Guidelines
• Visual and auditory ability to respond to critical situations and physical ability to act swiftly in an emergency
• Physical ability to lead and participate in exercise/fitness activities
• Ability to communicate verbally to large and small groups of members
• Other duties as assigned

QUALIFICATIONS

• Recognized Indoor Cycling Instructor Certification required, such as Schwinn, Spinning (Mad Dogg Athletics), Stages Cycling, or equivalent.
• Minimum one year of experience teaching indoor cycling or group exercise classes.
• All job required trainings within 30 days from date of hire
• Strong communication skills and the capability to work with members of all fitness levels and abilities
• Knowledge of fitness principles and practical applications required
• Licensing, state law and our government funders require that staff within Santa Monica Family YMCA be fingerprinted, prior to reporting to work, and include subsequent arrest notifications
• CPR/AED, and First Aid Certification, must include Adult and Child/Infant, obtained within 30 days of hire and must be from one of the following certifying organizations:
  • American Red Cross
  • American Heart Association
  • American Safety & Health Institute