Group Exercise Instructor (Hays)

Greater Austin YMCA; Buda (TX); On-site; USD 26,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

Greater Austin YMCA is seeking a Group Exercise Instructor to lead beginner-friendly classes, ensure participant safety, and promote wellness goals. The role involves teaching, supervising equipment, and coordinating with staff to maintain a safe, welcoming environment across group sessions.

Ideal candidates will have basic fitness experience, relevant certifications, and a strong customer-service mindset. A positive attitude and teamwork are essential for success within our YMCA community.

Qualifications

• Must be 18 years or older.
• High school diploma, GED or equivalent.
• Must have beginner level fitness skills with 0–1 year of fitness/teaching experience and audition for Health & Wellness leadership before teaching.
• Nationally recognized certification in specialty areas (e.g., YMCA Group Exercise Certification, Indoor Cycling, Zumba, Les Mills).
• Current First Aid/ CPR Certifications preferred (must be obtained within 30 days of employment).
• Growth mindset; willingness to learn from feedback and improve.
• Team player with a positive, service-oriented attitude and ability to work with others.
• Strong communication skills, both listening and speaking/writing effectively.
• Customer focus and ability to build relationships and deliver solutions.
• Commitment to inclusion and belonging; value differences as strengths.

Responsibilities

• Protect health, safety, and welfare of all participants and keep fitness area safe.
• Encourage members to learn benefits of exercise and inform about other YMCA programs.
• Answer questions and address fitness-related concerns of members.
• Lead and/or co-teach individual or group classes as designated.
• Arrive 7–10 minutes before class and start on time.
• Submit maintenance requests for repairs of equipment as needed.
• Secure own substitute if unable to attend scheduled shift.
• Assess appropriate level for all participants and set up/put away equipment.
• Follow YMCA Health & Wellness Program objectives and policies.
• Render first aid as needed and complete incident reports for injuries.
• Attend required meetings and trainings.
• Support center goals, embody YMCA mission and values.

Skills

Beginner fitness skills

Communication skills

Team player

Growth mindset

Customer focus

Inclusion & belonging

Education

High school diploma or GED

Job description

Why Your Role Matters

Our Group Exercise Programs bring together health-seekers of all ages, backgrounds, and skill levels in a fun, supportive environment where they move, groove, and sweat their way toward better well-being. As a Group Exercise Instructor, you teach participants the benefits of exercise and provide a safe and healthy instructional experience.

How You Will Make An Impact

• Protect health, safety, and welfare of all participants by keeping fitness area safe (i.e., racking weights, floors clear, and fitness equipment clean and sanitized, etc.).
• Encourage members to learn and understand the benefits of exercise and weight training and provide information about other available programs offered through the YMCA.
• Be available to answer questions and address fitness related concerns of members.
• Lead and/or co-teach individual or group classes as designated by the supervisor.
• Arrive 7-10 minutes before class starts and be prepared to start class on time.
• Submit proper maintenance requests as needed for repairs and maintenance of fitness equipment.
• Secure own substitute if unable to attend scheduled shift.
• Be responsible for judging the appropriate level for all participants.
• Set up and put away equipment as needed.
• Understand and carry out YMCA Health & Wellness Program objectives.
• Know, understand, follow and enforce all rules and policies of the YMCA equally.
• Know and follow the Greater Austin YMCA's People Guidelines, Code of Ethics, payroll procedures (including completing timesheets), and established emergency procedures.
• Render first aid as needed and complete incident/accident report form for every injury/altercation on the premises.
• Attend all required meetings and/or trainings.
• Actively and enthusiastically support the Center and Association goals and directions through effective completion of tasks and verbal display to peers, staff, members and guests.
• Lead by example the Y's mission, vision, and values with program participants, members, staff and guests.
• Become an Ambassador of the Y's work and culture by being the ultimate storyteller of who we are as an organization and brand.
• Complete other duties as assigned.

What You Bring To The Y

• Must be a minimum of 18 years of age.
• High school diploma, GED or equivalent.
• Must have beginner level fitness skills including 0--1-year previous fitness/teaching experience and must audition for Health & Wellness Director/Coordinator before teaching.
• Must have, as applicable, nationally recognized certification in specialty area(s) (i.e., YMCA Group Exercise Certification, Indoor Cycling, Zumba, Les Mills etc.)
• Current First Aid/ CPR Certifications preferred (must be obtained within 30 days of employment.)
• You have a growth mindset -You quickly learn from failure and value feedback in the effort to continuously improve.
• You are a team player with a positive, service-oriented attitude and you can work well with others.
• You communicate effectively -You listen for understanding and meaning. You speak and writeeffectively.
• You are customer focus - You build good customer relationships and deliver customer-centric solutions.
• You foster a culture of inclusion and belonging -You leverage people's differences as strengths.

Physical Requirements

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to sit, stand, walk, bend, talk, and occasionally lift and/or move items, including equipment, furniture, and/or children. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.