NAFTA - National Aerobics & Fitness Trainers Association

NAFTA Aqua Aerobic Exercise Instructor

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Upcoming Workshops

January 29, 2026
Cabot, AR

Complete Schedule

Certification Details

Create a splash with your customers! Learn how to conduct low-impact aerobic routines in the water and facilitate activity in all age groups.

This course is designed to prepare participants for designing challenging and effective aquatic classes. Topics covered are properties for aquatic training, instructional techniques, resistance training for aquatics, aquatic exercises, programs for common injuries and healthy populations, teaching on deck and in the water, designing interval and circuit training classes.

This course was developed by NAFTA experts, is an excellent resource to build the skills necessary to lead aquatic group exercise. 

Learning Objectives:

Domain I: Foundations of Fitness and Exercise

  • Physical Fitness
  • Exercise Anatomy
  • Exercise Physiology
  • Movement Analysis
  • Exercise Motivation and Behavior

Domain II: The Aquatic Environment

  • The Physical Laws as Applied to the Aquatic Environment
  • The Pool Environment and Design
  • Safety and Risk Management

Domain III: Instruction and Programming

  • Shallow-Water Exercise
  • Deep-Water Exercise
  • Aquatic Exercise Leadership
  • Aquatic Exercise Programming 

NAFTA is including the NAFTA CPR/AED course as part of our course packages!  You will be required to complete the online course prior to receiving your Specialty Certification. 

Written Exam:   The written exam will given at the end of the class.  

Practical Exam:  The practical exam will be administered during the class.

*NAFTA, course materials will be presented to you electronically upon completion of your purchase. The courses included the electronic materials, the workshops and/or the OnDemand Videos, written exam and practical exams (where applicable). Upon successful completion the participants will receive a certification. 

NAFTA does not offer refunds, transfers nor course credits for any purchase or incomplete course.  

 

Requirements

The following eligibility requirements have been implemented for the certification exam:

  • You must be at least 18 years of age.
  • You must hold adult CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) certification and it must be current at the time of the exam. Those submitting proof of CPR with their application will be exempt from future CPR audits, up to the expiration date of the certification. (You may sit for the exam without proof of CPR; however, you will not receive your exam results until you provide proof of current CPR certification.)
  • You must hold current certification in Basic First Aid and it must be current at the time of the exam. Those submitting proof of First Aid Certification with their application will be exempt from future audits, up to the expiration date of the certification. (You may sit for the exam without proof of First Aid Certification; however, you will not receive your exam results until you provide proof of current First Aid certification.)
  • In order to take the Certification exams, you must attend the NAFTA workshop for the specific certification you are pursuing and have taken the practical examination component prior to receiving your on line access to the written exam.

Recertification

To get recertified in this certification you either need to earn 15 CEU's or take a new certification workshop. To apply for recertification, please log in to your account.


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