Fit Academy
About Fit Academy
Interested in becoming a Group Fitness Instructor or Personal Trainer with RecSports? Fit Academy offers both group fitness instructor and personal trainer prep courses to help Notre Dame students learn all the necessary information and skills for the Athletics and Fitness Association of America Group Fitness Certification Exam (AFAA) and the National Academy of Sports Medicine Personal Trainer Certification Exam (NASM). Each course consists of a self-study curriculum, in-person workshops, and hands-on experience in the fitness industry.
Program Eligibility
This program is open to enrolled University of Notre Dame undergraduate and graduate students. Priority will be given to applicants who can demonstrate the ability to work as instructors or personal trainers for at least two semesters after the program's conclusion.
Questions about eligibility? Please email Kyle Dawson at kdawson3@nd.edu.
Fit Academy Program Offerings
Group Fitness Instructor Prep Course (Opens August 2026)
This program aims to prepare you for the Athletics and Fitness Association of America Group Fitness
Certification Exam (AFAA) by following a self-study curriculum and gaining hands-on fitness experience. The prep course will expose students to different class formats: cardio, strength, dance, mind/body, and cycle.
Program Dates: Applications will open on August 1st
- Application Due: September 11th
- If interest form proceeds to final round: In-Person Interviews: September 14 - September 17
- First Meeting: September 20 (3:00pm - 4:00pm)
- Program Schedule: September 20 - December 4 (Exam 12/6)
Program Cost: All participants accepted into the program are required to complete a $180 registration fee.
Program Includes:
- AFFA Online Study Curriculum
- Online Practice Exam
- American Red Cross Pro Rescuer & First Aid Certification
- Semester Group Fitness Pass
- Six In-Person Workshops
- Weekly group fitness teaching experience and final audition
Participants who complete all portions of the program will be offered a voucher to take the certification exam and the opportunity to join the RecSports Fitness Team!
Personal Trainer Prep Course (SPRING 2027)
This program aims to prepare you for the National Academy of Sports Medicine Personal Trainer Certification Exam (NASM) by following a self-study curriculum and gaining hands-on fitness experience. The prep course will expose students to exercise program design, exercise physiology, fitness assessments, and personal training session experience with a client.
Program Dates: Applications open in November 2026 for the Spring 2027 semester
Program Dates: (SPRING 2027)
Program Cost: All participants accepted into the program are required to complete a $200 registration fee.
Program Includes
- NASM Online Study Curriculum
- Online Practice Exam
- American Red Cross Pro Rescuer & First Aid Certification
- Six In-Person Workshops
- Semester Group Fitness Pass
- A minimum of 5 mock client personal training sessions and a final mock session
Participants who complete all portions of the program will be offered a voucher to take the certification exam and the opportunity to join the RecSports Fitness Team!
Questions?
Contact Kaitlyn Kyger, (kkyger@nd.edu), Assistant Director for Fitness & Instructional Programs