Charisma key, but so is rigor of certification

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Kursten Wood wants to help people get in shape. The 24-year-old Arlington resident enjoyed taking exercise classes so much that she decided to learn to teach them.

Since the end of January, the instructor-in-training at Gold's Gym locations in Arlington has been team-teaching with more experienced instructors, until she completes her certification.

"I was up for a new challenge, to earn some extra cash and meet new people," Miss Wood says. "It takes a lot of work. It takes a lot of practice. Overall, it's a ton of fun."

Learning to become a fitness instructor is not as easy as it may look. Instructors must meet the standards of local gyms, and training requirements vary from gym to gym.

The instructor's certification depends on the exercise format, says Beverly Brown, group exercise director at the Bailey's Crossroads and Rosslyn Gold's Gyms in Arlington.

For freestyle exercise classes, step classes and cardio kick boxing, Gold's Gym recognizes certification from the American Council on Exercise based in San Diego, and the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America based in Sherman Oaks, Calif.

Gold's Gym also recognizes certification by Les Mills, which has its mid-Atlantic offices in Nottingham, Md. Miss Wood is finishing the training for Bodypump, a 60-minute barbell class that strengthens the entire body using squats, presses, lifts and curls.

All yoga instructors are required to attend a 200-hour training program and be certified by Yoga Alliance based in Clinton, Md. Instructors in every field must be certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation.

It is the instructors' responsibility to keep their certifications current, Ms. Brown says. Once a year, she reviews all of her instructors. She wants instructors to be confident and have bright personalities. They should be able to teach people of all skill levels and help their clients stay safe.

"I audition everybody," Ms. Brown says. "I don't care how many years of experience they have. I want to see them teach."