SilverSneakers Instructor Requirements

To be a SilverSneakers group exercise class instructor, one must:

• Be at least 18 years of age.
• Maintain current CPR certification.
• Hold a two or four year degree in health, exercise science, recreation or physical activity related field or maintain a nationally recognized certification (for example, ACE, AFAA, YMCA).
• Attend the SilverSneakers instructor training workshop for the specific SilverSneakers class one would like to teach.
• Commit to completing SilverSneakers Muscular Strength & Range of Movement (our signature class) within one year, if teaching other SilverSneakers classes.

NOTE: An accepted Degree or licensed (RN, LPN, PT, LMT,RYT) accreditation requires the instructor to complete a minimum of 10 hours of continuing education credits (CECs) from the SilverSneakers curriculum every 2 years.

Approved certifications must require:

• a formal re-certification process which includes a termed expiration
• continuing education courses as criteria for re-certification
  
• current CPR card in order to receive re-certification
  
• certification available to the general population

Examples of approved certifications are: ACE, AFAA, ACSM, Healthways, NETA, YMCA. As long as the certification meets the above criteria, we will accept it.

Instructors must attend one SilverSneakers workshop (Muscular Strength & Range of Movement, Cardio Circuit, YogaStretch, SilverSplash^®) for each SilverSneakers class format taught every four years and complete a minimum of one SilverSneakers and/or Healthways-sponsored continuing education workshop every year.

It is the responsibility of an instructor to submit the materials documenting the above criteria qualifications for approval. In addition, each SilverSneakers format has standards for the type of certification that will be accepted:

NOTE: Aqua certifications will not be accepted for land based formats and vice versa.
 

An instructor without the above qualifications may teach SilverSneakers classes following a Healthways training, however they must acquire a CPR certification prior to teaching and make a commitment to obtain one of the above certifications or another recognized certification that follows the criteria listed below within one year of teaching the SilverSneakers Fitness Program.  

Healthways recommends instructors new to group exercise instruction and/or without a recognized national certification attend all Healthways instructor training workshops offered in their area until satisfying the certification requirement.

• Become a SilverSneakers Instructor
• Instructor Requirements
• Healthways Accreditation
• Workshop Descriptions and Fees
• Instructor Q&As
• Contact Us