Last Updated on December 18, 2025 by Laura Jensen
Careers in group exercise can be extremely rewarding. Whether you’re coming into the sector as a second career, through a love of movement, teaching, dance, sport or wellbeing, there is a lot to love. There is also a lot to learn. One of the biggest areas of confusion for people starting out is understanding the difference between qualifications and Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
They are not the same thing, and they are not interchangeable. Getting this wrong can cost you time, money and future opportunities.
This guide explains the difference clearly, outlines what to look for when choosing a qualification, and shows how CPD fits into a safe, credible and sustainable career in group exercise.
Qualifications and CPD are not the same thing
A qualification is your formal starting point. It is what allows you to teach group exercise safely, legally and within an agreed scope of practice. Without a recognised qualification, you should not be delivering classes.
CPD comes after qualification, not instead of it. CPD is about building on your foundation, keeping your knowledge up to date, and expanding your skills once you are already qualified.
This distinction matters. CPD is not a shortcut into the industry, and completing a CPD course does not make you qualified to teach if you do not already hold the appropriate qualification.
If you are new to the industry, your first step should always be getting the right qualification. CPD becomes valuable once that foundation is in place.
How to look for the right qualification
Choosing the right qualification is one of the most important decisions you will make early in your career.
Your background
First, it is worth knowing that you do not have to be a personal trainer to become a group exercise instructor. Many people enter the sector from other backgrounds such as teaching, dance, sport or community work. Those skills are valuable, but they still need to be supported by a formal, recognised qualification.
Awarding bodies
When researching courses, look at the awarding organisation behind them. EMD UK (as the National Governing Body for Group Exercise) recognises all qualifications awarded by Active IQ, YMCA Awards and Focus Awards. These organisations are regulated and have clear standards that training providers must meet.
Course delivery
You should also consider how the course is delivered. Everyone learns differently. Some people benefit from face-to-face teaching, while others prefer online or blended learning. Neither is right or wrong, but it should suit your learning style and circumstances.
Assessments
Assessment methods are another key consideration. Some qualifications include formal anatomy and physiology exams. Others rely more heavily on written assignments and coursework. If exams make you anxious, that might influence your choice, but remember that different assessment styles still need to meet the same professional standards.
Timeframes
Timeframes vary widely too. Some providers run very short courses over a weekend or a few weeks, while others allow up to two years to complete. If you are fitting training around work, caring responsibilities or another career, flexibility matters.
The key message is to research properly and choose a route that fits your life without compromising quality.
Why quick and cheap courses can cost you more
Social media advertising has made it easy for anyone to promote a course. Just because something appears professional online does not mean it is a recognised qualification.
Cheap deals, flash sales and “instructor certificates” can be tempting, especially when you are excited about getting started. But many of these are not Ofqual-regulated qualifications. Completing them may leave you unable to get insurance, unable to become professionally recognised in the industry and unable to work with certain employers as a consequence. Without the right qualification, doors can close quickly.
There is also a safety aspect. Teaching without the correct underpinning knowledge increases the risk of injury to both you and your participants. That is not a risk worth taking.
You could end up spending significant money on the wrong course and then have to pay again to retrain properly. Doing it right the first time is almost always cheaper in the long run.
It can be helpful to talk to people already working in the industry. Ask where they trained and what they would do differently. Personal recommendations from experienced instructors are far more reliable than paid adverts.
What a recognised qualification should include
While qualifications differ depending on the discipline, there are core elements that should appear across group exercise training.
These typically include:
- Anatomy and physiology
- Principles of exercise, health and fitness
- Designing and planning sessions
- Delivering classes safely and effectively
CPD courses can act as a bridge for people coming into the sector from non-fitness backgrounds, covering essential fitness knowledge alongside teaching skills; or as bolt ons to expand your scope of practice. Our own Level 2 ‘The Bridge’ qualification for the sector, with Active IQ and YMCA as the awarding bodies, allows people entering from other industries (such as dance or teaching children/ working with older adults or pre and post-natal women) or who want to teach one specific CPD (such as Zumba, Les Mills or Clubbercise) to ensure they are compliant.
Ultimately this not only ensures that you can deliver appropriate instruction, but also gives you greater opportunities in your career to teach different classes or disciplines. You can find a range of CPD courses that are accredited by EMD UK and delivered by our Delivery Partners here.
Workforce governance and what is changing
The group exercise workforce is moving towards clearer governance and professional standards.
A key change on the horizon is the expectation that professionally recognised instructors complete a minimum of 10 hours of CPD each year. This forms part of wider workforce governance developments and is due to come into force from 2027.
CPD is not just about ticking a box. It demonstrates that you are keeping your knowledge current, reflecting on your practice and maintaining professional standards throughout your career.
CPD does not just mean courses and exams
One of the most common misconceptions about CPD is that it always involves formal courses or assessments. In reality, CPD can be both formal and informal.
Formal CPD might include accredited courses, workshops, practical assessments or observed teaching. Informal CPD could be reading research, listening to relevant podcasts, attending talks at events, or watching educational webinars.
Many instructors are already doing CPD without realising it. The key difference is recognising it as professional learning and logging it properly.
What matters is relevance and reflection. CPD should support your role, improve your practice and keep you working within your scope. If you have not completed CPD in a particular area, you should not be teaching it.
Best practice for tracking CPD
Tracking your CPD is not just a future requirement, it is good professional practice now.
Keep a simple record of what you have done, when you did it and what you learned. This might include courses, events, reading, webinars or independent study. Over time, this gives you a clear picture of how you are developing as an instructor.
As workforce governance evolves, being able to evidence your learning will become increasingly important. It also helps you identify gaps and plan future development more intentionally.
Education that supports real people
Good education is inclusive education. Training providers should be making reasonable adjustments to support learners with additional needs, including neurodivergent learners.
Accessibility, flexibility and thoughtful course design are not extras. They are part of delivering quality education that reflects the real diversity of the group exercise workforce.
Building your career the right way
Qualifications give you your foundation, while CPD helps you grow, adapt and stay relevant.
Understanding the difference early on protects you from costly mistakes and sets you up for a career that is credible, compliant and rewarding. If you take the time to choose the right qualification and commit to ongoing professional development, you are investing not just in yourself, but in the people who step into your classes every week.
EMD UK is the National Governing Body for Group Exercise. If you’re new to group exercise instruction, free membership gives you access to over 250 resources and regular updates and advice from the sector. As your career progresses, so can your membership, with PRO membership giving qualified instructors professional recognition, as well as access to a range of discounted CPD courses and many other benefits. Join EMD UK today.
EMD UK is the only governing body dedicated solely to the group exercise community. Our members benefit from our guidance, CPD-accredited courses and over 250 resources. Pro membership with insurance starts from just £51 annually.
