Active Older Adults (AOA) Fitness Instructor

Join us as an AOA Fitness Instructor — Inspire healthy aging!
Do you love fitness and working with older adults? At the Skagit Valley Family Y, we’re seeking a motivated, caring instructor to lead Active Older Adults (AOA) classes that improve strength, balance, mobility, and wellbeing. Use your passion to make a difference in the lives of our aging community.

Position Summary

The AOA Fitness Instructor leads safe, engaging, and effective group fitness classes designed for older adult populations. Using YMCA and national guidelines, this instructor promotes healthy aging, functional strength, balance, mobility, and social connection. The role also includes participant engagement, program support, and administrative tasks related to classes.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan, prepare, and instruct group classes tailored to older adults (e.g., “Active Older Adults,” functional fitness, balance, low-impact aerobics, chair classes, mobility, etc.).
• Modify exercises and progressions to meet varying levels of mobility, fitness, and limitations.
• Ensure participant safety at all times: observe form, cue modifications, monitor for signs of fatigue or distress, respond to emergencies.
• Set up and tear down class equipment, check and report equipment or facility issues.
• Record attendance, manage class data, and participant feedback forms.
• Promote classes and wellness programs to members and prospective participants.
• Cultivate relationships with participants—serve as a motivator, resource, and community-builder.
• Attend staff meetings, trainings, and required continuing education.
• Help with special events or wellness challenges, as needed.
• Uphold YMCA mission, values, and standards of service, including dress code, professional conduct, and inclusivity.

You’ve got this, if you are/have:

• High school diploma or equivalent (preferred).
• Current CPR / First Aid / AED certification.
• Nationally recognized group exercise instructor certification (ACE, AFAA, NASM, ACSM, NETA, or YMCA Foundations) or willing to obtain within a probationary period.
• Additional certifications in senior fitness / functional aging / corrective exercise/mobility (preferred).

• Minimum 1–2 years teaching experience in group fitness, preferably with older adults or special populations.

• Experience modifying exercises for participants with limitations or chronic conditions.

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills; empathetic, patient, and encouraging.

• Ability to adapt on the fly, maintain class energy, and motivate participants.
• Good knowledge of anatomy, kinesiology, exercise progressions, and aging physiology.
• Ability to lift, bend, stand, and move equipment (up to ~25–50 lbs occasionally).
• Reliable, punctual, and professional.
• Commitment to inclusion, diversity, and accessibility (comfortable working with participants of varying abilities).

Excellent Pay & Benefits:

• Paid Vacation & Sick Time
• Two paid personal days per year
• Paid birthday off
• Free YMCA membership
• 403(b) Saving Account
• Medical, Dental & Life Insurance (must be scheduled for 30 hours or more a week to qualify)
• Additional bilingual, premium pay of $0.50 for those who are fluent bilingual Spanish, Triqui, Mixtec, Russian, and Ukrainian speakers. The ability to write or translate written materials is not required to receive this premium.