Where Great Instructor Journeys Begin | 1.5 CEUs

AFAA Certified Group Fitness Instructor (AFAA-CGFI)

AFAA Certified Group Fitness Instructor (AFAA-CGFI) is an NCCA-accredited certification that prepares you to design and lead safe, effective group fitness classes— for every format, from strength and HIIT to cycling and yoga. Built on AFAA’s 35+ years of training top instructors. Great instructors don’t just run a class, they move a room.

Price

$33.00 $29.00 /month

OVER 10% OFF

Images

Course Details

Course Description

The Certified Group Fitness Instructor (CGFI) program empowers you to design dynamic group classes, adapt to diverse participant needs, and create engaging, motivating movement experiences. Start impacting lives as a group fitness leader with a program built on our decades of expertise in training the world’s best instructors.

By learning the art of choreography and class leadership, you’ll multiply the number of participants you can serve—catapulting your fitness career to new heights. The program covers a wide range of modalities, including strength and resistance, HIIT and interval training, boot camp, yoga, cycling, and more. Gain the confidence and skills you need to inspire, energize, and deliver unforgettable group fitness sessions.

The AFAA CGFI credential is proudly accredited by the NCCA, so you will be earning a certification that’s recognized and respected throughout the fitness industry. This accreditation assures employers and class participants of the quality and credibility of your certification, further enhancing your professional reputation and career opportunities.

Prerequisites

To be eligible for this course, you must have:

  • High school diploma or GED
  • Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) certification
  • Automated External Defibrillator (AED) certification

You may enroll in the course before having your CPR and AED certifications; however, you must have them before you take your exam.

Course Sections

Section 1: Professionalism
Section 2: Fundamentals of Exercise Science
Section 3: Class Design and Planning
Section 4: Class Instruction and Presentation

Exam Details

Successful completion of the certification exam is required to become a Certified Group Fitness Instructor (CGFI).

AFAA CGFI Certification Exam (NCCA Accredited): This is a closed-book exam and consists of 120 questions. You must pass with a scaled score of 70 or better. This exam is administered through a 3rd party proctor and can be taken either in-person or online, and you will have 2 hours to complete the test. You must take this exam within 180 days of your enrollment date.

false

#1

Rated brand in the industry

1.9M+

Professionals trained by NASM

14,000+

Partnerships with gyms and health clubs

dataFile
/documents/comparison-matrix.json
sku
cpt-main-pdp
  • CGFI SELF-STUDY

    Lead the Sweat

    $21.00 / Monthly

    *$49 down + 12 payments

    • Pay in full
    • 4 monthly payments
    • 12 monthly payments
    • 17 monthly payments
    • LEARN ONLINE AT YOUR OWN PACE

      • 1.5 CEUs
      • 100% Online & Self-Paced Program
      • Instructional Videos & Study Guide
      • Practice Quizzes & Exam
      • NCCA Certification Exam
  • CGFI PREMIUM SELF-STUDY

    Ignite Every Class

    $29.00 / Monthly

    $33.00 *$49 down + 12 payments

    OVER 10% OFF

    • Pay in full
    • 4 monthly payments
    • 12 monthly payments
    • 17 monthly payments
    • ADDS TOOLS FOR BETTER EXAM PREP

      • 1.5 CEUs
      • Everything in CGFI Self-Study: 100% Online Self-Paced Program, Instructional Videos, Study Guide, Practice Quizzes, Practice Exams, and NCCA Certification Exam
    • Fundamentals of Virtual Coaching

      • Learn how to teach classes in the Gym and Online!
    • GFI Hardcover Textbook

      • The perfect addition to the online course.
  • CGFI ALL-INCLUSIVE

    Squad Goals

    $39.00 / Monthly

    $54.00 *$49 down + 12 payments

    OVER 25% OFF

    • Pay in full
    • 4 monthly payments
    • 12 monthly payments
    • 17 monthly payments
    • THE BEST INVESTMENT IN YOUR CAREER

      • 1.5 CEUs
      • Everything in CGFI Self-Study:100% Online, Self-Paced Program, Instructional Videos, Study Guide, Practice Quizzes, Practice Exams, NCCA Certification Exam, Hardcover Textbook, and Fundamentals of Virtual Coaching.
    • Recertify for Life

      • Waive recertification fees for life and make a commitment to keeping your fitness credentials valid.
    • CPR/AED Certification

      • Required for all CPTs – learn CPR and AED skills to act fast and save lives.

NASM One

small-icon
Expand your knowledge and skills — access 350+ CEU courses plus practice-ready research from the Journal of Fitness, Wellness, and Human Performance
Build expertise and grow your business faster — save 50% on certifications and specializations and get 8 included courses
Connect, learn, and grow together — belong to NASM Community, a supportive professional home for peer connection, mentorship, and career growth
Run your business with confidence — train smarter with EDGE Trainer Pro and essential tools for programming, exam prep, and client education
Maintain your credentials — no recertification or renewal fees, and no retest or extension fees
NASM OneTM gives you the education, tools, and professional support to grow your career, amplify your results, and achieve your goals.
Learn More
/documents/faqs-richtext.json
Frequently Asked Questions
elite trainer
If you have any additional questions about this course, check out the NASM FAQ page or contact us today 1-800-460-6276!

What is AFAA Certified Group Fitness Instructor (AFAA-CGFI)?

AFAA Certified Group Fitness Instructor (AFAA-CGFI) is an NCCA-accredited certification for leading group fitness classes across any format. It's offered by AFAA, a division of NASM, and is fully self-paced and online. The  National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) is a nationally recognized third-party agency that accredits certification programs which are able to meet and comply with its standards.

Is AFAA-CGFI accredited?

AFAA-CGFI is accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA), the accreditation employers and gyms recognize as the industry standard for group fitness credentials.

What are the prerequisites for AFAA-CGFI?

A high-school diploma or GED is required for the AFAA-CGFI course, and a current CPR/AED certification is required before you take the AFAA-CGFI exam. No prior fitness certification or college degree is required to begin. The program is self-paced and fully online, so you can start right away and study around an existing job.

Is AFAA-CGFI self-paced, and can I do it while working?

AFAA-CGFI program is entirely self-paced and fully online. Many instructors finish in 4 to 6 weeks while working full-time. You will have 180 days from purchase to take the exam.

How is the AFAA-CGFI exam structured?

The AFAA-CGFI exam is closed-book and proctored, it can be taken online or in person at a PSI testing center. It has 120 questions, a two-hour time limit, and a scaled passing score of 70. You have 180 days from enrollment to take the exam.

What type of fitness class formats does AFAA-CGFI support?

AFAA-CGFI provides the exercise science, class design, and leadership skills that apply no matter which format you are teaching, including  strength and resistance, HIIT and interval training, boot camp, cycling, or yoga.

How do you recertify AFAA-CGFI?

AFAA-CGFI must be renewed every two years by completing 1.5 CEUs and maintaining current CPR and AED certification. NASM One™ membership waives the recertification fee and includes select continuing education, business tools, and community access, so active members can maintain the credential without a separate renewal charge.

What can you do with an AFAA-CGFI?

AFAA-CGFI qualifies you to lead group fitness classes at gyms, studios, and health clubs, and serves as the foundation for teaching specialized formats, such as strength and resistance, HIIT and interval training, boot camp, cycling, and yoga.

portalId
2494739
formId
d8bf21c7-c69f-4a3c-a305-d32172ec0c4f
redirectUrl
/thankyou
formHeading
READY TO TAKE THAT FIRST STEP?
formTitleColor
default
formHeading-line-2
LET’S CHAT.
formTitleLine2Color
--brand-color-citrus-pop
formSubtitle
Fill out the form below, and we’ll be in touch within one business day.
transparentBackground
false
transparentBackgroundOpacity
90
inlineMessage
false
formFooter

Or call now to speak with a program advisor.

800-460-6276

bannerHeading
Earn credentials that set you apart
bannerButtonText
Choose Your Program
bannerButtonScrollTarget
payment-plans-wrapper
showZone1Start
hero-video-content
showZone1End
product-description-tabs-container
showZone2Start
banner-cta-container
showZone2End
footer-copyright-container