Aqua Fitness Leader FAQ

Leaders Seeking Excellent Aqua Fitness Training and Certification

AQX Courses emphasize practical teaching skills, with adequate theory to support best practices.

AQX Certification is offered through AQX Subscribers (see below), and also to individuals seeking excellent training and certification.
A Subscriber can be any organization with a pool that offers aqua fitness programming. If you teach for such an organization, you can encourage them to become an AQX Subscriber.
Individuals seeking AQX certification should contact the AQX office. Initial training is online.
- Your pathway to complete mentorship and practical assessment will depend on your background. We will help you find the best fit. Contact: Connie for more info

AQX Leadership Training Courses are 40 hours, and consists of two parts: online theory + onsite practical

Online Theory Course (15 - 20 hours): This is your gateway to AQX aqua fitness leadership excellence. This interactive online course prepares you for in-person or virtual skills training with your AQX Trainer - leading to certification (if that is your goal). We want you to understand and be able to safely teach effective, enjoyable aquatic exercise in chest deep or deep water.
AQX theory components and leadership concepts are clearly conveyed with video, text, and interactive assignments. Each unit involves a brief quiz, so by the end of the course, you have completed your AQX theory exam (yay!).
Even though this is a 'theory' course, it is all about movement. Therefore, you are encouraged throughout the course to get up and move - try things out - so you begin to practice AQX leadership skills.
Onsite (or virtual) Practical Skills Course (20 hours):

Following completion of the online course, prospective leaders participate in 20 hours of practical skills development. This is often done through onsite training with an AQX Subscriber, or other facility wanting AQX training and certification for their leaders.
However, practical skills training can be done virtually. Contact the AQX office to discuss options.
To complete certification, AQX practical assessment usually takes place within 3 months of the training course. It can be done at your facility, with a virtual live link, or via video.
To maintain leadership quality, AQX requires annual retesting of practical skills by an AQX trained Assessor (in-house or on-line).

There are no annual membership fees with AQX Certification.
There are no CEC fees. Other certifying bodies require that you take their ongoing training and / or charge fees to acknowledge ongoing education courses you take elsewhere. We do not.
Your certifying Subscriber will offer and acknowledge ongoing education to support your AQX Certification.
AQX course fees are set by each facility holding training courses or workshops. Course fees are typically half the cost of certifications through other organizations.

AQX Trainers are experienced aqua fitness leaders with excellent leadership skills, solid knowledge of AQX standards, and a strong desire to give back to the field.
Visit the AQX Trainer's page on this website for more background.
Typically, you will be an active, experienced, AQX certified aqua fitness leader, working with an AQX Subscriber.
You will need to take the AQX Training for Trainers course.
You will need to apprentice with an AQX Master Trainer.
AQX Trainers are required to have an annual practical re-assessment with an AQX Master Trainer (in person or by video).

Leaders holding current aqua fitness certifications with recognized certification providers can be grandparented into AQX Certification.
Subscribers may require a teaching audition, in addition to proof of current certification.
Most AQX Subscribers require that leaders holding other certifications maintain those credentials at their own cost, following the rules and paying the fees required by those certifying bodies.
As a previously certified aqua instructor, you are often the best candidate to become an AQX Mentor, Assessor, or AQX Course Trainer - the MAT-Team.
In order to become an AQX Mentor, Assessor, or Trainer, you need to become AQX Certified by participating fully in an AQX training course, and successfully completing practical assessment.
Further training includes the AQX Mentor & Assessor course, and the on-line AQX Training for Trainers.
Co-training an onsite practical skills course is the ideal way to complete your pathway to becoming an AQX Mentor, Assessor, Trainer.

AQX Certified Leaders seeking insurance with Sports & Fitness Canada Insurance will need to provide proof of current, valid CPR and First Aid certifications.
This insurance is accepted anywhere in Canada, so your AQX certification will be valid not just at your facility, but anywhere that will accept a certified, insured instructor!