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STA Award in Aquacise
The STA Award in Aquacise is designed for those who enjoy aquatics and fitness and want to share their passion by leading enjoyable, motivating and inclusive aquacise classes. This qualification prepares learners to plan, instruct and evaluate safe and effective aquacise sessions for a range of participants.
This qualification is suitable for learners who wish to work as aquacise instructors. It may appeal to those interested in a career in the leisure industry, those already employed within a leisure environment who want to progress, or swimming teachers and fitness instructors who wish to expand their skills. No previous experience is required. The qualification can support learners to gain employment, progress in an existing role or broaden their career opportunities.
The Learner
The STA Award in Aquacise is for individuals who want to lead structured aquatic fitness classes for participants of different abilities.
Learners who successfully complete this qualification will have the knowledge and confidence to plan and instruct aquacise classes within a leisure centre, community pool or private facility. The skills gained can be applied across a wide range of aquatics and fitness roles.
Who does this qualification appeal to?
This qualification appeals to learners who:
Are passionate about aquatics and fitness
Work or aspire to work in leisure centres or community fitness settings
Are swimming teachers who want to broaden their delivery
Are fitness instructors wishing to expand into aquatic-based exercise
Are seeking employment opportunities within group exercise
The Course
The course is comprised of a mixture of theoretical knowledge, practical pool-based delivery and planning tasks to enhance the learner experience.
Learners will develop the skills to:
- Plan safe and effective aquacise classes
- Deliver motivating and inclusive sessions for different participant needs
- Adapt exercises to suit a range of abilities
- Evaluate their own sessions and participant outcomes
- Apply anatomical and physiological principles to aquatic exercise
- Training is delivered in line with accepted exercise and aquatic practice.
Units Covered
- Understanding Anatomy and Physiology in Relation to Exercise
- Understanding the Scientific Principles and Safety Requirements Relevant to Aquatic Exercise
- Planning, Delivering and Evaluating Aquacise Sessions
- (Units 1 and 2 are completed independently through pre-course online programmes.)
Assessment
The STA Award in Aquacise qualification is tutor-assessed through:
- Completion of theory assessments
- Practical delivery of an aquacise session
- Session planning and evaluation tasks
Qualification Benefits
- Created by STA’s aquatic experts, providing quality training
- Regulated by Ofqual
- Endorsed by CIMSPA against the CIMSPA Core Group Exercise Instructor Professional Standard
- Provides specialist knowledge to instruct aquacise sessions
- Supports career progression in both fitness and aquatic environments
- Looks impressive on a CV and enhances employability
When You Get Your Qualification
- You will be qualified to instruct aquacise sessions for a wide range of participants
- Your course resource manual will act as a guide throughout your aquacise journey and can be referred to whenever needed
- Learners are encouraged to keep their knowledge and skills up to date through regular CPDs
- For ongoing support, learners can become STA Members and gain access to resources, public liability insurance, discounts on awards and technical guidance
How to Take Your Qualification Further
- Become responsible for planning and coordinating aquacise sessions within a pool programme
- Share your knowledge by becoming an STA Aquacise Tutor
- Develop further expertise in specialist aquatic fitness areas such as aqua natal through CPDs
- Complete additional STA vocational qualifications including swimming teaching, lifesaving, first aid, health and safety and pool plant to support a broader career in the leisure industry
- Upon successful completion, learners are eligible for CIMSPA Affiliate Membership and can join the CIMSPA Exercise and Fitness Directory
Interested? Before You Get Started
To attend your course, you will need to meet the following requirements:
- Be at least 16 years of age
- Have a suitable level of personal fitness as learners will be asked to participate in practical aquacise sessions
- It is strongly recommended that learners have taken part in group exercise classes before starting the qualification
Learners must complete the required pre-course online programmes before attending:
- Unit 1: Understanding Anatomy and Physiology in Relation to Exercise
- Unit 2: Understanding the Scientific Principles and Safety Requirements Relevant to Aquatic Exercise
Recognition of prior learning may be available for selected online units depending on previous qualifications. All tutor-led hours and assessments must still be completed in full, as post-course submissions are not accepted.
