How to Take Your Zumba or Yoga Workout Pro

If you’re a group exercise nut, you might want to consider taking your enthusiasm pro. The first step is to get certified in one or more modalities. Most fitness programs—like Zumba, TRX, and CrossFit—offer certifications either through their own sites, or as part of a national organization like the American Council on Exercise (acefitness.org) and the American College of Sports Medicine (acsm.org). Here are two options to get you started:

Zumba Teacher Certification

This high-energy cardio dance class is everywhere these days, so why not get in on the action? While certification classes are short (generally an eight-hour day for the Basic 1 level), they’re spread out. Check out zumba.com for the most up-to-date schedule. Most certifications take place in New York City, but Saw Mill Club in Mount Kisco (914-241-0797; sawmillclub.com) holds periodic certifications. Costs range from $225 to $285 per certification.

Yoga Teacher Training

Unlike, say, a Zumba certification, which can be accomplished in a day, yoga teacher training is a long process involving 200+ hours along standards set by the Yoga Alliance. They’re also the most expensive, starting at around $2,500. At Yoga Haven (locations in Tuckahoe and Scarsdale, 914-337-1437; yogahaven.com), learn the basics of chakras, bandhas, mudras, restorative yoga, and more than 40 hatha yoga postures, as well as the history, philosophy, and ethics of yoga practice. At Westchester Yoga Arts (New Rochelle 914-632-1101; westchesteryogaarts.com) choose from a 200-hour program on weekends or weekdays; the course involves classroom hours, yoga classes, workshops, observation, reports, and a community service requirement.