Group Exercise Instructor - Battery Park City

About Asphalt Green

Asphalt Green is a nonprofit organization that transforms lives and builds community through sports, fitness, and play for all. 

Each year, Asphalt Green serves thousands of New Yorkers through sports, aquatics, fitness, camps, and community programs that promote health, personal growth, and lifelong participation in physical activity. Across three campuses and numerous community partnerships, Asphalt Green is committed to providing high-quality programs that are inclusive, accessible, and rooted in excellence. 

Asphalt Green believes that access to movement, sport, and wellness can change lives. Our work helps young people develop confidence, resilience, leadership skills, and healthy habits that extend far beyond the playing field. 

About the Role

Asphalt Green is seeking an engaging and experienced Group Exercise Instructor to lead conditioning-based fitness classes at our Upper East Side campus. 

Classes may include Total Body Conditioning, MetCon 1, ABSolute Training, High-Intensity Interval Training, and other group conditioning formats. 

The Group Exercise Instructor is responsible for developing class programming, leading participants through safe and effective workouts, demonstrating exercises, integrating resistance and conditioning exercises, and providing clear coaching and corrective feedback. 

This role also plays an important part in the overall member experience. Instructors should bring energy and empathy to their classes, create an environment where participants of different fitness levels feel welcome, and build relationships that encourage members to continue participating. 

Why This Role Matters

Group exercise provides members with structure, motivation, community, and an accessible way to build strength, endurance, and confidence. 

The Group Exercise Instructor helps participants get the most out of each class by delivering thoughtful programming, demonstrating safe movement, offering timely coaching, and creating an environment that is both challenging and supportive. 

Through consistent, engaging instruction, this role contributes directly to the quality of Asphalt Green’s fitness programming and the overall member experience. 

What You'll Do

Lead Group Exercise Classes 

• Lead group conditioning classes including Total Body Conditioning, MetCon, core-focused training, HIIT, and other assigned formats. 

• Develop class programming appropriate to the format, participant population, and class goals. 

• Incorporate conditioning circuits and resistance training into class design. 

• Use dumbbells, kettlebells, resistance bands, and other appropriate group exercise equipment. 

• Guide participants through organized warm-ups, workouts, transitions, and cool-downs. 

• Maintain appropriate class pacing from beginning to end. 

Coach Safe and Effective Movement 

• Clearly demonstrate exercises and movement patterns. 

• Observe participants throughout class and identify movement issues quickly. 

• Provide clear corrective cues, ideally within one or two simple coaching points. 

• Offer appropriate modifications or alternatives when participants need them. 

• Reinforce proper technique and safe use of equipment. 

• Help participants understand movements without interrupting the overall flow of class. 

Create an Engaging Class Experience  

• Provide ongoing positive feedback and encouragement. 

• Coach participants with empathy, patience, and respect. 

• Create a welcoming environment for participants with different fitness levels and backgrounds. 

• Build strong rapport with members. 

• Encourage participation, consistency, community, and retention. 

• Maintain positive energy while remaining attentive to individual participant needs. 

Music and Class Environment 

• Select appropriate, family-friendly music that complements the class format and experience. 

• Use a microphone during class as needed. 

• Maintain an organized and professional class environment. 

• Set up and return equipment appropriately before and after class. 

• Handle class equipment safely and responsibly. 

• Help maintain clean, organized, and welcoming exercise spaces. 

Communication and Team Support 

• Maintain clear communication with the Group Exercise Manager regarding scheduling, class needs, member feedback, and other relevant information. 

• Collaborate with fellow Group Exercise Instructors and Fitness staff. 

• Arrive on time and prepared for scheduled classes. 

• Participate in required trainings, meetings, and department activities. 

• Maintain required professional certifications. 

• Follow Asphalt Green Fitness department policies, safety practices, and professional standards. 

What Success Looks Like

Success in this role means members consistently receive safe, engaging, and well-organized group fitness experiences. 

A successful Group Exercise Instructor will: 

• Deliver high-energy and engaging conditioning classes. 

• Create programming appropriate to the assigned class format. 

• Effectively integrate resistance and conditioning exercises. 

• Demonstrate movements clearly and safely. 

• Recognize movement issues and provide timely corrective cues. 

• Adjust instruction when participants need modifications. 

• Maintain strong class pacing and organization. 

• Select appropriate music that complements the class experience. 

• Handle equipment safely and responsibly. 

• Create a welcoming and inclusive environment. 

• Build positive relationships with members. 

• Encourage community, consistency, and member retention. 

• Demonstrate reliability, professionalism, and preparedness. 

Who You'll Work With 

• Class participants. 

• Group Exercise Manager. 

• Fitness and Membership Director. 

• Fellow Group Exercise Instructors. 

• Fitness staff and other Asphalt Green team members. 

Qualifications

Required Qualifications 

You'll need: 

• Experience teaching group fitness classes. 

• Experience teaching group classes using dumbbells, kettlebells, resistance bands, and other group exercise equipment. 

• Experience incorporating conditioning circuits and resistance training into a group fitness environment. 

• Current group fitness certification from a nationally recognized association such as AFAA, ACE, NASM, or a comparable organization. 

• Current CPR/AED certification. 

• Ability to properly demonstrate exercises and movement patterns. 

• Ability to identify movement issues and provide clear corrective cues. 

• Ability to adapt exercises for different fitness levels and participant needs. 

• Strong verbal communication and interpersonal skills. 

• Ability to motivate and engage participants in a group environment. 

• Comfort using a microphone during class. 

• Ability to work weekday early mornings and evenings. 

• Ability to perform the physical requirements of the role with or without reasonable accommodation 

Preferred Qualifications 

It would also be helpful if you also have: 

• 2+ years of experience leading group exercise classes. 

• Experience teaching HIIT and Total Body Conditioning formats. 

• Experience teaching multiple group fitness formats. 

• Additional group fitness or specialty fitness certifications. 

• Experience building strong relationships with members and developing a consistent class following. 

• Experience working with participants across different ages and fitness levels. 

• Experience working in a fitness center, health club, recreation facility, or similar environment. 

Schedule and Work Environment 

This is a part-time, fully onsite role based at Asphalt Green’s Upper East Side campus. 

Current scheduling needs include weekday early mornings and evenings. Specific class assignments and hours may vary based on the group exercise schedule, member demand, instructor availability, and department needs. 

The role takes place primarily in group exercise and fitness spaces and requires regular interaction with members, participants, fellow instructors, and Fitness staff. 

Physical Requirements 

This role requires the ability to: 

• Lift and move class equipment weighing up to 50 pounds. 

• Stand and remain physically active throughout group exercise classes. 

• Demonstrate exercises and movement patterns. 

• Run, jump, bend, squat, balance, walk, reach, and perform upper- and lower-body weight-bearing movements. 

• Safely use and move dumbbells, kettlebells, resistance bands, and other group exercise equipment. 

• Observe participant movement during class. 

• Communicate clearly in an active fitness environment. 

• Set up and break down equipment as needed. 

Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions of the role.