Physical activity is essential for maintaining physical and mental health. In kids, it supports muscle growth and strengthens bones. Exercising also reduces risks of chronic illness, boosts moods, and encourages energy. When you support kids’ fitness, you encourage teamwork, strengthen bonds, and provide foundations for pursuing lifelong healthy habits. Discover the best types of group fitness programs for teaching families or kids.
Top 6 Group Fitness Programs for Teaching Families and Kids
Instructing fun fitness classes is rewarding for you and the families attending, as they promote social interaction, neurological connection, and cognitive engagement in children. These six group fitness programs are great for teaching families or kids.
1. Zumba®
Founded in 2001, Zumba® is a global leader in dance fitness. Zumba® Jump Start Kids and Kids Jr. make fitness fun for children ages four to 11 with kid-friendly music and energetic routines. Zumba®’s Jump Start Kids training is ideal for aspiring professionals interested in teaching multi-person fitness to children. The Zumba® Instructor License helps to instruct your young attendees in movement, coordination, and confidence in playful, inclusive settings.
You can complete Zumba® instructor training in person or remotely. It requires no prior experience to sign up, and you’ll get access to choreography, music, and teaching resources. Even if you train online, you’ll qualify to teach in-person classes. Zumba® welcomes new students to its community, providing comprehensive support to its instructors. The Zumba® community has also raised nearly $6 million for charitable causes.
Zumba®’s global recognition, excellent support, and research-backed curricula make Zumba® Jump Start Kids a top choice for teaching dance-fitness classes.
Key features:
- Courses for Zumba® Jump Start Kids — ages seven to 11 — and Zumba® Kids Jr. — ages four to six — with age-appropriate choreography and music
- Includes instruction on child development, class structure, and safety
- In-person, livestream, and on-demand training formats
- Access to exclusive Zumba® Kids resources, choreography, and support through the Zumba® Instructor Network
- No experience required
2. POUND
Two drummers founded POUND in 2011, combining their love of music and dance into a distinctive fitness venture. The brand has gained global recognition by using Ripstix® drumsticks to turn workouts into energetic, music-driven sessions. Building on this formula, the company formed Generation POUND for children aged six to 12 to promote health and fitness to kids. Instructor training is available for all experience levels through in-person and online classes.
Generation POUND is more than a workout — it empowers children by improving coordination, focus, teamwork, and self-expression. The one-day, nine-hour Generation POUND training teaches you how to blend kid-friendly choreography with social activities to support physical and emotional well-being. You’ll gain foundational skills to instruct successfully and be a positive role model for the kids in your classes.
The only program that fuses drumming and workouts, Generation POUND, is ideal if you’re a music and fitness lover looking to engage children in a social, fun, and original manner.
Key features:
- In-person or virtual one-day, nine-hour training with no prerequisites
- Focuses on music-driven movement with Ripstix® for ages six to 12
- Promotes empowerment, creativity, teamwork, and self-expression
- Access to choreography, education, and resources
- Special pricing and support for educators and schools
3. canfitpro
canfitpro is one of Canada’s leading fitness education providers, empowering professionals and promoting healthy, active lifestyles. Since forming in 1993, canfitpro has certified thousands of instructors across North America. The Children’s Fitness Coach program trains you to lead seven to 12-year-old children in safe, engaging, and effective multi-participant fitness experiences.
The program is a self-paced online course that covers children’s physical, emotional, social, and mental development. You’ll learn to create age-appropriate fitness programs, use practical lesson strategies, and adapt instruction for different developmental stages. This canfitpro course also provides tools to start a children’s fitness business, making it ideal for both aspiring and experienced instructors.
The canfitpro Children’s Fitness Coach program combines fitness education with business planning, making it perfect for those passionate about kids’ fitness or interested in building a related business.
Key features:
- Online, self-paced training for teaching children ages seven to 12
- Exploration of child development and motor skills
- Program design frameworks and lesson plans
- Guidance for starting and marketing a children’s fitness business
- Emphasizes safe, engaging, and effective children’s fitness instruction
4. YogaKids
Founded in 1998, YogaKids was among the first to offer yoga specifically for children. Its programs make yoga accessible, educational, and fun for kids and their families. The YogaKids Teacher Training program is especially for educators, parents, and fitness lovers who want to share yoga’s benefits with children in schools, studios, or at home. The curriculum covers yoga, physical and mental fitness, child development, and education.
YogaKids training includes effective teaching methods, innovative lesson planning, and ideas for integrating yoga with science, math, literacy, and art. You’ll learn about adaptability, inclusivity, well-being, communication, and social skills. The YogaKids Teacher Training program also offers resources and workshops to help you introduce yoga in schools and communities, providing a comprehensive toolkit.
If you’re passionate about children’s learning and wellness, YogaKids Teacher Training blends yoga with educational and emotional development, making it an effective way to teach yoga to groups of children in diverse settings.
Key features:
- Comprehensive certification for teaching yoga to children and families
- In-person, online, and school formats integrate yoga with academics and creative activities
- Covers child development, mindfulness, socialization, and emotional learning
- Resources for starting yoga programs in studios, schools, or at home
- Promotes inclusivity, adaptability, and fun learning
5. Zumbini
In 2013, Zumba® and BabyFirst co-created Zumbini to introduce music and movement to young children and their caregivers. Designed for children up to four years old and their families, Zumbini combines original music, instrument play, and dance into a vibrant, developmentally appropriate program. The program supports early childhood while strengthening the child-parent bond with shared, joyful physical activity. If you’re passionate about working with young children and their families, consider Zumbini Instructor Training.
The Zumbini Instructor Training program requires no previous fitness or instruction experience and covers child development, music, movement, and class management. The course prepares you to lead engaging classes in studios or community settings by providing access to a tried-and-tested curriculum, extensive support, and business resources to help you succeed.
Zumbini Instructor Training offers live and virtual courses, materials, and a dedicated TV show. It is an excellent option for working with newborns, toddlers, preschoolers, and their families.
Key features:
- Teaches music and movement to children ages zero to four and their caregivers
- Supports emotional, cognitive, social, and motor development
- Access to original Zumbini music, materials, and family resources
- Offers teaching opportunities in studios and community centers
- Provides ongoing support, marketing tools, a TV show, and an instructor community
6. Les Mills
Founded in New Zealand in 1968, Les Mills is a global leader in science-backed, music-inspired fitness programs. To engage children and families in classes, Les Mills developed BORN TO MOVE®, a suite of large fitness classes designed specifically for children and teens aged two to 16. BORN TO MOVE® emphasizes building healthy habits early through energetic music, age-appropriate movement, and imaginative play.
The BORN TO MOVE® instructor training program equips people to deliver engaging, safe, and effective fitness classes of eight to 24 children or teens. You can complete the training in-person or online, and it covers child development, class structure, and motivational strategies. You’ll have access to choreography, a music library, and ongoing educational resources to keep your classes fresh and inspiring.
With BORN TO MOVE® instructor training, you can choose between Early Years — ages two to five — School Years — ages six to 16 — or both.
Key features:
- Age-segmented training for children and teens
- Comprehensive training available in person or online
- Access to choreography, music, and teaching resources
- Builds confidence, movement, and coordination
- Ongoing support and updates for engaging, up-to-date classes
Choosing the Right Group Fitness Program for Families and Kids
Choosing the fitness instruction programs for training kids and their families empowers you to inspire healthy habits, confidence, and joy in your participants. Whether you prefer dance, yoga, traditional fitness, or multi-fitness programs, each brand offers the tools and support for you to succeed. Explore your options, consider your teaching style and audience, and take the next step toward making fitness fun and accessible for every family.
