Welcome back to another edition of the XPERT blog – this month, we’re talking about certification, and the differences between online and face to face options. If you’ve ever sat and wondered which approach will be best for you, trust me, you’re not the first to feel torn. Deciding to certify as a pole or aerial instructor is a big step. You’re investing your time, money and energy, and probably pushing yourself slightly outside your comfort zone too, so you want to make sure you’re making the right learning choice for you. So let’s talk about it properly. Whilst working for team XPERT, I’ve been lucky enough to take part in many training certifications, and that includes both online and in person. So not only are you getting the perspective of someone from XPERT who knows the ins and outs, you’re also getting my honest opinion as someone who literally is also a pole and aerial instructor who’s had to spend time developing their skills and taking part in these courses first hand.
Let’s talk about face to face certification. There is something special about walking into a studio on a Saturday morning knowing you’re about to spend 2 full days immersed in pole or aerial teacher training. The atmosphere is always a mix of nerves and excitement. Some people are already teaching and want to refine their skills, whilst others are stepping into instructor training for the first time. By lunchtime on day 1, everyone’s chatting like they’ve known each other for months, sharing their pole and aerial experiences and exchanging instructor tips and tricks.
The two day format is immersive. You cover a lot of moves, and not just how to do them, but how to teach them, whilst breaking down technique in detail and exploring progressions and regressions. You talk about common faults and how to correct them safely. You look at class structure, cueing, spotting, and managing different abilities in one room. And as part of your assessment, you’ll teach a mock class to show off your new found instructing prowess.
That can sound intimidating, but it’s often the moment everything clicks. Watching trainees step into teacher mode for the first time is honestly one of my favourite things to see. You apply what you’ve learned, you get immediate feedback, and you leave knowing you can actually run a structured, safe pole or aerial class. The biggest benefit of face-to-face training is that an XPERT Trainer is right there with you. They can physically guide you, tweak small technical details, and answer questions on the spot. If you learn best through interaction, discussion, and hands- on support, this format can feel incredibly empowering and useful. Now let’s talk about online, and let’s be real: this is not a “second best” option – it’s
simply a different way of learning.
When you choose online pole or aerial teacher training with XPERT, you receive a full textbook and accompanying workbook. You work through the material at your own pace, properly digesting the theory rather than absorbing it over a compressed weekend. You book an online mentor meeting to check in, clarify anything you’re unsure about, and make sure you’re feeling confident. Then, when you’re ready, you complete your final assessment, including submitting video footage of the required moves so we can assess your technical ability and skills. When it comes to online, what often happens is a steady building of confidence. You have space to practice, reflect and to refine your move submissions until you’re feeling good and ready.
Online certification is also incredibly accessible. Not everyone lives near a studio hosting a teacher training weekend and with the online format, you don’t have to wait for a course to come to your area – you can start when you’re ready, from wherever you’re based in the world. And importantly, every single course is available in both formats.
That includes Pole
1+2, Pole 3+4, Spinning Pole, Aerial Hoop, Flexibility Flow, Aerial Sling, Flying Pole,
Static Trapeze, Essential Science of Heels, Mental Health, Pre and Post Natal, and
Children’s Pole and Aerial.
Whether you’re looking to start your journey in pole instructor training or expand into aerial certifications, you have options. Speaking as someone who has tried both ways, what I genuinely love is that XPERT is not forcing instructors into one pathway. Pole and aerial training is global, and our incredible community is diverse. Some people thrive in a high-energy studio environment, whilst others prefer and need quiet, self-paced study time. Some want to get it done in a weekend and walk away certified. Others want to integrate the material gradually alongside work, family, and studio life.
Personally? I think the ‘best’ option is the one that fits your life right now. If you’re brand new to teaching and feeling nervous, face-to-face can feel incredibly supportive. If you’re already teaching and adding another certification, maybe specialist CPD style training like pre and postnatal or mental health, online can slot
seamlessly into your schedule. Ultimately, both routes lead to the same outcome: structured, internationally recognised pole and aerial teacher training with XPERT Fitness. The same standards, the same depth, and the same commitment to safe, progressive, professional instruction
If you’re reading this and feeling that little spark of ‘maybe it’s time’, take this blog as your sign. Head on over to the website, explore the full range of pole and aerial teacher training courses, and decide which format works best for you. Whether you choose online flexibility or a face-to-face immersive weekend, your instructor journey starts with that first step.