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⏱️ 6 min read
Introduction
A career in fitness does not have to remain inside the walls of a traditional gym.
Through Lionel University’s partnership with Fit Bodies, qualified fitness and wellness professionals can explore opportunities to teach classes at all-inclusive resorts and other destinations around the world.
The opportunity gives professionals a way to combine travel, career development, teaching experience, and international networking. Participants may lead fitness or wellness classes during part of the day and enjoy the destination during the rest of their stay.
During a Lionel University Career Services webinar, Fit Bodies Chief Operating Officer Debbie Bellenger joined Theresa Robbinson to explain how the program works, what qualifications are needed, and how students and graduates can prepare for an international fitness experience.
Quick Answer
The Lionel University and Fit Bodies partnership gives qualified fitness and wellness professionals access to opportunities to teach at resorts and travel destinations around the world.
Participants typically teach one or two classes per day in exchange for access to a significantly reduced resort stay. Depending on the property and booking, a companion may also be included.
Professionals must have relevant credentials, current qualifications, and teaching experience. Available disciplines may include Aqua Fit, group fitness, yoga, Pilates, dance fitness, HIIT, mobility, meditation, sound bowls, and other wellness services.
Professionals can review current travel opportunities, resort availability, and program requirements directly through FitBodiesInc.com.
On This Page
How Fit Bodies Turned One Resort Class Into a Global Fitness Network
Fit Bodies began with a simple act of stepping in to help.
According to Bellenger, Fit Bodies founder and CEO Suzelle Snowden owned a fitness studio and regularly traveled with her husband to all-inclusive resorts in Jamaica.
During one trip, the resort’s fitness instructor injured an ankle. Snowden offered to substitute and teach the class. Her instruction made such a strong impression that the property invited her to continue teaching during the trip and return again in the future.
That first opportunity eventually expanded from one resort to a network of more than 120 properties.
What began as one guest instructor helping at one resort grew into an international fitness and wellness travel opportunity.
Fit Bodies now places qualified fitness and wellness professionals at participating destinations around the world. Bellenger has personally traveled and taught through the program and continues to do so while serving as the organization’s chief operating officer.
How the Fit Bodies Program Works
Fit Bodies operates through an exchange model.
Qualified professionals travel to participating properties and teach approximately one or two classes per day. In return, they receive access to a resort stay at a substantially reduced rate.
Teach
Lead one or two scheduled fitness or wellness classes per day based on the needs of the property.
Travel
Stay at an all-inclusive destination at a reduced professional rate.
Experience
Spend the remainder of the day enjoying the destination, building content, or continuing a virtual coaching business.
During the webinar, Bellenger explained that some low-season trips may be available for approximately $500 for a seven-night stay for the professional and a companion. Rates vary based on destination, travel dates, property, membership status, transportation, and availability.
Current opportunities, resort options, booking information, and program details can be reviewed through the official Fit Bodies website.
Important: Program costs, resort availability, teaching requirements, companion policies, and travel benefits may vary. Participants should review current Fit Bodies terms before booking.
The professional’s presence also supports the resort. Visiting instructors help provide specialized classes while offering local entertainment staff opportunities to observe experienced fitness professionals.
Bellenger noted that resort staff members may attend classes, watch instruction, and learn from visiting professionals. This creates an informal mentorship opportunity that extends beyond the guest experience.
Who Is Qualified to Travel With Fit Bodies?
Fit Bodies seeks professionals who are certified, qualified, and prepared to teach safely in an international resort environment.
| Qualification | Why It Matters |
|---|---|
| Current Certification | Demonstrates preparation to teach the selected fitness or wellness discipline. |
| Teaching Experience | Fit Bodies prefers approximately one to two years of instructional experience. |
| CPR Credential | Professionals should keep CPR qualifications current and available while traveling. |
| Professional Profile | A clear profile helps properties understand the professional’s education, credentials, experience, and teaching abilities. |
| Travel Readiness | Professionals need appropriate travel documents and should understand international travel expectations. |
Bellenger also recommended that fitness professionals maintain their own liability insurance as a general professional practice, although she noted that Fit Bodies provides coverage for participants through the program.
What Types of Classes Can Professionals Teach?
Participating resorts request a wide variety of fitness and wellness services.
Aquatic Fitness
Aqua Fit classes are popular because many activities at all-inclusive properties take place near the pool.
Group Fitness
Core, sculpt, HIIT, mobility, stretching, recovery, and other group exercise formats may be requested.
Dance Fitness
Dance-based classes, including Zumba, are popular at destinations in locations such as Jamaica and the Dominican Republic.
Yoga and Pilates
Yoga remains popular, while Pilates is an area of growing resort demand.
Mind-Body Wellness
Meditation, sound bowls, Reiki, cold-plunge experiences, and other non-movement wellness services are gaining attention.
The expansion into wellness reflects a broader change in the industry. Resorts are not only seeking high-energy fitness classes. They are also looking for professionals who can support recovery, relaxation, mindfulness, and whole-person well-being.
High-Demand Skills Mentioned in the Webinar
Bellenger specifically identified Pilates and sound-bowl training as areas currently receiving interest from resort properties.
Where Can Fit Bodies Professionals Travel?
Fit Bodies works with properties in a range of international destinations.
Jamaica Dominican Republic Cancun Playa Region Cabo Costa Rica St. Martin St. Lucia Maldives
Bellenger also shared that Fit Bodies had recently expanded into cruise opportunities, beginning with Zumba instructors on Norwegian Cruise Line.
Professionals can choose destinations based on budget, travel time, preferred class format, and level of adventure.
For example, a professional may choose a shorter and more affordable direct flight to the Cancun area or invest in a larger international trip to the Maldives.
Available destinations and current openings can be explored through FitBodiesInc.com.
How International Teaching Can Support Career Growth
The Fit Bodies opportunity is more than a vacation. It can become part of a professional’s career portfolio.
| Career Benefit | Professional Value |
|---|---|
| International Experience | Professionals can add international presenting experience to their resumes. |
| Adaptability | Teaching resort guests requires flexibility across fitness levels, cultures, languages, and group sizes. |
| Professional Networking | Travel creates opportunities to connect with guests, resort teams, other professionals, and potential clients. |
| Content Creation | Fitness entrepreneurs may create content from the destination for virtual clients or social platforms. |
| Leadership | Professionals lead unfamiliar groups and may informally mentor resort staff. |
Bellenger explained that fitness business owners can often continue serving virtual clients while traveling. Recording content from a beach or resort may also create stronger engagement among online audiences.
How Students and Graduates Can Prepare
Step 1
Complete Your Education
Bellenger encouraged students to finish their degrees and remain open to advanced education. She shared that earning her own master’s degree created career opportunities she could not have anticipated.
Step 2
Build Teaching Experience
Gain experience leading classes at a gym, university, studio, community center, wellness program, or other fitness environment.
Step 3
Create Professional Photos
Prepare a professional headshot and an active fitness image. Bellenger noted that these do not need to come from an expensive photo shoot, but they should present the professional clearly.
Step 4
Add a New Skill Each Year
Continuing education can make a professional more versatile. Consider adding credentials in areas such as Pilates, yoga, sound bowls, mobility, dance fitness, or aquatic exercise.
Step 5
Strengthen Soft Skills
Leadership, communication, adaptability, professionalism, cultural awareness, and additional language skills may all support success while teaching internationally.
Step 6
Become Travel Ready
Maintain an active passport, review international safety practices, understand airline and resort procedures, and attend the Fit Bodies orientation before traveling.
How to Get Started With Fit Bodies
Students and graduates can begin by visiting the official Fit Bodies website and creating a professional profile.
- Visit FitBodiesInc.com.
- Create a username and password.
- Build a profile with your education, certifications, teaching experience, and professional information.
- Upload a professional headshot, active photo, and applicable certificates.
- Search available trips by destination, dates, property, or fitness discipline.
- Contact the Fit Bodies support team with questions.
- Attend the orientation call after booking to prepare for travel.
Creating a profile does not require an immediate booking. Professionals can review destinations and available opportunities before deciding when and where they want to travel.
Member and Non-Member Options
Fit Bodies offers both member and non-member booking options.
Bellenger explained that the annual travel membership was $95 at the time of the webinar and could reduce trip costs by approximately 30 percent. Membership pricing and benefits should be verified directly through Fit Bodies before registration.
Bringing a Companion or Family
Many opportunities allow professionals to bring a companion. Bellenger also shared that some Club Med properties may allow participants to bring two children without an additional resort charge.
Policies depend on the property, dates, and current program rules.
Why Every New Fitness Professional Should Find a Mentor
When asked what advice she would give someone entering the fitness profession, Bellenger emphasized mentorship.
A strong mentor can listen to a professional’s goals, ask thoughtful questions, share industry perspective, and provide honest guidance during career transitions.
“Find a mentor—someone who works in the industry and can help guide you on your journey.”
The fitness industry now offers far more career options than it did in previous decades. Professionals can work in education, technology, wellness, online coaching, performance, management, entrepreneurship, hospitality, and international travel.
A mentor can help a new professional evaluate those opportunities and make decisions that align with their strengths and long-term goals.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Fit Bodies?
Fit Bodies is a fitness and wellness travel company that places qualified professionals at participating resorts and travel destinations to teach classes during their stay.
How does the Fit Bodies exchange work?
Professionals teach approximately one or two classes per day in exchange for access to a reduced-cost resort stay. Exact requirements vary by property and trip.
What qualifications do I need?
Participants need current credentials in the discipline they plan to teach. Fit Bodies also prefers approximately one to two years of teaching experience.
What classes are available?
Potential disciplines include Aqua Fit, yoga, Pilates, dance fitness, Zumba, HIIT, core, sculpt, mobility, stretching, meditation, sound bowls, Reiki, and other wellness formats.
Can I bring someone with me?
Many opportunities allow a companion. Certain properties may offer additional family options. Review the specific trip terms before booking.
Can I continue coaching my clients while traveling?
Fitness entrepreneurs may be able to continue virtual coaching or content creation during their stay, provided it does not interfere with their teaching responsibilities or property policies.
How do I search for available trips?
Visit FitBodiesInc.com to review current destinations, dates, properties, and instructional disciplines.
Key Takeaways
- Lionel University’s partnership with Fit Bodies creates international teaching opportunities for qualified fitness and wellness professionals.
- Professionals typically teach one or two classes per day in exchange for access to a reduced-cost resort stay.
- Participants need current credentials and relevant instructional experience.
- Available disciplines may include aquatic exercise, dance fitness, yoga, Pilates, HIIT, mobility, meditation, sound bowls, and other wellness services.
- International teaching can strengthen resumes, professional networks, adaptability, leadership, and content portfolios.
- Students should continue developing education, credentials, teaching experience, professional photos, and travel readiness.
- Current travel opportunities and program details are available through the official Fit Bodies website.
Expanding Career Possibilities Through Lionel University
Lionel University Career Services helps students explore career pathways that extend beyond traditional personal training.
A fitness credential or exercise science degree can support opportunities in group exercise, wellness, performance, entrepreneurship, online coaching, hospitality, management, and international instruction.
The Fit Bodies partnership gives students and graduates another way to apply their education in a real-world setting while developing valuable professional and personal experience.
Your Fitness Career Can Take You Anywhere
Explore Lionel University degree and certificate pathways designed to support careers in exercise science, fitness, wellness, and human performance.
Explore Lionel ProgramsReady to Teach Fitness Around the World?
Through Lionel University’s partnership with Fit Bodies, qualified fitness and wellness professionals can gain international teaching experience while traveling to resort destinations across the globe.
Explore Fit Bodies OpportunitiesConclusion
The partnership between Lionel University and Fit Bodies shows how flexible and far-reaching a fitness career can become.
Qualified professionals can use their education and credentials to teach at international resorts, work with diverse groups, develop new skills, create professional content, and expand their networks.
The opportunity also reinforces an important lesson for students and graduates: a fitness career does not have to follow one predetermined path.
With education, professional credentials, teaching experience, curiosity, and mentorship, fitness professionals can build careers that evolve alongside their interests and the needs of the industry.
