National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) Group Fitness Instructor Practice Exam

Which term is used to describe the speed or pace of the music in a fitness class?

1. Rhythm

2. Tempo

3. Beat

4. Melody

The correct answer is: Tempo

The term that describes the speed or pace of the music in a fitness class is tempo. Tempo refers to the rate at which a piece of music is played, typically measured in beats per minute (BPM). In a fitness context, the tempo can significantly influence the intensity and pacing of the workout, guiding participants on when to move faster or slower, and helping to create a specific energy level during the class. Rhythm, while related to the flow and pattern of sounds in music, encompasses the timing of notes and chords and is more about the structure of the music rather than the speed. The beat refers to the underlying pulse of the music, which is consistent but does not specifically indicate how fast or slow the music is played. Melody pertains to the tune or musical line created by a sequence of notes, focusing on a more diverse aspect of music rather than its tempo. Thus, tempo is the most accurate term to indicate the speed of the music in a fitness setting.