Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors: Job Description
Instruct or coach groups or individuals in exercise activities for the primary purpose of personal fitness. Demonstrate techniques and form, observe participants, and explain to them corrective measures necessary to improve their skills. Develop and implement individualized approaches to exercise.
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What Tasks Do Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors Perform?
The day-to-day responsibilities of exercise trainers and group fitness instructors cover:
- Observe participants and inform them of corrective measures necessary for skill improvement.
- Offer alternatives during classes to accommodate different levels of fitness.
- Monitor participants' progress and adapt programs as needed.
- Plan routines, choose appropriate music, and choose different movements for each set of muscles, depending on participants' capabilities and limitations.
- Evaluate individuals' abilities, needs, and physical conditions, and develop suitable training programs to meet any special requirements.
- Instruct participants in maintaining exertion levels to maximize benefits from exercise routines.
- Teach and demonstrate use of gymnastic and training equipment, such as trampolines and weights.
- Explain and enforce safety rules and regulations governing sports, recreational activities, and the use of exercise equipment.
Key Skills and Knowledge
Top exercise trainers and group fitness instructors rely on a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Most Important Skills
The abilities that matter most in this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Other Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors Job Titles
People in this occupation may also be known by titles such as:
- Aerobics Instructor
- Aerobics Teacher
- Aquatics Specialist
- Certified Personal Trainer
- Certified Pilates Instructor
- Certified Yoga Instructor
- Exercise Specialist
- Exercise Teacher
Employment and Demand
There are about 36,547 exercise trainers and group fitness instructors working in the United States today. This occupation is expected to decline by -1.5% over the projection horizon.
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors Pay
| Statistic | Value |
|---|---|
| Annual median | $54,441 |
| Hourly median | $26.17 |
| 10th percentile | $32,295 |
| 25th percentile | $43,368 |
| 75th percentile | $65,513 |
| 90th percentile | $76,586 |
Compensation varies based on experience, location, and industry.
Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors Salary by State
| State | Annual median salary |
|---|---|
| Connecticut | $65,790 |
| New Jersey | $60,620 |
| Massachusetts | $60,390 |
| California | $56,600 |
| New Hampshire | $51,340 |
| Vermont | $51,240 |
| Washington | $50,350 |
| Illinois | $50,290 |
| Oregon | $49,700 |
| Nevada | $49,530 |
| Colorado | $49,250 |
| Utah | $48,730 |
| New York | $47,780 |
| Hawaii | $47,570 |
| Arizona | $47,570 |
| Alaska | $47,020 |
| Delaware | $46,860 |
| Idaho | $45,850 |
| Michigan | $45,780 |
| New Mexico | $45,760 |
| District of Columbia | $45,340 |
| Maryland | $45,260 |
| Georgia | $45,210 |
| North Carolina | $45,080 |
| Minnesota | $44,140 |
| Kentucky | $44,120 |
| Rhode Island | $43,980 |
| Wisconsin | $42,490 |
| Maine | $42,110 |
| Pennsylvania | $42,010 |
| Tennessee | $42,010 |
| Texas | $39,980 |
| Arkansas | $39,920 |
| Virginia | $38,660 |
| Oklahoma | $38,530 |
| South Carolina | $38,170 |
| Montana | $38,020 |
| Wyoming | $37,990 |
| Florida | $37,420 |
| Alabama | $37,400 |
| West Virginia | $37,270 |
| North Dakota | $36,970 |
| South Dakota | $36,960 |
| Kansas | $36,560 |
| Mississippi | $36,280 |
| Iowa | $36,130 |
| Indiana | $33,520 |
| Louisiana | $33,520 |
| Ohio | $31,570 |
| Missouri | $31,320 |
| Nebraska | $30,540 |
| Guam | $25,210 |
| Puerto Rico | $21,560 |
Where Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors Earn the Most
Compensation for exercise trainers and group fitness instructors vary by region. These regions lead on median pay:
| Region | Median annual wage | Share of U.S. jobs | Location quotient |
|---|---|---|---|
| New England | $58,642 | 5.8% | 1.33 |
| Far Western US | $54,317 | 19.8% | 1.20 |
| Middle Atlantic | $48,767 | 16.2% | 1.07 |
| Rocky Mountains | $47,839 | 6.7% | 1.71 |
| Great Lakes | $43,592 | 13.4% | 1.09 |
| Southwest | $41,723 | 9.2% | 0.73 |
| Southeast | $40,027 | 21.1% | 0.94 |
| Plains States | $36,449 | 7.8% | 1.19 |
Where the Jobs Cluster
| Metro area | State | Median annual wage | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kahului-Wailuku, HI | HI | $78,160 | 110 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | CT | $76,390 | 1,260 |
| Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT | CT | $73,880 | 130 |
| New Haven, CT | CT | $66,170 | 450 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | CA | $62,050 | 730 |
| Waterbury-Shelton, CT | CT | $61,860 | 220 |
| Trenton-Princeton, NJ | NJ | $61,040 | 490 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | CA | $60,880 | 6,310 |
Which Industries Hire Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors
Most exercise trainers and group fitness instructors work in these industries:
| Industry | Employment | Median annual wage |
|---|---|---|
| Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | 206,110 | $47,050 |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) | 41,000 | $39,450 |
| Educational Services | 26,670 | $42,460 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 10,810 | $46,680 |
| Accommodation and Food Services | 2,490 | $45,930 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 920 | $60,060 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 360 | $62,600 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | 290 | $44,780 |
The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.
Tech Stack
- Accounting software: Intuit QuickBooks (hot technology)
- Spreadsheet software: Microsoft Excel (hot technology)
- Office suite software: Microsoft Office software (hot technology)
- Electronic mail software: Microsoft Outlook (hot technology)
- Presentation software: Microsoft PowerPoint (hot technology)
- Word processing software: Microsoft Word (hot technology)
Work Environment
The work environment for exercise trainers and group fitness instructors reflects the following characteristics:
- Indoors, Environmentally Controlled
- Contact With Others
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Freedom to Make Decisions
- Spend Time Standing
Education and Training
Entry-level exercise trainers and group fitness instructors positions require some college, no degree as the typical entry-level education. The role falls in Medium Preparation Needed (Job Zone 3), signaling the level of preparation typically expected.
Similar Occupations
Similar Occupations
- Training and Development Managers (Supplemental)
- Fitness and Wellness Coordinators (Primary-Short)
- Training and Development Specialists (Supplemental)
- Health Education Specialists (Supplemental)
- Recreation and Fitness Studies Teachers, Postsecondary (Supplemental)
- Adapted Physical Education Specialists (Supplemental)
- Self-Enrichment Teachers (Primary-Short)
- Coaches and Scouts (Primary-Short)
Top Programs to Study For This Career
Aspiring exercise trainers and group fitness instructors typically earn programs in:
Education
1 programs across 1 majors
About the Data
This profile draws on the following authoritative sources:
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) for employment and wage data by state and industry.
- BLS Employment Projections for total employment and growth forecasts.
- O*NET (Occupational Information Network) for skills, knowledge, tasks, work activities, work context, technology, and education-zone data.
SOC code: 39-9031.00 (Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors).
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