What You Need to Know About Fitness Trainer or Aerobics Instructor
Position Description Instruct or coach groups or individuals in exercise activities. Demonstrate techniques and form, observe participants, and explain to them corrective measures necessary to improve their skills.
What Do Fitness Trainers and Aerobics Instructors Do On a Daily Basis?
- Conduct therapeutic, recreational, or athletic activities.
- Teach individual and team sports to participants through instruction and demonstration, using knowledge of sports techniques and of participants' physical capabilities.
- Maintain equipment inventories, and select, store, or issue equipment as needed.
- Provide students with information and resources regarding nutrition, weight control, and lifestyle issues.
- Massage body parts to relieve soreness, strains, and bruises.
- Explain and enforce safety rules and regulations governing sports, recreational activities, and the use of exercise equipment.
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What a Fitness Trainer or Aerobics Instructor Should Know
These are the skills Fitness Trainers and Aerobics Instructors say are the most useful in their careers:
Instructing: Teaching others how to do something.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Related Job Titles
- Fitness Consultant
- Personal Fitness Trainer
- Fitness Instructor
- Certified Personal Trainer
- Aerobics Teacher
Job Outlook for Fitness Trainers and Aerobics Instructors
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 299,200 jobs in the United States for Fitness Trainer or Aerobics Instructor. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 10% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 30,000 new jobs for Fitness Trainer or Aerobics Instructor by 2026. There will be an estimated 55,000 positions for Fitness Trainer or Aerobics Instructor per year.

The states with the most job growth for Fitness Trainer or Aerobics Instructor are Utah, Colorado, and New Jersey. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, West Virginia, or South Dakota. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Fitness Trainer or Aerobics Instructor Salary
The average yearly salary of a Fitness Trainer or Aerobics Instructor ranges between $20,160 and $76,090.

Fitness Trainers and Aerobics Instructors who work in New York, Massachusetts, or Connecticut, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Fitness Trainers and Aerobics Instructors in different U.S. states.
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $34,660 |
Alaska | $40,580 |
Arizona | $40,990 |
Arkansas | $38,820 |
California | $51,580 |
Colorado | $46,330 |
Connecticut | $53,530 |
Delaware | $38,440 |
District of Columbia | $56,670 |
Florida | $40,790 |
Georgia | $45,540 |
Hawaii | $50,560 |
Idaho | $34,040 |
Illinois | $46,670 |
Indiana | $32,990 |
Iowa | $32,880 |
Kansas | $37,260 |
Kentucky | $36,800 |
Louisiana | $32,620 |
Maine | $49,640 |
Maryland | $46,270 |
Massachusetts | $59,350 |
Michigan | $37,690 |
Minnesota | $44,340 |
Mississippi | $32,090 |
Missouri | $36,220 |
Montana | $34,090 |
Nebraska | $32,890 |
Nevada | $43,200 |
New Hampshire | $41,130 |
New Jersey | $54,200 |
New Mexico | $39,010 |
New York | $59,520 |
North Carolina | $37,020 |
North Dakota | $31,730 |
Ohio | $32,960 |
Oklahoma | $35,840 |
Oregon | $40,840 |
Pennsylvania | $35,420 |
Rhode Island | $45,170 |
South Carolina | $34,170 |
South Dakota | $31,790 |
Tennessee | $43,890 |
Texas | $38,650 |
Utah | $41,570 |
Vermont | $46,240 |
Virginia | $41,370 |
Washington | $54,220 |
West Virginia | $33,730 |
Wisconsin | $32,030 |
Wyoming | $34,600 |
What Tools do Fitness Trainers and Aerobics Instructors Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Fitness Trainers and Aerobics Instructors:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Web browser software
- Email software
- Intuit QuickBooks
- Sage 50 Accounting
- Appointment scheduling software
- DietMaster Systems DietMaster
- BioEx Systems Nutrition Maker Plus
How to Become a Fitness Trainer or Aerobics Instructor
Individuals working as a Fitness Trainer or Aerobics Instructor have obtained the following education levels:

How Long Does it Take to Become a Fitness Trainer or Aerobics Instructor?

Where Fitness Trainers and Aerobics Instructors Are Employed

The table below shows the approximate number of Fitness Trainers and Aerobics Instructors employed by various industries.

Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those interested in being a Fitness Trainer or Aerobics Instructor may also be interested in:
References:
Image Credit: Staff Sgt. Michael Ellis via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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