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Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors: Career Profile
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.
What Tasks Do Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors Take On?
Typical responsibilities of exercise trainers and group fitness instructors span:
- 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
Effective exercise trainers and group fitness instructors draw on a mix of skills and domain knowledge.
Most Important Skills
The competencies most important for this role, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Top Knowledge Areas
Other Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors Job Titles
Common job titles for this role include:
- Aerobics Instructor
- Aerobics Teacher
- Aquatics Specialist
- Certified Personal Trainer
- Certified Pilates Instructor
- Certified Yoga Instructor
- Exercise Specialist
- Exercise Teacher
Job Outlook
The U.S. employs around 36,547 exercise trainers and group fitness instructors working in the United States today. Demand is forecast 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 |
Pay can vary substantially based on experience, location, and industry.
Pay 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
Pay 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 |
Top Metro Areas
| 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 |
Industry Breakdown
The bulk of exercise trainers and group fitness instructors are found across 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.
Tools and Technology
- 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)
The Day-to-Day 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
Getting Started in This Career
Entry-level exercise trainers and group fitness instructors positions require some college, no degree as the typical entry-level education. This occupation sits in Medium Preparation Needed (Job Zone 3), indicating 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)
Where to Study
Future exercise trainers and group fitness instructors often complete programs in:
Health Professions and Related Programs
1 programs across 1 majors
References
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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