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Certified personal trainer vs personal fitness trainer

The differences between certified personal trainers and personal fitness trainers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a certified personal trainer and a personal fitness trainer. Additionally, a personal fitness trainer has an average salary of $38,198, which is higher than the $32,039 average annual salary of a certified personal trainer.

The top three skills for a certified personal trainer include CPR, customer service and injury prevention. The most important skills for a personal fitness trainer are CPR, program design, and customer service.

Certified personal trainer vs personal fitness trainer overview

Certified Personal TrainerPersonal Fitness Trainer
Yearly salary$32,039$38,198
Hourly rate$15.40$18.36
Growth rate19%19%
Number of jobs65,61533,387
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Average age3737
Years of experience1212

What does a certified personal trainer do?

A Certified Personal Trainer is a person who will guide, help, and motivate you to move forward and become successful. Anyone with a mastery of a specific subject can become a personal trainer; however, certification is given only by accredited organizations that can offer licensure or certification programs. Many hope to find their own certified personal trainer in this hectic and convoluted society to accompany them through thick and thin in life.

What does a personal fitness trainer do?

Personal Fitness Trainers are responsible for developing fitness plans entailing exercise routines for groups and individuals. Their duties include determining clients' health and fitness levels, facilitating exercise regimen completions, monitoring physical progress, and implementing individualized exercise plans. They are responsible for undertaking group and individual training sessions, supervising proper fitness equipment, and educating on comprehensive training techniques. Personal Fitness Trainers also assist in providing consultation regarding nutrition, health, and weight control inquiries. They ensure safety regulations are adhered to and can perform first aid.

Certified personal trainer vs personal fitness trainer salary

Certified personal trainers and personal fitness trainers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Certified Personal TrainerPersonal Fitness Trainer
Average salary$32,039$38,198
Salary rangeBetween $21,000 And $47,000Between $25,000 And $57,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CA-
Highest paying stateCalifornia-
Best paying companyCity and County of Denver Government-
Best paying industryRetail-

Differences between certified personal trainer and personal fitness trainer education

There are a few differences between a certified personal trainer and a personal fitness trainer in terms of educational background:

Certified Personal TrainerPersonal Fitness Trainer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 66%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Most common majorKinesiologyKinesiology
Most common collegeUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Certified personal trainer vs personal fitness trainer demographics

Here are the differences between certified personal trainers' and personal fitness trainers' demographics:

Certified Personal TrainerPersonal Fitness Trainer
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 53.5% Female, 46.5%Male, 57.8% Female, 42.2%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.1% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 10.6% Asian, 5.1% White, 71.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%Black or African American, 7.1% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 10.6% Asian, 5.1% White, 71.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5%
LGBT Percentage13%13%

Differences between certified personal trainer and personal fitness trainer duties and responsibilities

Certified personal trainer example responsibilities.

  • Provide market research and generate leads using social media (facebook) in order to target prospective clients.
  • Train in CPR in case of emergencies.
  • Develop circuit training and small group Pilates classes.
  • Instruct Pilates classes and create a custom Pilates class for senior clients.
  • Coach and tutor colleagues on exercise science concepts as outlined in NASM certification material.
  • Assist in the cardiac rehabilitation clinic which include implementing progressive rehabilitation methods with education for long term health and wellness.
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Personal fitness trainer example responsibilities.

  • Provide market research and generate leads using social media (facebook) in order to target prospective clients.
  • Certify in basic CPR and emergency first aid.
  • Adhere to NASM and or NSCA conditioning standards.
  • Lead various group fitness exercises base on AFAA and NETA guidelines.
  • Monitor equipment maintenance and provide a range of aerobics, aqua, cycling, and stretch classes.
  • Organize Zumba fund raisers for members of the community with cancer, leukemia, autism and mental health disease.
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Certified personal trainer vs personal fitness trainer skills

Common certified personal trainer skills
  • CPR, 21%
  • Customer Service, 15%
  • Injury Prevention, 9%
  • Group Training, 6%
  • NASM, 6%
  • Weight Loss, 5%
Common personal fitness trainer skills
  • CPR, 26%
  • Program Design, 13%
  • Customer Service, 11%
  • Group Training, 7%
  • Cleanliness, 6%
  • Injury Prevention, 5%

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