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Class instructor vs fitness coach

The differences between class instructors and fitness coaches can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a class instructor and a fitness coach. Additionally, a fitness coach has an average salary of $38,462, which is higher than the $37,717 average annual salary of a class instructor.

The top three skills for a class instructor include CPR, customer service and yoga. The most important skills for a fitness coach are CPR, kids, and fitness programs.

Class instructor vs fitness coach overview

Class InstructorFitness Coach
Yearly salary$37,717$38,462
Hourly rate$18.13$18.49
Growth rate19%19%
Number of jobs52,34922,156
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Average age3737
Years of experience1212

What does a class instructor do?

Class instructors are teachers who apply to teach hands-on skills. The instructors are tasked with the preparation and delivery of lesson plans and other instructional materials for active learning. They manage student behavior in the classroom by establishing academic rules and procedures. They maintain discipline following the disciplinary systems of the school. These instructors must have the ability to communicate effectively in writing and orally, report to work on a regular and punctual basis, and meet professional instructor's education requirements of the district, school, and state.

What does a fitness coach do?

A fitness coach specializes in mentoring clients in their journey for a healthier lifestyle, assisting them in reaching their individual goals for physical fitness. Their responsibilities include developing training programs based on the clients' needs, facilitating physical fitness training sessions in an individual or group setting, learning the clients' medical histories for risk prevention, and monitoring the progress of clients, adjusting programs as needed. Furthermore, as a fitness coach, it is essential to build rapport with clients, motivating them to reach their goals.

Class instructor vs fitness coach salary

Class instructors and fitness coaches have different pay scales, as shown below.

Class InstructorFitness Coach
Average salary$37,717$38,462
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $60,000Between $24,000 And $59,000
Highest paying CityLong Beach, CASan Jose, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyRutgers UniversityAEA Investors
Best paying industryEducationEducation

Differences between class instructor and fitness coach education

There are a few differences between a class instructor and a fitness coach in terms of educational background:

Class InstructorFitness Coach
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 61%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common majorBusinessKinesiology
Most common collegeUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Class instructor vs fitness coach demographics

Here are the differences between class instructors' and fitness coaches' demographics:

Class InstructorFitness Coach
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 42.8% Female, 57.2%Male, 46.3% Female, 53.7%
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 class instructor and fitness coach duties and responsibilities

Class instructor example responsibilities.

  • Lead modified yoga and meditation sessions to enhance balance and flexibility ;
  • Develop fitness and wellness classes such as step aerobics, pilates and other routines ensuring a diversity of class offerings.
  • Teach aerobics, step, kickboxing and Zumba classes.
  • Create syllabus, reading and writing assignments, develop and grade tests.
  • Create lesson plans and homework assignments for ESL students from diverse cultural backgrounds.
  • Prepare ESL Spanish-speakers to pass U.S. citizenship test through weekly lessons and mock interviews.
  • Show more

Fitness coach example responsibilities.

  • Provide market research and generate leads using social media (facebook) in order to target prospective clients.
  • Train new employees on sales tactics, and point-of-sale (POS) system.
  • Certify in CPR and first aid to attend appropriately to health issues of participants.
  • Certify in CPR and first response a medical training in order to provide immediate medical response to members in need.
  • Develop and conduct group/individual diabetes self-management educational sessions using evidence-base protocols.
  • Design each HIIT class to match the skill and modifications for all physical levels for all participants.
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Class instructor vs fitness coach skills

Common class instructor skills
  • CPR, 29%
  • Customer Service, 27%
  • Yoga, 13%
  • Kids, 11%
  • Course Curriculum, 7%
  • Course Materials, 2%
Common fitness coach skills
  • CPR, 23%
  • Kids, 17%
  • Fitness Programs, 13%
  • Training Programs, 7%
  • Heart Rate, 6%
  • Injury Prevention, 4%

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