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.
Class instructor responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real class instructor resumes:
- 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.
- Employ as an aerobics instructor teaching high intensity cardio kickboxing, Pilates and muscle classes.
- Design curriculum and class syllabus.
- Cover the fundamental concepts of chemistry and biology including cell biology, metabolism, microbiology, genetics, evolution and histology.
- Teach a wide range of sport-specific skill sets in a clear, concise, friendly manner.
Class instructor skills and personality traits
We calculated that 29% of Class Instructors are proficient in CPR, Customer Service, and Yoga. They’re also known for soft skills such as Customer-service skills, Listening skills, and Motivational skills.
We break down the percentage of Class Instructors that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- CPR, 29%
Coordinated and supervised CPR certifications for the University at Albany Police Department.
- Customer Service, 27%
Established and maintained consistent track record of superior customer service.
- Yoga, 13%
Led modified yoga and meditation sessions to enhance balance and flexibility;
- Kids, 11%
Instructed kids of all ages on how to draw comics.
- Course Curriculum, 7%
Developed Proficiency Examinations and course curriculum
- Course Materials, 2%
Planned, evaluated and revised curricula, course content, course materials and methods of instructions.
Most class instructors use their skills in "cpr," "customer service," and "yoga" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential class instructor responsibilities here:
Customer-service skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a class instructor to have is customer-service skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "many fitness trainers and instructors sell their services, motivating clients to hire them as personal trainers or to sign up for the classes they lead." Class instructors often use customer-service skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "front desk shifts involve greeting customers, checking them in, introducing them to the facility and answering phone calls. "
Listening skills. Many class instructor duties rely on listening skills. "fitness trainers and instructors must listen carefully to what clients tell them in order to determine the clients’ fitness levels and desired fitness goals.," so a class instructor will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways class instructor responsibilities rely on listening skills: "assisted student acquisition of skills based upon successful completion of clearly communicated course objectives. "
Motivational skills. This is an important skill for class instructors to perform their duties. For an example of how class instructor responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "to keep clients coming back for more classes or to continue personal training, fitness trainers and instructors must keep their clients motivated." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a class instructor: "instruct motivational and goal setting classes, esl, and basic computer skills. ".
Physical fitness. class instructor responsibilities often require "physical fitness." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "fitness trainers and instructors must be able to lead classes and to demonstrate exercises to participants or their clients." This resume example shows what class instructors do with physical fitness on a typical day: "lead group fitness classes in core strengthening, aerobics and deep water fitness. "
Problem-solving skills. Another crucial skill for a class instructor to carry out their responsibilities is "problem-solving skills." A big part of what class instructors relies on this skill, since "fitness trainers and instructors must evaluate members’ or client’s fitness levels and create appropriate fitness plans to meet their needs." How this skill relates to class instructor duties can be seen in an example from a class instructor resume snippet: "expanded the range of student learning and problem-solving through activities that required students to internalize concepts into processes. "
Communication skills. While "communication skills" is last on this skills list, don't underestimate its importance to class instructor responsibilities. Much of what a class instructor does relies on this skill, seeing as "fitness trainers and instructors must be able to clearly explain exercises that they demonstrate to clients." Here is a resume example of how this skill is used in the everyday duties of class instructors: "worked with students to interpret assessments of learning styles, interpersonal communication and group dynamics. "
The three companies that hire the most class instructors are:
- HealthFitness35 class instructors jobs
- Trustmark Insurance Co31 class instructors jobs
- Trilogy Health Services5 class instructors jobs
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Compare different class instructors
Class instructor vs. Strength and conditioning internship
Strength and conditioning interns are students, under an internship scheme, who provide assistance to staff in a comprehensive strength and conditioning programs' teaching and implementation. The programs integrate diverse curriculum focusing on the science and techniques associated with strength and conditioning. The interns supervise the rehabilitation sessions and workouts of varsity student-athletes. They execute motivational tasks in program implementation with the student-athletes. The skills necessary for the job include weight training, proper technique, and program design.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a class instructor are more likely to require skills like "cpr," "customer service," "yoga," and "kids." On the other hand, a job as a strength and conditioning internship requires skills like "student athletes," "program implementation," "softball," and "soccer." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
The education levels that strength and conditioning interns earn slightly differ from class instructors. In particular, strength and conditioning interns are 5.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a class instructor. Additionally, they're 1.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Class instructor vs. Manager/personal trainer
A manager/personal trainer performs fitness training, human resource management, and sales in a single job role. First-aid certification is one of the main requirements for the role. The responsibilities of this role are teaching and evaluating a trainer's performance, offering feedback based on the results of the evaluation, creating a workout plan that works for the client, advising the client on nutrition and exercise, and ensuring that health and safety regulations are adhered to when working with equipment.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, class instructor responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "yoga," "kids," "course curriculum," and "course materials." Meanwhile, a manager/personal trainer has duties that require skills in areas such as "program design," "cleanliness," "payroll," and "punctuality." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
Average education levels between the two professions vary. Managers/personal trainer tend to reach lower levels of education than class instructors. In fact, they're 7.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Class instructor vs. Certified personal trainer
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.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a class instructor is likely to be skilled in "yoga," "kids," "course curriculum," and "course materials," while a typical certified personal trainer is skilled in "injury prevention," "group training," "nasm," and "weight loss."
Certified personal trainers earn the best pay in the retail industry, where they command an average salary of $43,335. Class instructors earn the highest pay from the education industry, with an average salary of $44,496.Most certified personal trainers achieve a lower degree level compared to class instructors. For example, they're 6.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.9% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Class instructor vs. Personal trainer
A personal trainer is responsible for monitoring the client's fitness goals by assisting the client with specific and customized routines and exercises to promote healthy well-being. Duties of a personal trainer also include evaluating the client's fitness progress, creating safe programs to improve the client's stamina, educating the client with workout benefits, suggesting on a client's best nutrition plans, and motivating clients with their capabilities. A personal trainer should have excellent knowledge of the fitness industry to support the client's needs.
Types of class instructor
Updated January 8, 2025
