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Exercise science instructor vs personal fitness trainer

The differences between exercise science instructors 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 an exercise science instructor and a personal fitness trainer. Additionally, a personal fitness trainer has an average salary of $38,198, which is higher than the $32,209 average annual salary of an exercise science instructor.

The top three skills for an exercise science instructor include exercise physiology, yoga and ACSM. The most important skills for a personal fitness trainer are CPR, program design, and customer service.

Exercise science instructor vs personal fitness trainer overview

Exercise Science InstructorPersonal Fitness Trainer
Yearly salary$32,209$38,198
Hourly rate$15.49$18.36
Growth rate19%19%
Number of jobs30,05533,387
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Average age3737
Years of experience1212

Exercise science instructor vs personal fitness trainer salary

Exercise science instructors and personal fitness trainers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Exercise Science InstructorPersonal Fitness Trainer
Average salary$32,209$38,198
Salary rangeBetween $20,000 And $51,000Between $25,000 And $57,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between exercise science instructor and personal fitness trainer education

There are a few differences between an exercise science instructor and a personal fitness trainer in terms of educational background:

Exercise Science InstructorPersonal Fitness Trainer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Most common majorKinesiologyKinesiology
Most common collegeUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Exercise science instructor vs personal fitness trainer demographics

Here are the differences between exercise science instructors' and personal fitness trainers' demographics:

Exercise Science InstructorPersonal Fitness Trainer
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 36.8% Female, 63.2%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 exercise science instructor and personal fitness trainer duties and responsibilities

Exercise science instructor example responsibilities.

  • Manage general fitness center cleanliness and coordinate group fitness instructor schedules
  • Choreograph and teach Zumba dance exercise
  • Teach water fitness and Zumba to residents.
  • Teach open level/advance Pilates mat and reformer classes
  • Provide professional personal training and group exercise instruction services for individuals of all ages and ability levels, including rehabilitation phases.
  • Manage LEGO camps using set curriculum.

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.
  • Show more

Exercise science instructor vs personal fitness trainer skills

Common exercise science instructor skills
  • Exercise Physiology, 23%
  • Yoga, 20%
  • ACSM, 12%
  • Health Education, 7%
  • Exercise Program, 6%
  • Zumba, 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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