How to hire an exercise science instructor

How to hire an exercise science instructor, step by step

Here's a step-by-step exercise science instructor hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write an exercise science instructor job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new exercise science instructor
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring an exercise science instructor, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   An exercise science instructor's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, exercise science instructors from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

   The following list breaks down different types of exercise science instructors and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Exercise Science Instructor	Description	Hourly rate
   Exercise Science Instructor	Fitness trainers and instructors lead, instruct, and motivate individuals or groups in exercise activities, including cardiovascular exercises (exercises for the heart and blood circulation), strength training, and stretching. They work with people of all ages and skill levels.	$9-24
   Fitness Trainer	The job of a fitness trainer is to instruct and motivate individuals and groups in physical activities, including stretching, cardiovascular exercise, and strength training. The typical duties of a fitness trainer include demonstrating how to perform various exercises, guiding them during the exercise to improve fitness and minimize injuries, and monitoring their progress... Show more	$9-19
   Skills Trainer	Skills Trainers are responsible for creating and teaching courses that are specialized for employees of an organization. Their duties include conducting initial analysis through questionnaires, surveys, and focus groups, create program budgeting, design training courses, organize the class schedule, produce study materials, and implement trial run... Show more	$12-20

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Exercise Physiology
   • Yoga
   • ACSM
   • Health Education
   • Exercise Program
   • Zumba
   • Strength Training
   • Program Design
   • Group Fitness Classes
   • Weight Training
   • Physical Fitness
   • Syllabus
   • Aquatic Exercise
   • Blood Pressure

   Check all skills

   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.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your exercise science instructor job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. An exercise science instructor can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, exercise science instructors' average salary in ohio is 61% less than in hawaii.
   • Seniority. Entry-level exercise science instructors 61% less than senior-level exercise science instructors.
   • Certifications. An exercise science instructor with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in an exercise science instructor's salary.

   Average exercise science instructor salary

   $15.49hourly

   $32,209 yearly

   ---

   Entry-level exercise science instructor salary

   $20,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 19, 2026

4. Writing an exercise science instructor job description

   An exercise science instructor job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of an exercise science instructor job description:

   Exercise science instructor job description example

   Division - Department: 14th Street Y - Aquatics

   Job Classification (FLSA): Non-Union – P/T - up to 20 hours/week

   Date: September 2021

   Supervisor: Miguel Pagan

   Educational Alliance, a 127 year old New York institution, is a vibrant, dynamic organization serving New Yorkers from all walks of life. We serve everyone regardless of the language they speak, where they come from, or their socioeconomic status. We believe that everyone should have a chance to live a better life and that arts and culture, education, health and wellness, and social services can help lay that foundation.

   EdAlliance “Perks”

   • Competitive Salary
   • Free Gym Membership to 14th Street Y Fitness Facility
   • Discounts to programs at Educational Alliance

   JOB PURPOSE

   Teach general Aqua Exercise classes to the 14th Street Y members and clients in the pool. Provide high quality instruction and excellent communication with students.

   SCOPE OF INFLUENCE

   • Welcomes and works with all member/client groups.
   • Works with both internal and external customers.

   KEY RESPONSIBILITIES AND ACCOUNTABILITIES

   Job Area/Function 1 (80%)

   Health & Safety

   • Create a safe, unique and memorable class experience with participants.
   • Guide students through a challenging and level appropriate class
   • Maintain neat, professional attire and a courteous, helpful attitude
   • Foster and grow strong relationships with 14th Street Y members
   • Uphold key values of 14StreetY team members: accountability, anticipating needs, Positive attitude and atmosphere

   Job Area/Function 2 (20%)

   Customer Service

   • Deliver excellent customer service to all members at all times.
   • Address and resolve all member/client questions and issues in a timely, friendly manner.

   JOB REQUIREMENTS

   Required Knowledge

   • Current Aqua Exercise Instructor and CPR/AED certifications required
   • Team player and a passion to build relationships with individuals
   • Excellent customer service skills handling all matters in courteous and friendly manner
   • Proactive, hands on approach, as well as a professional work ethic
   • Self-motivated, highly efficient, strong attention to details

   EEO Info

   All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, disability, or protected veteran status. Educational Alliance takes affirmative action in support of its policy to employ and advance in employment individuals who are minorities, women, protected veterans, and individuals with disabilities.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find exercise science instructors for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your exercise science instructor job on Zippia to find and recruit exercise science instructor candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with exercise science instructor candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new exercise science instructor

   Once you've found the exercise science instructor candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   It's also good etiquette to follow up with applicants who don't get the job by sending them an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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