Post job

Fitness assistant vs class instructor

The differences between fitness assistants and class instructors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a fitness assistant and a class instructor. Additionally, a class instructor has an average salary of $37,717, which is higher than the $33,790 average annual salary of a fitness assistant.

The top three skills for a fitness assistant include CPR, AED and facility equipment. The most important skills for a class instructor are CPR, customer service, and yoga.

Fitness assistant vs class instructor overview

Fitness AssistantClass Instructor
Yearly salary$33,790$37,717
Hourly rate$16.25$18.13
Growth rate19%19%
Number of jobs6,60952,349
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Average age3737
Years of experience1212

What does a fitness assistant do?

It is the responsibility of a fitness assistant to ensure the safety of fitness center patrons in facilities. Fitness assistants help in facility equipment and protocol while implementing the facility's rules and verifying the right determination of entering patrons. They organize and maintain paperwork with regards to a facility like excel spreadsheets. Part of their job is to manage the accounts and billings of every member along with great customer service. Also, they handle personal training, group exercise, and health promotion.

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.

Fitness assistant vs class instructor salary

Fitness assistants and class instructors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Fitness AssistantClass Instructor
Average salary$33,790$37,717
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $48,000Between $23,000 And $60,000
Highest paying City-Long Beach, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-Rutgers University
Best paying industry-Education

Differences between fitness assistant and class instructor education

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

Fitness AssistantClass Instructor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 61%
Most common majorKinesiologyBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Fitness assistant vs class instructor demographics

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

Fitness AssistantClass Instructor
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 45.3% Female, 54.7%Male, 42.8% Female, 57.2%
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 fitness assistant and class instructor duties and responsibilities

Fitness assistant example responsibilities.

  • Provide market research and generate leads using social media (facebook) in order to target prospective clients.
  • Perform emergency care if need such as CPR
  • Execute first aid or CPR when need.
  • Assist in the cardiac rehabilitation clinic which include implementing progressive rehabilitation methods with education for long term health and wellness.
  • Prepare for health emergencies within facility using cardiopulmonary resuscitation, automate external defibrillator, and train trauma or injury assistance.

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 assistant vs class instructor skills

Common fitness assistant skills
  • CPR, 21%
  • AED, 12%
  • Facility Equipment, 11%
  • Facility Maintenance, 9%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 9%
  • Bulletin Boards, 8%
Common class instructor skills
  • CPR, 29%
  • Customer Service, 27%
  • Yoga, 13%
  • Kids, 11%
  • Course Curriculum, 7%
  • Course Materials, 2%

Browse personal care and attendants jobs