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Fitness assistant vs fitness specialist

The differences between fitness assistants and fitness specialists 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 fitness specialist. Additionally, a fitness assistant has an average salary of $33,790, which is higher than the $32,472 average annual salary of a fitness specialist.

The top three skills for a fitness assistant include CPR, AED and facility equipment. The most important skills for a fitness specialist are CPR, fitness assessments, and ACSM.

Fitness assistant vs fitness specialist overview

Fitness AssistantFitness Specialist
Yearly salary$33,790$32,472
Hourly rate$16.25$15.61
Growth rate19%19%
Number of jobs6,60928,175
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
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 fitness specialist do?

A Fitness Specialist is focused on promoting a healthy lifestyle through exercise and working with clients in various settings. They teach individuals or groups how to properly perform exercises and use exercise equipment.

Fitness assistant vs fitness specialist salary

Fitness assistants and fitness specialists have different pay scales, as shown below.

Fitness AssistantFitness Specialist
Average salary$33,790$32,472
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $48,000Between $24,000 And $42,000
Highest paying City-San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-University Settlement
Best paying industry-Education

Differences between fitness assistant and fitness specialist education

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

Fitness AssistantFitness Specialist
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 71%
Most common majorKinesiologyKinesiology
Most common collegeUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Fitness assistant vs fitness specialist demographics

Here are the differences between fitness assistants' and fitness specialists' demographics:

Fitness AssistantFitness Specialist
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 45.3% Female, 54.7%Male, 44.8% Female, 55.2%
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 fitness specialist 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.

Fitness specialist example responsibilities.

  • Provide market research and generate leads using social media (facebook) in order to target prospective clients.
  • Lead group strength training exercises, conduct vitals, and monitor EKG telemetry before during and after exercise.
  • Conduct CPR and a workshops for facility.
  • Water safety, CPR, and a certified.
  • Maintain cleanliness of exercise equipment.
  • Maintain cleanliness and safety protocol of fitness equipment.
  • Show more

Fitness assistant vs fitness specialist skills

Common fitness assistant skills
  • CPR, 21%
  • AED, 12%
  • Facility Equipment, 11%
  • Facility Maintenance, 9%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 9%
  • Bulletin Boards, 8%
Common fitness specialist skills
  • CPR, 16%
  • Fitness Assessments, 8%
  • ACSM, 7%
  • Sales Floor, 6%
  • Blood Pressure, 5%
  • Customer Service, 5%

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