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Fitness assistant vs fitness trainer

The differences between fitness assistants and 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 a fitness assistant and a fitness trainer. Additionally, a fitness assistant has an average salary of $33,790, which is higher than the $28,702 average annual salary of a fitness trainer.

The top three skills for a fitness assistant include CPR, AED and facility equipment. The most important skills for a fitness trainer are customer service, front desk, and CPR.

Fitness assistant vs fitness trainer overview

Fitness AssistantFitness Trainer
Yearly salary$33,790$28,702
Hourly rate$16.25$13.80
Growth rate19%19%
Number of jobs6,60923,881
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
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 trainer do?

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. As a fitness trainer, you are also responsible for explaining and enforcing safety rules on exercise equipment usage, recreational activities, and sports, and giving clients resources and information about weight control, lifestyle issues, and nutrition.

Fitness assistant vs fitness trainer salary

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

Fitness AssistantFitness Trainer
Average salary$33,790$28,702
Salary rangeBetween $23,000 And $48,000Between $19,000 And $41,000
Highest paying City-San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state-Hawaii
Best paying company-Kohler Co.
Best paying industry-Hospitality

Differences between fitness assistant and fitness trainer education

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

Fitness AssistantFitness Trainer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 70%Bachelor's Degree, 59%
Most common majorKinesiologyKinesiology
Most common collegeUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Fitness assistant vs fitness trainer demographics

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

Fitness AssistantFitness Trainer
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 45.3% Female, 54.7%Male, 59.8% Female, 40.2%
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 trainer 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 trainer example responsibilities.

  • Provide market research and generate leads using social media (facebook) in order to target prospective clients.
  • Monitor the swimming area and CPR certify.
  • Certify for CPR and a and always have first aid available.
  • Improve the cleanliness of the community recreations centers by implementing an hourly maintenance and cleaning schedule.
  • Maintain fitness center cleanliness while assisting members.
  • Assist in the cardiac rehabilitation clinic which include implementing progressive rehabilitation methods with education for long term health and wellness.
  • Show more

Fitness assistant vs fitness trainer skills

Common fitness assistant skills
  • CPR, 21%
  • AED, 12%
  • Facility Equipment, 11%
  • Facility Maintenance, 9%
  • Customer Satisfaction, 9%
  • Bulletin Boards, 8%
Common fitness trainer skills
  • Customer Service, 31%
  • Front Desk, 28%
  • CPR, 24%
  • Cleanliness, 6%
  • Physical Fitness, 2%
  • Fitness Equipment, 1%

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