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The differences between fitness assistants and group fitness 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 group fitness instructor. Additionally, a group fitness instructor has an average salary of $35,867, 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 group fitness instructor are CPR, yoga, and customer service.
| Fitness Assistant | Group Fitness Instructor | |
| Yearly salary | $33,790 | $35,867 |
| Hourly rate | $16.25 | $17.24 |
| Growth rate | 19% | 19% |
| Number of jobs | 6,609 | 38,457 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
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.
A group fitness instructor is responsible for creating fitness programs for a group with the same fitness goals, tailoring special instructions to engage the group and helping each individual achieve their healthy lifestyle objectives. Group fitness instructors monitor each trainee's progress, adjusting exercise routines and diet plans as needed, and ensuring that the group follows the training disciplines during fitness sessions. They must have excellent knowledge of the fitness industry, including the latest routines to provide options and a wide range of fitness programs.
Fitness assistants and group fitness instructors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Fitness Assistant | Group Fitness Instructor | |
| Average salary | $33,790 | $35,867 |
| Salary range | Between $23,000 And $48,000 | Between $23,000 And $54,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | San Francisco, CA |
| Highest paying state | - | California |
| Best paying company | - | Bridgewater State University |
| Best paying industry | - | Education |
There are a few differences between a fitness assistant and a group fitness instructor in terms of educational background:
| Fitness Assistant | Group Fitness Instructor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 70% | Bachelor's Degree, 69% |
| Most common major | Kinesiology | Kinesiology |
| Most common college | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill | University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill |
Here are the differences between fitness assistants' and group fitness instructors' demographics:
| Fitness Assistant | Group Fitness Instructor | |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 45.3% Female, 54.7% | Male, 29.5% Female, 70.5% |
| Race ratio | 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% | 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 Percentage | 13% | 13% |