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The differences between fitness trainers and group exercise 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 trainer and a group exercise instructor. Additionally, a group exercise instructor has an average salary of $34,348, which is higher than the $28,702 average annual salary of a fitness trainer.
The top three skills for a fitness trainer include customer service, front desk and CPR. The most important skills for a group exercise instructor are CPR, yoga, and kids.
| Fitness Trainer | Group Exercise Instructor | |
| Yearly salary | $28,702 | $34,348 |
| Hourly rate | $13.80 | $16.51 |
| Growth rate | 19% | 19% |
| Number of jobs | 23,881 | 33,704 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
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.
A group exercise instructor is responsible for leading fitness training and programs for different class groups. Group exercise instructors develop correct conditioning techniques, as well as observing the proper form of the student from their movements and exercises. A group exercise instructor also recommends nutritional foods and beverages that would help the students maintain a healthy lifestyle and development. They identify each student's strengths and weaknesses and develop comprehensive training programs to address their needs.
Fitness trainers and group exercise instructors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Fitness Trainer | Group Exercise Instructor | |
| Average salary | $28,702 | $34,348 |
| Salary range | Between $19,000 And $41,000 | Between $22,000 And $53,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Los Angeles, CA |
| Highest paying state | Hawaii | California |
| Best paying company | Kohler Co. | Massachusetts General Hospital |
| Best paying industry | Hospitality | Education |
There are a few differences between a fitness trainer and a group exercise instructor in terms of educational background:
| Fitness Trainer | Group Exercise Instructor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 59% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| 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 trainers' and group exercise instructors' demographics:
| Fitness Trainer | Group Exercise Instructor | |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 59.8% Female, 40.2% | Male, 23.5% Female, 76.5% |
| 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% |