Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
Group exercise instructor education requirements
Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
There are several educational requirements to become a group exercise instructor. Group exercise instructors usually study kinesiology, business, or psychology. 73% of group exercise instructors hold a bachelor's degree, and 11% hold an associate degree. We analyzed 3,215 real group exercise instructor resumes to see exactly what group exercise instructor education sections show.
The most common colleges for group exercise instructors are the University of Central Florida and the University of Central Florida.
There are also many online group exercise instructor courses to help get the education required to be a group exercise instructor.
There are certain group exercise instructor certifications that you should consider. These group exercise instructor certifications include Certified Personal Trainer and Group Exercise Instructor.
What education do you need to become a group exercise instructor?
What degree do you need to be a group exercise instructor?
- Bachelor's, 73%
- Associate, 11%
- Master's, 11%
- High School Diploma, 2%
- Other Degrees, 3%
What should I major in to become a group exercise instructor?
- Kinesiology, 40%
- Business, 8%
- Psychology, 7%
- Health Education, 6%
- Other Majors, 39%
Most common colleges for group exercise instructors
| Group exercise instructor common college | Percentages |
|---|---|
| University of Central Florida | 7.12% |
| University of Wisconsin - Oshkosh | 6.74% |
| University of Akron | 5.62% |
| Florida State University | 5.62% |
| New York University | 5.24% |
Best majors for group exercise instructors
| Rank | Major | Percentages |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kinesiology | 39.6% |
| 2 | Business | 8.4% |
| 3 | Psychology | 6.7% |
| 4 | Health Education | 5.9% |
| 5 | Communication | 4.1% |
Best colleges for group exercise instructors
The best colleges for group exercise instructors are Northwestern University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and University of Tulsa.
A group exercise instructor with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for group exercise instructors. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become group exercise instructors.
1. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Enrollment
18,946
2. Texas Christian University
Fort Worth, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$46,950
Enrollment
9,407
3. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor
Ann Arbor, MI • Private
In-state tuition
$15,262
Enrollment
30,079
4. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
In-state tuition
$54,568
Enrollment
8,451
5. Rice University
Houston, TX • Private
In-state tuition
$47,350
Enrollment
3,962
6. Columbia University in the City of New York
New York, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$59,430
Enrollment
8,216
7. University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA • Private
In-state tuition
$17,653
Enrollment
16,405
8. California Polytechnic State University-San Luis Obispo
San Luis Obispo, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$9,816
Enrollment
21,047
9. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
In-state tuition
$53,399
Enrollment
7,356
10. University of Southern California
Los Angeles, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$56,225
Enrollment
19,548
20 best online courses for group exercise instructors
Advertising disclosure
1. Pilates Teacher Training & CPD Certification
Become a Classical Mat Pilates instructor with this accredited training course...
2. Belly Dance & Belly Core Fitness International Certification
Belly Dance & Belly Core Fitness Internationally Certified instructor & steps to creating your own Fitness Business...
3. Yoga At Home - Flexibility, Fitness, Strength & Weight Loss
Yoga for Weight Loss : Yoga Workout at Home : Yoga for Fitness Strength & Flexibility : Yoga for Losing Weight & Health...
4. Fitness For Beginners
The Beginners Guide to Learning How to Exercise...
5. Group Life Coaching Certification (Accredited)
Training for life coaches who want to grow their business through offering life coaching groups...
6. Professional Accredited Yoga Teacher Training Diploma Course
Full Certification Diploma Course to Learn the In depth techniques of Yoga to teach to Students & Groups!...
7. Personal Development Life Coach Certification1 Training
Personal Development Life Coach Training Course Graduates Prepared Professionals in Personal Development Life Coaching...
8. Internationally Accredited Diploma Certificate in Fitness
Learn how to Create Gym & Bodybuilding Workouts that help boost testosterone, muscle building and/or lose weight...
9. 15 Minutes x 15 Days Yoga Strength Challenge
Increase strength and stability in your upper body, core and lower body in 15-minute daily yoga sessions...
10. HIIT & Body Weight Training: A 4-week Home Workout Program
Be your own Personal Trainer: Bodyweight Workouts that boosts testosterone, help with muscle building and/or weight loss...
11. Basic Anatomy for Pilates Instructors
Human Anatomy...
12. Exercise Physiology
Learn how the body systems work in concert during acute and chronic exercise...
13. Personalized Bodyweight Workouts: Science-Based Home Fitness
Step-by-Step Instruction From Ex-Military Officer: Build Home Bodyweight Workouts: Strength, Muscle, Lose Fat, Fitness...
14. Internationally Accredited Diploma in Weight Loss
Learn the science, habits, strategies to lose weight in a healthy manner and keep it off permanently...
15. Yoga Life Coach Certification - Yoga Teacher Training
Become a Certified Yoga Life Coach! Help Your Clients Create a Balanced, Peaceful Life Using Ancient Yogic Practices...
16. Health and Nutrition Life Coach Certification (Accredited)
Life Coaching: Create a Workout & Nutrition Plan Based on Your Clients' Fitness, Weight Loss, Dieting & Nutrition Goals...
17. Voice Training - Proven Methods to Improve Your Vocal Skills
Professional Voice Training Exercises and Techniques Guaranteed to Make Your Voice Sound More Powerful and Authoritative...
18. Prenatal & Postnatal Teacher Training (CPD Certified)
How to safely adapt exercise & Pilates for pre/postnatal clients and classes...
19. Barre 31 Day Challenge & Teacher Training - CPD Certified
A hightly effective Barre workout challenge and CPD accredited Teacher Training course...
20. Complete Stretching: 30+ Exercises For Flexibility & Posture
Learn How To Increase Flexibility, Relax Muscles & Relieve Tension Throughout Your Body In 15 minutes daily (Stretch)...
Top 10 most affordable universities for group exercise instructors
The most affordable schools for group exercise instructors are Brooklyn College of the City University of New York, brigham young university, and university of north carolina at chapel hill.
If the best universities for group exercise instructors are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for group exercise instructors.
1. Brooklyn College of the City University of New York
Brooklyn, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,240
Cost of attendance
13,991
2. Brigham Young University
Provo, UT • Private
In-state tuition
$5,620
Cost of attendance
18,136
3. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
In-state tuition
$8,987
Cost of attendance
25,527
4. Queens College of the City University of New York
Queens, NY • Private
In-state tuition
$7,338
Cost of attendance
14,281
5. California State University - Bakersfield
Bakersfield, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$7,309
Cost of attendance
16,714
6. Minot State University
Minot, ND • Private
In-state tuition
$7,064
Cost of attendance
15,576
7. University of Florida
Gainesville, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$6,381
Cost of attendance
21,034
8. Florida State University
Tallahassee, FL • Private
In-state tuition
$5,656
Cost of attendance
21,623
9. California State University - Long Beach
Long Beach, CA • Private
In-state tuition
$6,798
Cost of attendance
18,306
10. University of Puerto Rico - Mayaguez
Mayaguez, PR • Private
In-state tuition
$4,094
Cost of attendance
14,302
Top 10 hardest universities to get into for group exercise instructors
The hardest universities for group exercise instructors to get into are Northwestern University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and University of Tulsa.
Some great schools for group exercise instructors are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for group exercise instructors based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.
1. Northwestern University
Evanston, IL • Private
Admissions rate
8%
SAT average
1,508
2. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, NC • Private
Admissions rate
23%
SAT average
1,398
3. University of Tulsa
Tulsa, OK • Private
Admissions rate
41%
SAT average
1,321
4. Washington University in St Louis
Saint Louis, MO • Private
Admissions rate
15%
SAT average
1,506
5. Loyola Marymount University
Los Angeles, CA • Private
Admissions rate
47%
SAT average
1,321
6. Texas Christian University
Fort Worth, TX • Private
Admissions rate
41%
SAT average
1,287
7. Southern Methodist University
Dallas, TX • Private
Admissions rate
51%
SAT average
1,395
8. Clemson University
Clemson, SC • Private
Admissions rate
47%
SAT average
1,337
9. University of Virginia
Charlottesville, VA • Private
Admissions rate
26%
SAT average
1,427
10. Syracuse University
Syracuse, NY • Private
Admissions rate
50%
SAT average
1,284
Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for group exercise instructors
The easiest schools for group exercise instructors to get into are Wayland Baptist University, barry university, and felician university.
Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a group exercise instructor without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for group exercise instructors.
1. Wayland Baptist University
Plainview, TX • Private
Admissions rate
98%
SAT average
1,003
2. Barry University
Miami, FL • Private
Admissions rate
91%
SAT average
1,006
3. Felician University
Lodi, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
81%
SAT average
999
4. Life University
Marietta, GA • Private
Admissions rate
94%
SAT average
979
5. Oklahoma Wesleyan University
Bartlesville, OK • Private
Admissions rate
68%
SAT average
964
6. Ottawa University
Ottawa, KS • Private
Admissions rate
78%
SAT average
1,024
7. Saint Joseph's College of Maine
Standish, ME • Private
Admissions rate
84%
SAT average
1,069
8. Kean University
Union, NJ • Private
Admissions rate
86%
SAT average
991
9. Thomas More University
Crestview Hills, KY • Private
Admissions rate
90%
SAT average
1,099
10. University of the Incarnate Word
San Antonio, TX • Private
Admissions rate
88%
SAT average
1,044
Average group exercise instructor salary by education level
| Group exercise instructor education level | Group exercise instructor salary |
|---|---|
| Master's Degree | $36,713 |
| High School Diploma or Less | $32,516 |
| Bachelor's Degree | $35,778 |
| Some College/ Associate Degree | $33,442 |
Group exercise instructor education FAQs
Have more questions? See all answers to common personal care and attendants questions.
Search for group exercise instructor jobs
Updated January 8, 2025
Updated January 8, 2025