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The differences between group exercise instructors and fitness coaches can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a group exercise instructor and a fitness coach. Additionally, a fitness coach has an average salary of $38,462, which is higher than the $34,348 average annual salary of a group exercise instructor.
The top three skills for a group exercise instructor include CPR, yoga and kids. The most important skills for a fitness coach are CPR, kids, and fitness programs.
| Group Exercise Instructor | Fitness Coach | |
| Yearly salary | $34,348 | $38,462 |
| Hourly rate | $16.51 | $18.49 |
| Growth rate | 19% | 19% |
| Number of jobs | 33,704 | 22,156 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
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.
A fitness coach specializes in mentoring clients in their journey for a healthier lifestyle, assisting them in reaching their individual goals for physical fitness. Their responsibilities include developing training programs based on the clients' needs, facilitating physical fitness training sessions in an individual or group setting, learning the clients' medical histories for risk prevention, and monitoring the progress of clients, adjusting programs as needed. Furthermore, as a fitness coach, it is essential to build rapport with clients, motivating them to reach their goals.
Group exercise instructors and fitness coaches have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Group Exercise Instructor | Fitness Coach | |
| Average salary | $34,348 | $38,462 |
| Salary range | Between $22,000 And $53,000 | Between $24,000 And $59,000 |
| Highest paying City | Los Angeles, CA | San Jose, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Massachusetts General Hospital | AEA Investors |
| Best paying industry | Education | Education |
There are a few differences between a group exercise instructor and a fitness coach in terms of educational background:
| Group Exercise Instructor | Fitness Coach | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 73% | Bachelor's Degree, 68% |
| 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 group exercise instructors' and fitness coaches' demographics:
| Group Exercise Instructor | Fitness Coach | |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 23.5% Female, 76.5% | Male, 46.3% Female, 53.7% |
| 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% |