Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between group fitness instructors 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 group fitness instructor and a group exercise instructor. Additionally, a group fitness instructor has an average salary of $35,867, which is higher than the $34,348 average annual salary of a group exercise instructor.
The top three skills for a group fitness instructor include CPR, yoga and customer service. The most important skills for a group exercise instructor are CPR, yoga, and kids.
| Group Fitness Instructor | Group Exercise Instructor | |
| Yearly salary | $35,867 | $34,348 |
| Hourly rate | $17.24 | $16.51 |
| Growth rate | 19% | 19% |
| Number of jobs | 38,457 | 33,704 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 73% |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| Years of experience | 12 | 12 |
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.
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.
Group fitness instructors and group exercise instructors have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Group Fitness Instructor | Group Exercise Instructor | |
| Average salary | $35,867 | $34,348 |
| Salary range | Between $23,000 And $54,000 | Between $22,000 And $53,000 |
| Highest paying City | San Francisco, CA | Los Angeles, CA |
| Highest paying state | California | California |
| Best paying company | Bridgewater State University | Massachusetts General Hospital |
| Best paying industry | Education | Education |
There are a few differences between a group fitness instructor and a group exercise instructor in terms of educational background:
| Group Fitness Instructor | Group Exercise Instructor | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | 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 group fitness instructors' and group exercise instructors' demographics:
| Group Fitness Instructor | Group Exercise Instructor | |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 29.5% Female, 70.5% | 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% |