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The differences between group fitness instructors and personal fitness trainers 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 personal fitness trainer. Additionally, a personal fitness trainer has an average salary of $38,198, which is higher than the $35,867 average annual salary of a group fitness instructor.
The top three skills for a group fitness instructor include CPR, yoga and customer service. The most important skills for a personal fitness trainer are CPR, program design, and customer service.
| Group Fitness Instructor | Personal Fitness Trainer | |
| Yearly salary | $35,867 | $38,198 |
| Hourly rate | $17.24 | $18.36 |
| Growth rate | 19% | 19% |
| Number of jobs | 38,457 | 33,387 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| 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.
Personal Fitness Trainers are responsible for developing fitness plans entailing exercise routines for groups and individuals. Their duties include determining clients' health and fitness levels, facilitating exercise regimen completions, monitoring physical progress, and implementing individualized exercise plans. They are responsible for undertaking group and individual training sessions, supervising proper fitness equipment, and educating on comprehensive training techniques. Personal Fitness Trainers also assist in providing consultation regarding nutrition, health, and weight control inquiries. They ensure safety regulations are adhered to and can perform first aid.
Group fitness instructors and personal fitness trainers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Group Fitness Instructor | Personal Fitness Trainer | |
| Average salary | $35,867 | $38,198 |
| Salary range | Between $23,000 And $54,000 | Between $25,000 And $57,000 |
| 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 group fitness instructor and a personal fitness trainer in terms of educational background:
| Group Fitness Instructor | Personal Fitness Trainer | |
| Most common degree | Bachelor's Degree, 69% | Bachelor's Degree, 64% |
| 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 personal fitness trainers' demographics:
| Group Fitness Instructor | Personal Fitness Trainer | |
| Average age | 37 | 37 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 29.5% Female, 70.5% | Male, 57.8% Female, 42.2% |
| 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% |