Post job

Health fitness specialist vs yoga instructor

The differences between health fitness specialists and yoga 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 health fitness specialist and a yoga instructor. Additionally, a yoga instructor has an average salary of $45,673, which is higher than the $37,089 average annual salary of a health fitness specialist.

The top three skills for a health fitness specialist include customer service, health fitness and administrative tasks. The most important skills for a yoga instructor are CPR, customer service, and class attendance.

Health fitness specialist vs yoga instructor overview

Health Fitness SpecialistYoga Instructor
Yearly salary$37,089$45,673
Hourly rate$17.83$21.96
Growth rate19%19%
Number of jobs57,37925,406
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 80%Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Average age3737
Years of experience1212

What does a health fitness specialist do?

A health fitness specialist's role is to promote fitness through different strategies and health programs. Their responsibilities mostly revolve around researching and developing exercise routines for various people, conducting fitness training sessions for small or large groups, assisting clients in their fitness goals, and ensuring a safe and healthy environment for all clients. Moreover, a health fitness specialist may provide private training sessions at home, to clients who are recovering from ailments or injuries, and even to private institutions such as universities and hospitals.

What does a yoga instructor do?

A yoga teacher or instructor is an individual who teaches yoga lessons and works at yoga studios, gyms, or fitness centers. Yoga teachers are wellness and fitness professionals who lead yoga classes. They teach their students a variety of practice meditation, promote mindfulness, and stretching poses. It is expected of them to know about mindful meditation and Chakra system implementation. They should be equipped with energy, inspiration, authenticity, attention to detail, and diligence.

Health fitness specialist vs yoga instructor salary

Health fitness specialists and yoga instructors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Health Fitness SpecialistYoga Instructor
Average salary$37,089$45,673
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $49,000Between $33,000 And $63,000
Highest paying CitySanta Clara, CASanta Rosa, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companySTG InternationalUMiami Health System
Best paying industryHospitalityEducation

Differences between health fitness specialist and yoga instructor education

There are a few differences between a health fitness specialist and a yoga instructor in terms of educational background:

Health Fitness SpecialistYoga Instructor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 80%Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Most common majorKinesiologyPsychology
Most common collegeUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Health fitness specialist vs yoga instructor demographics

Here are the differences between health fitness specialists' and yoga instructors' demographics:

Health Fitness SpecialistYoga Instructor
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 41.3% Female, 58.7%Male, 13.0% Female, 87.0%
Race ratioBlack 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 Percentage13%13%

Differences between health fitness specialist and yoga instructor duties and responsibilities

Health fitness specialist example responsibilities.

  • Provide market research and generate leads using social media (facebook) in order to target prospective clients.
  • Conduct fitness evaluations according to ACSM guidelines.
  • Maintain the facility according to ACSM facility guidelines
  • Assist in the cardiac rehabilitation clinic which include implementing progressive rehabilitation methods with education for long term health and wellness.
  • Utilize vary techniques including TRX, kettlebell training, plyometrics, Tabata and outdoor training.

Yoga instructor example responsibilities.

  • Manage operations, develop and teach the syllabus for group/private classes.
  • Recognize by the gym ownership for utilizing a CPR certification and managing an on scene emergency.
  • Manage general fitness center cleanliness and coordinate group fitness instructor schedules
  • Lead adult fitness classes involving yoga & Pilates classes.
  • Educate the community in the philosophy and practice of yoga as well as the physical practice of Asana.
  • Instruct students on Pilates, TRX and HIIT principles.
  • Show more

Health fitness specialist vs yoga instructor skills

Common health fitness specialist skills
  • Customer Service, 16%
  • Health Fitness, 11%
  • Administrative Tasks, 9%
  • Fitness Assessments, 8%
  • ACSM, 7%
  • Facility Operations, 6%
Common yoga instructor skills
  • CPR, 42%
  • Customer Service, 20%
  • Class Attendance, 8%
  • Teacher Training, 5%
  • Pilates, 5%
  • Yoga, 4%

Browse personal care and attendants jobs