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Manager/personal trainer vs group exercise instructor

The differences between managers/personal trainer 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 manager/personal trainer and a group exercise instructor. Additionally, a manager/personal trainer has an average salary of $63,117, which is higher than the $34,348 average annual salary of a group exercise instructor.

The top three skills for a manager/personal trainer include CPR, program design and cleanliness. The most important skills for a group exercise instructor are CPR, yoga, and kids.

Manager/personal trainer vs group exercise instructor overview

Manager/Personal TrainerGroup Exercise Instructor
Yearly salary$63,117$34,348
Hourly rate$30.34$16.51
Growth rate19%19%
Number of jobs32,59233,704
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Average age3737
Years of experience1212

What does a manager/personal trainer do?

A manager/personal trainer performs fitness training, human resource management, and sales in a single job role. First-aid certification is one of the main requirements for the role. The responsibilities of this role are teaching and evaluating a trainer's performance, offering feedback based on the results of the evaluation, creating a workout plan that works for the client, advising the client on nutrition and exercise, and ensuring that health and safety regulations are adhered to when working with equipment.

What does a group exercise instructor do?

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.

Manager/personal trainer vs group exercise instructor salary

Managers/personal trainer and group exercise instructors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Manager/Personal TrainerGroup Exercise Instructor
Average salary$63,117$34,348
Salary rangeBetween $39,000 And $100,000Between $22,000 And $53,000
Highest paying City-Los Angeles, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-Massachusetts General Hospital
Best paying industry-Education

Differences between manager/personal trainer and group exercise instructor education

There are a few differences between a manager/personal trainer and a group exercise instructor in terms of educational background:

Manager/Personal TrainerGroup Exercise Instructor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Most common majorKinesiologyKinesiology
Most common collegeUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Manager/personal trainer vs group exercise instructor demographics

Here are the differences between managers/personal trainer' and group exercise instructors' demographics:

Manager/Personal TrainerGroup Exercise Instructor
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 66.9% Female, 33.1%Male, 23.5% Female, 76.5%
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 manager/personal trainer and group exercise instructor duties and responsibilities

Manager/personal trainer example responsibilities.

  • Manage the database administration and upgrade to Microsoft CRM to meet changing business needs.
  • Manage CMS require new member welcome calls, member updates and retention outreach projects.
  • Recruit to develop and manage member and provider appeals for this new Pennsylvania Medicaid contractor.
  • Process daily ACH transactions, manage cash shipments, and act as primary advocate of member services.
  • Establish and redefine business processes in order to achieve national accreditation through NCQA.
  • Maintain fitness facility standards of cleanliness and organization.
  • Show more

Group exercise instructor example responsibilities.

  • Manage general fitness center cleanliness and coordinate group fitness instructor schedules
  • Create classes base on high intensity cardio and strength training using a wide array of fitness equipment.
  • Instruct a group of up to 50 people in exercises ranging from strength training to Zumba.
  • Maintain up keep and cleanliness of the facility, restocking cleaning supplies, cleaning fitness equipment, and re-racking weights.
  • Instruct classes and individuals in mat Pilates as well as on equipment including reformer, barrel, chair, and cadillac.
  • Group equipment classes including springboard.
  • Show more

Manager/personal trainer vs group exercise instructor skills

Common manager/personal trainer skills
  • CPR, 27%
  • Program Design, 15%
  • Cleanliness, 14%
  • Payroll, 5%
  • Physical Fitness, 5%
  • Punctuality, 4%
Common group exercise instructor skills
  • CPR, 36%
  • Yoga, 14%
  • Kids, 8%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • AFAA, 6%
  • Zumba, 4%

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