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Manager/personal trainer vs group fitness instructor

The differences between managers/personal trainer and group fitness 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 fitness instructor. Additionally, a manager/personal trainer has an average salary of $63,117, which is higher than the $35,867 average annual salary of a group fitness instructor.

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

Manager/personal trainer vs group fitness instructor overview

Manager/Personal TrainerGroup Fitness Instructor
Yearly salary$63,117$35,867
Hourly rate$30.34$17.24
Growth rate19%19%
Number of jobs32,59238,457
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 69%
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 fitness instructor do?

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.

Manager/personal trainer vs group fitness instructor salary

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

Manager/Personal TrainerGroup Fitness Instructor
Average salary$63,117$35,867
Salary rangeBetween $39,000 And $100,000Between $23,000 And $54,000
Highest paying City-San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-Bridgewater State University
Best paying industry-Education

Differences between manager/personal trainer and group fitness instructor education

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

Manager/Personal TrainerGroup Fitness Instructor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Most common majorKinesiologyKinesiology
Most common collegeUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Manager/personal trainer vs group fitness instructor demographics

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

Manager/Personal TrainerGroup Fitness Instructor
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 66.9% Female, 33.1%Male, 29.5% Female, 70.5%
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 fitness 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 fitness instructor example responsibilities.

  • Lead group exercise classes in cycling, bootcamp and outdoor fitness.
  • Attain certifications in aerobics, fitness and aquatic exercise, CPR and a.
  • Provide market research and generate leads using social media (facebook) in order to target prospective clients.
  • Design and lead fitness classes involving Pilates, yoga, circuits, and resistance training appropriate for all fitness levels.
  • Follow guidelines for teaching group fitness through AFAA certification.
  • Design and teach strength, bootcamp, stretching, and spin classes
  • Show more

Manager/personal trainer vs group fitness instructor skills

Common manager/personal trainer skills
  • CPR, 27%
  • Program Design, 15%
  • Cleanliness, 14%
  • Payroll, 5%
  • Physical Fitness, 5%
  • Punctuality, 4%
Common group fitness instructor skills
  • CPR, 25%
  • Yoga, 15%
  • Customer Service, 10%
  • Group Fitness Classes, 7%
  • AFAA, 6%
  • Cleanliness, 6%

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