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Personal fitness trainer vs head instructor

The differences between personal fitness trainers and head 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 personal fitness trainer and a head instructor. Additionally, a head instructor has an average salary of $47,768, which is higher than the $38,198 average annual salary of a personal fitness trainer.

The top three skills for a personal fitness trainer include CPR, program design and customer service. The most important skills for a head instructor are classroom management, curriculum development, and CPR.

Personal fitness trainer vs head instructor overview

Personal Fitness TrainerHead Instructor
Yearly salary$38,198$47,768
Hourly rate$18.36$22.97
Growth rate19%19%
Number of jobs33,38732,924
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Average age3737
Years of experience1212

Personal fitness trainer vs head instructor salary

Personal fitness trainers and head instructors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Personal Fitness TrainerHead Instructor
Average salary$38,198$47,768
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $57,000Between $23,000 And $98,000
Highest paying City-Randolph, NJ
Highest paying state-Massachusetts
Best paying company-V-Soft Consulting
Best paying industry--

Differences between personal fitness trainer and head instructor education

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

Personal Fitness TrainerHead Instructor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 67%
Most common majorKinesiologyBusiness
Most common collegeUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Personal fitness trainer vs head instructor demographics

Here are the differences between personal fitness trainers' and head instructors' demographics:

Personal Fitness TrainerHead Instructor
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 57.8% Female, 42.2%Male, 59.4% Female, 40.6%
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 personal fitness trainer and head instructor duties and responsibilities

Personal fitness trainer example responsibilities.

  • Provide market research and generate leads using social media (facebook) in order to target prospective clients.
  • Certify in basic CPR and emergency first aid.
  • Adhere to NASM and or NSCA conditioning standards.
  • Lead various group fitness exercises base on AFAA and NETA guidelines.
  • Monitor equipment maintenance and provide a range of aerobics, aqua, cycling, and stretch classes.
  • Organize Zumba fund raisers for members of the community with cancer, leukemia, autism and mental health disease.
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Head instructor example responsibilities.

  • Lead children's classes training kids in kicks and punch self-defense and how to avoid physical confrontations.
  • Lead modified yoga and meditation sessions to enhance balance and flexibility ;
  • Instruct the children involve in vocal coaching and memorization of lyrics.
  • Work with students on costumes, props, and set ideas for show.
  • Direct drama workshops for after school programs during the school year and the summer.
  • Train students in the mechanics of wearing the costumes and performing according to the choreography.
  • Show more

Personal fitness trainer vs head instructor skills

Common personal fitness trainer skills
  • CPR, 26%
  • Program Design, 13%
  • Customer Service, 11%
  • Group Training, 7%
  • Cleanliness, 6%
  • Injury Prevention, 5%
Common head instructor skills
  • Classroom Management, 42%
  • Curriculum Development, 15%
  • CPR, 10%
  • Water Safety, 7%
  • Resuscitation, 3%
  • Self Defense, 3%

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