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What is a personal trainer and group fitness instructor and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
Quoted expert
Matthew Sabin PhD, LAT, ATC, SMTC, CIDN

Personal trainers and group fitness instructors create customized workout plans for their customers by assessing their bodily strengths and weaknesses. They coordinate individual or group adult fitness or physical training sessions for a specified program. They earn a median annual salary of $74,000 or $35 per hour.

Personal trainers and group fitness instructors provide physical and mental guidance and monitor the customer's progress regularly. They evaluate customers' physical needs and assign exercise activities appropriately. They explain the exercise activities in a simple and clear tone to ensure efficiency. They also demonstrate how to use training equipment safely to avoid injuries.

Personal trainers and group fitness instructors can have a high school diploma or a bachelor's degree in kinesiology or sports science. Previous experience as a personal trainer or relevant role is an added advantage and can prove useful in the long run. Due to the nature of the job, they need to be physically fit and have loads of stamina.

What general advice would you give to a personal trainer and group fitness instructor?

Matthew Sabin PhD, LAT, ATC, SMTC, CIDN

AT Program Director | Professor, Eastern Kentucky University

There are so many different fields within the area of kinesiology that this is often a difficult question to answer. Coming right out of school, I believe content knowledge is important. I think you can maximize your marketability (employers and clients) through strategically pursuing additional certifications/credentials that compliment your education, strengths and desired job setting. If you can balance that with soft-skills, like communication, team building, problem solving and critical thinking, I believe you enhance your marketability.

I think it is also fair to acknowledge that if you plan to pursue an industry that requires you to build a client base, thinking you will graduate and "maximize" your salary may be a misnomer. The goal will be to continue to develop those skills ("hard" and "soft") to maximize your earning overtime. Clients/patients want someone working with them who knows their field and is effective. Employers see that over time or word of mouth and marketing spread the news. That is what leads to your value increasing.
ScorePersonal Trainer And Group Fitness InstructorUS Average
Salary
2.4

Avg. Salary $30,087

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level
4.4

Growth rate 19%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity
4.8
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.49%

Asian 5.11%

Black or African American 7.05%

Hispanic or Latino 10.64%

Unknown 5.40%

White 71.31%

Gender

female 40.94%

male 59.06%

Age - 36
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 36
Stress level
4.4

Stress level is moderate

7.1 - high

Complexity level
5.5

Complexity level is intermediate

7 - challenging

Work life balance
10.0

Work life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a personal trainer and group fitness instructor

  1. Explore personal trainer and group fitness instructor education requirements

    Most common personal trainer and group fitness instructor degrees

    Bachelor's

    72.2 %

    Associate

    15.7 %

    Master's

    5.6 %
  2. Start to develop specific personal trainer and group fitness instructor skills

    SkillsPercentages
    Group Training31.24%
    Course Curriculum13.10%
    Group Fitness Classes12.58%
    ACE8.59%
    Motivational5.49%
  3. Complete relevant personal trainer and group fitness instructor training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New personal trainer and group fitness instructors learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a personal trainer and group fitness instructor based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real personal trainer and group fitness instructor resumes.
  4. Research personal trainer and group fitness instructor duties and responsibilities

    • Attain certifications in aerobics, fitness and aquatic exercise, CPR and a.
    • Provide comprehensive, results driven, outdoor bootcamp in a group environment.
    • Work in a thriving fitness facility as the group instructor for a cardio strength and conditioning class.
    • Provide professional personal training and group exercise instruction services for individuals of all ages and ability levels, including rehabilitation phases.
  5. Prepare your personal trainer and group fitness instructor resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your personal trainer and group fitness instructor resume.

    You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a personal trainer and group fitness instructor resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose from 10+ customizable personal trainer and group fitness instructor resume templates

    Build a professional personal trainer and group fitness instructor resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your personal trainer and group fitness instructor resume.
    Personal Trainer And Group Fitness Instructor Resume
    Personal Trainer And Group Fitness Instructor Resume
    Personal Trainer And Group Fitness Instructor Resume
    Personal Trainer And Group Fitness Instructor Resume
    Personal Trainer And Group Fitness Instructor Resume
    Personal Trainer And Group Fitness Instructor Resume
    Personal Trainer And Group Fitness Instructor Resume
    Personal Trainer And Group Fitness Instructor Resume
    Personal Trainer And Group Fitness Instructor Resume
  6. Apply for personal trainer and group fitness instructor jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a personal trainer and group fitness instructor job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first personal trainer and group fitness instructor job

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Average personal trainer and group fitness instructor salary

The average personal trainer and group fitness instructor salary in the United States is $30,087 per year or $14 per hour. Personal trainer and group fitness instructor salaries range between $20,000 and $43,000 per year.

Average personal trainer and group fitness instructor salary
$30,087 Yearly
$14.46 hourly

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How do personal trainer and group fitness instructors rate their job?

5/5

Based on 1 ratings

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1 star

Personal trainer and group fitness instructor reviews

profile
5.0
A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2023
Pros

Training and operating fitness department

Cons

Running out of time to help obtain a clean and safe environment in the gym


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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