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Personal trainer vs yoga instructor

The differences between personal trainers 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 personal trainer and a yoga instructor. Additionally, a yoga instructor has an average salary of $45,673, which is higher than the $37,214 average annual salary of a personal trainer.

The top three skills for a personal trainer include CPR, customer service and resuscitation. The most important skills for a yoga instructor are CPR, customer service, and class attendance.

Personal trainer vs yoga instructor overview

Personal TrainerYoga Instructor
Yearly salary$37,214$45,673
Hourly rate$17.89$21.96
Growth rate19%19%
Number of jobs34,02325,406
Job satisfaction5-
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Average age3737
Years of experience1212

What does a personal trainer do?

A personal trainer is responsible for monitoring the client's fitness goals by assisting the client with specific and customized routines and exercises to promote healthy well-being. Duties of a personal trainer also include evaluating the client's fitness progress, creating safe programs to improve the client's stamina, educating the client with workout benefits, suggesting on a client's best nutrition plans, and motivating clients with their capabilities. A personal trainer should have excellent knowledge of the fitness industry to support the client's needs.

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.

Personal trainer vs yoga instructor salary

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

Personal TrainerYoga Instructor
Average salary$37,214$45,673
Salary rangeBetween $26,000 And $53,000Between $33,000 And $63,000
Highest paying CitySan Francisco, CASanta Rosa, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyAEA InvestorsUMiami Health System
Best paying industryRetailEducation

Differences between personal trainer and yoga instructor education

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

Personal TrainerYoga Instructor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 67%Bachelor's Degree, 69%
Most common majorKinesiologyPsychology
Most common collegeUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Personal trainer vs yoga instructor demographics

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

Personal TrainerYoga Instructor
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 63.3% Female, 36.7%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 personal trainer and yoga instructor duties and responsibilities

Personal trainer example responsibilities.

  • Help clients achieve fitness goals through diet and heavy weight lifting with HIIT cardio.
  • Achieve high customer satisfaction and budget efficiency in the group fitness department and yoga department.
  • Provide market research and generate leads using social media (facebook) in order to target prospective clients.
  • Shape the social media aspect of the facility which include Facebook and Instagram.
  • Ensure trainers and team members are consistent in punctuality, dress code, compliance, and customer service.
  • Follow ACSM guidelines ensuring safe and healthy exercise technique for strength training and cardiovascular activity.
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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.
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Personal trainer vs yoga instructor skills

Common personal trainer skills
  • CPR, 23%
  • Customer Service, 21%
  • Resuscitation, 7%
  • Fitness Programs, 7%
  • NASM, 5%
  • Physical Fitness, 4%
Common yoga instructor skills
  • CPR, 42%
  • Customer Service, 20%
  • Class Attendance, 8%
  • Teacher Training, 5%
  • Pilates, 5%
  • Yoga, 4%

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