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Skills trainer vs group exercise instructor

The differences between skills trainers 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 skills trainer and a group exercise instructor. Additionally, a group exercise instructor has an average salary of $34,348, which is higher than the $32,779 average annual salary of a skills trainer.

The top three skills for a skills trainer include money management, adaptive and independent living. The most important skills for a group exercise instructor are CPR, yoga, and kids.

Skills trainer vs group exercise instructor overview

Skills TrainerGroup Exercise Instructor
Yearly salary$32,779$34,348
Hourly rate$15.76$16.51
Growth rate19%19%
Number of jobs21,38933,704
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Average age3737
Years of experience1212

What does a skills trainer do?

Skills Trainers are responsible for creating and teaching courses that are specialized for employees of an organization. Their duties include conducting initial analysis through questionnaires, surveys, and focus groups, create program budgeting, design training courses, organize the class schedule, produce study materials, and implement trial run. They track key performance metrics, create progress reports, and continuously improve training methodologies to deliver better results. Skills Trainers also work with outside vendors in using instructional technology to facilitate teaching.

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.

Skills trainer vs group exercise instructor salary

Skills trainers and group exercise instructors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Skills TrainerGroup Exercise Instructor
Average salary$32,779$34,348
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $42,000Between $22,000 And $53,000
Highest paying CityGrand Forks, NDLos Angeles, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyFour CountyMassachusetts General Hospital
Best paying industryHospitalityEducation

Differences between skills trainer and group exercise instructor education

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

Skills TrainerGroup Exercise Instructor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 59%Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Most common majorPsychologyKinesiology
Most common collegeUniversity of Michigan - Ann ArborUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Skills trainer vs group exercise instructor demographics

Here are the differences between skills trainers' and group exercise instructors' demographics:

Skills TrainerGroup Exercise Instructor
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 34.9% Female, 65.1%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 skills trainer and group exercise instructor duties and responsibilities

Skills trainer example responsibilities.

  • Ensure the facilities' mission are achieved by effectively supervising the mental health rehabilitative efforts of severely and chronically ill patients.
  • Certify in CPR and CPI when working in educational settings as well as community base areas.
  • Transport and aid the clients to independently utilize skills to increase adaptive functioning in the community.
  • Assist individuals with traumatic brain injuries to learn ADL skills to be functionally independent in the community.
  • Provide training and assistance in all areas of ADL skills to include budgeting, organization, travel training.
  • Work with a team of therapists, teachers, and parents to master skills in the client's IEP.
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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.
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Skills trainer vs group exercise instructor skills

Common skills trainer skills
  • Money Management, 9%
  • Adaptive, 8%
  • Independent Living, 8%
  • Behavior Management, 8%
  • Incident Reports, 7%
  • Community Integration, 7%
Common group exercise instructor skills
  • CPR, 36%
  • Yoga, 14%
  • Kids, 8%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • AFAA, 6%
  • Zumba, 4%

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