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Strength and conditioning internship vs fitness instructor

The differences between strength and conditioning interns and 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 strength and conditioning internship and a fitness instructor. Additionally, a strength and conditioning internship has an average salary of $47,497, which is higher than the $35,495 average annual salary of a fitness instructor.

The top three skills for a strength and conditioning internship include student athletes, program implementation and softball. The most important skills for a fitness instructor are CPR, customer service, and work ethic.

Strength and conditioning internship vs fitness instructor overview

Strength And Conditioning InternshipFitness Instructor
Yearly salary$47,497$35,495
Hourly rate$22.84$17.06
Growth rate19%19%
Number of jobs50,80531,212
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 84%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Average age3737
Years of experience1212

What does a strength and conditioning internship do?

Strength and conditioning interns are students, under an internship scheme, who provide assistance to staff in a comprehensive strength and conditioning programs' teaching and implementation. The programs integrate diverse curriculum focusing on the science and techniques associated with strength and conditioning. The interns supervise the rehabilitation sessions and workouts of varsity student-athletes. They execute motivational tasks in program implementation with the student-athletes. The skills necessary for the job include weight training, proper technique, and program design.

What does a fitness instructor do?

A fitness instructor advocates good physical health by crafting different fitness programs and providing fitness training sessions to a group of clients or individuals. They focus on different kinds of work-out and exercise routines. A fitness instructor mostly works at a gym; however, there are instances when one can work independently or by providing house calls. Furthermore, a fitness instructor needs to build rapport with clients, making them feel at ease during sessions, which will also be beneficial in gaining a strong client base.

Strength and conditioning internship vs fitness instructor salary

Strength and conditioning interns and fitness instructors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Strength And Conditioning InternshipFitness Instructor
Average salary$47,497$35,495
Salary rangeBetween $28,000 And $79,000Between $23,000 And $53,000
Highest paying City-Berkeley, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-Massachusetts General Hospital
Best paying industry-Education

Differences between strength and conditioning internship and fitness instructor education

There are a few differences between a strength and conditioning internship and a fitness instructor in terms of educational background:

Strength And Conditioning InternshipFitness Instructor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 84%Bachelor's Degree, 64%
Most common majorKinesiologyKinesiology
Most common collegeUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Strength and conditioning internship vs fitness instructor demographics

Here are the differences between strength and conditioning interns' and fitness instructors' demographics:

Strength And Conditioning InternshipFitness Instructor
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 79.4% Female, 20.6%Male, 32.2% Female, 67.8%
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 strength and conditioning internship and fitness instructor duties and responsibilities

Strength and conditioning internship example responsibilities.

  • Manage various football, basketball, and speed camps while conveying the importance of self-motivation.
  • Attain familiarity with Basecamp, hootsuite, and various NUVO administer social medias to market the newspaper product.
  • Achieve TSA qualification and certification.
  • Coach football, soccer, lacrosse, softball, volleyball, rowing, and track teams in the weight room.
  • Assist with the training of football, men's and women's soccer, softball, field hockey and volleyball.
  • Train basketball, volleyball, track and field, golf, and soccer under the direction of the head strength coach.
  • Show more

Fitness instructor example responsibilities.

  • Provide market research and generate leads using social media (facebook) in order to target prospective clients.
  • Train in community water safety as well as deep water aerobics, first aid, life-guard assistance, and CPR.
  • Teach adult swimming lessons; staff lifeguard; implement department staff training
  • Step aerobic instructor, lifeguard and swim instructor, swim team coach.
  • Engage kids with a learning activity, and communicate achievements and behaviors to parents
  • Host and participate in company workshops, health fairs, and kids' day events.
  • Show more

Strength and conditioning internship vs fitness instructor skills

Common strength and conditioning internship skills
  • Student Athletes, 38%
  • Program Implementation, 9%
  • Softball, 5%
  • Soccer, 5%
  • Volleyball, 5%
  • Facility Maintenance, 5%
Common fitness instructor skills
  • CPR, 25%
  • Customer Service, 17%
  • Work Ethic, 6%
  • Front Desk, 6%
  • Yoga, 6%
  • Cleanliness, 6%

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