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Weight training instructor vs certified personal trainer

The differences between weight training instructors and certified personal trainers can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 6-12 months to become both a weight training instructor and a certified personal trainer. Additionally, a weight training instructor has an average salary of $48,809, which is higher than the $32,039 average annual salary of a certified personal trainer.

The top three skills for a weight training instructor include weight loss, strength training and training programs. The most important skills for a certified personal trainer are CPR, customer service, and injury prevention.

Weight training instructor vs certified personal trainer overview

Weight Training InstructorCertified Personal Trainer
Yearly salary$48,809$32,039
Hourly rate$23.47$15.40
Growth rate19%19%
Number of jobs46,02765,615
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Average age3737
Years of experience1212

Weight training instructor vs certified personal trainer salary

Weight training instructors and certified personal trainers have different pay scales, as shown below.

Weight Training InstructorCertified Personal Trainer
Average salary$48,809$32,039
Salary rangeBetween $33,000 And $71,000Between $21,000 And $47,000
Highest paying City-San Francisco, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-City and County of Denver Government
Best paying industry-Retail

Differences between weight training instructor and certified personal trainer education

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

Weight Training InstructorCertified Personal Trainer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 64%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most common majorKinesiologyKinesiology
Most common collegeUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Weight training instructor vs certified personal trainer demographics

Here are the differences between weight training instructors' and certified personal trainers' demographics:

Weight Training InstructorCertified Personal Trainer
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 59.4% Female, 40.6%Male, 53.5% Female, 46.5%
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 weight training instructor and certified personal trainer duties and responsibilities

Weight training instructor example responsibilities.

  • Manage LEGO camps using set curriculum.
  • Develop courses to accommodate males and females ranging from inactive students to NCAA competitive athletes.
  • Provide professional personal training and group exercise instruction services for individuals of all ages and ability levels, including rehabilitation phases.
  • Gather data, compiles statistics, and prepares reports for submission to PRT supervisor/leadership as directed.
  • Participate in developing, implementing, and maintaining medical treatment facility PRT orient services to enhance resiliency of care providers.
  • Manage LEGO camps using set curriculum.

Certified personal trainer example responsibilities.

  • Provide market research and generate leads using social media (facebook) in order to target prospective clients.
  • Train in CPR in case of emergencies.
  • Develop circuit training and small group Pilates classes.
  • Instruct Pilates classes and create a custom Pilates class for senior clients.
  • Coach and tutor colleagues on exercise science concepts as outlined in NASM certification material.
  • Assist in the cardiac rehabilitation clinic which include implementing progressive rehabilitation methods with education for long term health and wellness.
  • Show more

Weight training instructor vs certified personal trainer skills

Common weight training instructor skills
  • Weight Loss, 40%
  • Strength Training, 23%
  • Training Programs, 14%
  • Training Curriculum, 8%
  • Training Sessions, 6%
  • Training Materials, 5%
Common certified personal trainer skills
  • CPR, 21%
  • Customer Service, 15%
  • Injury Prevention, 9%
  • Group Training, 6%
  • NASM, 6%
  • Weight Loss, 5%

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