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Yoga instructor vs certified personal trainer

The differences between yoga 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 yoga instructor and a certified personal trainer. Additionally, a yoga instructor has an average salary of $45,673, which is higher than the $32,039 average annual salary of a certified personal trainer.

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

Yoga instructor vs certified personal trainer overview

Yoga InstructorCertified Personal Trainer
Yearly salary$45,673$32,039
Hourly rate$21.96$15.40
Growth rate19%19%
Number of jobs25,40665,615
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 69%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Average age3737
Years of experience1212

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.

What does a certified personal trainer do?

A Certified Personal Trainer is a person who will guide, help, and motivate you to move forward and become successful. Anyone with a mastery of a specific subject can become a personal trainer; however, certification is given only by accredited organizations that can offer licensure or certification programs. Many hope to find their own certified personal trainer in this hectic and convoluted society to accompany them through thick and thin in life.

Yoga instructor vs certified personal trainer salary

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

Yoga InstructorCertified Personal Trainer
Average salary$45,673$32,039
Salary rangeBetween $33,000 And $63,000Between $21,000 And $47,000
Highest paying CitySanta Rosa, CASan Francisco, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyUMiami Health SystemCity and County of Denver Government
Best paying industryEducationRetail

Differences between yoga instructor and certified personal trainer education

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

Yoga InstructorCertified Personal Trainer
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 69%Bachelor's Degree, 66%
Most common majorPsychologyKinesiology
Most common collegeUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Yoga instructor vs certified personal trainer demographics

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

Yoga InstructorCertified Personal Trainer
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 13.0% Female, 87.0%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 yoga instructor and certified personal trainer duties and responsibilities

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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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.
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Yoga instructor vs certified personal trainer skills

Common yoga instructor skills
  • CPR, 42%
  • Customer Service, 20%
  • Class Attendance, 8%
  • Teacher Training, 5%
  • Pilates, 5%
  • Yoga, 4%
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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