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Yoga instructor vs fitness coach

The differences between yoga instructors and fitness coaches 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 fitness coach. Additionally, a yoga instructor has an average salary of $45,673, which is higher than the $38,462 average annual salary of a fitness coach.

The top three skills for a yoga instructor include CPR, customer service and class attendance. The most important skills for a fitness coach are CPR, kids, and fitness programs.

Yoga instructor vs fitness coach overview

Yoga InstructorFitness Coach
Yearly salary$45,673$38,462
Hourly rate$21.96$18.49
Growth rate19%19%
Number of jobs25,40622,156
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 69%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
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 fitness coach do?

A fitness coach specializes in mentoring clients in their journey for a healthier lifestyle, assisting them in reaching their individual goals for physical fitness. Their responsibilities include developing training programs based on the clients' needs, facilitating physical fitness training sessions in an individual or group setting, learning the clients' medical histories for risk prevention, and monitoring the progress of clients, adjusting programs as needed. Furthermore, as a fitness coach, it is essential to build rapport with clients, motivating them to reach their goals.

Yoga instructor vs fitness coach salary

Yoga instructors and fitness coaches have different pay scales, as shown below.

Yoga InstructorFitness Coach
Average salary$45,673$38,462
Salary rangeBetween $33,000 And $63,000Between $24,000 And $59,000
Highest paying CitySanta Rosa, CASan Jose, CA
Highest paying stateCaliforniaCalifornia
Best paying companyUMiami Health SystemAEA Investors
Best paying industryEducationEducation

Differences between yoga instructor and fitness coach education

There are a few differences between a yoga instructor and a fitness coach in terms of educational background:

Yoga InstructorFitness Coach
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 69%Bachelor's Degree, 68%
Most common majorPsychologyKinesiology
Most common collegeUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Yoga instructor vs fitness coach demographics

Here are the differences between yoga instructors' and fitness coaches' demographics:

Yoga InstructorFitness Coach
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 13.0% Female, 87.0%Male, 46.3% Female, 53.7%
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 fitness coach 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.
  • Show more

Fitness coach example responsibilities.

  • Provide market research and generate leads using social media (facebook) in order to target prospective clients.
  • Train new employees on sales tactics, and point-of-sale (POS) system.
  • Certify in CPR and first aid to attend appropriately to health issues of participants.
  • Certify in CPR and first response a medical training in order to provide immediate medical response to members in need.
  • Develop and conduct group/individual diabetes self-management educational sessions using evidence-base protocols.
  • Design each HIIT class to match the skill and modifications for all physical levels for all participants.
  • Show more

Yoga instructor vs fitness coach skills

Common yoga instructor skills
  • CPR, 42%
  • Customer Service, 20%
  • Class Attendance, 8%
  • Teacher Training, 5%
  • Pilates, 5%
  • Yoga, 4%
Common fitness coach skills
  • CPR, 23%
  • Kids, 17%
  • Fitness Programs, 13%
  • Training Programs, 7%
  • Heart Rate, 6%
  • Injury Prevention, 4%

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