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Yoga teacher vs group exercise instructor

The differences between yoga teachers 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 yoga teacher and a group exercise instructor. Additionally, a yoga teacher has an average salary of $52,895, which is higher than the $34,348 average annual salary of a group exercise instructor.

The top three skills for a yoga teacher include anatomy, thai and asana. The most important skills for a group exercise instructor are CPR, yoga, and kids.

Yoga teacher vs group exercise instructor overview

Yoga TeacherGroup Exercise Instructor
Yearly salary$52,895$34,348
Hourly rate$25.43$16.51
Growth rate19%19%
Number of jobs52,68133,704
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Average age3737
Years of experience1212

What does a yoga teacher do?

A yoga teacher is responsible for teaching yoga as an exercise to enhance general body wellbeing and fitness. Yoga teachers primarily focus on teaching students how to practice meditation, perform different body stretching poses and improve mindfulness, which leads to general body wellbeing. As a yoga teacher, you're required to have a university degree or certification from private training organizations that offer specialist courses. Yoga teachers are also called "yogis" or "yoga instructors."

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.

Yoga teacher vs group exercise instructor salary

Yoga teachers and group exercise instructors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Yoga TeacherGroup Exercise Instructor
Average salary$52,895$34,348
Salary rangeBetween $30,000 And $92,000Between $22,000 And $53,000
Highest paying City-Los Angeles, CA
Highest paying state-California
Best paying company-Massachusetts General Hospital
Best paying industry-Education

Differences between yoga teacher and group exercise instructor education

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

Yoga TeacherGroup Exercise Instructor
Most common degreeBachelor's Degree, 65%Bachelor's Degree, 73%
Most common majorPsychologyKinesiology
Most common collegeUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel HillUniversity of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Yoga teacher vs group exercise instructor demographics

Here are the differences between yoga teachers' and group exercise instructors' demographics:

Yoga TeacherGroup Exercise Instructor
Average age3737
Gender ratioMale, 14.5% Female, 85.5%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 yoga teacher and group exercise instructor duties and responsibilities

Yoga teacher example responsibilities.

  • Manage student supervision in various environments including classrooms, halls, cafeterias, schoolyards, gymnasiums, and field trip locations.
  • Teach adult yoga, barre, Pilates group exercise classes and workshops
  • Provide private yoga sessions addressing a variety of specialize client needs
  • Instruct CrossFit members how to incorporate flexibility and mobility through a supplemental yoga series additional to their weight training
  • Develop innovative PowerPoint presentations used to incorporate creative lessons for daily teaching consistent with teaching multiple grade levels at once.
  • Create curriculum, syllabus and lesson plans for each class.

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.
  • Show more

Yoga teacher vs group exercise instructor skills

Common yoga teacher skills
  • Anatomy, 37%
  • Thai, 24%
  • Asana, 8%
  • Pilates, 8%
  • Yoga, 5%
  • Front Desk, 4%
Common group exercise instructor skills
  • CPR, 36%
  • Yoga, 14%
  • Kids, 8%
  • Customer Service, 7%
  • AFAA, 6%
  • Zumba, 4%

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