Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors
Instruct or coach groups or individuals in exercise activities for the primary purpose of personal fitness. Demonstrate techniques and form, observe participants, and explain to them corrective measures necessary to improve their skills. Develop and implement individualized approaches to exercise.
Also called: Aerobics Instructor · Fitness Instructor · Fitness Specialist · Fitness Trainer · Group Exercise Instructor · Group Fitness Instructor
Median pay (national)
$46,180
$27,580–$82,050 (10th–90th)
Employed (US)
303,620
BLS OEWS, May 2024
Outlook 2024–34
+11.9%
~74,200 openings/yr
Typical entry
High school diploma or equivalent
What the numbers say
Refit analysis ·Pay for exercise trainers and group fitness instructors shows an unusually wide range: the top 10% earn $82,050 versus $27,580 at the bottom 10% — 3.0x. The median of $46,180 leaves roughly 78% of headroom to the 90th percentile, which is where seniority, specialization, and the skills below tend to pay off.
Refit analysis ·Employment is projected to change +11.9% from 2024 to 2034 — much faster than the 3% average for all occupations. Even so, BLS projects about 74,200 openings a year, mostly to replace workers who retire or change careers.
Refit analysis ·Where you work moves the number a lot. Across the 53 states with released data, Connecticut pays the most for this role (median $65,790, +42% vs the national median), while Puerto Rico sits lowest at $21,560 — a 205% spread for the same job title.
Refit analysis ·O*NET rates Speaking, Active Listening, Learning Strategies as the highest-importance skills here — so a resume aimed at this role should lead with evidence of those, not a generic skills list.
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Top skills employers ask for
Ranked by O*NET importance for this occupation.
- Speaking
- Active Listening
- Learning Strategies
- Reading Comprehension
- Critical Thinking
- Active Learning
- Monitoring
- Writing
- Mathematics
- Science
What they actually do
Core O*NET tasks for this role.
- Observe participants and inform them of corrective measures necessary for skill improvement.
- Offer alternatives during classes to accommodate different levels of fitness.
- Monitor participants' progress and adapt programs as needed.
- Plan routines, choose appropriate music, and choose different movements for each set of muscles, depending on participants' capabilities and limitations.
- Evaluate individuals' abilities, needs, and physical conditions, and develop suitable training programs to meet any special requirements.
- Instruct participants in maintaining exertion levels to maximize benefits from exercise routines.
- Teach and demonstrate use of gymnastic and training equipment, such as trampolines and weights.
- Explain and enforce safety rules and regulations governing sports, recreational activities, and the use of exercise equipment.
- Teach proper breathing techniques used during physical exertion.
- Maintain fitness equipment.
Tools & technology
- Intuit QuickBooks
- Appointment scheduling software
- BioEx Systems Exercise Expert
- BioEx Systems Fitness Maker
- BioEx Systems Nutrition Maker Plus
- Blink
- DaySmart Software Appointment-Plus
- DietMaster Systems DietMaster
- EZFacility Trainer Management System
- ICTraining
- MYOB BusinessEssentials
- Online River Software Personal Trainer Pro
- Sage 50 Accounting
- Sage Simply Accounting
- Visual Health Information The Trainer's Exercise Toolbox
- Web browser software
Knowledge areas
- Customer and Personal Service
- Education and Training
- English Language
- Psychology
- Biology
- Administration and Management
- Sales and Marketing
- Communications and Media