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Exercise Trainers & Group Fitness Instructors

Also called: Aerobics Instructor, Fitness Instructor, Group Fitness Instructor, Personal Trainer

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What they do:
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.
On the job, you would:
  • Observe participants and inform them of corrective measures necessary for skill improvement.
  • Evaluate individuals' abilities, needs, and physical conditions, and develop suitable training programs to meet any special requirements.
  • Plan routines, choose appropriate music, and choose different movements for each set of muscles, depending on participants' capabilities and limitations.

Knowledge

Business
  • customer service
Arts and Humanities
  • English language
Education and Training
  • teaching and course design
Math and Science
  • psychology

Skills

Basic Skills
  • talking to others
  • keeping track of how well people and/or groups are doing in order to make improvements
Social
  • teaching people how to do something
  • looking for ways to help people

Abilities

Endurance
  • exercise for a long time without getting out of breath
Flexibility, Balance, and Coordination
  • bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs
  • move your arms, legs, and mid-section together while your whole body is moving
Physical Strength
  • use your lower back and stomach
  • exercise for a long time without your muscles getting tired
Verbal
  • communicate by speaking

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include helping people, teaching, and talking.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Dependability
  • Concern for Others
  • Integrity
  • Social Orientation
  • Self Control
  • Independence

Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Accounting software
  • Intuit QuickBooks Hot Technology
  • Sage 50 Accounting
Instant messaging software
  • Blink
Data base user interface and query software
  • DietMaster Systems DietMaster
  • ICTraining

Education

Education: (rated 3 of 5)
certificate after high school or
high school diploma/GED
usually needed

Get started on your career:

Find Training Find Certifications Find Licenses Apprenticeship.gov

Job Outlook

Bright Outlook
New job opportunities are very likely in the future.
Salary
$40,700
$22,960
$75,940
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See more details at O*NET OnLine about exercise trainers and group fitness instructors.