Personal care and service
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.
Median pay
$47,160
Growth to 2035
+7%
faster than average
Openings a year
68,000
Time to qualify*
1 month
* From a bachelor's degree in an unrelated field.
Pay
Exercise trainers and group fitness instructors
Getting in
- Typical entry education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- On-the-job training
- Short-term on-the-job training
- Prior experience
- None
Calculate your switch to exercise trainers and group fitness instructors
What the work is like
Dealing with the public
Unpleasant or angry people
Time pressure
Cost of a mistake
Freedom to make decisions
Repeating the same tasks
Time sitting
Time standing
Outdoors in all weather
Exposure to disease
Exercise trainers and group fitness instructors: 29% usually work over 40 hours a week
Core tasks
- 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.
Also called: Aerobics Instructor · Fitness Instructor · Fitness Specialist · Fitness Trainer · Group Exercise Instructor · Group Fitness Instructor · Personal Trainer · Private Trainer
Outlook and AI
Exercise trainers and group fitness instructors held 388,400 jobs in 2025. BLS projects 416,900 by 2035 (+7%, faster than average; all jobs: +3.5%).
Compare with
- Exercise trainers and group fitness instructors vs. Personal service managers, all other
- Exercise trainers and group fitness instructors vs. Exercise physiologist
- Exercise trainers and group fitness instructors vs. Coaches and scouts
- Exercise trainers and group fitness instructors vs. Self-enrichment teacher
- Exercise trainers and group fitness instructors vs. Recreational therapist
- Exercise trainers and group fitness instructors vs. Physical therapist assistant
- Exercise trainers and group fitness instructors vs. Physical therapist aide
- Exercise trainers and group fitness instructors vs. Recreation worker
- Exercise trainers and group fitness instructors vs. Occupational therapy aide
- Exercise trainers and group fitness instructors vs. Occupational therapy assistant