What Do Fitness Trainer or Aerobics Instructor Do?
Job Description & Duties Instruct or coach groups or individuals in exercise activities. Demonstrate techniques and form, observe participants, and explain to them corrective measures necessary to improve their skills.
List of Fitness Trainer or Aerobics Instructor Job Duties
- Plan routines, choose appropriate music, and choose different movements for each set of muscles, depending on participants' capabilities and limitations.
- Teach individual and team sports to participants through instruction and demonstration, using knowledge of sports techniques and of participants' physical capabilities.
- Instruct participants in maintaining exertion levels to maximize benefits from exercise routines.
- Organize and conduct competitions and tournaments.
- Teach proper breathing techniques used during physical exertion.
- Provide students with information and resources regarding nutrition, weight control, and lifestyle issues.
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Qualities of a Fitness Trainer or Aerobics Instructor
Fitness Trainers and Aerobics Instructors state the following job skills are important in their day-to-day work.
Instructing: Teaching others how to do something.
Service Orientation: Actively looking for ways to help people.
Social Perceptiveness: Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Types of Fitness Trainer or Aerobics Instructor Jobs
- Physical Education Teacher (PE Teacher)
- Aerobics Instructor
- Group Fitness Instructor
- Personal Trainer
- Martial Arts Instructor
Job Opportunities for Fitness Trainers and Aerobics Instructors
In the United States, there were 299,200 jobs for Fitness Trainer or Aerobics Instructor in 2016. New jobs are being produced at a rate of 10% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 30,000 new jobs for Fitness Trainer or Aerobics Instructor by 2026. The BLS estimates 55,000 yearly job openings in this field.

The states with the most job growth for Fitness Trainer or Aerobics Instructor are Utah, Colorado, and New Jersey. Watch out if you plan on working in Maine, West Virginia, or South Dakota. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
Average Fitness Trainers and Aerobics Instructors Salary
The salary for Fitness Trainers and Aerobics Instructors ranges between about $20,160 and $76,090 a year.

Fitness Trainers and Aerobics Instructors who work in New York, Massachusetts, or Connecticut, make the highest salaries.
How much do Fitness Trainers and Aerobics Instructors make in each U.S. state?
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $34,660 |
Alaska | $40,580 |
Arizona | $40,990 |
Arkansas | $38,820 |
California | $51,580 |
Colorado | $46,330 |
Connecticut | $53,530 |
Delaware | $38,440 |
District of Columbia | $56,670 |
Florida | $40,790 |
Georgia | $45,540 |
Hawaii | $50,560 |
Idaho | $34,040 |
Illinois | $46,670 |
Indiana | $32,990 |
Iowa | $32,880 |
Kansas | $37,260 |
Kentucky | $36,800 |
Louisiana | $32,620 |
Maine | $49,640 |
Maryland | $46,270 |
Massachusetts | $59,350 |
Michigan | $37,690 |
Minnesota | $44,340 |
Mississippi | $32,090 |
Missouri | $36,220 |
Montana | $34,090 |
Nebraska | $32,890 |
Nevada | $43,200 |
New Hampshire | $41,130 |
New Jersey | $54,200 |
New Mexico | $39,010 |
New York | $59,520 |
North Carolina | $37,020 |
North Dakota | $31,730 |
Ohio | $32,960 |
Oklahoma | $35,840 |
Oregon | $40,840 |
Pennsylvania | $35,420 |
Rhode Island | $45,170 |
South Carolina | $34,170 |
South Dakota | $31,790 |
Tennessee | $43,890 |
Texas | $38,650 |
Utah | $41,570 |
Vermont | $46,240 |
Virginia | $41,370 |
Washington | $54,220 |
West Virginia | $33,730 |
Wisconsin | $32,030 |
Wyoming | $34,600 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Fitness Trainers and Aerobics Instructors
Below is a list of the types of tools and technologies that Fitness Trainers and Aerobics Instructors may use on a daily basis:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Web browser software
- Email software
- Intuit QuickBooks
- Sage 50 Accounting
- Appointment scheduling software
- DietMaster Systems DietMaster
- BioEx Systems Nutrition Maker Plus
How do I Become a Fitness Trainer or Aerobics Instructor?
Education needed to be a Fitness Trainer or Aerobics Instructor:

How many years of work experience do I need?

Where do Fitness Trainers and Aerobics Instructors Work?

The table below shows the approximate number of Fitness Trainers and Aerobics Instructors employed by various industries.

Other Jobs You May be Interested In
Those thinking about becoming a Fitness Trainer or Aerobics Instructor might also be interested in the following careers:
References:
Image Credit: Staff Sgt. Michael Ellis via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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