Job Description - Fitness Trainer:
A fitness trainer leads, motivates and instructs people in exercise activities. Personal fitness trainers work one-on-one with individuals, while group exercise instructors lead classes. A fitness trainer typically specializes in aerobics, weight lifting, yoga or another fitness activity.
Employment Facts - Fitness Trainer:
There were 261,000 fitness trainers employed in the U.S. in 2008.
Educational Requirements - Fitness Trainer:
Before a personal fitness trainer begins to work with individuals, he or she usually takes classes toward certification and then works with an experienced trainer. An aspiring group exercise instructor generally participates in exercise classes before he or she can audition to teach. Some employers will only hire fitness trainers who have earned a bachelor's degree in a health or fitness related field such as exercise science or physical education.
Other Requirements - Fitness Trainer:
Most employers will hire only certified fitness trainers. Those who receive certification from one of the top certification agencies have a better chance of becoming employed. Certification must be renewed every two years. Renewal requires that one take continuing education classes or attend conferences, write articles or make presentations.
Advancement Opportunities - Fitness Trainer:
To advance to a management position in a health or fitness club, in addition to experience, one must usually have a bachelor's degree in exercise science, physical education, kinesiology or a related area.
Job Outlook - Fitness Trainer:
The job outlook for fitness trainers is excellent. This occupation is projected to grow faster, through 2018, than other occupations that require post-secondary training or an associate degree (The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).
Earnings - Fitness Trainer:
Fitness trainers earned median hourly wages of $14.74 and a median annual salary of $30,670 in 2009.
Use the Salary Wizard at Salary.com to find out how much a Fitness Trainer currently earns in your city.
A Day in a Fitness Trainer's Life:
On a typical day a fitness trainer's tasks might include:
- observing class participants in order to help them improve their skills
- teaching participants how to get the maximum benefit from exercise routines
- planning exercise routines
- developing suitable training programs based on clients' skills, fitness levels and special requirements
- monitoring clients' progress and making adjustments to exercise routines as needed
Sources:
Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2010-11 Edition, Fitness Workers, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos296.htm (visited April 26, 2010).
Employment and Training Administration, U.S. Department of Labor, O*NET Online, Fitness Trainer and Aerobics Instructor, on the Internet at http://online.onetcenter.org/link/details/39-9031.00 (visited November 22, 2010).
