Occupation

Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors

Human Advantage 73%

Significant human skills needed

AI Automation Risk Low Risk
2.8 / 10

This occupation requires complex human judgment, social interaction, and creative problem-solving that are difficult to automate.

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 Known As: Aerobics Instructor, Aerobics Teacher, Aquatics Specialist, Certified Personal Trainer, Certified Yoga Instructor, Exercise Specialist, Exercise Teacher, Exerciser +32 more

Video

Core Tasks

  1. Observe participants and inform them of corrective measures necessary for skill improvement.
  2. Evaluate individuals' abilities, needs, and physical conditions, and develop suitable training programs to meet any special requirements.
  3. Plan routines, choose appropriate music, and choose different movements for each set of muscles, depending on participants' capabilities and limitations.
  4. Offer alternatives during classes to accommodate different levels of fitness.
  5. Teach proper breathing techniques used during physical exertion.
  6. Monitor participants' progress and adapt programs as needed.
  7. Explain and enforce safety rules and regulations governing sports, recreational activities, and the use of exercise equipment.
  8. Instruct participants in maintaining exertion levels to maximize benefits from exercise routines.
  9. Teach and demonstrate use of gymnastic and training equipment, such as trampolines and weights.
  10. Administer emergency first aid, wrap injuries, treat minor chronic disabilities, or refer injured persons to physicians.
  11. Provide students with information and resources regarding nutrition, weight control, and lifestyle issues.
  12. Maintain equipment inventories, and select, store, or issue equipment as needed.

Supplemental Tasks (9)

  1. Maintain fitness equipment.
  2. Plan physical education programs to promote development of participants' physical attributes and social skills.
  3. Conduct therapeutic, recreational, or athletic activities.
  4. Teach individual and team sports to participants through instruction and demonstration, using knowledge of sports techniques and of participants' physical capabilities.
  5. Promote health clubs through membership sales, and record member information.
  6. Advise clients about proper clothing and shoes.
  7. Advise participants in use of heat or ultraviolet treatments and hot baths.
  8. Massage body parts to relieve soreness, strains, and bruises.
  9. Organize and conduct competitions and tournaments.

Education & Training

Job Zone 3 Job Zone Three: Medium Preparation Needed
Education: Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Experience: Previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required for these occupations. For example, an electrician must have completed three or four years of apprenticeship or several years of vocational training, and often must have passed a licensing exam, in order to perform the job.
On-the-Job Training: Employees in these occupations usually need one or two years of training involving both on-the-job experience and informal training with experienced workers. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

Education Level Distribution

Percentage of workers in this occupation with each education level.

Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
57%
High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
14%
Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
10%
Bachelor's Degree
10%
Some College Courses
5%
Master's Degree
5%

Technology & Tools

Hot Technologies

  • Intuit QuickBooks
  • Microsoft Excel
  • Microsoft Office software
  • Microsoft Outlook
  • Microsoft PowerPoint
  • Microsoft Word

Software (22)

  • 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
  • Email software
  • 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

Tools & Equipment (33)

  • Automated external defibrillators AED
  • Balance boards
  • Balance disks
  • Body fat measurement calipers
  • Elliptical trainers
  • Emergency first aid equipment
  • Exercise bands
  • Exercise steps
  • Exercise tubing
  • Fitness jog belts
  • Fitness trampolines
  • Free weights
  • Jump ropes
  • Laptop computers
  • Lower body weight machines
  • MP3 players
  • Manual blood pressure cuffs
  • Medical tape measures
  • Medicine balls
  • Microphones
  • Multi-speaker stereo systems
  • Pedometers
  • Personal computers
  • Personal digital assistants PDA
  • Physical conditioning treadmill exercisers
  • Pilates training equipment
  • Rowing machines
  • Stair climbers
  • Stationary exercise bicycles
  • Upper body weight machines
  • Water ankle weights
  • Weighted exercise balls
  • Weighted swim vests

Where This Career Leads

Career progression organized by specialty track and experience level.

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