Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors

Also called: Aerobics Instructor, Aerobics Teacher, Certified Personal Trainer, Exercise Specialist, Exercise Teacher

Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors

Varies

estimated salary

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.

  • Offer alternatives during classes to accommodate different levels of fitness.
  • 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.
  • Observe participants and inform them of corrective measures necessary for skill improvement.
  • Monitor participants' progress and adapt programs as needed.
  • Teach proper breathing techniques used during physical exertion.
  • 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.
  • Provide students with information and resources regarding nutrition, weight control, and lifestyle issues.
  • Conduct therapeutic, recreational, or athletic activities.
  • Administer emergency first aid, wrap injuries, treat minor chronic disabilities, or refer injured persons to physicians.
  • Maintain fitness equipment.
  • Advise clients about proper clothing and shoes.
  • Teach individual and team sports to participants through instruction and demonstration, using knowledge of sports techniques and of participants' physical capabilities.
  • Plan physical education programs to promote development of participants' physical attributes and social skills.
  • Maintain equipment inventories, and select, store, or issue equipment as needed.
  • Promote health clubs through membership sales, and record member information.
  • Advise participants in use of heat or ultraviolet treatments and hot baths.
  • Massage body parts to relieve soreness, strains, and bruises.
  • Organize and conduct competitions and tournaments.
  • Organize, lead, and referee indoor and outdoor games, such as volleyball, baseball, and basketball.
Work Context
  • Freedom to Make Decisions — 75% responded "A lot of freedom".
  • Indoors, Environmentally Controlled — 68% responded "Every day".
  • Spend Time Standing — 64% responded "Continually or almost continually".
  • Structured versus Unstructured Work — 68% responded "A lot of freedom".
  • Face-to-Face Discussions — 72% responded "Every day".
  • Contact With Others — 60% responded "Constant contact with others".
  • Physical Proximity — 52% responded "Very close (near touching)".
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Work Activities
  • Performing General Physical Activities — Performing physical activities that require considerable use of your arms and legs and moving your whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling of materials.
  • Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge — Keeping up-to-date technically and applying new knowledge to your job.
  • Establishing and Maintaining Interpersonal Relationships — Developing constructive and cooperative working relationships with others, and maintaining them over time.
  • Performing for or Working Directly with the Public — Performing for people or dealing directly with the public. This includes serving customers in restaurants and stores, and receiving clients or guests.
  • Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
  • Thinking Creatively — Developing, designing, or creating new applications, ideas, relationships, systems, or products, including artistic contributions.
  • Training and Teaching Others — Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.
  • Assisting and Caring for Others — Providing personal assistance, medical attention, emotional support, or other personal care to others such as coworkers, customers, or patients.
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Detailed Work Activities
  • Enforce rules or regulations.
  • Explain regulations, policies, or procedures.
  • Teach exercise or fitness techniques.
  • Develop educational or training programs.
  • Evaluate capabilities or training needs.
  • Teach exercise or fitness techniques.
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Knowledge

Customer and Personal Service
  • Knowledge of principles and processes for providing customer and personal services. This includes customer needs assessment, meeting quality standards for services, and evaluation of customer satisfaction.
Education and Training
  • Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Psychology
  • Knowledge of human behavior and performance; individual differences in ability, personality, and interests; learning and motivation; psychological research methods; and the assessment and treatment of behavioral and affective disorders.
English Language
  • Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.

Skills

Instructing
  • Teaching others how to do something.
Service Orientation
  • Actively looking for ways to help people.
Speaking
  • Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Social Perceptiveness
  • Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
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Abilities

Gross Body Coordination
  • The ability to coordinate the movement of your arms, legs, and torso together when the whole body is in motion.
Stamina
  • The ability to exert yourself physically over long periods of time without getting winded or out of breath.
Trunk Strength
  • The ability to use your abdominal and lower back muscles to support part of the body repeatedly or continuously over time without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
Oral Expression
  • The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
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Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include ideas, thinking, and figuring things out.
They do well at jobs that need:
  • Achievement/Effort
  • Persistence
  • Initiative
  • Leadership
  • Cooperation
  • Concern for Others
  • Social Orientation
  • Self Control
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Technology

You might use software like this on the job:

Accounting software
  • Intuit QuickBooks Hot Technology
  • Sage 50 Accounting
  • Sage Simply Accounting
  • MYOB BusinessEssentials
Office suite software
  • Microsoft Office Hot Technology
Enterprise resource planning ERP software
  • EZFacility Trainer Management System Hot Technology
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