Exercise Trainers and Group Fitness Instructors

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Also known as:
Aerobics Instructor, Certified Personal Trainer, Fitness Trainer, Group Exercise Instructor, Group Fitness Instructor, Personal Fitness Trainer, Personal Trainer, Weight Trainer, Weight Training Instructor, Yoga Instructor

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ABOUT EXERCISE TRAINER AND GROUP FITNESS INSTRUCTOR CAREERS

Video transcript

With more leisure time than ever, the fitness craze has created better opportunities for sports instructors and coaches. The main difference between the two jobs is that instructors demonstrate general skills and rules of a particular sport to an individual or group, while coaches work to prepare an individual or team for competition and continue to give instruction during the competition.

Instructors may be employed by health clubs, community centers, parks and recreational facilities, or even by private business, to teach tennis, golf or swimming. Coaches work with athletes to sharpen thir skills and help them train for competitive events. Through the use of lectures and demonstrations, a coach develops the team's strategies and motivates them to succeed.

Both positions also have administrative responsibilities, such as the recruitment of new players and scheduling of lessons, practices, and contests. For both jobs, success can be measured by the cheers of a crowd, as well as the satisfaction gained from watching athletes achieve their dreams.

SNAPSHOT

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.

Leadership	LOW
Critical decision making	HIGH
Level of responsibilities	LOW
Job challenge and pressure to meet deadlines	LOW
Dealing and handling conflict	LOW

Competition for this position	HIGH
Communication with others	HIGH
Work closely with team members, clients etc.	HIGH
Comfort of the work setting	HIGH
Exposure to extreme environmental conditions	LOW
Exposure to job hazards	LOW
Physical demands	LOW

Daily tasks

Administer emergency first aid, wrap injuries, treat minor chronic disabilities, or refer injured persons to physicians.

Maintain fitness equipment.

Conduct therapeutic, recreational, or athletic activities.

Advise clients about proper clothing and shoes.

Explain and enforce safety rules and regulations governing sports, recreational activities, and the use of exercise equipment.

Teach proper breathing techniques used during physical exertion.

Offer alternatives during classes to accommodate different levels of fitness.

Instruct participants in maintaining exertion levels to maximize benefits from exercise routines.

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.

Teach and demonstrate use of gymnastic and training equipment, such as trampolines and weights.

MAIN 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.

AREAS OF 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.

Biology	Knowledge of plant and animal organisms, their tissues, cells, functions, interdependencies, and interactions with each other and the environment.

Public Safety and Security	Knowledge of relevant equipment, policies, procedures, and strategies to promote effective local, state, or national security operations for the protection of people, data, property, and institutions.

Sales and Marketing	Knowledge of principles and methods for showing, promoting, and selling products or services. This includes marketing strategy and tactics, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.

Sociology and Anthropology	Knowledge of group behavior and dynamics, societal trends and influences, human migrations, ethnicity, cultures and their history and origins.

TOP 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.

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.

Coordination	Adjusting actions in relation to others' actions.

Judgment and Decision Making	Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.