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.

Sample of reported job titles:
Aerobics Instructor, Fitness Instructor, Fitness Specialist, Fitness Technician, Fitness Trainer, Group Exercise Instructor, Group Fitness Instructor, Personal Trainer, Private Trainer, Yoga Instructor

Occupation-Specific Information

Tasks

  • Explain and enforce safety rules and regulations governing sports, recreational activities, and the use of exercise equipment.
  • 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.
  • Observe participants and inform them of corrective measures necessary for skill improvement.
  • Teach proper breathing techniques used during physical exertion.

Technology Skills

  • Accounting software:Intuit QuickBooks
    ,
    MYOB BusinessEssentials
    ,
    Sage 50 Accounting
    ,
    Sage Simply Accounting
  • Calendar and scheduling software:Appointment scheduling software
    ,
    DaySmart Software Appointment-Plus
  • Data base user interface and query software:BioEx Systems Exercise Expert
    ,
    DietMaster Systems DietMaster
    ,
    ICTraining
  • Desktop publishing software:Visual Health Information The Trainer's Exercise Toolbox
  • Electronic mail software:Email software

Occupational Requirements

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 materials.
  • 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.
  • Coaching and Developing Others:Identifying the developmental needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or otherwise helping others to improve their knowledge or skills.
  • Training and Teaching Others:Identifying the educational needs of others, developing formal educational or training programs or classes, and teaching or instructing others.

Detailed Work Activities

  • Administer first aid.
  • Administer therapeutic massages.
  • Advise customers on the use of products or services.
  • Demonstrate activity techniques or equipment use.
  • Develop educational or training programs.

Work Context

  • Contact With Others:90% responded"Constant contact with others"
  • Face-to-Face Discussions:81% responded"Every day"
  • Indoors, Environmentally Controlled:71% responded"Every day"
  • Importance of Being Exact or Accurate:62% responded"Important"
  • Physical Proximity:57% responded"Very close (near touching)"

Worker Requirements

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.
  • 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.
  • Learning Strategies:Selecting and using training/instructional methods and procedures appropriate for the situation when learning or teaching new things.

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.
  • English Language:Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
  • 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.

Education

How much education does a new hire need to perform a job in this occupation? Respondents said:
  • 57%
    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)
  • 14%
    High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
  • 10%
    Associate's Degree (or other 2-year degree)
  • 10%
    Bachelor's Degree

Worker Characteristics

Abilities

  • Extent Flexibility:The ability to bend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
  • Gross Body Coordination:The ability to coordinate the movement of your arms, legs, and torso together when the whole body is in motion.
  • Oral Expression:The ability to communicate information and ideas in speaking so others will understand.
  • Stamina:The ability to exert yourself physically over long periods of time without getting winded or out of breath.
  • Speech Clarity:The ability to speak clearly so others can understand you.

Interests

  • Social:Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to others.
  • Realistic:Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
  • Enterprising:Enterprising occupations frequently involve starting up and carrying out projects. These occupations can involve leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes they require risk taking and often deal with business.

Work Values

  • Relationships:Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
  • Achievement:Occupations that satisfy this work value are results oriented and allow employees to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment. Corresponding needs are Ability Utilization and Achievement.
  • Independence:Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.

Work Styles

  • Dependability:Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
  • Concern for Others:Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
  • Integrity:Job requires being honest and ethical.
  • Social Orientation:Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.
  • Self-Control:Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
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