What does a Fitness Instructor do?

Fitness Instructors help people increase their physical activity by leading group exercise classes at gyms, recreation centers, health clubs, sports training facilities and spas. They provide effective, safe and enjoyable programming and contribute to a facility’s customer acquisition and retention efforts. The safety-related responsibilities of Fitness Instructors also lower the likelihood of accidents and injuries.

Fitness Instructor skills and qualifications

Success as a Fitness Instructor requires a strong set of skills. Qualifications you may add to your Fitness Instructor job description include:

• Familiarity with basic physiology and major muscle groups
• In-depth knowledge of cardiovascular, strength-training and stretching exercises
• Ability to administer basic first aid
• Interpersonal skills to maintain a welcoming environment during class and provide feedback
• Motivational skills to encourage students to perform well during workouts and attend classes
• Observation skills to monitor students during class and notice issues with form
• Ability to execute exercises while maintaining the proper form

Fitness Instructor experience requirements

Fitness Instructors typically benefit from having several years of experience performing the types of exercises they teach. Because this experience may come from personal fitness training, candidates may not need a formal work history to successfully complete the duties of a Fitness Instructor.

When determining how much work experience to list in your Fitness Instructor job description, consider the type of classes your new hire will teach and the anticipated fitness level of the participants.

For example, a Fitness Instructor responsible for leading exercise sessions for elite athletes at a sports training facility likely requires Instructor experience compared to a position teaching at a local community center.

Fitness Instructor education and training requirements

Fitness Instructors don’t have formal education requirements, but employers may prefer candidates with voluntary fitness instructor certification, offered by organizations like the American Council on Exercise (ACE), the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) and the International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA).

To teach certain trademarked or copyrighted exercise programs, instructors typically need a license or certification from the respective programs. In addition to course-specific or general voluntary professional certifications, you may also list cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid certification from the American Red Cross or American Heart Association (AHA) as a requirement in your Fitness Instructor job description.

Job description samples for similar positions

If the duties of a Fitness Instructor aren’t the right fit for your organizational needs, one of these related job titles may be a better match:

• Activity Assistant
• Athletic Trainer
• Coach
• Personal Trainer

Fitness Instructor job description FAQs

What’s the difference between a Fitness Instructor and a Fitness Trainer?

Fitness Instructors typically lead group exercises, while Trainers work with clients one-on-one. As a result, a Fitness Trainer job description often features varying duties, such as tracking key metrics of clients’ progress and creating highly personalized exercise programs tailored to their needs.

Who does a Fitness Instructor report to?

Who a Fitness Instructor reports depends on the size and the company’s organizational structure. At facilities that offer many fitness courses, a Lead Instructor, Activities Director or Programming Manager may oversee all Fitness Instructors. In other settings, the Assistant Manager or General Manager may serve as the Supervisor.

What qualities make for a good Fitness Instructor?

Individuals who are passionate about health and fitness and enjoy helping others are likely to succeed as Fitness Trainers. Empathy and compassion can aid instructors in connecting with students, and patience is often necessary to foster a supportive environment during classes. A good Fitness Instructor can also remain calm and make quick decisions in the event of an emergency.