Occupation Details
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.
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Interests
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.
Social
Social occupations frequently involve working with, communicating with, and teaching people. These occupations often involve helping or providing service to 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
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.
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.
Independence
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to work on their own and make decisions. Corresponding needs are Creativity, Responsibility and Autonomy.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$32,520.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$51,770.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$82,960.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
19,180
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
35,350
+1,617 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
5,803
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
0.8%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
College Helps - Some college classes or training
Experience Requirements
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.
Education Requirements
Most occupations in this zone require training in vocational schools, related on-the-job experience, or an associate's degree.
Training Details
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.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
These occupations usually involve using communication and organizational skills to coordinate, supervise, manage, or train others to accomplish goals. Examples include hydroelectric production managers, desktop publishers, electricians, agricultural technicians, barbers, court reporters and simultaneous captioners, and medical assistants.
School Programs
The following lists school programs which are applicable to this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
State License and Certifications Requirements are not currently associated with this occupation.
Apprenticeship
Contact your regional representative to learn more about apprenticeships available in your area by visiting Apprenticeship Contacts.
Skills
The list below includes the skills required by workers in this occupation; skills are what allow you to learn more quickly and improve your performance.
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.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Social Perceptiveness
Being aware of others' reactions and understanding why they react as they do.
Skill level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Knowledge
The list below includes knowledge items, the principles and facts required by this occupation.
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.
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.
Knowledge level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Work Environment
The list below includes the physical and social factors that influence the nature of work in this occupation.
Hover over or tap each factor to see its description.
Work Styles
Included in the list below are the personal work style characteristics that can affect how well a worker is likely to perform in this occupation.
Adaptability/Flexibility
Job requires being open to change (positive or negative) and to considerable variety in the workplace.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Concern for Others
Job requires being sensitive to others' needs and feelings and being understanding and helpful on the job.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Independence
Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Leadership
Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
Self-Control
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Social Orientation
Job requires preferring to work with others rather than alone, and being personally connected with others on the job.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- Automated external defibrillators AED
- 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
Technology
- 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
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Word
- Online River Software Personal Trainer Pro
Duties
Duties are job behaviors describing activities that occur on multiple jobs. The generalized and detailed work activities described in the list below apply to this occupation.
- lead indoor or outdoor games
- issue supplies, materials, or equipment
- monitor equipment or machine operation to detect problems
- monitor materials or supplies
- lead recreational activities
- monitor student progress
- motivate team members to excel
- advise clients or customers
- communicate student progress
- make presentations
- adapt activities to meet participant needs
- use interpersonal communication techniques
- use massage therapy procedures
- follow nutritional practices
- use oral or written communication techniques
- use teaching techniques
- follow sport rules or techniques
- use first aid procedures
- use public speaking techniques
- assist patient in performing breathing exercises
- wrap ankles, fingers, wrists, etc. to support muscles or ligaments
- convert information into instructional program
- develop instructional materials
- teach food or nutrition principles
- teach post high school non-college courses
- teach sports rules or techniques
- demonstrate physical activities
- work as a team member
- establish and maintain relationships with team members
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- Observe participants and inform them of corrective measures necessary for skill improvement.
- Evaluate individuals' abilities, needs, and physical conditions, and develop suitable training programs to meet any special requirements.
- Plan routines, choose appropriate music, and choose different movements for each set of muscles, depending on participants' capabilities and limitations.
- Offer alternatives during classes to accommodate different levels of fitness.
- Teach proper breathing techniques used during physical exertion.
- Monitor participants' progress and adapt programs as needed.
- Explain and enforce safety rules and regulations governing sports, recreational activities, and the use of exercise equipment.
- 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.
- Administer emergency first aid, wrap injuries, treat minor chronic disabilities, or refer injured persons to physicians.
- Maintain fitness equipment.
- Provide students with information and resources regarding nutrition, weight control, and lifestyle issues.
- Maintain equipment inventories, and select, store, or issue equipment as needed.
- Plan physical education programs to promote development of participants' physical attributes and social skills.
- Conduct therapeutic, recreational, or athletic activities.
- Organize, lead, and referee indoor and outdoor games, such as volleyball, baseball, and basketball.
- Teach individual and team sports to participants through instruction and demonstration, using knowledge of sports techniques and of participants' physical capabilities.
- Promote health clubs through membership sales, and record member information.
- Advise clients about proper clothing and shoes.
- 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.
Learning Resources
More information on this occupation may be found in the links provided below.
Recreation and fitness workers
Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.
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