Aerobics instructors and fitness trainers Career Guide: Duties, Earnings and Employment Outlook
Submitted by: Gypsy Santiago
Job Overview: Aerobics instructors and fitness trainers both help people lose weight, maintain weight and become physically fit. Aerobics instructors teach and choreograph aerobics classes, while fitness trainers are responsible for creating health and fitness programs, monitoring client progress, helping injured clients to get better through rehabilitative exercises and administering first aid during sports-related events.
Education, Training and Knowledge Requirements: If you want to be an aerobics instructor or fitness trainer, you should take up courses in biology, anatomy, and physical education in high school. Although most companies do not require secondary education for aerobics instructors, some obtain bachelor’s degrees in athletic training, physical education or health-related programs. Fitness trainers must obtain an athletic training program accreditation and complete extensive internships. Other useful courses for those interested in becoming a trainer include exercise science, physiology and kinesiology. Both trainers and aerobics instructors are usually required to obtain certification.
Skills & Abilities: Aside from being physically fit, an aerobics instructor or a fitness trainer must possess excellent communication skills, interpersonal skills, multi-tasking and problem-solving skills, leadership skills and basic computer skills, among others.
Duties: Aerobics instructors prepare activities for the class; create new aerobics sequences, lead toning and shaping classes, and guide or lead class members when performing low impact, moderate and high intensity aerobics. During classes, instructors monitor the members’ heart rates and personal progress.
Fitness trainers work by evaluating clients’ fitness capabilities with various fitness and physical examinations;
determining individual health information such as pulse rate, body fat and other data; designing customized workout and nutrition plans; recommending or developing weight control and health programs as well as guiding clients on how to use equipments properly to reduce the chance of injuries. Many freelance trainers are also responsible for helping athletes with rehabilitation and therapy using special equipments, exercise regimens, nutrition and other customized techniques. They may also provide guidance in nutrition, weight loss, weight gain or maintenance.
Earnings & Job Outlook: Aerobics instructors and fitness trainers find work in gymnasiums, educational institutions and fitness centers. They can also work with clients one-on-one or a group of clients in a per-session basis. According to the U.S. Department of Labor, the employment growth in this field is expected to remain strong through 2014. Salary for fitness workers range from $14,500 and $55,500 per year, but those with their own fitness studios and those who work on individual clients may earn higher.
Gypsy Santiago is a professional resume writer and career search strategy/career branding coach with years of experience in assisting job seekers prepare for the job market. She helps create career-targeted resumes, provides useful tips about career transition, offers future career ideas and guide jobseekers about effective job search techniques.
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Word Count: 427 Date: Sun, 26 Sep 2010 Time: 6:08 AM
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