Working as a fitness instructor can be a fulfilling career in an industry that has good prospects for the future. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were approximately 261,000 jobs as recently as 2008, and the BLS projects a 29-percent increase in fitness-related jobs through the year 2018. Fully 61 percent of the fitness instructors serve with fitness, recreational and health clubs, either as personal fitness coaches or group fitness instructors.
Work Environment
Typically, a fitness instructor spends the majority of his time in a gym or workout facility, often indoors, and actively engages with people through workouts and programs. The job can have you on your feet for extended periods of time, in some cases participating in workout programs to lead your students. This does create the risk of suffering a workplace injury. Work hours can be throughout the day--many gyms are open late at night and on weekends to accommodate their members' busy schedules.
Education and Experience
Education and experience requirements vary from one location to the next. According to Education-Portal.com, a high school diploma may be sufficient; having a background in athletics and/or exercise can improve your credentials. Particularly for those looking to move from personal training into management or other white-collar positions, a bachelor's degree or advanced degree in a health-related field like exercise science, nutrition, kinesiology or sports medicine is valuable.
Certification
Gyms can require several types of certification to better prepare you for the work environment. First aid training, including CPR, is often required. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, several organizations offer certifications for personal training that can boost the credentials of an aspiring fitness instructor and may be required by some employers. To verify that a certification program and the organization offering it has merit, check with the National Commission for Certifying Agencies. Two such organizations are the Aerobics and Fitness Association of America, or AFAA, and the National Federation for Professional Trainers, or NFPT.
Income
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median income for fitness instructors and trainers as recently as May 2008 was about $29,200 annually, with the middle 50 percent earning between $19,600 and $44,400. Self-employed fitness instructors can earn much more, according to the BLS. Fitness instructors earning the highest average incomes work at hospitals, fitness and rec centers and for local governments, while those working for civic and social organizations earn significantly less, on average.
Job Prospects
The future of fitness instructor jobs appears to be good. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, demand is projected to remain high for these workers in the coming years due to the popularity of health clubs and fitness facilities. The high turnover in this job type will create numerous openings for new workers entering the field. Part-time work is expected to be easier to find than full-time positions, and more education should open up more opportunities for prospective workers.
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