If you want to become an aerobics instructor, you first need to determine if this career path is a good fit for you - does the following describe you?
An aerobics instructor must have a natural passion for exercise and fitness. Aerobics instructors are confident individuals who enjoy motivating others. They must have an aptitude for determining which routines are suitable for which group of participants, and must be observant in order to ensure that participants are exercising safely.
Below we've outlined what you'll need to become an aerobics instructor. We've also included helpful information for this career, such as job description, job duties, salary expectations, a list of possible employers and much more!
Education Needed
The educational requirements for this occupation can vary greatly from region to region, from employer to employer, and from specialty to specialty. Typically, employers in this field prefer to hire candidates that have at least a high school diploma, as well as any relevant certification in the field of group fitness instruction.
Success Tip: Since education and certification requirements for becoming an aerobics instructor can vary, the best way to determine what you will need is to contact employers that you are interested in working with and asking them what their requirements are.
Aerobics Instructor Job Description
Aerobics instructors teach exercise techniques and lead aerobics classes in order to keep people physically fit. They may teach Pilates, yoga, water aerobics, weight training or other aerobics based exercise classes. Aerobics instructors may work with people from all age groups and skill levels, and must ensure that they keep all of the participants of their classes motivated through difficult exercise routines.
Alternate Titles for This Occupation
The term Aerobics Instructor can often be used to describe other career titles, such as:
• Fitness Class Instructor
• Fitness Class Leader
• Fitness Instruction Specialist
• Group Exercise Leader
• Group Fitness Instructor
• Group Fitness Trainer
General Job Duties
• Determine which class to conduct based on personal expertise or client requests
• Provide instruction to groups and individuals
• Provide an exciting and motivational atmosphere
• Plan routines and prepare music for each class
• Maintain current knowledge of emergency procedures and administer when necessary
• Maintain exceptional level of fitness
• May be involved in marketing and promotional activities on behalf of their employer
• Ensure participants are exercising in a safe manner
• Help participants guage their levels of exertion to get the maximum benefit from their exercise routines
Who Hires Aerobics Instructors? Where Do They Work?
Aerobics instructors work for organizations that are involved in promoting exercise as a healthy lifestyle by teaching aerobics-based exercises. Organizations that hire aerobics instructors include:
• Health clubs and gyms
• Recreation and leisure centres
• Retirement facilities
• Dance studios
• Municipal recreation centres
• Community leagues and associations
• Businesses
• Hotels, cruise ships and resorts
• Self-employment
Certification You Might Need to Obtain
Most employers will require that you're certified as an aerobics instructor in the province or state in which you work before you are allowed to teach and train group exercise participants without supervision.
Be sure to check with your provincial/state fitness training certification authority to get specific information about certification credentials, as they vary greatly by region.
How Much Do Aerobics Instructors Earn?
The earning levels of aerobics instructors can vary depending on factors such as their level of training, their level of experience, where they work, the number of classes they teach, the specific responsibilities of their job, and many others.
Aerobics Instructor Salary - Canada (Alberta): According to the 2016 Alberta Wage and Salary Survey, Albertans working in the Group Exercise Leaders occupational group earn an average wage of $22.47 per hour. Unfortunately, no similar statistics were available for other Canadian provinces and territories.
Aerobics Instructor Salary - United States: According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median annual salary of workers in the Fitness Trainers and Instructors occupational group is $31,090 (2010 figures).
Aerobics Instruction Jobs
Our job board below has "Aerobics Instructor" postings in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and Australia.
Similar Careers in Our Database
Listed below are careers in our database that are similar in nature to Aerobics Instructor, as they may involve many of the same skills, competencies and responsibilities.
• Strength and Conditioning Coach
References for This Career Guide
Please consult the references below to find more information on the various aspects of a career as an aerobics instructor.
Occupations in Alberta: “Group Exercise Leader.” (March 9, 2016). ALIS website - Alberta Learning Information Service. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
Occupational Outlook Handbook - Personal Care Service: “Fitness Trainers and Instructors.” (September 10, 2019). United States Bureau of Labor Statistics website. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
Recreational Activities and Fitness: “Become a Fitness Instructor.” (n.d.). City of Saskatoon website. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
Scholarships for Relevant Fields of Study
Scholarships listed for majors that apply to becoming an Aerobics Instructor can be found on our Exercise Science Scholarships and Kinesiology Scholarships pages.
Success Tip: Be sure to apply for any scholarships that you even barely qualify for, as there are millions of dollars of scholarships that go unused every year due to a lack of applicants!
Relevant Fields of Study
Studying one of the university majors listed below is an excellent starting point for getting into this field. Click on the links to find out what else you can do with these majors!
