How Much is a Typical Fitness Trainer Salary?

Fitness trainer salary is not a monthly fixed rate. It is actually through an hourly and commission-based scheme. The amount that is earned per hour is varied. Hourly rates can range from $15 to $250, depending on a number of factors. Such factors include: Education or training, experience certification, specialization, number of clients, and type of employment (self-employed or otherwise).

Education and Training

The salary of fitness trainers is influenced by their education and training. While there is no definite fitness trainer educational program, those who have taken up health- and wellness-related courses are more likely to have higher wages. Even short trainings on various types of exercises can greatly influence a fitness trainer’s salary. Most health clubs, gyms, and individuals prefer trainers with educational units and credentials.

Experience

Experience is another determining factor for fitness trainer salaries. According to PayScale, the median hourly rate for fitness or aerobics instructors based on experience is from $10 to $35. Accordingly, those with less than a year of experience in fitness training earn within the $10 to $15 range while those with 20 or more years of experience earn $20 to $35.

Certification

It is true that a fitness trainer has to be certified by any certifying body in order to practice. Still, trainers who have a number of certifications get the upper hand. There are four major fitness trainer certifying bodies: American College of Sports Medicine, American Council on Exercise (ACE), National Academy of Sports Medicine, and Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA). These organizations provide programs for aspiring fitness trainers. Graduates of any of these programs have high employability and subsequently, earn big. A fitness trainer who is certified in more than one of these programs has a higher potential to be a training manager with bigger rates.

Specialization

Fitness trainers have a wide spectrum of career specifics to choose from. They can work in various exercise fields like aerobics, kickboxing, weight-lifting, group fitness, personal fitness, alternative exercises, and more. Each of these exercises has a different payment rate depending on difficulty, teaching time, supervision requirements, and equipment use and knowledge. There are also instances where trainers earn through fitness-related jobs like giving out fitness and wellness advice and tips and online training.

Number of Clients

Since fitness trainers earn through a commission-based scheme, it only denotes that a large client base equates to an overflowing wallet. Clients can be taught in a gym or home setting. Home settings definitely have a higher per hour rate. Additionally, clients can be an individual or a group.

Employment Type

Fitness trainers usually work within a gym or wellness club. In this structure, fitness trainers try to sell different fitness programs to potential clients. With every successful sale, they are paid a small amount, usually $7 to $10. They also serve as the client’s trainer on the chosen program, working with the client by the hour either in the gym or at home. Every trainer’s paid hour has a corresponding percentage cut that goes to the gym or health club that he/she is employed to. Percentages vary per club or gym, with the most being at 60% per hour. Education, training, experience, and certification plays a major role in the percentage cut that a fitness trainer receives.

Self-employed fitness trainers are better off as compared to company-employed trainers when it comes to pay. Since they are under no obligation, they take the whole amount given to them by their clients. The only disadvantage in this system is self-employed fitness trainers have a difficult time looking for clients due to the absence of an affiliation. Most clients would first go to gyms and health clubs to seek fitness training.