Aerobics Instructors and Fitness Trainers

Any volunteer or paid experience you can obtain teaching exercise classes will be helpful.

Aerobics instructors and fitness trainers are expected to be physically fit but are not likely to be specimens of human perfection. For example, members of an aerobics class geared toward overweight people might feel more comfortable with a heavier instructor; a class geared toward the elderly may benefit from an older instructor.

Anyone who works in this field needs to have strong people skills. Fitness trainers must also be talented salespeople, as training sessions are often sold in add-on packages not covered by the standard health club fees. A member may receive several free sessions, but it is up to the trainer to convince the member to purchase additional sessions.

Other important traits include confidence, excellent communication skills, and the ability to motivate people.