Facts on being a Group Fitness Instructor:  If you think you will get rich teaching fitness, you are in the wrong profession.  Yes, there are many that are able to make a living at being a group fitness Instructor, but most use this type of income as extra income and because they love teaching fitness. The national average in large cities, for certified group fitness Instructor pay range is from $10.00 - $20.00 per class. It is determined on the experience and education of the Instructor and the popularity and location of the class too.

Qualifications:
- Some years experience conducting aerobic classes is a major plus.
- Aerobic Group Instructors Certification from a national organization such as AFAA or ACE highly recommended.
- Current CPR and Basic First Aid qualifications.

Knowledge and Experience Requirements:
- Of instructional techniques
- Of group dynamics
- Of health and safety practices
- Of injury prevention - In planning, organizing, and delivering aerobic classes
- In monitoring and controlling large groups of participants
- In ensuring safety protocols and procedures
- In providing customer service
- Having the right attitude and pleasant personality is a plus.

Salary: $ 10.00/hr - $ 18.00/hr For popular classes you could receive pay that ranges from $20.00 to even $50.00 per class. Instructors with many years of experience and an extensive fitness background could make well over $50.00 per hour presenting and offering workshops (but you have to show proof of being qualified to offer the subject that you want to present)

Additional costs to the Instructor who is a Sub-Contractor:
- You pay for your own training and certification.
- You will have to maintain your certification by attending regular workshops for your      CEC/CEU.
- You may have to purchase your own music CDs for your classes.
- You may have to purchase your own Av Equipment and bring it with you to each of your classes, if you teach outside of a gym/health club.
- You may have to purchase your own liability insurance.
- You have to purchase your own fitness wardrobe or you may be required to purchase fitness clothing that the facility or club requires you to wear.
- You may have monthly membership dues (Like Les Mills or Zumba® Instructors Networks.  For Zumba Fitness® the current membership charges are $30.00 per month, adding $360.00 more in expenses per year! This of course, is optional!)

As an Instructor:
- You will spend many unpaid hours learning and practicing.
- You may be required to give free classes or demos to promote your classes. 

You are able to write off these expenses on your taxes, so be sure to save those receipts, no matter how small or big!  Keep track of your mileage too!

Now you can see how it would be very difficult to make any kind of a living teaching, unless you taught several classes per day. Most of us just do it because we love it and it's a little extra side money. There may be some perks when teaching at different facilities...  a free gym membership, health insurance benefits, and workshop discounts, etc.
Also remember, when you cannot make it to class, you do not get paid and it is up to you to find a sub for the class you are missing. 

Workout as much as you plan to for the rest of your life.