Why We Love It
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$40,970Potential Avg. Salary
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8.4%Job Growth Rate
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Growing DemandJob Outlook
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Fast Paced CareerCareer Attribute
Spin and cycling class instructors lead indoor cycling classes at gyms and fitness centers. They establish routines for different skills levels and class lengths, choose music to motivate classes, and lead the class with instructions on how alter speeds and resistances in order to get the best workout possible.
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What is a Spin or Cycling Class Instructor?
The following job responsibilities are common for individuals in spin or cycling class instructor roles:
- Lead indoor cycling classes for different skills levels and different lengths of time
- Create routines that cater to varying goals and skills levels
- Select music to play during classes to get students pumped and feeling motivated
- Provide instructions for speed and resistance alterations during classes
- Motivate students to work hard and continue coming to class to improve their health
A Day in the Life
Spinning® is a specialized exercise routine that provides the same type of exercise you’d get by riding a bike but without having to deal with weather, traffic, or dangerous bike paths. Spin classes are indoor cycling classes led by certified spin instructors who have been trained to teach students how to burn calories, improve their cardiovascular health, and lose weight by mimicking the practice of bike riding from a stationary position. Spin instructors lead indoor cycling classes, motivating students to exercise.
Spin and cycling class instructors create routines for classes that span varying lengths of time and cater to different kill levels. For example, a cycling instructor may put together a routine for a 30-minute introductory class as well as a 75-minute advanced cycling class. Instructors also select music for classes that gets students pumped up and motivated to move. The instructor leads the class, instructing students to speed up, slow down, and alter resistances when required to get the best possible workout.
Indoor cycles mimic riding outdoors by allowing for resistances that are similar to those you’d experience on a real bike when riding up a hill, down a hill, or on a flat, paved surface. Spin and cycling class instructors use the capabilities of the indoor bikes to create routines that provide as good of a workout as a real bike ride would. Additionally, some cycling instructors also incorporate upper-body training into routines, using resistance bands and weights to exercise the whole body during class.
Typical Work Schedule
Spin and cycling class instructors may work part-time or full-time. They may teach classes during the day, in the evening, or on weekends in order to offer classes outside of normal business hours. Some spin instructors own and operate their own studios where they teach, and many are self-employed.
Projected Job Growth
Spinning® has been growing in popularity in recent years because it allows students to burn significantly more calories than many other aerobics classes of similar lengths, leading to an increased demand for spin and cycling instructors to teach classes at fitness centers, gyms, and studios.
Typical Employers
Spin and cycling instructors may work for gyms, fitness centers like the YMCA, and independent studios. Many indoor cycling instructors are self-employed and teach classes on a freelance basis, or own and operate their own independent studios.
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How To Become a Spin or Cycling Class Instructor
There are a couple of paths you can take to become a spin or cycling class instructor. The first is to earn an associate’s or bachelor’s degree in exercise science, kinesiology, or physical education. In these programs, you’ll learn about the importance of physical health, how to exercise without injury, and how to teach fitness to individuals with different needs—such as children or seniors. These degrees will qualify you to teach general cycling classes or work as a personal trainer in a gym or fitness center.
Alternatively, you can undergo a certification program through the Spinning® organization. Because the term “spinning” is trademarked, you’ll have to go through the program if you title the courses you offer “spinning” classes, even if you’re just overseeing basic indoor cycling routines. To earn an instructor certificate from this organization, you’ll have to go through a full-day training program where you’ll learn how to put together routines and how to coach and motivate students.
If you enjoy teaching spin and cycling classes and want to move to the next level, you can also undergo training to become a master instructor. Master instructors train new cycling instructors and have opportunities to present at events, conferences, and workshops led by the Spinning® organization.
Spin or Cycling Class Instructor Salary Data
We’ve provided you the following to learn more about this career. The salary and growth data on this page comes from recently published Bureau of Labor Statistics data while the recommendations and editorial content are based on our research.
National Anual Salary
Low Range
$23,280Average
$40,970High Range
$70,180National Hourly Wage
Low Range
$11/hrAverage
$20/hrHigh Range
$34/hrHow do Spin or Cycling Class Instructor salaries stack up to other jobs across the country? Based on the latest jobs data nationwide, Spin or Cycling Class Instructor's can make an average annual salary of $40,970, or $20 per hour. This makes it an Above Average Salary. On the lower end, they can make $23,280 or $11 per hour, perhaps when just starting out or based on the state you live in.
Salary Rankings And Facts
#511 Nationally for All Careers
Highest Education Among Spin or Cycling Class Instructors
- 1.2% Doctorate
- 9.7% Masters
- 36.4% Bachelors
- 9.1% Associates
- 25% College
- 16.2% High School
- 2.4% Less than High School
Job Growth Projections and Forecast
2014 Total Jobs
279,1002024 Est. Jobs
302,500Job Growth Rate
8.4%Est. New Jobs
23,400How does Spin or Cycling Class Instructor job growth stack up to other jobs across the country? By 2024, there will be a change of 23,400 jobs for a total of 302,500 people employed in the career nationwide. This is a 8.4% change in growth over the next ten years, giving the career a growth rate nationwide of Below Average.
Growth Rankings And Facts
#264 Nationally for All Careers
What Companies Employ The Most Spin or Cycling Class Instructors
| Industry | Current Jobs | New Jobs Needed | % Increase |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fitness and recreational sports centers | 161,800 | 14,300 | 14% |
| Civic and social organizations | 34,000 | 400 | 0% |
| Self-employed workers | 29,500 | 2,100 | 2% |
