The Labor of Fitness

Instructor coaching a Glute Bridge

Labor day celebrates the achievements and contributions of workers, so this Labor Day I want to generate a conversation about work within the fitness industry. I believe our undervaluing of fitness professionals is connected to an undervaluing of fitness overall. And, when something isn't valued, we don't do it. We don't invest in it. So, if you like to think critically about capitalism, this post is for you <3

I got into the "fitness industry" about 4 years ago. I can't say I expected big wages and it was a side gig, but I was surprised to learn the pay sometimes isn't even high enough to cover the costs associated with being a fitness pro in the first place. For example, I've seen instructors paid anywhere from $7 to $25 a class. Group fitness classes typically require the instructor to also do the full workout--with enthusiasm--and they require certifications and training. Technically, group fitness instructors are also supposed to pay for music licensing, professional liability insurance, and are also at least partially responsible for marketing to get clients in their classes. And, the kicker is your only paid for that class hour, not the time learning the routine, practices, marketing, etc., and most instructors can only physically lead 4-5 group fitness classes per week anyways.

Here is what the math looks like:

Sally teach 4 fitness classes per week and gets $15 per class = $240 income per month

Sally's costs per month include music and choreography subscription ($25), insurance ($60), tax money set aside because she is a 1099 employee ($48) =

$133 expenses per month

If we only include 30 minutes class prep and 30 minutes clean up after class, that means Sally works 32 hours.

Income $240

Expenses $133

Net $107

Actual Hourly Wage $3.34

$3.34 is a shameful hourly wage, and that example doesn't include the cost of training and certifications.

There is a similar reality for Personal Trainers and Coaches, although they, at least, are not always physically doing the workout (like Group Fitness Instructors do) so trainers/coaches can do many more sessions per week. Regardless, the cost of certification is much higher, and these pros also have to get liability insurance, earn continuing education credits, and market themselves constantly. The pay ranges from $12-$18 per 30-minute session in the Toledo, Ohio area.

Demanding better pay and working options seems so far fetched, however, in a culture that thinks fitness should be free. I am told or asked to teach free group fitness classes regularly. I see "Free Yoga" sessions offered all over the city. In one of the Facebook groups I'm in, free offerings are allowed to be posted anytime, but I can't ever post about a class I'm charging for.

I've thought a lot about why exercise has such a low value over the last few years. Exercise is just as essential to the body as water and food. Most of us will swing by McDonalds and pay $10-$12 for ONE meal, or a $2 water at the gas station. Yet, paying $7 for an hour fitness class, or $50 for a monthly membership, feels like too much.

To be fair, exercise is different from food and water because you can, technically, always do it for free without help. No one is charging your for dropping down and doing 10 push-ups. But, you could also grow your own food and collect your own water....but we don't. We pay someone else do help prepare it all for us. So, what is different?

I think we've, largely, agreed to the social contract around food and water. Most of us understand we pay $10 for one meal because the costs involved are obvious, and we understand that lots of labor, from farmers, drivers, to cashiers, labored for your hamburger. We still want food and water offered to those that cannot afford it, but it is standard for most of us to expect to pay.

The labor behind group fitness or personal training is not as obvious. And, it is more frequently framed as something you could do yourself. If someone cannot afford it, we don't provide subsidies--we expect they figure out how to do it themselves for free.

Yet, doing it yourself is more than deciding to do 10 push-ups or start jogging. It would also involve figuring out your muscle imbalances, figuring how how to fix those compensations, designing exercises that are appropriate for your body, researching workouts that will help you reach your goals, learning and deciding your nutrition goals, and more.

Overall, we prioritize exercise much less than food, water, and other basic human needs. But, perhaps that is also because the labor behind fitness has also been hidden from view. Low prioritization and low value of the labor explains the low wages.

So, what do you think? How do you think we fix the problem?