OPT Group Fitness Instructor Jobs
Group Fitness Instructor jobs are available to F-1 OPT students whose degree is in kinesiology, exercise science, sports management, or a related field. Your OPT work authorization must be directly tied to your major, so the role needs to connect clearly to your coursework and career goals.
See All OPT Group Fitness Instructor JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 13+ Group Fitness Instructor jobs
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
See all Group Fitness Instructor Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Group Fitness Instructor roles.
Get Access To All JobsCompany Description
OUR STORY:
Equinox Group is a high growth collective of the world's most influential, experiential, and differentiated lifestyle brands. We restlessly seek what is next for maximizing life - and boldly grow the lifestyle brands and experiences that define it. In addition to Equinox, our other brands, SoulCycle and Equinox Hotels are all recognized for inspiring and motivating members and employees to maximize life. Our portfolio of brands is recognized globally with locations within every major city across the United States in addition to London, Toronto, and Vancouver.
OUR CODE:
We are passionate about high performance living and we practice what we preach – investing time in our own health and fitness. We believe that everyone has untapped potential within them and it takes a disruptive approach to unleash it. We dream big and don’t settle for the status quo. We sweat the details. We never accept less than 110% to help each other deliver the Equinox experience and enable our members to get great results. We are obsessed with what’s new, what’s now, what’s next. Never following, always leading, living ahead of the moment in fashion, culture and consumer behavior. We aren’t just a company; we’re a community vested in each other’s success. We value humility and a team approach at every level of the company.
If you are a high performing individual who is passionate about winning and inspiring others then we are excited to discuss career opportunities with you.
Job Description
Equinox's location in Plano, TX is currently seeking Group Fitness Instructors. The position entails the following responsibilities. This is not a complete description, and certain responsibilities may additionally be presented along the course of employment:
- Deliver the Equinox Experience to our members in each class;
- Adhere to the description of the class and modify the intensity for participants when necessary;
- Continuously monitor the exercise intensity throughout the duration of the class;
- Ensure class begins and ends on time;
- Teach respective classes on a regular basis and keep subbing to a minimum;
- Communicate with Group Fitness Manager on member feedback, equipment and operational status, scheduling, and subbing;
Qualifications
The successful candidate should have the following experience and qualifications:
- Must possess a current Group Fitness Certification (ACE, AFAA, NASM, ACSM are acceptable) or a degree in a related field;
- Have experience teaching Group Fitness classes in a related discipline;
- Must possess and maintain current CPR/AED certification;
- Must be well-versed in basic anatomy, kinesiology, contraindicated exercises, exercise modifications for all populations and ACSM Guidelines for frequency, intensity, duration, and mode;
- Must be eager to learn and continue professional development and education;
- Must be friendly, vibrant, and outgoing; and
- Must have access to regular email and phone communication.
Additional Information
AS A MEMBER OF THE EQUINOX TEAM YOU WILL RECEIVE:
- We offer competitive salary, benefits, and industry leading commission opportunities for club employees
- Complimentary Club membership
- Perks and incentives with our products and services including Personal Training, Pilates, Spa and Shop
This job description is intended to describe the general requirements for the position. It is not a complete statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. Other duties not listed here may be assigned as necessary to ensure the proper operations of the department.
Equinox is an equal opportunity employer. For more information regarding our career opportunities, please visit one of our clubs or our website at https://careers.equinox.com/
All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines. Must have a legal right to work in the United States.
Company Description
OUR STORY:
Equinox Group is a high growth collective of the world's most influential, experiential, and differentiated lifestyle brands. We restlessly seek what is next for maximizing life - and boldly grow the lifestyle brands and experiences that define it. In addition to Equinox, our other brands, SoulCycle and Equinox Hotels are all recognized for inspiring and motivating members and employees to maximize life. Our portfolio of brands is recognized globally with locations within every major city across the United States in addition to London, Toronto, and Vancouver.
OUR CODE:
We are passionate about high performance living and we practice what we preach – investing time in our own health and fitness. We believe that everyone has untapped potential within them and it takes a disruptive approach to unleash it. We dream big and don’t settle for the status quo. We sweat the details. We never accept less than 110% to help each other deliver the Equinox experience and enable our members to get great results. We are obsessed with what’s new, what’s now, what’s next. Never following, always leading, living ahead of the moment in fashion, culture and consumer behavior. We aren’t just a company; we’re a community vested in each other’s success. We value humility and a team approach at every level of the company.
If you are a high performing individual who is passionate about winning and inspiring others then we are excited to discuss career opportunities with you.
Job Description
Equinox's location in Plano, TX is currently seeking Group Fitness Instructors. The position entails the following responsibilities. This is not a complete description, and certain responsibilities may additionally be presented along the course of employment:
- Deliver the Equinox Experience to our members in each class;
- Adhere to the description of the class and modify the intensity for participants when necessary;
- Continuously monitor the exercise intensity throughout the duration of the class;
- Ensure class begins and ends on time;
- Teach respective classes on a regular basis and keep subbing to a minimum;
- Communicate with Group Fitness Manager on member feedback, equipment and operational status, scheduling, and subbing;
Qualifications
The successful candidate should have the following experience and qualifications:
- Must possess a current Group Fitness Certification (ACE, AFAA, NASM, ACSM are acceptable) or a degree in a related field;
- Have experience teaching Group Fitness classes in a related discipline;
- Must possess and maintain current CPR/AED certification;
- Must be well-versed in basic anatomy, kinesiology, contraindicated exercises, exercise modifications for all populations and ACSM Guidelines for frequency, intensity, duration, and mode;
- Must be eager to learn and continue professional development and education;
- Must be friendly, vibrant, and outgoing; and
- Must have access to regular email and phone communication.
Additional Information
AS A MEMBER OF THE EQUINOX TEAM YOU WILL RECEIVE:
- We offer competitive salary, benefits, and industry leading commission opportunities for club employees
- Complimentary Club membership
- Perks and incentives with our products and services including Personal Training, Pilates, Spa and Shop
This job description is intended to describe the general requirements for the position. It is not a complete statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements. Other duties not listed here may be assigned as necessary to ensure the proper operations of the department.
Equinox is an equal opportunity employer. For more information regarding our career opportunities, please visit one of our clubs or our website at https://careers.equinox.com/
All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines. Must have a legal right to work in the United States.
See all OPT Group Fitness Instructor Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new OPT Group Fitness Instructor Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding OPT Sponsorship in Group Fitness Instructor
Frame your OPT as a hiring advantage
Employers don't need to file petitions for OPT hires. When reaching out, clarify that you already have work authorization and the process requires no immediate sponsorship cost or paperwork on their end.
Connect your degree to the role explicitly
USCIS requires OPT employment to be directly related to your major. In applications, spell out how your kinesiology, exercise science, or health promotion degree maps to the Group Fitness Instructor responsibilities you'll perform.
Prioritize employers with multiple locations
Gyms and fitness studios with multiple sites are more likely to have HR processes already in place for work authorization questions, making them more comfortable hiring OPT students than independent studios.
Get your certifications before you apply
Holding an active ACE, NASM, or AFAA certification signals professional readiness and removes one barrier employers use to screen candidates. It also strengthens the case that your work qualifies as career-related employment.
Target university recreation centers and campus gyms
Campus recreation departments regularly hire OPT students, understand F-1 work authorization, and often have HR staff familiar with the documentation process. These roles also tend to have stable hours suited to OPT requirements.
Document every employment connection to your field
Keep records showing how each Group Fitness Instructor role relates to your degree. If USCIS or your DSO ever asks, you need clear documentation tying your day-to-day responsibilities to your academic program and career goals.
Group Fitness Instructor OPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does Group Fitness Instructor work qualify for F-1 OPT?
Yes, if your degree is in a directly related field such as kinesiology, exercise science, physical education, or health promotion. The role must connect to your major, not just your interests. A fitness instructor position held by someone with a business or engineering degree would not meet the OPT employment requirement without a clear programmatic connection.
Can I work part-time as a Group Fitness Instructor on OPT?
Yes. During pre-completion OPT you're limited to 20 hours per week while school is in session. During post-completion OPT you can work full-time, part-time, or a combination of jobs as long as you're working at least 20 hours per week in total. Group fitness roles that involve multiple classes across different locations can count together toward that threshold.
Can I teach at multiple gyms or studios simultaneously on OPT?
Yes. OPT allows multiple concurrent employers as long as each role is directly related to your degree and your combined hours meet the 20-hour minimum during post-completion OPT. You must report each employer to your DSO within 10 days of starting. Keep your SEVP portal records updated to avoid any compliance issues that could affect your status.
Where can I find Group Fitness Instructor jobs that are open to OPT students?
Migrate Mate is specifically built for F-1 OPT and visa-sponsored job seekers, so listings there are filtered for work authorization compatibility. General job boards don't filter by OPT eligibility, which means you often spend time applying to roles where the employer won't hire someone on work authorization. Migrate Mate removes that friction.
What happens to my OPT if a gym closes or my contract ends?
You have a 90-day unemployment buffer during post-completion OPT. If your role ends, you're not immediately out of status, but you need to secure a new qualifying position before that buffer runs out. Notify your DSO promptly when employment ends. Part-time class schedules can sometimes be restructured across employers to maintain your 20-hour weekly minimum while you transition.