Group Fitness Instructor Jobs for OPT Students
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 Group Fitness Instructor JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 397+ 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 397+ 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 JobsPosition Summary
The Group Fitness Instructor provides cutting-edge group fitness instruction through a variety of entertaining, educational, and fun classes promoting fitness and positive self-esteem in a safe environment. They act as a fitness resource for class participants and maintain positive relationships with members to encourage continued class attendance. The Group Fitness Instructor is responsible for consistently meeting daily class attendance goals as well as effectively promoting Life Time programs, products, and services.
As a Group Fitness Instructor at Life Time, you have the opportunity to instruct a variety of group fitness formats.
STRENGTH:
LIFT: Build Strength: Build Muscle
Strength training classes that bring muscles and music together. Music has the power to take athletic activities to a completely new level. Music motivates our members to lift more, lift longer, and develop a life-long love and joy in lifting.
SHRED: Strength Circuits for Lean Muscles
This is the no excuses, full body strength and endurance workout. Workouts are fun, simple, timed, and consistent so that members can move at the pace they need to get the results they want. To keep the workout short and efficient, we squeeze as much as possible in our short time together, with every major muscle group worked and cardio drills crushed.
MAXOUT: Maximize your muscles. Minimize your limits.
Life Time’s strength and conditioning brand that combines the use of heavier weights, super sets, and a community building, high energy max out challenge. This class is designed to push athletes to muscle MAXOUT and reach the point of muscle burnout so they can increase their strength capacity, fire up their metabolism, and build confidence in their weight lifting abilities.
CARDIO:
XTREME: Conditioning Challenges to HIIT your Goals.
Life Time’s ultimate conditioning brand where every class delivers a heart pumping, High Intensity Interval Training or ‘HIIT’ workout. Xtreme is perfect for members looking for a challenge that will continue to raise their personal best.
REMIXX: Feel Good, Heart Pumping Cardio.
Breaking the mold on high energy cardio fitness, REMIXX is the celebration of all things that get your heart pumping. Whether a cardio junkie or looking for a fresh challenge, REMIXX classes offer an electrifying workout experience. From the moment our members walk into the studio, it feels like they have entered a nightclub. Time flies by as they step, jump, and groove to the hottest remixes of new jams and throwback favorites.
BOXING/KICKBOXING:
STRIKE: Strike with Precision, Box with Passion.
A cardio class with more grit and attitude to get members moving and dominate their workout. These classes teach our members to jab, cross, hook, and uppercut their calories AND problems away.
BARRE:
LIFE BARRE: Strength & Grace Align.
LIFE BARRE classes are rooted deeply in ballet with movements that stem from traditional ballet form. The high reps of precise isometric movements on and off the bar engage muscles in a way that our other strength classes can't. Our LIFE BARRE classes will help our members to stand taller and activate their full range of motion.
CYCLE:
AMP: Ride to the Rhythm, Sweat to the Beat.
AMP blurs the lines between exercise and entertainment, creating an immersive experience where the beat sets the pace of the pedals and energy in the room fuels choreographed movement.
EDG: Find your EDG with Music and Metrics.
EDG is where rhythm meets results for the ultimate fusion of music, metrics, and technology. Intentional sets of work are synced to a heart pounding soundtrack, challenging your speed, strength, and stamina while you are coached and inspired on a journey to peak performance. Riders can expect exhilarating classes that help them unleash their inner athlete and push them to their EDG.
PWR: Athletic endurance on the bike.
Through the intentional application of specificity, progression, and individualization you can unlock your personal potential on the bike while enjoying the camaraderie of like-minded athletes.
DANZE: Move unapologetically to the beat.
Dance knows no boundaries and neither do we. Our dance classes celebrate diversity in all its forms. From Hip Hop to Latin Fusion to musical theater and everything in between. With multiple classes that make up the DANZE brand, members and instructors get to choose the groove that moves them the most.
YOGA: Learn to Control the Reactions of the Mind.
SURRENDER YIN
A slow, meditative, yin-yoga practice to create greater mobility in your joints while you mindfully stress your body's connective tissues and challenge the calmness of your mind. You will be guided through a sequence of yin poses as you concentrate on your breath.
ROOT HATHA
Learn to master the reactions of your mind by focusing on radical self-acceptance and utilizing the union of opposites. This Hatha yoga experience will help you feel more grounded and inspire acute muscle engagement to create greater stability in the joints of your body. With a heavy focus on your body and a slow, complete breath you will learn to mindfully engage your muscles to support your body with integrity.
FLOW VINYASA
This breath centered Vinyasa Flow class takes you through a series of yoga poses and opportunities to celebrate yourself through the empowerment and freedom of movement. Sequences are designed to get you moving, then set you free. This energizing class promotes physical strength, mobility, and mental clarity, drawing on your breath as your inner source of focus.
ARORA: ACCOUNTABILITY. COMMUNITY. ALL SORTS OF POSSIBILITY.
These comprehensively programmed classes provide a variety of options to support healthy aging, new beginnings and reigniting an active lifestyle – from AQUA to DANZE, GENTLE YOGA to TOTAL BODY. ARORA’s promise is to deliver safe, effective workouts designed to help older adults establish the fundamental actions to living a healthier, happier life, in a fun and social environment.
SGT:
GTX: Cardio. Strength. Results.
The ultimate 50/50 cardio & strength guided training experience. With heart-rate based interval training, resistance coaching, and a comprehensive weekly plan, you’ll always have the right formula of ULTRA FIT: Achieve Extraordinary.
Get faster, stronger and mentally sharper. Ultra Fit alternates between short bursts of maximum effort sprinting on the treadmill and strength and balance-based movements on the floor. Every week builds upon itself so that you can build confidence to achieve your maximum sprint potential. Expect to sweat, burn calories, and achieve all the metabolic benefits as you compete against yourself.
ALPHA: Competitive Grit.
Full-body strength and conditioning programs that empower individuals to reach their peak physiological and psychological potential through community, resilience, and discipline. This includes challenging movements performed at relative intensities alongside the guidance of a coach. Workouts are built to challenge one's self-imposed limits through progressive strength and conditioning, alongside a group of athletes driven to do the same.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
- Develops positive relationships with class participants by teaching a variety of challenging and entertaining classes.
- Educates class participants on correct form and alternative moves during the fitness routine.
- Attentively listens to members, answers questions, and engages in conversation before and after classes.
- Cleans and organizes studio space after each class.
- Provides current music for each class that entertains and motivates while ensuring appropriate language.
- Promotes Life Time promotions, programs, products, and services while specifically encouraging participation for the Classes at Life Time.
Position Requirements
- High School Diploma or GED
- 1 or more years of fitness instructor work experience
- CPR/AED Certification
- Minimum of one of the following Group Exercise Certifications: National Association of Sports Medicine (NASM), American Council of Exercise (ACE), American Fitness Aerobic Association (AFAA), Aquatic Exercise Association (AEA)
- Ability to perform an aerobic activity for duration of a class, which may include, but not limited to, standing, walking, climbing, balancing, running, crawling, and kneeling.
- Ability to routinely lift 50 pounds and occasionally 100 pounds.
- Ability to perform exercises specific to the assigned class.
Pay
This position pays a class rate between $30.00 and $65.00, based on experience, qualifications, and duration of the class. The class rate compensates for all working time associated with teaching classes (including without limitation, all time spent in class as well as all pre- and post-class working time).
Benefits
All team members receive the following benefits while working for Life Time:
- A fully subsidized membership
- Discounts on Life Time products and services
- 401(k) retirement savings plan with company discretionary match (21 years of age and older)
- Training and professional development
- Paid sick leave where required by law
Full-time Team Members are eligible for additional benefits, including:
- Medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage
- Short term and long term disability insurance
- Life insurance
- Pre-tax flexible spending and dependent care plans
- Parental leave and adoption assistance
- Paid time off, including 5 to 20 vacation days per calendar year (based on tenure) and paid sick leave
- Deferred compensation plan, if the team member meets the required income threshold
Life Time is a place for everyone. As an organization, we are committed to an inclusive, diverse and equitable workplace that respects and celebrates the unique contributions of each individual while ensuring we remain an equal opportunity employer that recruits, hires, trains and promotes based on merit and qualifications.
Position Summary
The Group Fitness Instructor provides cutting-edge group fitness instruction through a variety of entertaining, educational, and fun classes promoting fitness and positive self-esteem in a safe environment. They act as a fitness resource for class participants and maintain positive relationships with members to encourage continued class attendance. The Group Fitness Instructor is responsible for consistently meeting daily class attendance goals as well as effectively promoting Life Time programs, products, and services.
As a Group Fitness Instructor at Life Time, you have the opportunity to instruct a variety of group fitness formats.
STRENGTH:
LIFT: Build Strength: Build Muscle
Strength training classes that bring muscles and music together. Music has the power to take athletic activities to a completely new level. Music motivates our members to lift more, lift longer, and develop a life-long love and joy in lifting.
SHRED: Strength Circuits for Lean Muscles
This is the no excuses, full body strength and endurance workout. Workouts are fun, simple, timed, and consistent so that members can move at the pace they need to get the results they want. To keep the workout short and efficient, we squeeze as much as possible in our short time together, with every major muscle group worked and cardio drills crushed.
MAXOUT: Maximize your muscles. Minimize your limits.
Life Time’s strength and conditioning brand that combines the use of heavier weights, super sets, and a community building, high energy max out challenge. This class is designed to push athletes to muscle MAXOUT and reach the point of muscle burnout so they can increase their strength capacity, fire up their metabolism, and build confidence in their weight lifting abilities.
CARDIO:
XTREME: Conditioning Challenges to HIIT your Goals.
Life Time’s ultimate conditioning brand where every class delivers a heart pumping, High Intensity Interval Training or ‘HIIT’ workout. Xtreme is perfect for members looking for a challenge that will continue to raise their personal best.
REMIXX: Feel Good, Heart Pumping Cardio.
Breaking the mold on high energy cardio fitness, REMIXX is the celebration of all things that get your heart pumping. Whether a cardio junkie or looking for a fresh challenge, REMIXX classes offer an electrifying workout experience. From the moment our members walk into the studio, it feels like they have entered a nightclub. Time flies by as they step, jump, and groove to the hottest remixes of new jams and throwback favorites.
BOXING/KICKBOXING:
STRIKE: Strike with Precision, Box with Passion.
A cardio class with more grit and attitude to get members moving and dominate their workout. These classes teach our members to jab, cross, hook, and uppercut their calories AND problems away.
BARRE:
LIFE BARRE: Strength & Grace Align.
LIFE BARRE classes are rooted deeply in ballet with movements that stem from traditional ballet form. The high reps of precise isometric movements on and off the bar engage muscles in a way that our other strength classes can't. Our LIFE BARRE classes will help our members to stand taller and activate their full range of motion.
CYCLE:
AMP: Ride to the Rhythm, Sweat to the Beat.
AMP blurs the lines between exercise and entertainment, creating an immersive experience where the beat sets the pace of the pedals and energy in the room fuels choreographed movement.
EDG: Find your EDG with Music and Metrics.
EDG is where rhythm meets results for the ultimate fusion of music, metrics, and technology. Intentional sets of work are synced to a heart pounding soundtrack, challenging your speed, strength, and stamina while you are coached and inspired on a journey to peak performance. Riders can expect exhilarating classes that help them unleash their inner athlete and push them to their EDG.
PWR: Athletic endurance on the bike.
Through the intentional application of specificity, progression, and individualization you can unlock your personal potential on the bike while enjoying the camaraderie of like-minded athletes.
DANZE: Move unapologetically to the beat.
Dance knows no boundaries and neither do we. Our dance classes celebrate diversity in all its forms. From Hip Hop to Latin Fusion to musical theater and everything in between. With multiple classes that make up the DANZE brand, members and instructors get to choose the groove that moves them the most.
YOGA: Learn to Control the Reactions of the Mind.
SURRENDER YIN
A slow, meditative, yin-yoga practice to create greater mobility in your joints while you mindfully stress your body's connective tissues and challenge the calmness of your mind. You will be guided through a sequence of yin poses as you concentrate on your breath.
ROOT HATHA
Learn to master the reactions of your mind by focusing on radical self-acceptance and utilizing the union of opposites. This Hatha yoga experience will help you feel more grounded and inspire acute muscle engagement to create greater stability in the joints of your body. With a heavy focus on your body and a slow, complete breath you will learn to mindfully engage your muscles to support your body with integrity.
FLOW VINYASA
This breath centered Vinyasa Flow class takes you through a series of yoga poses and opportunities to celebrate yourself through the empowerment and freedom of movement. Sequences are designed to get you moving, then set you free. This energizing class promotes physical strength, mobility, and mental clarity, drawing on your breath as your inner source of focus.
ARORA: ACCOUNTABILITY. COMMUNITY. ALL SORTS OF POSSIBILITY.
These comprehensively programmed classes provide a variety of options to support healthy aging, new beginnings and reigniting an active lifestyle – from AQUA to DANZE, GENTLE YOGA to TOTAL BODY. ARORA’s promise is to deliver safe, effective workouts designed to help older adults establish the fundamental actions to living a healthier, happier life, in a fun and social environment.
SGT:
GTX: Cardio. Strength. Results.
The ultimate 50/50 cardio & strength guided training experience. With heart-rate based interval training, resistance coaching, and a comprehensive weekly plan, you’ll always have the right formula of ULTRA FIT: Achieve Extraordinary.
Get faster, stronger and mentally sharper. Ultra Fit alternates between short bursts of maximum effort sprinting on the treadmill and strength and balance-based movements on the floor. Every week builds upon itself so that you can build confidence to achieve your maximum sprint potential. Expect to sweat, burn calories, and achieve all the metabolic benefits as you compete against yourself.
ALPHA: Competitive Grit.
Full-body strength and conditioning programs that empower individuals to reach their peak physiological and psychological potential through community, resilience, and discipline. This includes challenging movements performed at relative intensities alongside the guidance of a coach. Workouts are built to challenge one's self-imposed limits through progressive strength and conditioning, alongside a group of athletes driven to do the same.
Job Duties and Responsibilities
- Develops positive relationships with class participants by teaching a variety of challenging and entertaining classes.
- Educates class participants on correct form and alternative moves during the fitness routine.
- Attentively listens to members, answers questions, and engages in conversation before and after classes.
- Cleans and organizes studio space after each class.
- Provides current music for each class that entertains and motivates while ensuring appropriate language.
- Promotes Life Time promotions, programs, products, and services while specifically encouraging participation for the Classes at Life Time.
Position Requirements
- High School Diploma or GED
- 1 or more years of fitness instructor work experience
- CPR/AED Certification
- Minimum of one of the following Group Exercise Certifications: National Association of Sports Medicine (NASM), American Council of Exercise (ACE), American Fitness Aerobic Association (AFAA), Aquatic Exercise Association (AEA)
- Ability to perform an aerobic activity for duration of a class, which may include, but not limited to, standing, walking, climbing, balancing, running, crawling, and kneeling.
- Ability to routinely lift 50 pounds and occasionally 100 pounds.
- Ability to perform exercises specific to the assigned class.
Pay
This position pays a class rate between $30.00 and $65.00, based on experience, qualifications, and duration of the class. The class rate compensates for all working time associated with teaching classes (including without limitation, all time spent in class as well as all pre- and post-class working time).
Benefits
All team members receive the following benefits while working for Life Time:
- A fully subsidized membership
- Discounts on Life Time products and services
- 401(k) retirement savings plan with company discretionary match (21 years of age and older)
- Training and professional development
- Paid sick leave where required by law
Full-time Team Members are eligible for additional benefits, including:
- Medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage
- Short term and long term disability insurance
- Life insurance
- Pre-tax flexible spending and dependent care plans
- Parental leave and adoption assistance
- Paid time off, including 5 to 20 vacation days per calendar year (based on tenure) and paid sick leave
- Deferred compensation plan, if the team member meets the required income threshold
Life Time is a place for everyone. As an organization, we are committed to an inclusive, diverse and equitable workplace that respects and celebrates the unique contributions of each individual while ensuring we remain an equal opportunity employer that recruits, hires, trains and promotes based on merit and qualifications.
How to Get Visa 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.
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 jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Group Fitness Instructor JobsSee all 397+ 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 JobsFrequently 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.
See which Group Fitness Instructor employers are hiring and sponsoring visas right now.
Search Group Fitness Instructor Jobs