Authors
Nyah J Cubbison, Department of Kinesiology and Sport Studies; Department of Psychology, University of Denver, 2155 S. Race St., Denver, CO, 80208, USA
Daniel N McIntosh, Department of Psychology, University of Denver, USA
Brian T Gearity, Department of Kinesiology and Sport Studies & Graduate School of Professional Psychology, University of Denver
International Journal of Exercise Science 19(5): 5008, 2026.
Abstract
Group fitness instructors (GFIs) are critical professionals who lead exercise programs providing important health benefits. Despite their central role, exercise science has only begun to investigate the emotional toll of GFI work and its implications for their work-related well- being. Emotional labor, managing emotions to fulfill job requirements via surface acting (masking) or deep acting (changing felt emotions), is particularly relevant for public-facing roles. Surface acting is generally related to more negative well-being than is deep acting. Emotional contagion, how easily GFIs are influenced by the emotional tone set by participants, may also influence well-being. This study used a correlational design to test whether emotional labor and contagion are associated with work-related well-being. GFIs (n=180) completed anonymous online surveys. Methods and hypotheses were pre-registered. Analyses were conducted with structural equation modeling using a p<.05 significance threshold. As hypothesized, surface acting was associated with more emotional exhaustion (β=.51), less job satisfaction (β=-.22), and more turnover intention (β=.22). Partially supporting hypotheses, deep acting was linked to less turnover intention (β=-.27) and higher emotional contagion was associated with higher turnover intention (β=.50). These are the first findings to show in GFIs the association of emotional labor and contagion with these well-being outcomes. Findings extend research by identifying distinct strategies associated with exhaustion, satisfaction, and turnover intentions among GFIs. Results suggest that interventions should focus on the management of emotional demands. These may reduce emotional exhaustion and turnover intentions while supporting sustainable employment for GFIs, with positive implications for fitness professionals, organizations, and their clients.