Jobs in Fitness: Health Fitness Careers

Do you enjoy personal fitness, working with others, and physical activity? A career in fitness may be right for you, even if you don't have a degree. Aside from personal training and the standard gym jobs, health fitness careers include coaching sports and conducting fitness courses.

Working in Fitness

Although we usually think of jobs in fitness as "gym jobs," services are also provided in homes, country clubs, health clubs, hospitals, hotels, studios, recreation centers, resorts, spas and universities.
 
An outgoing personality and strong communication and interpersonal skills are helpful for most health fitness jobs. To attract clients, strong marketing skills are often also important. With plenty of physical demands, these jobs often require you to have flawless personal fitness. Music, dance and teaching experience may be beneficial if you'll be planning group exercise classes.

Jobs in Fitness

There are many opportunities available in the fitness industry. Some common jobs involve training clients in:
  • Aerobics: Stretching and strength-building rhythmic exercise
  • Aquatics: Water sports, like water aerobics
  • Athletic Training: Preventing and treating sports injuries
  • Kickboxing: Flexibility, stamina and strength training
  • Martial Arts Training: Aikido, karate, kung fu and judo
  • Personal Training: One-on-one exercise sessions
  • Pilates: Exercise dealing with breath and spinal alignment
  • Sports Coaching: Physical and mental athletic conditioning
  • Tai Chi and Yoga: Balance, strength building and stretching.
 

Facts and Figures

Health club memberships have grown steadily over the last decade in America. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, there were about 235,000 fitness jobs in 2006, with median salaries ranging from $18,010 to $41,040. About 8 percent of these workers were self-employed, and many held additional jobs.
 
The Bureau expects a 27 percent increase for jobs in fitness between 2006 and 2016. With an aging population, officials specifically anticipate higher demand for low-impact exercise (such as Pilates, tai chi and yoga).

Education, Training and Work Experience

On-the-job training is rare for health fitness jobs, and certification is often crucial for personal trainers. Most certifications are valid for two years. Continuing education classes (CEC) permit recertification. To ensure that a certifying organization is reputable, make sure they're accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies. Instructors may begin without certification, but employers will often expect it later. CPR and first aid certifications are also frequently required.
 
Training requirements for instructional jobs in fitness vary. Training options for Pilates and yoga instructors range from weekend-long workshops to two-year programs. Other careers may require more extensive training. You may find associate's degree or certificate programs at your local vocational school or community college. This level of education will typically suffice, although employers may require four-year degrees in certain fitness areas.

Related Associations and Groups

If you are interested in breaking into the fitness industry, these groups may be able to offer guidance on the best way to get the fitness career you want:
  • American College of Sports Medicine
  • American Council on Exercise
  • Idea Health and Fitness Association
  • National Academy of Sports Medicine
  • National Commission for Certifying Agencies
  • National Strength and Conditioning Association
  • NSCA Certification Commission (for personal trainers)
  • Pilates Method Alliance
  • Yoga Alliance.
 
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