It’s no secret that a career in fitness has the potential to be very profitable. After all, lots of people seek advice and want guidance during training sessions from these types of professionals to improve their overall health and fitness. The US Bureau of Labor Statistics even states that fitness careers, such as fitness instructors and exercise physiologists, can earn up to $76,000 annually.
So, if you’re a fitness enthusiast who would like to start a career in the industry, there are quite a number of professions you can pursue. Let’s take a look at some of the best ones:
Fitness Technology Engineering
Those who are interested in both fitness and the biomechanics may look to become a fitness tech engineer. One of their responsibilities is making products that make people’s lives easier, from gym-goers to professional athletes. Another is to conduct research on how current technologies influence a client’s overall fitness and recommend practical solutions.
A master’s degree in biomechanics or software engineering is preferred for this particular career. For example, New York University’s biomechanics program includes classes on Applied Biomechanics and Ergonomics Issues. This provides students with analytical skills for fitness-related problem-solving, and technical skills like mechanical design knowledge to create innovative products.
Exercise Physiology
People who want to become health professionals and have an interest in fitness tend to move towards being exercise physiologists. Exercise physiologists treat people (both healthy and those who experience chronic illnesses) through physical activity. They evaluate a client’s health and fitness, recommend an exercise routine fit to their needs, and keep an eye on their progress.
This career path requires a degree in kinesiology or more preferably, exercise science. Maryville University’s exercise science program contains more technical classes related to personal fitness, such as Exercise Physiology and Biomechanics. They will equip exercise physiologists with critical thinking skills to figure out the best treatment plan for their clients. They will also gain interpersonal skills to deal with difficult situations, such as how to help clients suffering with chronic pain. This career path sometimes leads into teaching as well at both a high school and college level.
Dietetics
Fitness enthusiasts with a passion for nutrition should consider a career in dietetics to become registered dietitians. They assess clients’ nutritional needs, provide nutrition consulting, develop meal plans, and evaluate their effects on the client.
A bachelor’s degree in dietetics is required to become a registered dietitian. The University of Florida offers a dietetics program complete with classes like Principles of Macroeconomics and Food Systems Management. Students will learn decision-making skills that will help them advise their future clients. They will also gain social perception skills so that they are aware and understand their clients’ reactions since food is a sensitive topic at times.
Health Club Management
For graduates that want to oversee a business while maintaining a career in the fitness industry, being a health club manager is a great career path. They plan, coordinate, and supervise health care facilities. They are in charge of the way it is run — from leasing or buying a space to hiring staff.
A master’s degree in public health or management is generally required to become a health club manager. Northeastern Illinois University has a management program that offers Logistics Management and Operations Management classes. Through this, future health club managers will need to be very organized and know how to delegate roles to instruct staff, and help mentor health club employees.
Athletic Trainer
Fitness enthusiasts that are looking to be actively in sports can work towards becoming athletic trainers. They work with athletes of all kinds to prevent, diagnose, and treat injuries and illnesses. An athletic trainer can instruct athletes to do certain exercises, like those mentioned in our article The Big 4 Exercises for Football Development.
A degree in athletic training or exercise science is a must for this particular career path. Ithaca College’s athletic training major includes classes in Acute Care and Emergency Management. These will provide students with the ability to perform in high-stress situations to treat people with injuries and observation skills to determine the problem and what needs to be done to address it.
As a fitness enthusiast, a career in fitness is both fulfilling and lucrative. Hopefully, these five career paths can inspire you to take up a job in the fitness industry and provide you with the initial direction you need to do further research in your chosen area.
Article written by: Rosey Jamison
