6 Careers Work Out for a Living
If all of those hours at the gym have you interested in working in the health and fitness field, get ready to work out your brain muscles. Most positions in the industry require some sort of schooling and/or certification or licensing, but ultimately, they put you in great career shape. Here are a few career work outs to consider.
The Skinny – To be a successful personal trainer, you should first seek certification from credible organizations and associations such as the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), American Council on Exercise (ACE) or National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA). Because the exams tend to be challenging, it’s a good idea to look into personal training courses to get you pumped up to pass.
Work It Tip – Personal trainers must have strong customer service and communications skills to go along with their fitness knowledge so they can attract and retain clients.
Health -Wellness Coach
The Skinny – The American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) has a Health Fitness Specialist certification, which qualifies you to work with people who have special exercise restrictions or dietary needs based on their medical conditions. To sit for the exam, an associate degree is required.
Work It Tip – Similar to personal trainers, health and wellness coaches must get to know their clients’ needs in order to help them with their fitness and health goals. Each person will likely have a unique exercise and nutrition plan, so it’s important to communicate effectively.
Physical Therapist
The Skinny – The American Physical Therapy Association’s accrediting body, called the Commission on Accreditation of Physical Therapy Education (CAPTE), accredits over 200 physical therapy programs across the country. After completing a program of study, check with your state’s licensing requirements to practice.
Work It Tip – Physical therapists are really health care providers, but often, athletes are their biggest clients.Therapy sessions in many ways are like workouts, and it’s up to the physical therapist to get patients back in tip-top shape.
Group Exercise Instructor
The Skinny – Most fitness facilities will not hire exercise instructors unless they obtain a certification. Some types of workouts like Zumba or Pilates may even have their own specific certification, so be sure to look into what’s required to work at the major gyms in your area.
Work It Tip – As the name implies, group exercise instructors lead workout classes in gyms and fitness facilities. As such, they must be able to choreograph routines to music, and understand how to properly warm up and cool down the class, while keeping up a pace that suits them. It also helps to be a good motivator and be able to project your voice.
Fitness Director
The Skinny – While there is no specific certification to become a fitness director (you’ll likely have to work your way up, it might be a good idea to take some business courses and or other skills courses related to the fitness industry.
Work It Tip – Fitness directors basically oversee the daily operations of a gym or fitness club. They coordinate class and personal training schedules, order and maintain equipment, supervise staff, and more. As such, basic customer service and business skills are a must.
Athletic Trainer
The Skinny – In order to become an athletic trainer, an individual must complete an entry-level athletic training education program accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education (CAATE). Once that’s completed, he or she must pass the BOC (Board of Certification) exam.
Work It Tip – Athletic trainers are really on-the-field medical personnel. They are on hand to treat game time injuries, and under the direction of a licensed physician, they run a fitness program to prevent injuries.
