A look at some of the most common careers one can expect with an exercise science degree
Fitness Instructor/Trainer
Becoming a fitness trainer/instructor is one of the most common careers that students take after earning their degree. Fitness trainers and instructors lead, instruct, and motivate individuals or groups in exercise activities, including cardiovascular exercise (exercises for the heart and blood system), strength training, and stretching. They work with people of all ages and skill levels.
One of the most appealing perks included in this type of career is the variety of the work. Fitness instructors can be employed in health clubs, fitness or recreation centers, gyms, country clubs, hospitals, universities, yoga and Pilates studios, resorts, and even clients' homes.
Here are some different designations when it comes to fitness instructors:
Personal fitness trainers work with a single client or a small group. They may train in a gym or in the clients’ homes. Personal fitness trainers assess the clients’ level of physical fitness and help them set and reach their fitness goals.
Group fitness instructors organize and lead group exercise sessions, which can include aerobic exercise, stretching, muscle conditioning, or meditation. Some classes are set to music. In these classes, instructors may select the music and choreograph an exercise sequence.
Specialized fitness instructors teach popular conditioning methods such as Pilates or yoga. In these classes, instructors show the different moves and positions of the particular method. They also watch students and correct those who are doing the exercises improperly.
Fitness directors oversee the fitness-related aspects of a gym or other type of health club. They often handle administrative duties, such as scheduling personal training sessions for clients or creating workout incentive programs. They often select and order fitness equipment for their facility.
It is important to note that almost no matter where you are employed as an instructor, some level of salesmanship is required. Your success, and income, will often be determined on how many clients you can bring in to sign up for your programs. This holds true whether you are employed by a commercial gym, and especially when in business for yourself.
Many places of employment also require certifications to become an instructor. One that is universally required is the CPR certification. Other certifications depend on what exactly you are instructing, but one of the most common ones is the Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) certification that is awarded by the National Academy of Sports Medicine, through an exam.
One of the most appealing perks included in this type of career is the variety of the work. Fitness instructors can be employed in health clubs, fitness or recreation centers, gyms, country clubs, hospitals, universities, yoga and Pilates studios, resorts, and even clients' homes.
Here are some different designations when it comes to fitness instructors:
Personal fitness trainers work with a single client or a small group. They may train in a gym or in the clients’ homes. Personal fitness trainers assess the clients’ level of physical fitness and help them set and reach their fitness goals.
Group fitness instructors organize and lead group exercise sessions, which can include aerobic exercise, stretching, muscle conditioning, or meditation. Some classes are set to music. In these classes, instructors may select the music and choreograph an exercise sequence.
Specialized fitness instructors teach popular conditioning methods such as Pilates or yoga. In these classes, instructors show the different moves and positions of the particular method. They also watch students and correct those who are doing the exercises improperly.
Fitness directors oversee the fitness-related aspects of a gym or other type of health club. They often handle administrative duties, such as scheduling personal training sessions for clients or creating workout incentive programs. They often select and order fitness equipment for their facility.
It is important to note that almost no matter where you are employed as an instructor, some level of salesmanship is required. Your success, and income, will often be determined on how many clients you can bring in to sign up for your programs. This holds true whether you are employed by a commercial gym, and especially when in business for yourself.
Many places of employment also require certifications to become an instructor. One that is universally required is the CPR certification. Other certifications depend on what exactly you are instructing, but one of the most common ones is the Certified Personal Trainer (CPT) certification that is awarded by the National Academy of Sports Medicine, through an exam.
Strength and Conditioning Coach
Another possible career path that you can take with an exercise science degree is that of a strength and conditioning coach. This is where it would be helpful to carefully choose which designation you want to specialize in, as it would be more helpful to specialize in the strength and conditioning designation, rather than something like the pre-professional.
Like personal trainers and group exercise instructors, strength and conditioning coaches help others to improve their fitness. But strength and conditioning coaches differ from the others in one very important way—the clients they work with are focused on improving their performance or skill in a sport. This is why strength and conditioning coaches work primarily with athletes.
Advances in the science behind human performance have made strength and conditioning coaches necessary on practically every high-level sports team. Most strength and conditioning coaches aspire to work at the college or professional level, as this is where your job is the most crucial, and therefore the most compensated.
Strength and Conditioning Coaches have two main duties when they are working with a team. The first, and the most obvious, is to improve athletic performance, which can be done by improving an athlete's speed, power, and strength. This can be done by putting athletes on specific weightlifting programs, or training them in certain exercises and techniques. The second primary duty is to reduce athletic injuries. This is why conditioning coaches often design regimens that strengthen body parts that are prone to injury in that particular sport.
A requirement for employment in this career is a CSCS (Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist) certification, offered by the National Strength and Conditioning Association
Like personal trainers and group exercise instructors, strength and conditioning coaches help others to improve their fitness. But strength and conditioning coaches differ from the others in one very important way—the clients they work with are focused on improving their performance or skill in a sport. This is why strength and conditioning coaches work primarily with athletes.
Advances in the science behind human performance have made strength and conditioning coaches necessary on practically every high-level sports team. Most strength and conditioning coaches aspire to work at the college or professional level, as this is where your job is the most crucial, and therefore the most compensated.
Strength and Conditioning Coaches have two main duties when they are working with a team. The first, and the most obvious, is to improve athletic performance, which can be done by improving an athlete's speed, power, and strength. This can be done by putting athletes on specific weightlifting programs, or training them in certain exercises and techniques. The second primary duty is to reduce athletic injuries. This is why conditioning coaches often design regimens that strengthen body parts that are prone to injury in that particular sport.
A requirement for employment in this career is a CSCS (Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist) certification, offered by the National Strength and Conditioning Association
Exercise Physiologist
Exercise physiologists sort of takes personal training to a different level. They oversee the analysis, improvement, and maintenance of health and fitness; rehabilitation of heart disease and other chronic diseases and disabilities; and the professional guidance and counsel of athletes and others interested in sports training. They see exercise as a "medicine" that they carefully administer with supervision of the patient, all while taking into account the specific limitations of the patient, in order to provide care that improves their condition. While just about anyone can call themselves a “personal trainer,” an exercise physiologist is a health care professional who has completed a degree in exercise physiology and/or has been certified by the American Society of Exercise Physiologists (ASEP).
A certified exercise physiologist (EPC) is trained to:
Exercise Physiologists can work anywhere that a personal trainer can, as well as being able to work rehabilitation programs and hospitals. Doctors often refer their patients to these professionals in order to promote a more healthy lifestyle through exercise. However, some places of employment require a masters degree in this area of study.
A certified exercise physiologist (EPC) is trained to:
- Administer exercise stress tests in healthy and unhealthy populations
- Evaluate a person’s overall health, with special attention to cardiovascular function and metabolism
- Develop individualized exercise prescriptions to increase physical fitness, strength, endurance, and flexibility
- Design customized exercise programs to meet health care needs and athletic performance goals
Exercise Physiologists can work anywhere that a personal trainer can, as well as being able to work rehabilitation programs and hospitals. Doctors often refer their patients to these professionals in order to promote a more healthy lifestyle through exercise. However, some places of employment require a masters degree in this area of study.