1. Chapter 13 Careers in Health and Fitness
Sandra Minor Bulmer and Jeremy Howell
Chapter 13 Careers in Health and Fitness

2. Figure 13.1
Chapter 13 - Hoffman (2005)

3. Professions in Health and Fitness
Group fitness instructor
Health and fitness specialist
Wellness coach
Personal trainer
Health and fitness director
Specialist positions
Public health educator
Clinical exercise physiologist
Registered dietitian
Others
Chapter 13 - Hoffman (2005)

4. Expanding Scope of Health and Fitness Profession
The core goal of these professions is to improve physical functioning and physical health of individuals and communities.
This improvement is based on a multifaceted view of health and fitness, including physical, intellectual, emotional, social, and spiritual dimensions.
Chapter 13 - Hoffman (2005)

5. Health and Fitness Settings
Worksite
Commercial
Clinical
Community
Recently, the lines between these settings have blurred, resulting in expanded job descriptions and a greater number of positions.
Chapter 13 - Hoffman (2005)

6. Employee Health and Fitness Programs
Employers have found that health and fitness programs reduce health care costs, increase productivity and morale, decrease absenteeism, and improve their corporate image.
Chapter 13 - Hoffman (2005)

7. Group Exercise Instructor
Leader of aerobic exercise classes, outdoor activities, aquatic fitness classes, exercise classes for specific populations (older adults, pregnant women, children)
Degree in kinesiology or another health- and fitness-related discipline recommended
Competent with current exercise trends (for example, Pilates, yoga, tai chi)
(continued)
Chapter 13 - Hoffman (2005)

8. Group Exercise Instructor (continued)
Certified: ACSM exercise leader or ACE group fitness instructor
Needs to be knowledgeable and dynamic, have excellent leadership skills, and enjoy working with people in a group setting

9. Fitness Instructor Works with apparently healthy adults
Conducts fitness assessments, designs individualized exercise programs
Has bachelor’s degree in kinesiology or another health- and fitness-related discipline recommended
Able to excite people to become and stay physically active
Chapter 13 - Hoffman (2005)

10. Health and Fitness Specialist
Requires degree in kinesiology or another health- and fitness-related discipline
Conducts fitness and functional assessments, designs comprehensive individualized exercise programs that incorporate strength, flexibility, and aerobic fitness components and maximize safety and long-term results
Works with specialized populations (such as elderly, children, adolescents)
Chapter 13 - Hoffman (2005)

11. Wellness Coach Relatively new career option
Requires minimum of bachelor’s degree in kinesiology or another health- and fitness-related discipline
Helps others change their lifestyle to move toward a state of optimal health by focusing on behavior change, stress management, relaxation techniques, time management, smoking cessation, weight management, and exercise prescription
Chapter 13 - Hoffman (2005)

12. Personal Trainer
Bachelor’s or master’s degree in kinesiology or another health- and fitness-related discipline
Certified and experienced; may specialize with certain populations
Able to continually present new and exciting ways to keep clients on track, interested, motivated, and excited about making changes and maintaining new health behaviors as part of their lifestyle
(continued)
Chapter 13 - Hoffman (2005)

13. Personal Trainer (continued)
Understands weight management, stress management, physical fitness, sport conditioning
Works independently or is employed at a facility
Business savvy
“Counselor”
Aesthetic or performance objectives
Chapter 13 - Hoffman (2005)

14. Health and Fitness Director
Bachelor’s degree in kinesiology; may require graduate degree
Experience as health and fitness counselor or personal trainer
ACSM health or fitness director
Visionary who keeps current with the field of health and fitness and a mentor who supports staff members in moving toward individual goals and aspirations
(continued)
Chapter 13 - Hoffman (2005)

15. Health and Fitness Director (continued)
Manages facility’s services and programs
May supervise team of managers
Hires, trains, and provides support for staff
Does business planning, establishes budgets and renovations, selects equipment, designs and markets programs, forecasts trends
Chapter 13 - Hoffman (2005)

16. Specialist Positions
Sport coach, athletic trainer, health educator, clinical exercise physiologist, physical therapist, registered dietitian, population specialist, public health educator (see chapter 14 for additional information)
Graduate-level studies; bachelor’s degree in kinesiology or another health- and fitness-related discipline
Many require certifications, licensure
Client base with medical conditions; registered dietitian and ACSM exercise specialist
Chapter 13 - Hoffman (2005)

17. Marketplace Trends and Opportunities
Multidimensional model of wellness
Health care reform
Demographics
Chapter 13 - Hoffman (2005)

18. Multidimensional Model of Wellness
Physical
Intellectual
Emotional
Social
Spiritual
Health and fitness professionals integrate exercise and physical fitness into a broader definition of health.
Chapter 13 - Hoffman (2005)

19. Physical Activity and Health Care Reform
Physical activity is being viewed increasingly as an integral component of the nation’s health care delivery system.
Recognition that prevention is as critical as treatment.
(continued)
Chapter 13 - Hoffman (2005)

20. Physical Activity and Health Care Reform (continued)
Focus on health promotion and prevention to help reduce illness and injury and reduce the rising costs of health care.
Developing and implementing effective outcome-driven programs focused on a healthy lifestyle approach diet will be the key to successful reform.

21. Demographics Aging of American society Increasingly diverse nation
The number of people over age 85 is expected to more than triple by 2050, from 5.4 million in 2008 to 9 million in 2030 to 19 million in 2050.
This will challenge our definition of physical activity as it relates to sport, competition, adventure, movement, pleasure, and health.
Increasingly diverse nation
Chapter 13 - Hoffman (2005)

22. Rise of Non-Communicable Disease
Evidence shows that cardiovascular diseases, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes are the world's biggest killers, causing an estimated 36 million deaths each year—63% of all deaths globally.

23. Certification and Continuing Education
Minimum criteria must be met to be hired and maintain your position in the health and fitness professions.
Several certification organizations can assist with this process.
American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)
Cooper Institute (CI)
American Council on Exercise (ACE)
Chapter 13 - Hoffman (2005)

24. Advice for Health and Fitness Students
Earn a combined degree in kinesiology plus another discipline (health, psychology).
Seek practical experience through practicum opportunities and internships.
Attend workshops and obtain certifications through NSCA, ACSM, ACE, CI.
Stay current: Read health and fitness journals and industry publications.
Maximize your marketability with your choice of elective courses.
Chapter 13 - Hoffman (2005)

25. Health and Fitness
The world of health and fitness is ever changing, making this profession dynamic and exciting.
Pay attention to the trends and tailor your degree to meet your individual career goals.
Chapter 13 - Hoffman (2005)