1. Fitness- and Exercise-Related Careers
Chapter 12

2. Fitness- and Health-Related Careers
What are the responsibilities of a fitness or exercise specialist?
What are the opportunities available for someone pursuing a therapy-related career?
How does one increase their marketability for fitness-, health-, and therapy-related careers?

3. Program Areas Preventive programs Rehabilitative programs
Specialists work with healthy adults to increase their level of fitness.
Sites: Corporate fitness centers, commercial fitness centers, and community agencies (YMCA/YWCA)
Rehabilitative programs
Work with individuals who exhibit the effects of coronary heart disease focusing on attaining a functional state of living and an enhanced quality of life.
Sites: Hospitals, medical clinics or community agencies affiliated with corporate fitness centers.

4. Wellness Program Components
Fitness development and maintenance
Educational efforts
Health promotion
Lifestyle modification
Recreational sport opportunities

5. Program Aspects (Institute of Aerobics Research)
Medical screening
Fitness and lifestyle assessment
Goal setting
Supervised group programs
Educational classes
Motivation and reinforcement

6. Exercise Program Specialist Responsibilities
Direct program
Train and supervise staff
Budget responsibilities
Facility management
Marketing
Evaluation
Individual exercise prescriptions
Evaluate and counsel on lifestyle
Data collection and analysis

7. Worksite Health Programs
46% of all worksites offer programs
38% of small corporations
68% of large corporations
Potential to reach over 142 million adults
Convenient for employees
Offers peer and social support
Economic benefits to corporations
Reduced injury rates, lower workman’s compensation costs, and reduced health care costs
Enhancement of workplace morale, retaining employees

8. Core Programs Worksite Wellness
Back care and injury prevention
Exercise/Physical fitness
Stress management
Smoking control
Substance abuse
Weight management
Medical self-care
Consumer health education
Cholesterol reduction
Nutritional intervention
Select biometrics screening
Hypertension management

9. WELCOA Program Suggestions
Recognition and reward
Record-keeping
Balance between fun and clinically significant programs
Personalize the program
Voluntary participation
Continuous marketing
Sensitivity to individual differences
Frequent evaluation
Modeling of healthy behavior by staff

10. Commercial and Community Fitness Programs (IHRSA)
29,069 clubs
41.3 million members
18-34 years comprise 35% of membership
35-54 years comprise 33% of membership
Females make up the majority of membership
50% membership has income over $75,000/year
U.S. health club revenues $15.9 billion

11. Top Club Programs Program % Personal Training 94 Strength Training 85
Step/Bench Aerobics 90
Lo Impact Aerobics 83
Fitness Evaluation 89
High Impact Aerobics 77
Cardio Kickboxing or similar program 86
Group Cycling Class 70
Yoga

12. Personal Trainers Work in private and public settings:
Conducting fitness assessments.
Developing specific goals with clients.
Designing programs for goal attainment.
Coaching clients through workouts.
Monitoring progress of goals.
Growing use of the Internet, , and phone to hire personal trainers and report results for convenience.

13. Strength and Conditioning Professionals
“Assess, motivate, educate, and train athletes for the primary goal of improving sport performance.” (NSCA)
Competencies necessary in the areas of:
Scientific foundations of sport/exercise and nutrition
Exercise leadership and program design
Sport psychology to maximize performance
Risks of performance-enhancing substances

14. Rehabilitation Programs
Clinical exercise physiologists work mainly in hospitals and clinics.
Work closely with physicians to meet the needs of diverse clients.
To plan rehabilitation programs, they must be familiar with:
Medical aspects of clients disease or condition
Limitations faced by clients
Drugs commonly used to treat the disease/condition and their effects
Psychological aspects of exercise on the clients

15. Career Preparation Education Various certifications offered by:
Undergraduate and graduate education in exercise science, fitness and cardiac rehabilitation, etc.
Various certifications offered by:
ACSM
YMCA
AFAA
NSCA
Practical experience
Professional involvement

16. Athletic Training Prevention of Injuries Rehabilitation
Supervision of conditioning programs
Advising coaches and athletes
Assist with preseason physicals
Checking equipment and facilities for safety
Rehabilitation
Administers therapeutic treatments and monitors progress.
Motivate and encourage throughout recovery
Record-keeping of injury status and history of injury
Certification - NATA

17. Health and Weight-Management Clubs & Spas
Found at resorts, hotels, mineral springs, and cruise ships.
Are they only seeking your money?
Offer fitness activities, graded exercise tests, instruction in sport activities, exercise classes
Diet and nutritional counseling, stress management, massages
Growth of commercial diet centers focused on weight reduction.

18. Therapy-Related Careers
Dance therapy
Recreational therapy
Kinesiotherapy
Physical Therapy
Chiropractor
Prerequisites may be required prior to admission for advanced study
Volunteer hours may be required for program admission

19. Increasing Professional Marketability
Additional courses in health and related areas
Certification
ACSM, First Aid/CPR, NATA, NSCA
Build on one’s interests and strengths
Practical experience
Internships, fieldwork, and volunteering
Gain diverse experiences