When considering a career in fitness, pursuing additional education and certification can help you advance your career. From internet courses to collegiate classes, continuing your education could help you become a general manager, athletic trainer, exercise specialist or more. Knowing where and how to find these opportunities will help you do this.
Fitness Certification
Certification to work as a fitness instructor, personal trainer or group fitness instructor can prove you are well-versed about body mechanics and anatomy and that you can create a fitness program. Certifications often can be obtained online or from in-person workshops. Examples of certification programs include the ACSM Exercise Specialist, ACSM Registered Clinical Exercise Physiologist, American Academy of Health, Fitness and Rehabilitation Professionals, Medical Exercise Specialist or ACE Clinical Exercise Specialist. Carefully review the certifying body's requirements in order to ensure the organization is reputable.
Bachelor's in Exercise Science
Take your fitness certification to the next level with an undergraduate degree in exercise science. This degree can help you pursue additional opportunities such as athletic trainer. A bachelor's degree in exercise science can also help you pursue a career as a cardiopulmonary rehabilitation specialist, occupational physiologist or exercise physiologist. Another related undergraduate degree that allows you to continue your fitness education includes a physical education degree.
Online Courses and Workshops
Continue your fitness education beyond certification by earning continuing education credits from organizations that offer fitness certifications. Continuing education credits include online courses for specialized certifications including "Exercise for Special Populations" and "Understanding and Motivating Midlife and Older Adults," according to the American Council on Exercise. Not only do these credits help you learn, hospital, health clubs, universities or other organizations may require you obtain continuing education credits as part of your employment.
Graduate Degree
A graduate degree in exercise science or a related field is considered the "gold standard" for continuing education in the health and fitness field. While courses and concentrations may vary from university to university, earning a master's degree allows you to obtain advanced instruction in courses such as performance nutrition, sport psychology, advanced exercise physiology and anatomy and physiology. Fields that require a master's degree include biomechanist, sports medicine specialist, athletic director and sports medicine specialist, among others.
References
- Idea Fit: Building the Bridge: A Career in Medical Fitness
- American College of Sports Medicine: Careers in Sports and Exercise Science
- United States Department of Labor: Fitness Workers
- Texas Wesleyan University: Careers in Exercise Science
- American Council on Exercise: Continuing Education Center
- University of Mary Hardin-Baylor: Exercise and Sport Science
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