Exercise & Wellness Careers

Exercise & Wellness Careers
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If you have a passion for health and wellness, sharing your interest can enrich the lives of others as well. College majors in kinesiology or exercise science can teach skills for exercise and wellness careers but may not be required to obtain certifications. The Bureau of Labor Statistics states that most fitness workers work part time but may work for multiple facilities to create full-time income. The job outlook for fitness careers is expected to be better than average, which is encouraging news if you wish to pursue this field.

Personal Trainer

Personal trainers work one on one to help people learn how to develop and implement an exercise routine. Personal trainers consider individual weight loss and conditioning needs, fitness capacity and overall health in creating customized exercise programs. Personal trainers may work for health clubs, medical facilities, corporations or as independent consultants.

Exercise Instructor

Group exercise instructors lead classes in cardiovascular exercises, including regular and step aerobics, water aerobics, kickboxing and weight training. Instructors also teach exercises that combine mind and body techniques, such as yoga, Pilates, Tai chi and karate. Instructors may be certified by the disciplines they teach.

Nutrition Counselor

Diet and nutrition are key components of wellness, which people may combine with exercise for optimum results. Nutrition counselors can help people to improve their eating habits by analyzing the foods eaten and suggesting healthier alternatives. Although the American Dietetic Association licenses programs to train professional nutritionists, you can offer nutrition counseling without this certification as long as you do not use the "dietitian" title.

Sports Coach

Team sports typically require coaches to train and motivate the players. You may use your interest in exercise and wellness as a coach or athletic director for a high school or college sports team.

References

Article reviewed by Jeannette Belliveau Last updated on: Jun 14, 2011

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