The Future Of Personal Training

In a weight-obsessed culture, it's easy to think that personal training can make for a stable and long-lasting career. But without weighing the options and considering the future of personal training, it's impossible to make an informed decision based on what personal training will be like in the future. Looking at possible job prospects and projections for the next few years can give you a better idea of the fate of personal training, personal trainers and their clients.

Job Outlook

The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics pins high hopes on the industry of personal trainers and fitness workers in general. As the baby boomer population begins to age, a greater emphasis is placed on keeping older adults healthy. This can create a greater demand for personal trainers, who can help direct and facilitate physical activities for those concerned about their physical health. In fact, the BLS predicts that personal trainer employment will increase 29 percent in the 2008 to 2018 decade.

Health Care

Changes in health care can sometimes push toward preventive care over clinical care for patients. Because of this, health care costs can be reduced through insurance companies and corporate businesses offering health club memberships and personal trainer reimbursements for their members to stay healthy. Health care that focuses on preventive measures is a boon to personal trainers, as insurance companies and doctors look to health support workers to help keep patients healthy to lower costs.

Prospects

Personal training is typically more popular as a part-time job, so if you're willing to work for less hours, you may be able to find more work in the future. Gyms, health clubs and offices may be more willing to work with trainers on a part-time contractor basis, rather than hiring full-time trainers to be on staff. Of course, as a trainer, you have the option to be self-employed and work the number of hours you want. You may find that, in the future, you'll be more successful as a contractor for a variety of businesses than an employee of just one.

Innovation and Education

The personal training business changes as new exercise physiology, products and methods emerge. Consider the rise in the popularity of a type of exercise like Pilates. As Pilates grew in popularity, new trainers who were educated in the technique emerged to high demand. By keeping a close eye on emerging trends in exercise, you can ensure that you're up-to-date with your education and certification to make yourself a valuable commodity in training. As "SmartMoney" points out, 70 personal training certification associations exist, so you must separate yourself from the pack by offering more to your clients in the future.