The health and fitness industry has seen steady growth in the United States in recent decades. The sheer breadth of the field provides many opportunities for people to find work. Many organizations around the country have been accredited and can provide specialist certifications for a variety of careers.
Resistance Training Specialist
Resistance training specialists are professionals who focus on using resistance training to enhance the clients' fitness. Resistance training, also known as strength training, provides extra resistance to muscular contraction. These professionals may employ a variety of resistance types in their training, including gravitational, elastic, friction and fluid resistance.
Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
Certified strength and conditioning specialists focus on training athletes and improving athletic performance. These professionals conduct sport-specific testing sessions. They design and implement strength training and conditioning programs and provide guidance on nutrition and injury prevention. Strength and conditioning specialists generally work with collegiate or professional athletes.
Certified Nutrition Specialist
Certified nutrition specialists are certified through the Certification Board for Nutrition Specialists. These professionals are highly knowledgeable and must have an advanced degree, the board's website explains. These specialists tend to work in clinical settings. Many physicians who are interested in nutrition receive this certification in order to be able to provide nutritional consultations to their patients.
Advanced Health and Fitness Specialist
Advanced health and fitness specialists are certified through the American Council of Exercise, and have a wide range of career opportunities. They can work as personal trainers, rehabilitation specialist and pre- and post-natal exercise programmers among many other options. ACE is one of the best-known certification agencies in the United States and is recognized throughout the health and fitness industry.
References
- "The American Journal Of Clinical Nutrition"; Clinical nutrition education --- relevance and role models; C.H. Halsted; February 1998
- "The American Journal Of Clinical Nutrition"; Training and certifying Physician Nutrition Specialists: the American Board of Physician Nutrition Specialists; Douglas C. Heimburger; April 2006
- American Council on Exercise: Advanced Health & Fitness Specialist
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