Demand for Fitness Workers on the Rise

Fighting Obesity, Living Healthy, Helping Others:
Online Degree Programs Unique Option

The U.S. continues its campaign against obesity and other health concerns, and the Department of Health and Human Services has recently issued its first-ever physical activity guidelines. Meanwhile, many Americans are addressing the issues personally: More than 41.5 million belonged to health clubs last year, according to an industry association.

This growing interest has spurred demand for professionals who can guide the young and old, non-athletes, athletes, people recovering from injuries, and others on their paths to wellness and peak physical condition. The Bureau of Labor Statistics says employment for fitness workers should increase 27 percent through 2016, a rate that is much faster than other occupations.

“The time is right for fitness enthusiasts who hope to turn a passion into an exercise science or sports medicine career,” says Brian Freeland, sports and health sciences academic program manager for American Public University System (APUS). APUS is a distance learning institution that offers more than 70 online undergraduate and graduate degree programs.

“The challenge comes with zeroing in on the field that’s best for you,” says Freeland.

Defining the Careers
The first step to choosing your career path is to understand the various fields. Exercise science relates to promoting the benefits of exercise, fitness, and physical activity. Exercise scientists help people optimize their physical and mental health abilities. Sports medicine focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of sports-related injuries and diseases as well as prevention and management. It usually requires specialized education beyond a bachelor’s degree. Exercise scientists often work in the field of sports medicine.

Exercise scientists may work as:

Sports medicine professionals work in such areas as:

The professors in APUS’s program work in the fields of exercise science and sports medicine, in addition to teaching.

 “These kinds of professors can pull real-world situations in to the classroom,” he says.

Freeland advises choosing a degree program that offers a core set of courses that are applicable to the industry – and that offer a basis for specialized certification. For example, at APUS, exercise science and pre-sports medicine concentrations have courses that are transferable to universities that offer physical therapy and athletic training certification.

Specialized certifications can be beneficial to your career, and may even be required for employment after you complete your degree. For example, the National Strength and Conditioning Association offers a certified strength and conditioning specialist (CSCS) and certified personal trainer programs. The CSCS is usually required for those who want to pursue strength and conditioning coaching positions at the high school, college, and professional levels. APUS students receive discounts for preparation materials and examination fees for these certifications.

The American College of Sports Medicine, the American Council on Exercise and other organizations also offer certifications. 

And, if a future employer does not require certifications, Freeland suggests you pursue them anyway.

“You need to prove your knowledge and skills to gain the best positions,” says Freeland. “Take advantage of any opportunities to set you apart, and above.”

Resources
These links provide additional information regarding careers in exercise science and sports medicine:

• American College of Sports Medicine
• American Council on Exercise
• IDEA Health and Fitness Association
• National Academy of Sports Medicine
• National Strength and Conditioning Association