Fun and Fitness: Looking for a job in fitness?
WANTED: Qualified Fitness
Staff!Where? Every fitness centre.
What jobs are available? This
week, I will give you a list of common
careers or jobs in the fitness
industry, a brief explanation of
each and the credentials required
(however this varies at each workplace
due to a lack of government
regulations or registration
required). I will start from entry
level and work up from there:
1. Fitness Instructor: You may teach freestyle classes; teach specific programs such as MOSSA/Body Training Systems, Les Mills, Tae Bo, Stott Pilates; or have certifications and classes using specific equipment like TRX, Kettlebells, ViPR, etc. At minimum you need to possess a certification for the style you teach that you obtain from an accredited source such as YMCA, OFC, Twist, TRX, Can-Fit-Pro, etc. These usually involve a weekend course along with practical training and a practical evaluation.
2. Membership Sales/Service: In addition to selling memberships, you may also promote and sell other products as well as services your club offers. You may be convincing members to buy personal training packages. You may also be leading members on tours, discussing payment options and handling member concerns. At minimum you need to have experience in customer service; however courses in sales, marketing, customer service training and a basic knowledge or passion for fitness will help.
3. Personal Trainer: You physically train clients during their workout, provide them with assessments and results, coach them on wellness choices and counsel them on healthy living. You may also be required to recruit clients and market your training program. These jobs are available at fitness centres, with sports teams, private studios and in home. At minimum you need a certification from an accredited source such as YMCA, CPTN, CSEP (with diploma or degree in related field only), ACE, Can-Fit- Pro. These courses may be 25 to 50 hours in length and will require practical training and assessment.
4. Fitness Floor Supervisor/ Staff: You may help members with daily workout needs, conduct equipment orientations, provide basic training programs for participants to do on their own, post wellness information, clean and maintain equipment, promote wellness events and fitness classes. You may also supervise other floor staff and personal trainers. At minimum you may need the same certification listed for a personal trainer, but depending on your club requirements you may also need a diploma or degree in related field.
5. Program Director/Manager or Senior Fitness Trainer: You typically oversee fitness instructors, personal trainers, programs such as leagues, wellness fairs, incentive challenges, clinics, seminars, etc. This person will also likely be required to perform all duties listed above. At minimum you need the above required certifications, two to five years' supervisory experience and college diploma or degree in related field.
6. General Manager/Club Owner/Area Account Manager: You typically oversee the operation as a whole, manage budgets, manage policies and procedures, develop and maintain community relationships, manage strategic or annual business plan, actively work to increase revenue. At minimum you need to have two to five years' supervisory experience, courses or degree or diploma in Business, passion for fitness or taken basic courses in fitness, experience with financial management, and experience with business planning and facility management.
Karen Nixon-Carroll is the Program Manager at Fitness 101, Fanshawe College Professor, YMCA fitness course trainer and examiner, Fanshawe FHP grad and holds many fitness certifications for personal training, group fitness and wellness. Email her at karen.carroll@fanshawec.ca.
1. Fitness Instructor: You may teach freestyle classes; teach specific programs such as MOSSA/Body Training Systems, Les Mills, Tae Bo, Stott Pilates; or have certifications and classes using specific equipment like TRX, Kettlebells, ViPR, etc. At minimum you need to possess a certification for the style you teach that you obtain from an accredited source such as YMCA, OFC, Twist, TRX, Can-Fit-Pro, etc. These usually involve a weekend course along with practical training and a practical evaluation.
2. Membership Sales/Service: In addition to selling memberships, you may also promote and sell other products as well as services your club offers. You may be convincing members to buy personal training packages. You may also be leading members on tours, discussing payment options and handling member concerns. At minimum you need to have experience in customer service; however courses in sales, marketing, customer service training and a basic knowledge or passion for fitness will help.
3. Personal Trainer: You physically train clients during their workout, provide them with assessments and results, coach them on wellness choices and counsel them on healthy living. You may also be required to recruit clients and market your training program. These jobs are available at fitness centres, with sports teams, private studios and in home. At minimum you need a certification from an accredited source such as YMCA, CPTN, CSEP (with diploma or degree in related field only), ACE, Can-Fit- Pro. These courses may be 25 to 50 hours in length and will require practical training and assessment.
4. Fitness Floor Supervisor/ Staff: You may help members with daily workout needs, conduct equipment orientations, provide basic training programs for participants to do on their own, post wellness information, clean and maintain equipment, promote wellness events and fitness classes. You may also supervise other floor staff and personal trainers. At minimum you may need the same certification listed for a personal trainer, but depending on your club requirements you may also need a diploma or degree in related field.
5. Program Director/Manager or Senior Fitness Trainer: You typically oversee fitness instructors, personal trainers, programs such as leagues, wellness fairs, incentive challenges, clinics, seminars, etc. This person will also likely be required to perform all duties listed above. At minimum you need the above required certifications, two to five years' supervisory experience and college diploma or degree in related field.
6. General Manager/Club Owner/Area Account Manager: You typically oversee the operation as a whole, manage budgets, manage policies and procedures, develop and maintain community relationships, manage strategic or annual business plan, actively work to increase revenue. At minimum you need to have two to five years' supervisory experience, courses or degree or diploma in Business, passion for fitness or taken basic courses in fitness, experience with financial management, and experience with business planning and facility management.
Karen Nixon-Carroll is the Program Manager at Fitness 101, Fanshawe College Professor, YMCA fitness course trainer and examiner, Fanshawe FHP grad and holds many fitness certifications for personal training, group fitness and wellness. Email her at karen.carroll@fanshawec.ca.
