By Jacob Robinson
Is a Career in Fitness Right for You?
If you thrive on being active, working in the fitness field may be an exciting and fulfilling path. You could be one of the lucky ones to turn your passion into a full-time career. To help you decide if it’s right for you, guest writer, Jacob, gives an honest account of the opportunities, benefits and challenges, and the sort of personal qualities required for this type of career.
Everyone’s idea of a perfect job is different, but for some people, one thing that would make their dream job complete is if it included a healthy lifestyle. After all, the fitness industry is thriving due to an increase in interest in health and fitness among people of all ages and backgrounds. Whether you dream of becoming a personal trainer or the owner of a gym, a career in fitness may be right for you. Find out more about the exciting career options in fitness below.
Variety
Working in the fitness industry offers a wide variety of career paths and employment opportunities, including health club management, personal training, nutrition counselling, coaching, group fitness instruction, and more. This means you have the potential to work in a field that aligns with your personal preferences, strengths, and skills, while also helping to increase participation in physical activity in your community.
Staying Active
Although not every fitness career requires physical activity, those who work in the fitness field often get the opportunity to be active on a day-to-day basis. This can be a great way to stay fit while pursuing your passion to help others improve their physical fitness and well-being. For example, if you work in a gym setting, you will often be required to lift weights and move heavy objects as part of your job. If you are a personal trainer, your activities may include weight training, and other exercises that are intended to promote cardiovascular conditioning and strengthen the body.
Working for Yourself
Though not all, many fitness careers are possible to run solo. That means that once you have been hired for a position in the industry, you can determine your own schedule, pick and choose your clients/customers, and set your own rates. However, running your own business also comes with risks.
For instance, you will need to have a source of income to pay for your expenses, such as rent or mortgage, insurance, food, utilities, etc., while there is no guarantee your business will succeed. You will also need to factor in the cost of equipment and other supplies needed to run your business. You will be responsible for all business tasks, such as accounting, marketing, market research, demand research, and more.
Being Patient
The fitness industry can be a competitive and challenging work environment. That means being patient with your career, your clients, and with their progress. You will have to be flexible in your approach and be able to adapt when faced with obstacles and setbacks. You will also need to be persistent and open to new learning opportunities to advance in your career.
Working with People
Working with people in the fitness industry requires you to be a good listener and have good communication skills. Personal trainers work with people daily, so you must be able to provide guidance and support to clients to help them achieve their fitness goals. You must be committed to your profession and passionate about the work you do. You should also be able to adapt to different situations and handle pressure in a professional manner. Developing these skills over time will provide you with the foundation you need to succeed in this field.
Educating Yourself
Depending on your career of focus, you will likely need to pursue additional education and training to become a professional in the field. Some careers in fitness require a degree, whereas others need a qualification from elsewhere – see for example courses for personal trainers. Ensuring that you have the skills and knowledge to perform your job to the best of your abilities can help you advance in your career.
About the author
Jacob Robinson is a freelance writer with over 5 years of experience in the industry. Born in Nottingham, United Kingdom, Jacob specialises in sports business and marketing, and takes his interest from his time at Manchester University studying sports management.
