Fitness coaching jobs offer the opportunity to make good money and stay active while you work. In these difficult economic times, jobs can be hard to find. However, with an aging population looking to stay active, and a increased interest in battling obesity, the demand for fitness and health trainers continues to increase. People want to stay healthy, age slowly, and remain in good physical condition. Many people realize that knowledgeable coaching is essential when pursuing their healthy lifestyle goals.
Becoming a Coach
To ensure success in the health and training field, there are some important considerations before you begin your career and look for fitness coaching jobs. Though the field is growing and plenty of opportunities exist, it is an extremely competitive industry. To have the best opportunity to succeed in the field, the following considerations are important:
* Be fit. No one wants to hire a trainer who is not in top shape. Your clients will look to you for inspiration.
* Get educated and certified. There are many schools where you can take courses and earn a degree. There are also several agencies that offer certification; two of the top certifications to consider are from NCSA and ACSM.
* When interviewing with an employer or meeting with a client, always be presentable. Dress the part, whether it is in attire for the gym or for the interview room.
Finding Fitness Coaching Jobs
There are two routes to take when deciding on a fitness coaching job. You can look for employment and work as an employee for a company. The other route to take is to start your own business. If you go the self-employment route, you should be aware that it will require far more work and responsibility than working for someone else. You need to worry about marketing, scheduling, taxes, and other administrative duties. These tasks and responsibilities often take up more time than you spend with clients. Working for yourself offers you the freedom to run your business in the manner you choose, but it is important to understand that it involves more time and effort than merely being an employee.
What Do You Do as a Coach?
As a health and exercise coach, you will evaluate, educate, motivate, and inspire people of all ages and abilities to improve and maintain their physical condition. You are part salesperson, part teacher, part friend, and part coach. You may teach classes or work with clients one-on-one. You can work in a gym or visit clients in their homes. Fitness coaching jobs come in all shapes and sizes; you can create your own job description.
Salary and Possibilities.
Fitness coaching jobs offer competitive salaries, room for advancement and growth, and the opportunity to work part-time. According to salary.com, the median salary for personal and health trainers ranges between $38,000 and $65,000 per year. The Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates that the field will grow by 29% over the next ten years. They also report that 40% of all personal trainers work part time while trainers who are self-employed earn more than those who work for businesses and facilities.
Fitness is a lucrative and dynamic field because demand is growing, salary potential is good, and opportunity for advancement is strong. Fitness coaching jobs are great for those with a strong entrepreneurial spirit and a desire to stay in peak physical condition. Considering this field for your career is one of the healthiest and smartest choices you can make.
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Fred Philips
Business Coach
Writing Team, Coaches Training Blog Community
Hi Fred ~ You must have a great passion for fitness coaching or maybe coaching in general. It certainly shows in your writing style. While I have a desire to stay fit and age more gracefully I don’t know that I necessarily have what it would take to be a fitness coach per se. Although quite frankly I found myself actively thinking about it as I read through your article.
Thanks for the inspiration.
Of course, if you want to apply as a fitness coach, then one of the most important qualities that you should have is to be physically fit. You won’t be an effective fitness coach if you wouldn’t start to yourself. And really, it’s a very good job since you get paid a lot.