1. Fitness- and Exercise-Related Careers
Chapter 13
Fitness- and Exercise-Related Careers
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2. Rehabilitative Programs
Program Areas
Preventive Programs
Rehabilitative Programs
Specialists work with healthy populations to increase their level of fitness.
Sites: Corporate fitness centers, commercial fitness centers, and community agencies (YMCA/YWCA)
Specialists work with individuals who have a medical condition to help them attain a functional state of living and an enhanced quality of life.
Sites: Hospitals, medical clinics or community agencies affiliated with corporate fitness centers.

3. Wellness Program Components
Fitness development and maintenance
Educational efforts
Health promotion
Lifestyle modification
Recreational sport opportunities

4. Program Aspects Medical screening Fitness and lifestyle assessment
Goal setting
Supervised group programs
Educational classes
Motivation and reinforcement
Institute of Aerobics Research

5. Exercise Program Specialist Responsibilities
Direct program
Train and supervise staff
Budget responsibilities
Facility management
Marketing
Evaluation
Individual exercise prescriptions
Evaluate and counsel on lifestyle
Data collection and analysis

6. Worksite Health Programs
46% of all worksites offer programs
38% of small corporations
68% of large corporations
Potential to reach over 142 million adults
Convenient for employees
Offers peer and social support
Economic benefits to corporations
Reduced injury rates, lower workman’s compensation costs, and reduced health care costs
Enhancement of workplace morale, retaining employees

7. Core Programs Worksite Wellness
Back care and injury prevention
Exercise and fitness
Stress management
Smoking control
Substance abuse
Weight management
Medical self-care
Consumer health education
Cholesterol reduction
Nutritional intervention
Select biometrics screening
Hypertension management

8. WELCOA Program Suggestions
Voluntary participation
Continuous marketing
Sensitivity to individual differences
Frequent evaluation
Modeling of healthy behavior by staff
Recognition and reward
Record-keeping
Balance between fun and clinically significant programs
Personalize the program

9. Commercial and Community Fitness Programs (IHRSA)
U.S. health club revenues $28.1 billion
More than 30,000 clubs
More than 50 million members
Program offerings
Graded exercise testing
Individualized fitness evaluation and prescription
Educational programs
Lifestyle modification
Group exercise programs, ranging from aerobic dance class to yoga instruction to cardiac rehabilitation to sport specific training
Resistance training
Personal training

10. Health Club Trends (IHRSA)
More people are working out in clubs and membership is expected to increase over the next 5 years as public become more health-conscious and interested in being fit
Move away from one-size fits all to development of more age- and population-specific programming
Adults over 55 needs for strength, balance and functional training will stimulate growth in program specifically designed to address their needs.
Youth programming - sport-specific training for youth continues to be popular and more programs are being developed to address youth’s fitness and weight management needs
Socially-based or group exercise offerings are increasing and offer more variety, such as group cycling, boot-camp programs, Latin-inspired dance, and fusion offerings combining activities like yoga and Pilates

11. Health Club Trends (IHRSA)
Small group personal training is increasing as it is more economical than one-on-one personal training, provides more social interaction, and is more efficient for the club and personal trainers
Technology incorporated into equipment and available as various apps for equipment and handheld devices lets users track their workouts
Convenience continues to be the key to the growth of clubs that are open 24 hours, making it possible for members to fit working out into their routine
Wellness services are growing and employers are contracting with clubs to provide services or paying
for memberships
Functional fitness training continues to grow, and new programs using suspension and gravity training being offered
Physicians are prescribing exercise more frequently

12. Personal Trainers Work in private and public settings:
Conducting fitness assessments.
Developing specific goals with clients.
Designing programs for goal attainment.
Coaching clients through workouts.
Monitoring progress of goals.
Growing use of the Internet, social media, , and phone to hire personal trainers and report results for convenience.

13. Strength and Conditioning Professionals
“Assess, motivate, educate, and train athletes for the primary goal of improving sport performance.” (NSCA)
Competencies necessary
Scientific foundations of sport/exercise and nutrition
Exercise leadership and program design
Sport psychology to maximize performance
Risks of performance-enhancing substances

14. Rehabilitation Programs
Clinical exercise physiologists work mainly in hospitals and clinics.
Work closely with physicians to meet the needs of diverse clients.
To plan rehabilitation programs, they must be familiar with:
Medical aspects of client’s disease or condition
Limitations faced by clients
Drugs commonly used to treat the disease/condition and their effects
Psychological aspects of exercise on the clients

15. Career Preparation Education Certification Practical experience
Exercise science, fitness and cardiac rehabilitation, etc.
Certification
ACSM
YMCA
AFAA
NSCA
Practical experience
Professional involvement

16. Athletic Training Prevention of Injuries Rehabilitation
Supervision of conditioning programs
Advising coaches and athletes
Assist with preseason physicals
Checking equipment and facilities for safety
Rehabilitation
Administers therapeutic treatments and monitors progress.
Motivate and encourage throughout recovery
Record-keeping of injury status and history of injury
Certification - NATA

17. Health and Weight-Management Clubs and Spas
Sites ~ resorts, hotels, mineral springs, and cruise ships.
Offer fitness activities, graded exercise tests, instruction in sport activities, exercise classes
Diet and nutritional counseling, stress management, massages
Growth of commercial diet centers focused on weight reduction.

18. Therapy-Related Careers
Dance therapy
Recreational therapy
Kinesiotherapy
Physical Therapy
Chiropractor
Prerequisites may be required prior to admission for advanced study
Volunteer hours may be required for program admission

19. Increasing Professional Marketability
Additional courses in health and related areas
Certification
ACSM, First Aid/CPR, NATA, NSCA
Build on one’s interests and strengths
Practical experience
Internships, fieldwork, and volunteering
Gain diverse experiences with different populations and in various settings