1. Chapter 13 Careers in Health and Fitness
Jeremy Howell and Sandra Minor Bulmer

2. Figure 13.1
Chapter 13 - Hoffman (2005)

3. Professions in Health and Fitness
Group exercise instructor
Fitness instructor
Health and fitness counselor
Personal trainer
Health and fitness director
Specialist positions
Certified health educator
Clinical exercise physiologist
Registered dietitian
Others
Chapter 13 - Hoffman (2005)

4. Goal of Health and Fitness Professions
To improve a person’s physical functioning and physical health
Chapter 13 - Hoffman (2005)

5. Figure 13.2
Chapter 13 - Hoffman (2005)

6. Expanding Scope of Health and Fitness Profession
Scope of work is expanding to include a multifaceted view of health and fitness, including physical, intellectual, emotional, social, and spiritual dimensions.
Chapter 13 - Hoffman (2005)

7. Health and Fitness Settings
Worksite settings
Early programs
Narrow focus (physical fitness, nutrition, weight control, stress management, and smoking cessation)
Only for employees
1990s–present
Additional services
Healthy lifestyle approach
Ergonomic workstations
Employee assistance programs
Elaborate on-site fitness facilities
Outsourced fitness programs (even those offered on-site)
Open to all people covered by company health insurance (families, retirees, etc.)
Chapter 13 - Hoffman (2005)

8. Employee Health and Fitness Programs
Employers have found that health and fitness programs reduce health care costs, increase productivity and morale, decrease absenteeism, and improve their corporate image.
Chapter 13 - Hoffman (2005)

9. Health Care Costs
Bungum and colleagues (2003) found that those who had healthier body weights, calculated by body mass index (BMI), reported fewer absent work days and decreased health care costs.
Chapter 13 - Hoffman (2005)

10. Health and Fitness Settings
Commercial settings
Sales-based facilities
Retention-based facilities
For-profit businesses compete for customers, which encourages innovative programming.
Clinical settings
Work in partnership with both medically based professionals and clients with diagnosed medical conditions
Goal is often to keep the subscribers of their health insurance partners and programs healthy and avoid expensive medical procedures in the future. Increasingly, many of these facilities also offer memberships to the public similar to those offered by commercial clubs.
(continued)
Chapter 13 - Hoffman (2005)

11. Health and Fitness Settings (continued)
Community settings
Target specific groups to fill specific needs
Often are nonprofit organizations (YMCA, city parks and recreation programs)
Include health departments and local and national agencies (American Heart Association, American Diabetes Association)
Have more limited funding
Provide health and wellness opportunities for as many as they can service
Chapter 13 - Hoffman (2005)

12. Figure 13.3
Chapter 13 - Hoffman (2005)

13. Group Exercise Instructor
Leads aerobic exercise classes, outdoor activities, aquatic fitness classes, exercise classes for specific populations (older adults, pregnant women, children)
Degree in kinesiology or another health- and fitness-related discipline recommended
Current exercise trends
Pilates
Yoga and tai chi
ACSM exercise leader
ACE group fitness instructor
Needs to be knowledgeable and dynamic, have excellent leadership skills, and enjoy working with people in a group setting
Chapter 13 - Hoffman (2005)

14. Fitness Instructor Works with apparently healthy adults
Conducts fitness assessments, designs individualized exercise programs
Bachelor’s degree in kinesiology or another health- and fitness-related discipline recommended
Youth programs are growing; they cater to the unique needs of children, focusing on play while emphasizing a level of movement and activity that allows for conditioning, caloric expenditure, and skill development.
Needs to be able to excite people to become and stay physically active.
Chapter 13 - Hoffman (2005)

15. Health and Fitness Counselor
Replaces position of fitness instructor
Prescribes exercise programs
Works with clients on behavior change, stress management, relaxation, time management, smoking cessation, weight management
(continued)
Chapter 13 - Hoffman (2005)

16. Health and Fitness Counselor (continued)
Minimum of bachelor’s degree in kinesiology or another health- and fitness-related discipline
ACSM health/fitness instructor
ACE lifestyle and weight management consultant
Leads clients to make appropriate decisions
Needs to be organized, understand the principles of behavior change, have excellent communication skills, and be effective in marketing and promoting programs and services.
Chapter 13 - Hoffman (2005)

17. Personal Trainer
Weight management, stress management, physical fitness, sport conditioning
Current trend: specializing in working with special populations
Works independently or is employed at a facility
Business savvy
“Counselor”
Aesthetic or performance objectives
(continued)
Chapter 13 - Hoffman (2005)

18. Personal Trainer (continued)
Bachelor’s or master’s degree in kinesiology or another health- and fitness-related discipline
ACSM health/fitness instructor
Extensive experience
Needs to be able to continually present new and exciting ways to keep clients on track, interested, motivated, and excited about making changes and maintaining new health behaviors as part of their lifestyle.
Chapter 13 - Hoffman (2005)

19. Specialist Positions
Sport coach, athletic trainer, health educator, clinical exercise physiologist, physical therapist, registered dietitian (some, such as the strength coach, are covered in chapter 14)
Graduate-level studies; bachelor’s degree in kinesiology or another health- and fitness-related discipline
Many require certifications, licensure
Client base with medical conditions: registered dietitian and ACSM exercise specialist
Chapter 13 - Hoffman (2005)

20. Health and Fitness Director
Manages facility’s services and programs
May supervise team of managers
Hires, trains, and provides support for staff
Does business planning, establishes budgets and renovations, selects equipment, designs and markets programs, forecasts trends
(continued)
Chapter 13 - Hoffman (2005)

21. Health and Fitness Director (continued)
Bachelor’s degree in kinesiology
May require graduate degree
Experience as health and fitness counselor or personal trainer
Broad, interdisciplinary education
ACSM health or fitness director
Needs to be a visionary who keeps current with the field of health and fitness and a mentor who supports staff members in moving toward individual goals and aspirations.
Chapter 13 - Hoffman (2005)

22. Marketplace Trends and Opportunities
Multidimensional model of wellness
Health care reform
Demographics
Chapter 13 - Hoffman (2005)

23. Multidimensional Model of Wellness
Physical
Intellectual
Emotional
Social
Spiritual
Health and fitness professionals are increasingly being called on to integrate exercise and physical fitness into a broader definition of health.
Chapter 13 - Hoffman (2005)

24. Figure 13.4
Chapter 13 - Hoffman (2005)

25. Health Care Reform New model
All subscribers pay fee; provider must take care of needs of all subscribers within budget
Preventive services
Chapter 13 - Hoffman (2005)

26. Figure 13.5
Chapter 13 - Hoffman (2005)

27. Physical Activity and Health Care Costs
Physical activity is being viewed increasingly as an integral component of the nation’s health care delivery system.
Chapter 13 - Hoffman (2005)

28. Demographics Aging of American society Increasingly diverse nation
Health care costs
Medicare costs
Implications for health and fitness professionals
Chapter 13 - Hoffman (2005)

29. Figure 13.6
Chapter 13 - Hoffman (2005)

30. Certification and Continuing Education
Minimum criteria must be met to be hired and maintain your position in the health and fitness professions.
Several certification organizations can assist with this process:
American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)
Cooper Institute (CI)
American Council on Exercise (ACE)
Chapter 13 - Hoffman (2005)

31. Advice for Health and Fitness Students
Earn a combined degree in kinesiology plus another discipline (health, psychology).
Seek practical experience through practicum opportunities and internships.
Attend workshops and obtain certifications through NSCA, ACSM, ACE, CI.
Stay current: Read health and fitness journals and industry publications.
Maximize your marketability with your choice of elective courses.
Chapter 13 - Hoffman (2005)

32. Health and Fitness
The world of health and fitness is ever changing, making this profession dynamic and exciting. Pay attention to the trends and tailor your degree to meet your individual career goals.
Chapter 13 - Hoffman (2005)