5 Top Careers for Health and Fitness Enthusiasts

Americans are getting healthier, thanks to the attention drawn to the obesity epidemic that has been eating away at families over the past few years. A few years after the CDC raised the red flag over the runaway rate of obesity in the US, Americans have prioritized healthy eating and regular visits to gyms and fitness centers to help curb lifestyle diseases.

As such, the health and fitness market has experienced unprecedented growth over the past five years. The revenue from gym and fitness club memberships has grown by about 2.4% every year up until 2016, where the growth rate went up to 3.2% as more adults became active.

Careers in the health and fitness sector have also become more lucrative. Some, like personal trainers, are making at least $240 an hour with multiple clients, which goes on to show just how much the industry has grown.

If you are all about muscle, cardio, and everything fitness, these five careers might be perfect for you.

1. Personal Trainer

This is one of the fastest growing careers in the health and fitness job market. The Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projects that opportunities for personal trainers and fitness instructors will grow by about 24% between 2010 and 2020. In 2015, the average personal trainer made about $18 per hour, with the average salary range falling between $10 and $49 per hour, which makes it a very lucrative trade.

Personal trainers often have a 2 or 4-year college degree and one or more specialized certificates in any of the areas of interest. Certifications include CPR & AED certificate and the ACE training certificate.

Personal trainers can work with competitive athletes, older adults, and healthy clients looking to manage weight and improve their overall levels of physical fitness.

There are tons of resources for individuals who want to learn how to become a personal trainer, so be sure to check these out.

2. Athletic Trainer

An athletic trainer is a professional or semi-professional who specializes more on strength exercises than on weight loss. Athletic trainers are normally part of a sports team and helps diagnose, treat, and prevent injuries that may have been caused by exercises. Athletic trainers are often an important part of a professional, college or even a high school sports team and usually plays a key role in ensuring athletes are healthy.

In many states, athletic trainers are usually required to hold at least a 4-year bachelor’s degree and one or more practicing licenses and certifications. Practitioners are also usually required to pass the exam set by the National Strength and Conditioning Association.

3. Nutritionist

A good diet is an important component of a healthy lifestyle. As a nutritionist, you will typically be responsible for coming up with specific dietary schedules for clients who are looking to lose weight. Nutritionists are also responsible for designing diet plans for people who are involved in different kinds of exercises, for instance professional athletes.

Nutritionists will usually have a 4-year degree and a state license before practicing in some states. They can work individually as consultants or employed in schools, hospitals, nursing homes, or as part of professional sports teams.

4. Yoga Teacher

Yoga has so many proven health benefits for the mind and body. Yoga instructors or teachers are trained to guide students on the various forms and techniques of meditation and spirituality for overall mental and physical health and fitness. Since yoga is such a wide field of study, yoga instructors are normally trained in one or two types of yoga, though instructors may perfect other types as they continue practicing.

In the US, yoga teachers or instructors are normally certified by the Yoga Alliance after training in an institution that has been accredited by the Yoga Alliance. This is especially true if you are looking to work with large yoga studios where the pay is usually higher.

5. Physical Therapist

The demand for physical therapists is projected to grow by almost 40% by 2020, according to projections by the BLS. Physical therapists are specialists who usually deal with exercise-related injuries to help clients recover efficiently and quickly. They are usually trained to design customized rehabilitative exercises for people with different types of injuries. Due to the sensitivity of this career, practitioners are often required to have a doctorate or post-graduate degree and a practicing license in many states.

Conclusion

Careers in the health and fitness area will continue to grow globally as more people take health matters more seriously. Working within this industry will see practitioners increase their earning potential over the next few years, which will be one of the surest ways to guarantee stability in a highly volatile job market.

Featured photo credit: tanjashaw via pixabay.com

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