Photo: Exercise Media Group
CAREERS IN FITNESS
EVEN IN SLOW ECONOMY, FITNESS OFFERS MANY CAREER OPTIONS
By ISSA
“…When diagnosed with a preventable or reversible disease, usually as a result of overweight or obesity, people are taking action regardless of a sluggish economy,” says Dr. Sal Arria.
In times of economic turmoil, are there enough clients to have a successful career in fitness? The answer is yes, and you’ll be surprised to read how well professionals around the country are doing.
As long as the health trends of preventable disease secondary to inactivity and obesity in this country continue to rise, the fitness industry will thrive. There are more potential clients than ever before that need the help of quality fitness instruction.
“With 70% of the population medically categorized as either obese or overweight, the population is literally getting unhealthier by the day,” says Dr. Sal Arria, CEO and Founder of the International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA), the first and only nationally accredited organization that certifies personal trainers. “Every day we receive letters and emails from personal trainers doing better than ever, even in today’s economy. This tells me that people are concerned about their health because the quality of their lives depend on it. When, they’re diagnosed with a preventable or reversible disease, more and more people are taking action, regardless of a sluggish economy.”
What about careers in fitness? Is there such thing as a recession proof career?
Within the fitness industry, there are dozens of sub categories and sub-niches of careers that are helping people live a better quality of life. All centered on the five key elements that Fitness Professionals use daily to help change lives; weight training, aerobic conditioning, flexibility, sensible nutrition and a positive mental outlook.
And for those who think people can't afford a personal trainer in today’s economy, many fitness professionals are doing their part to make fitness affordable by working with small groups.
“I’ve gone from only having 2-4 clients just 3 months ago to now having 16 clients. By conducting group classes I earn more per hour and it’s cheaper for my clients,” says Sara Flemming, a stay-at-home mom of three young kids who is a part time trainer for a Crossfit functional gym in Raleigh, North Carolina. “I usually work with groups of 2-4 women and focus our training on strongman techniques, where we flip tires, throw medicine balls and do Olympic lifts. This kind of training is very motivating for each participant, and it helps my clients keep up with their small children.”
From helping groups of new moms get back in shape, as a stroller fitness trainer to working with older adults concerned about heart disease or osteoporosis, to helping competitive athletes become bigger, faster and stronger, fitness facilities and consumers are searching for quality Fitness Professionals every day.
Brian Theiss, President of Theiss Institute in Westlake, CA is a professional personal trainer whose business continues to stay strong even in our slow economy. Theiss receives a large portion of his business because of a substantial network of referring medical doctors, as he educates the medical community on how personal trainers can help their clients overcome complications that arise as a result of obesity and overweight. “I actually have had to increase my rates 300% because of client demand.” Theiss has perfected his fitness business model to work with obese and overweight corporate clients whom he says “simply cannot afford to get it wrong”.
Julia LaTorre, owner of Independently Fit, a traveling in-home personal training firm in Lenox, Michigan continues to flourish even in this economy. “My clients are addicted because the age group I work with is trying to reverse the aging process,” she says. “I go to each of my client’s homes 2 or 3 times a week.” Julia reports that she does something every day to maintain a steady client base such as sending out her press kit, contacting a magazine or reaching out to someone to promote her personal training services.
So how do you get started in fitness?
You will need a fitness certification from a reputable school. Personal trainers hold a fitness training certification which is usually required to work in a gym or health club. And if you hold an advanced degree, or multiple specialized certifications, statistics show that you could earn more and rise faster in the organization.
In order to assist new graduates with employment, fitness certification organizations have online job listing services posting nationwide opportunities. Other job sources to help personal trainers gain employment include Monster.com, HotJobs.com, local YMCAs, and fitness franchise networks including Anytime Fitness, Snap and Curves, whom are regularly searching for qualified candidates. “The ISSA online job listings service is one of our more popular sections as it is full of wonderful opportunities for people who want to work in a gym,” says Dr Arria.
But experts caution that there is a hitch to being a success as a personal trainer: you must have a passion for helping others. If that describes you and your passion to contribute to society in a positive light, the potential to earn a great living while enjoying your job is right at your fingertips.
About the ISSA
Founded in 1988, the International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) has provided fitness education and certification to nearly 125,000 students in 85 countries worldwide. ISSA is the first and only fitness organization in the U.S. to be nationally accredited by the Accrediting Commission of the Distance Education and Training Council (DETC), in Washington, DC. For more information about getting started in a career in fitness, or to enroll for your fitness trainer certification directly, visit www.ISSAonline.edu < http://www.issaonline.edu/
