The fitness job market is one of the fastest-growing and competitive industries in the world. It’s projected to grow 7.8 percent annually, according to ResearchAndMarkets’ 2020 to 2025 projection. Researchers found that customers are willing to spend more money on their health and fitness club memberships.
People Want to be Fit
The biggest driver of increased spending is for the maintenance of their overall health, which stems increased awareness among the younger generation about the negative effects of unhealthy food and lifestyles.
The market is strongest in the United States, where gym memberships continue to soar, especially for adults. But its demand continues to grow worldwide, too. The pandemic may have slowed down the fitness industry, but customers adjusted and found ways to get the exercise they need at home. Online marketplaces can provide them with the gym equipment they need to build a home fitness area. However, equipment is only half the job. They also need fitness professionals to create a plan that’s right for their health, body type and goals.
This is where you come in. A variety of job opportunities are available in the fitness industry. Want to help people relax while burning calories? A yoga or pilates instructor path may be right for you. If you want a career that really gets your heart pumping, try being a gym instructor or dance fitness coach. The possibilities are endless, but where should you start?
Find the Right Field
To excel in your job, you need to specialize in a single field. After all, it’s easier to be excellent at one task than to master everything. The more trained and educated you are in one aspect, the better you can solve your customers’ problems. Plus, if you can prove that you’re an expert in your field, people are willing to pay more for your services because they know that you’ll deliver the results they need.
Specialization also sets you up for innovation. When you know all there is to know about your chosen fitness career, you can experiment and find new ways to help your customers reach their goals. You also have a better grasp of the trends in your specialization, so you’re likely to offer them to clients before anyone else.
If you’re not sure about what to specialize in yet, think of the exercises or routines that you enjoy most. Do you have a passion for dancing? Try the heart-pumping rhythms of Zumba. Want a career that’s calmer and serene? Study to be a yoga teacher. Try to achieve the highest level of knowledge and experience in your field.
Be Assertive
Not every fitness specialization is offered in courses. A lot of times, you have to be a member before getting an opportunity to be an apprentice. Put in the effort to be the best at every routine your instructors give you. Learn about the community and see if the gym you’re in is right for your specific style. Get to know your teachers or even the owners of the fitness club you’re in and voice your intent on becoming a trainer someday. You’ll be at the top of their mind when they create a new job opening.
Get Certified
One of the best ways to gain the trust of your fellow instructors and clients is to show them that you have the right credentials for the job. After your apprenticeship and training in your chosen gym, enroll in functional fitness training classes. They’ll give you the knowledge you need to pass the relevant certification programs in your field. When you get certified, put them in your resume immediately for your future employers and members to see.
Create a website
If you want to gain clients quickly, the internet is your friend. More than half of the global population uses it to not only chat with loved ones online, but also to find and purchase products and services. Create a website featuring your experience and expertise in your chosen field. Offer freebies like personalized fitness plans or video training courses to reel potential members in. Your site also stands as a portfolio for gym owners to peruse, if you’re looking to work in a fitness club.
Building a career in fitness is rewarding, but it doesn’t come easy. You have to find your niche and study it for months — or even years. There’s also the certifications you have to go through to be a bona fide trainer. Plus, if you want the attention of customers and employers, you need to build and maintain an online presence. Once you’ve got these down to a pat, you’ll have a steady stream of income while doing what you love — staying fit and healthy.