Careers in Health & Fitness

It is official - the nation is becoming more and more concerned with its health. Obesity is on the rise but with this comes a boom in fitness careers and an increase in leisure facilities. Almost 40 per cent of people exercise regularly and 62 per cent watch what they eat.

And, according to a recent Lifetime survey, the leading training company in the health and fitness sector, over a quarter of people said they would be interested in a career in health and fitness. Even celebrities are taking the step - former Olympian, Katharine Merry, and former Gladiators star, Scorpio, have enrolled on Lifetime fitness courses to further their careers.

Mark Pemberton, Senior Tutor at Lifetime, says: "People are aware of health and fitness more than ever before, due to media coverage in newspapers and magazines. The leisure industry is constantly growing - and where there is a demand for action, there is a need for supply. The good thing about working in the fitness sector is that it can only have a positive impact on people. Those who exercise do so for a number of reasons and not only will it improve health, it is great fun too."

The most common way to launch a career in fitness is to complete a course with a leisure training provider that is recognised by REPs (Register of Exercise Professionals). REPs has been set up to help safeguard and to promote the health and interests of people who are using the services of exercise and fitness instructors, teachers and trainers. The Register uses a process of self-regulation that recognises industry-based qualifications, practical competency, and requires fitness professionals to work within a Code of Ethical Practice. Anybody launching a career in health and fitness should become a member of REPs if they want to have credibility, and those with a REPs recognised qualification on their CV will certainly find it easier to find potential clients and keep them.

Mark says: "With all roles in the fitness industry, people not only need a reputable qualification but they need to encompass certain qualities too - they should be friendly, easy going, patient and definitely a people person. They need to have good customer service, great communication skills and be reliable and punctual. Many people prefer to combine a number of different jobs in this sector. Studio instructing is also popular for those with the confidence to stand up in front of a group, whilst personal training can be glamorous and involves one-on-one instructing, so it's less intimidating."

Thinking of entering a career in the fitness industry? Read on for a breakdown of the different job roles and opportunities...

Fitness Instructor
Fitness Training Assessor
Fitness Tutor
Personal Trainer
Studio Trainer

Lifetime

Careers in Health & Fitness

It is official - the nation is becoming more and more concerned with its health. Obesity is on the rise but with this comes a boom in fitness careers and an increase in leisure facilities. Almost 40 per cent of people exercise regularly and 62 per cent watch what they eat.

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