5 Must-Try Jobs For Fitness Lovers

More and more people are making their health a priority in their day-to-day life. What better way to stay fit than actually work in the profession? For those of you who are fitness enthusiasts, here are five jobs you have to try: 

In the fitness world, the title of “fitness director” can be a bit vague as the job title can mean different things at different places. Some fitness directors manage group exercise classes at a fitness center while other fitness directors manage personal trainers and handle office related duties, including sales. When applying for these jobs, make sure to look at the job description so you know what the company is specifically looking for. Most places prefer a fitness director to have a bachelor’s degree in physical education or another health field. According to Payscale, the median salary for fitness directors is $40,669.

Hey, it takes a level of passion to stitch up sweatpants and shorts for a living! Apparel designers at major brands such as Adidas or Nike usually have fashion degrees from institutions such as the Parsons School of Design or Fashion Institute of Technology. An average day of work for apparel designers involves meetings with different departments, researching, sketching and designing custom team athletic gear and working out so they know firsthand the comfort level of the attire while in the gym. As for an average salary, Indeed lists fashion designers in the U.S. as making an average of $53,309 per year.

Yoga instructors guide their students through mediation, breathing, posture and stretching techniques. There's no required bachelor's degree for this job, but potential instructors are required to complete training under a registered professional with the Yoga Alliance. Requirements include being fit and flexible. As with any instructor role, patience is a plus and yoga instructors are always encouraged to maintain a calm disposition. Yoga studios have grown in popularity over the years, creating even more opportunities to teach (especially during evenings and weekends). Glassdoor reports the national average yoga instructor salary to be $37,900, but yoga instructors who travel for private sessions earn more.

Coaches physically train athletes and also provide mentorship, guiding them to their full potential. (Coaching is a method of fitness for the mind and soul!) Prospective employers include fitness centers, professional sports teams, colleges and universities.  Professional sports coaches with a background in tennis, football or basketball can earn just as much as the top athletes that they are coaching. Requirements include a degree in sports science, sports management or prior experience working as a sports coach.

Last but not least, the role of an independent personal trainer is an obvious choice when it comes to careers in fitness. This job can be rewarding as personal trainers get to witness the transition of their clients in their weight and wellness journey. Many personal trainers are goal-oriented and strive to get their clients in tip-top shape. Most trainers start out working for a gym or fitness center. Then, after building a clientele, most personal trainers will work independently where they get to pocket their hourly rate instead of giving a portion to the gym or fitness center. The requirements for becoming a personal trainer include completing an ACE Personal Trainer Certification Exam, though some places require personal trainers have a bachelor’s degree in kinesiology, exercise science or other health specification. According to Salary.com, the salary range for personal trainers is from $41,531 to $70,700.

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