Fitness careers are occupations in which workers assist individuals in reaching their fitness goals.http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos296.htm Occupations in the fitness industry include personal trainers, group exercise instructors, and fitness directors.http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos296.htm Fitness workers are expected to be job-ready when hired.http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos296.htm On-the-job training is rarely given.http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos296.htm They must understand their specialized area, demonstrate communication skills, and know how to motivate others.http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos296.htm

The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects the fitness industry will expand by twenty-nine percent by 2018.http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos296.htm Annual salaries in the fitness field range from $16,120 on the low end to over $60,000 on the high end.http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos296.htm Certification is normally required.http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos296.htm

IDEA Health and Fitness Association, an international organization of fitness and wellness professionals, states that medical fitness is an emerging fitness career.http://www.ideafit.com/fitness-library/building-bridge-career-medical-fitness Medical fitness professionals provide "a safe and effective bridge for the patient to cross from the structured clinical treatment and/or rehabilitation environment to mainstream community or home-based exercise."http://www.ideafit.com/fitness-library/building-bridge-career-medical-fitness Their clients can include individuals with serious illnesses, such as HIV/AIDS, or orthopedic injuries.http://www.ideafit.com/fitness-library/building-bridge-career-medical-fitness

Personal trainers work one-on-one in a client's home or with small groups in the gym. Their responsibilities include helping clients assess their level of physical fitness, set fitness goals, and achieve fitness goals. They create exercise regimens for their clients, then teach them exercises and their proper techniques. Some trainers keep records of their clients' progress towards reaching their fitness goals. Personal trainers must be certified.http://www.careeroverview.com/recreation-fitness-career.html

Group exercise instructors lead groups in a physical activity, including aerobics, yoga, and Pilates. They teach participants both the activities and the proper techniques to perform them safely. Instructors are expected to design their own sessions. Some employers hire uncertified instructors, expecting them to work towards certification.http://www.careeroverview.com/recreation-fitness-career.html The Pilates Method Alliance and the Yoga Alliance have standardized training requirements for Pilates and yoga instructors. Their certification process is different from other group exercise instructors.http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos296.htm

Fitness directors are administrators that manage the fitness features of a health club or fitness center. Their responsibilities include increasing club membership, selecting equipment, and creating incentive programs. They also employ, train, and monitor fitness employees. A director's work day is usually spent in the office; however, in small facilities, they also teach classes.http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos296.htm

Certification is often required to work in fitness careers.http://www.ideafit.com/fitness-library/personal-trainer-certification The National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA) awards accreditation to qualifying programs.http://www.ideafit.com/fitness-library/personal-trainer-certification The American College of Sports Medicine has four NCCA accredited programs -- certified personal trainer, exercise specialist, health/fitness instructor, and registered clinical exercise physiologist.http://www.ideafit.com/fitness-library/personal-trainer-certification

The American Council on Exercise also has four programs.http://www.ideafit.com/fitness-library/personal-trainer-certification They are advanced health and fitness specialist, group fitness instructor, lifestyle and weight management consultant, and personal trainer.http://www.ideafit.com/fitness-library/personal-trainer-certification The National Academy of Sports Medicine certifies personal trainers.http://www.ideafit.com/fitness-library/personal-trainer-certification