Are you somebody who lives and breathes exercise? Do you love the feel of the air on your face when you go out for a run or a cycle ride? Do you continually push yourself to the next level within your fitness training? Then a job within the fitness industry may be for you. Whether it’s something you do to earn extra income or a legitimate full-time career, we have some job ideas we think you will be interested in.
Consider the following…
Personal Trainer
We all need a little help sometimes, and there may be people who have not attained the levels of fitness you may have. Provided you are in good shape, you can pass advice onto others, whether you work in a gym or fitness club, or through setting up a private service for clients. Not only will you be a good teacher, but you will also need to be an effective motivator as well, spurring your clients on, especially when they feel like giving up.
Qualifications: To become a personal trainer, you should become accredited, even if you are thinking about setting up your own business. A course with The Training Room will see you becoming qualified in as little as five weeks, with opportunities for further development. You should also consider first-aid training, especially when working alone. This article from Origym will give you the heads-up on that front.
Recreational Therapist
Going beyond the mainstream, this is a specialist career in therapy. Working with those who are injured, sick, or with disabilities, the therapist will use a variety of therapeutic activities to help the person fulfil their fitness potential. This includes dance, sports, and games, as well as activities that are designed to encourage social skills and confidence building. This can be a rewarding career, though an emotionally difficult one, especially when working with those with a long-term illness or disability.
Qualifications: On paper, you will need a Bachelor’s Degree in recreational therapy, and you will be required to take an internship within the health industry. Aside from paper qualifications, you will also need a huge capacity for compassion, as you are working with people in a vulnerable state. If you have the personal skills needed, it can be hugely rewarding when you see somebody make progress they never thought possible.
Sports Coach
If you’re interested in a particular sport and have sufficient skills and knowledge that relate, then this may be a good job for you. Whether you work with kids or adults, you can boost their skills in the specific sport, and lead them onto glory in a range of competitions. Jobs can be found in local schools, youth groups, charities, and leisure centres, though you may need to work voluntarily for a while to get the necessary experience.
Qualifications: You can get into this field through an apprenticeship, although you might also need a coaching qualification that is recognised by the particular field of sport you are going into. Some employers will ask for an HND in exercise or sports sciences, and you will also need to take a DBS check if you want to work with children.
Fitness Blogger
If you have a flair with the written word, then you should consider fitness blogging. Whether you work full-time in a related field or not, you can still pass on your words of knowledge to others. Back up your articles with self-made videos and podcasts, and make money through subscription opportunities or advertising. If you build up a following, you could even take things to the next level, such as speaking at public events, or by writing an eBook.
Qualifications: You don’t need a specific qualification to be a blogger, although you will need to have proficient writing skills, and the ability to proofread your own work. Needless to say, if you are weak in any of these areas, then you may want to brush up on your skills at a local college, or use a site such as Grammarly to correct any flaws in your writing.
Dance Instructor
There are so many styles to choose from – belly dancing, salsa, hip hop, etc. – that this role depends entirely on your personal skills and passion for the dance involved. You can set up your own business, hiring yourself out to others, or work for a local leisure centre, dance company, or educational establishment. If you have the moves, then it makes sense to share them with others.
Qualifications: Not all dance jobs require qualifications, as many depend on your skill level and experience in your chosen field. This is especially true if you only want to work part-time at a local community centre, or are giving private tuition. However, if you are thinking about a full-time career, such as teaching at a Dance School, you will need a degree in Dance Studies or similar accreditation.
Finally
This isn’t an exhaustive account of the range of jobs open to you, but merely a taster for what is available. If you are keen on a career in fitness, or just looking for something to do in your spare time, consider the options we gave you, and do your research online for other opportunities. After all, if fitness is something you obsess over, you may as well make money from your passion.
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