Work Where You Work Out

Launch Your Career in the Exciting Fitness Industry!

By Kristen A. Walsh

Pedro Bernardy worked in information technologies for many years. In 2000, after his daughter died of liver cancer at the age of 13, he took a serious look at what he was doing with his life.

“I began to use exercise as therapy,” explains Bernardy. To keep busy, he took a part-time job at a gym. This led to a full-time opportunity at Renaissance Club Sport in Walnut Creek, California.

“At first, I couldn’t imagine giving up my salary,” recalls Bernardy. Once he thought about it, however, the decision was an easy one. “I realized that a career in fitness would allow me to give back to the community that had supported me when my daughter was ill.”

Today, as a certified personal trainer, Bernardy gets enormous satisfaction from his clients’ success. “Every ‘thank you’ I get really means something!” he says.

Shelley Solberg considers her job at a women-only fitness center to be “an incredible privilege.” After being seriously injured when a bus crashed through the front of the insurance office where she worked, Solberg was referred to The Women’s Club for aquatics classes. Once her rehabilitation was complete, she quit her job and went to work as a fitness instructor at the Missoula, Montana club.

“The positive energy I extend out to these women is reflected back to me 100 times,” explains Solberg, who is now the club’s aquatics program director. “We all want to be happy and giving in our work, and this industry has provided me with that opportunity.”

A job in the fitness industry can offer many benefits, both tangible and intangible, including:

Environment: The atmosphere at most clubs can be described as casual, energetic, friendly, positive and, of course, health-conscious.

Variety: Fitness-only, single-sex, family-friendly, adults-only – whatever you’re looking for, there’s likely to be a club in your area that suits you.

Schedule Flexibility: Most clubs are open seven days a week (some are open 24/7!), so there are positions for early birds, night owls, weekend warriors, and everyone in between.

Location: There are probably at least a handful of clubs within a 20-minute commute from your home.

Try Before You Commit: Part-time or independent contractor positions allow you to get your feet wet in the fitness industry, even if you work full-time elsewhere.

Opportunities for Advancement: Many club industry executives got their start as personal trainers, group exercise instructors or front desk personnel. As the industry continues to mature, professional opportunities abound!

Compensation: There is certainly the potential for a comfortable income in the health club industry. Many positions are commission-based; even instructors are sometimes paid based on club attendance. In short, great performances often result in higher compensation. More compensation data is available here.

Other Benefits: Additional benefits can include: free membership (for you, and perhaps even for your family), discounts on amenities, and free babysitting for your kids. In addition, many clubs offer traditional employee benefits including: health insurance (87% of clubs), matching 401(k) contributions (66% of clubs), retirement plans (65% of clubs), educational assistance (64% of clubs), life insurance (52% of clubs) and Section 125 plans (46% of clubs).

POSITIONS

The following are some of the positions available at many health clubs. (Of course, job descriptions, requirements and compensation vary greatly by facility – and at smaller clubs, the general manager, fitness director and fitness instructor may be the same person!)

General Manager

Duties: Oversee club operations, monthly membership and personal training sales, club marketing, fitness programs and other basic tasks and responsibilities for keeping the club running in an efficient manner.

Requirements: Strong sales and management experience and a commitment to exemplary customer service. Must be motivated, goal-oriented and results driven.

Fitness Director

Duties: Create and maintain fitness programming that meet the needs of the club’s members. Oversee group exercise, personal training, fitness assessments, new member orientations, and equipment maintenance. Responsible for hiring, training, scheduling and supervising trainers and instructors.

Requirements: Must be motivated and well-organized with strong supervisory experience and fitness knowledge.

Sales/Marketing Director

Duties: Responsible for hiring, training, scheduling and supervising sales/membership representatives. Some sales responsibilities, including corporate membership relationships. Responsible for promotions and community marketing initiatives.

Requirements: Must be motivated and goal-oriented with strong sales and supervisory experience.

Sales/Membership Representative

Duties: Actively supplement club’s membership sales, marketing and retention efforts by signing up new members and renewing and upgrading existing memberships.

Requirements: Must have excellent communication skills, and experience in fitness, retail, telemarketing, sales, and/or customer service may be required.

Personal Trainer

Duties: Instruct individual clients on the proper methods of exercising according their age, medical condition, fitness abilities and goals.

Requirements: Must be motivated and physically fit with extensive knowledge of physical fitness and exercise programs. Experience and nutrition knowledge preferred. May require a bachelor’s degree in exercise physiology and/or certification. [Note: IHRSA recommends that its member clubs hire personal trainers who are certified by an accredited certifying organization (see www.ihrsa.org/accreditation).]

Front Desk Attendant

Duties: Answering phones, checking in members, scheduling appointments, various administrative duties.

Requirements: Must be well-organized, responsible and committed to excellent customer service.

Group Exercise/Aerobics Instructor

Duties: Lead various exercise classes and help participants maximize their results in a safe, positive, group environment.

Requirements: Certification and/or instructional experience may be required, as well as an audition.

GETTING STARTED

If you are interested in pursuing a career in the fitness industry, the following steps can help enhance your appeal to potential employers:

1. Get Educated: Depending on the desired position, a degree in exercise physiology, nutrition, sports medicine, sports management or business will be beneficial - and may be required. Some such programs are referenced in this article.
2. Get Certified: If you want to be a personal trainer or fitness instructor, a certification from an accredited certifying organization will prove your qualifications to potential employers and clients. Visit ihrsabuyersguide.com to access a directory of such organizations.
3. Get Prepared: Certification in first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) and other emergency response training will be beneficial and may be required. The American Red Cross and the American Heart Association offer a wide range of classes.
4. Get Online! Visit healthclubs.com/jobs regularly for the most current job openings at health clubs and wellness companies located around the world. Basic services for job seekers – including resume posting and job searches – are free with registration. You can instantly find and apply for positions in clubs and fitness companies located around the world. In addition, you can set up automated searches that will email you with new matches. For a nominal fee, make yours a “hot” resume for enhanced exposure.

Kristen Walsh, IHRSA’s senior editor, can be reached via email to kwalsh@ihrsa.org.