What Are My Career Options in Exercise Physiology?
The field of exercise physiology offers potential jobs in sports, exercise and health. It can also be a stepping stone for advanced careers in the medical field. Read on to learn more about exercise physiology career options, including exercise physiologist, fitness instructor and physical therapist.
Career Options
Exercise physiology is the study of how the body moves and functions during movement. Typically, if your work revolves around exercise physiology, you'll hold the job title of exercise physiologist. However, you may decide to work in a specific field and take on that job title instead, such as fitness instructor. You may also use exercise physiology to prepare for a healthcare career, such as physical therapy.
<table border="1"><tr><th> </th><th>Exercise Physiologist</th><th>Fitness Instructor</th><th>Physical Therapist</th></tr>
<tr><td>Work Environment</td><td> Offices, hospitals, colleges, fitness and recreational centers </td><td>Health clubs, hospitals, resorts, colleges, yoga and Pilates studios, client's home </td><td>Clinics, hospitals, nursing homes</td></tr>
<tr><td>Key Skills</td><td> Compassion, detail oriented, decision making, interpersonal skills</td><td> Customer service, problem solving, communication, motivational skills </td><td>Compassion, resourcefulness, dexterity, detail oriented, interpersonal skills</td></tr>
<tr><td>On-the-Job Training </td><td>Not provided </td><td>Short-term training is common</td><td> Not provided</td></tr>
<tr><td>Similar Occupations</td><td> Chiropractors, EMTs and paramedics, registered nurses, massage therapists </td><td>Physical therapist aide, recreational therapist, recreation workers</td><td> Audiologists, speech-language pathologists, chiropractors, occupational therapists</td></tr>
</table><h3 id="section---ExercisePhysiologist">Exercise Physiologist</h3><p>If you work as an exercise physiologist, you'll study how the body moves during physical activity. You may work as a sports instructor, coach, teacher, or researcher. Usually, you will use the knowledge you have of exercise physiology to help individuals improve or maintain their fitness level or health.
</p><h3 id="section---Education">Education</h3><p>To work as an exercise physiologist, a bachelor's degree is usually required. In addition, you need to meet your state's requirements for certification or licensure. Some certifications are offered by the Board of Certification, Inc. (BOC), the American Society of Exercise Physiologists (ASEP) and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM).
</p><h3 id="section---JobOutlookAndSalary">Job Outlook and Salary</h3><p>According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), faster than average job growth of 9% is estimated for exercise physiologists over the 2021-2031 decade (<i>www.bls.gov</i>). They earned an average wage of $54,030 as of May 2021.
</p><h3 id="section---FitnessInstructor">Fitness Instructor</h3><p>Another career option you have as an exercise physiologist is working as a fitness instructor. You'll assist individuals in improving and maintaining their physical health. You may serve as a personal trainer, developing a fitness routine and diet program for clients or you may train individuals in a specific activity such as yoga.
</p><h3 id="section---Education-2">Education</h3><p>The BLS notes that fitness trainers and instructors need at least a high school diploma, although educational requirements depend on the type of job you want to hold. For example, personal trainers often need certification, while other fitness workers might need a fitness or health associate's or bachelor's degree. There are also training programs available from organizations.
</p><h3 id="section---JobOutlookAndSalary-2">Job Outlook and Salary</h3><p>Much faster than average job growth at a rate of 19% is estimated for fitness trainers from 2021 to 2031, according to the BLS. They made $45,870 on average as of May 2021.
</p><h3 id="section---PhysicalTherapist">Physical Therapist</h3><p>Exercise physiology may help you prepare for a career in the healthcare field, such as a career in physical therapy. Exercise physiology can be the undergraduate area of study that allows you to gain an educational foundation to enter a physical therapy program. After completing a physical therapy doctoral program, you can then work as a physical therapist, providing care to help individuals gain, improve, or recover physical abilities.
</p><h3 id="section---Education-3">Education</h3><p>According to the BLS, all states regulate physical therapists. Typically, this involves passing the National Physical Therapy Examination. States may also have additional requirements, such as state testing, that you must meet. In addition, a Doctor of Physical Therapy degree is required. The BLS notes that this program takes approximately three years to complete and includes clinical internships along with coursework.
</p><h3 id="section---JobOutlookAndSalaryInformation">Job Outlook and Salary Information</h3><p>Physical therapists have an estimated job growth of 17% over the 2021-2031 decade, which the BLS reports is much faster than average. They were paid $92,920 on average as of May 2021.</p>