Careers in fitness

With the increased promotion of physical activity and healthy lifestyles, people are joining fitness centres and taking part in group classes more than ever before.

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As a result, the demand for these services has created a wide range of employment options and opportunities within the fitness industry.

Fitness centres now run a wide variety of programs to meet the various needs of different community groups, from intensive training for professional athletes, to gentle exercise for older adults.

The working environment within the fitness sector is exciting and rewarding. If you love working face-to-face with people and enjoy keeping fit and active while you work, then a career in fitness is for you. The sector operates seven days a week, covering varied hours each day. This means you will be required to work split shifts to cover early morning, as well as night sessions.

Good communication skills are essential, as you will be required to give instructions and encourage motivation and enthusiasm in your clients. Employment in the fitness industry is usually on a casual or part-time basis; however, by obtaining the necessary fitness qualifications and industry registrations, you will greatly enhance your chances of attaining full-time employment.

Fitness entry requirements

Entry into working as a fitness professional can be accessed by obtaining a Certificate III or IV in Fitness, depending upon the position. Registration with a peak body such as Fitness Australia is recommended, as it will give you access to insurance for professional indemnity at a reduced rate. Some evidence of communication skills will also be helpful, such as working in reception, in addition to a Senior First Aid qualification and a positive attitude.

Areas within the fitness industry

To make things easier for you to decide on the kind of career in fitness you are interested in, fitness is separated three main areas:

Administration careers

People working in administration in the fitness industry perform a wide range of roles, from reception/front desk work, member relations, public relations, marketing and management of fitness centres.

Administration Officer

Administration Officers handle the daily front-end administration of the organisation. Duties include record keeping, data entry, inventory control, report-writing and staffing issues.

Receptionist

A Receptionist is the first point of contact for members. Duties include greeting clients as they enter the centre, answering phone calls, scheduling appointments, answering questions and providing information.

Marketing Officer

A Marketing Officer applies formal marketing principles to the promotion and advertising of fitness and health centres, products and services to boost membership and promote events.

Member Relations Officer

Member Relations Officers and Managers are responsible for maintaining relationships with a centre’s clients and keeping them updated on changes, promotions, complaints and general activities.

Membership Sales Manager

This role involves managing and mentoring a team of  Sales Consultants, driving the team to meet sales budgets, providing support to Sales Consultants and the club General Manager and day to day assistance in running the club.

Membership/Sales Consultant

Sales Consultants coordinate the sale of memberships within a fitness/health club or centre. Consultants are required to maintain minimum sales quotas, coordinate new package arrangements and undertake new member inductions.

Administration Manager

The primary purpose of this role is to develop and manage a team and develop and coordinate processes and systems to improve business and financial management. Skills that may be advantageous include ability to use initiative and strong communication, interpersonal and analytical skills.

Member Relations Manager

A Member Relations Manager is responsible for ensuring the best possible service for members of an organisation. The role may involve membership marketing and development, including programs and services, conceiving, planning and conducting value-added member marketing initiatives and events, and liaising with both potential and actual members and supervising staff.

Programs Coordinator

A Programs Coordinator develops and implements programs to be provided within a fitness or recreation centre. Duties include budgeting, determining the nature and demand for services and identifying new trends in programs.

Physical Education Teacher

Physical Education (PE) Teachers generally work in secondary and primary schools and are responsible for coordinating physical activity programs for students and educating students about community and personal health issues.

Fitness Centre Manager

Managers are responsible for the overall running of a centre, including allocating and controlling a centre’s resources, activities and facilities. Managers are also involved in determining the future direction, and financial growth of a centre.

Industry Development/Policy Officer

This role involves research and development of future policy, which will shape the development and implementation of programs offered. It also includes evaluation, assessing the benefits of research and development activities.

TAFE/Recognised Training Operator Lecturer

University Lecturer/Tutor

Lecturers and Tutors deliver training courses at institutions in specific areas such as Certificate IV in Fitness at TAFE. Lecturers and Tutors in universities generally teach courses at a Bachelor level, such as a degree in Sports Science.

Executive Director/CEO

The Executive Director is similar to the CEO in that they both are concerned with the overall governance and strategic direction of the organisation. The difference is that an Executive Director is the term used generally in the not-for-profit sector.

Fitness support careers

People working in fitness support careers help individuals increase their level of fitness in a fun and safe manner, and provide assistance with exercise techniques, fitness routines and also by taking group fitness classes.

Fitness support

Retail Fitness Assistant/Manager

A Sport/Fitness Retail Manager is responsible for overseeing the operations of a retail organisation, including purchasing and inventory, staffing, marketing and floor planning.

Fitness Instructor (Group Exercise)

Fitness Instructors develop and conduct exercise programs and routines for specific groups. A Group Instructor must be skilled in one or several group disciplines (HiLo aerobics, Step, circuits etc). Tasks involve regular learning routines, instructing group routines and providing coaching on correct techniques and information on how to enhance overall fitness.

Fitness Instructor (gym)

Gym Fitness Instructors work closely with individuals to determine appropriate training routines, conduct appraisals and assess individual needs and capabilities and provide coaching on correct techniques and use of gym equipment.

Fitness Instructor (Personal Trainer)

These types of fitness instructors conduct personal training sessions with individuals to provide specific coaching and motivation, tailored to individual needs such as injury rehabilitation weight loss, increased cardiovascular capacity and strength and conditioning.

Fitness Instructor (Seniors Programs)

This role involves working with individual seniors and groups to develop and deliver suitable fitness programs, provide advice on dietary and nutrition requirements and age-related medical issues, and promote the benefits of physical activity and involvement.

Gym Floor Manager

A Gym Floor Manager plans and oversees the activities and resources on the gym floor, makes sure all equipment is maintained and up to date, selects and trains floor staff and liaises with senior management in the delivery of programs and other services.

Health science careers

Health science careers focus on human movement and biology. By learning about the body and how it functions you will be able to assist people in the areas of health and nutrition, injury prevention and rehabilitation, strength and conditioning, and can even go on to assist amateur and elite athletes in enhancing performance.

Health science

Exercise Scientist

Exercise Scientists play a support role to assist amateur and professional athletes with performance, injury rehabilitation, and strength and conditioning. These roles can also gain employment in physical rehabilitation clinics and other roles in the health, wellness and physical fitness industries.

Exercise Physiologist (EP)

Exercise Physiologists are exercise specialists who design and deliver exercise programs. They specialise in exercise for rehabilitation, exercise for health and wellbeing, chronic and complex medical conditions, musculoskeletal rehabilitation, work conditioning and improvements in sports performance.

Exercise Rehabilitation Physiologist

An Exercise Rehabilitation Physiologist assists athletes and other individuals, such as seniors, with effective rehabilitation programs following serious injury and surgery to maximise recovery period and reduce long-term effects of injury.

Physiotherapist

Physiotherapists are trained to assess the underlying causes of joint, muscle and nerve injuries and provide effective treatment in order to assist athletes and the general public in injury recovery and prevention.

Sport Medicine Doctor

Sport Medicine Doctors specialise in training prevention of illness and injury. They help patients maximise function and minimise disability and time away from sport and recreation, work or school.

 

Fitness Career Pathways

Sport and recreation sector career paths and tertiary courses

The career pathways in the sport and recreation sector and the tertiary courses available are outlined in this download.

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