For individuals who like to spend time in the gym and keep their bodies fit, a career in exercise science can be one that makes them feel like they have never worked a day in their lives.
In addition to mastering the ins and outs of physical fitness, motivation and performance psychology are also important aspects for those seeking careers in exercise science.
Degrees in this field touch on both the mind and body and can set you up for quite a variety of jobs.
What is Exercise Science?
Before pursuing a degree, it’s important to know exactly what you’re getting into. In short, it is the study of how the body responds to physical exercise.
Physiology is the foundational science behind exercise science, as it is the focused on living mechanisms.
Kinesiology and athletic training are also aspects of the learning curriculum, making the degree one with a lot of options following graduation.
Why Choose Exercise Science?
In addition to the fulfillment you can get from days spent helping others improve and monitor their health, it’s also difficult to find a job better for your own health than one in exercise science.
With that in mind, almost every career path involves being on your feet, so be prepared to do so if you pursue an exercise science degree.
Another bonus of being a professional in exercise science is job security. The world gets healthier by the year, and fitness and wellness are no longer just trends in the United States, as almost half of the country’s adults had gym memberships at some point in 2019.
The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics expects an almost 20% job growth over the next 8 years and a 10% growth for exercise physiologists over that same time period.
Careers in Exercise Science
Strength and Conditioning Coach
Strength and conditioning coaches work with athletes to keep them in shape and increase their abilities on their respective playing surfaces.
In addition to strength and conditioning, as the name would suggest, these coaches also guide athletes in exercise routines and dieting practices, and nutritional intake.
Personal Trainer
Similar to a strength and conditioning coach, personal trainers aim to give knowledge and guidance on physical health practices and other things related to wellness.
The primary difference between the two is that personal trainers tend to work with everyday people as opposed to those who need to maximize their bodies’ output as part of their job.
Wellness Director
Wellness directors actually spend a lot of their time at a desk if, indeed, that is something that entices you in addition to an education in exercise.
These individuals tend to work for large corporations and organize events and healthy habits as part of an HR department.
Exercise Physiologist
These individuals also provide healthy guidance for groups of people, but often they tend to help with rehabilitation practices for people affected by chronic or acute illnesses.
Further Education
As the U.S. education system continues to become more accessible, graduate degrees are becoming more and more important for those looking to stand out in their respective fields.
Whether you’re new to the field of exercise science or have been in the game for years, a COVID silver lining could be the extra time available to further your education.
Online options are aplenty as well!
