Fitness Training Careers

" Just as the health and fitness industry becomes more organised and the demand for educated trainers surges, avenues for those with formal qualifications in fitness training are multiplying"

PROSPECTS APLENTY

• Fitness training careers can be pursued full-time and part-time, so you could be a corporate professional in the morning and lace up your workout shoes around dusk. “A fitness training course includes modules on physiology, anatomy, kinesiology, injury prevention, nutrition, weight management and dealing with special population (pregnant, diabetic, asthmatic or obese individuals). Though experience is very essential, formal qualification definitely helps. In addition to fitness centres, hospitals, spas, star hotels and educational institutions also hire fitness trainers. Multinational companies seek trained fitness experts who can direct health and fitness programmes for employees. Such establishments prefer instructors with valid educational credentials, in addition to experience,” says Smitha Kanchana G, trainer at a fitness centre.
• An instructor can be a group instructor or a personal trainer. While the former holds generalised programmes for groups of people, the latter is more goal-oriented and focuses on the specific needs of a single client, considering his health parameters and work hours. It’s better to start as a group trainer and then become a personal trainer.

GETTING TRAINED

• Many Indian universities offer a Bachelors in Physical Education (BPEd); there are also focused certifications like Reebok Instructor Certification programme or Nike Aerobics Course. Also, American Council on Exercise (ACE), International Sports Science Association (ISSA), American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) and Aerobics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA) conduct certification programmes via distance mode. But if you wish to specialise in a specific form, say, yoga, pilates, aerobics or kick- boxing, you must pursue specialised capsule courses. In the fitness industry, there is no scope for onthe-job training. So, you should be wellequipped educationally when you foray into the industry.
• Body builders, physiotherapists and sports enthusiasts make good fitness trainers. But anyone who’s outgoing, great at motivating people, sensitive to the needs of others, is in best shape and has considerable stamina, can be a fitness instructor.

MONEY-WISE

• Starting out part time is always a good idea. In fact, many sports teachers do fitness training as an evening job. A beginner with good education credentials can fetch anything between Rs 200 to 300 per hour. Only after one is confident about making fitness a full time career should s/he get associated with a gym full-time . “After considerable experience, one always has the option of starting a fitness centre,” says Smitha.