Becoming a fitness director is a rewarding career option for people who are passionate about health and wellness. The job requires you to manage the day-to-day operations of your facility, educate clients on healthy living through exercise and nutritional programs, and keep up with industry trends. However, becoming a fitness director can be challenging for those without experience or proper training. This guide will help you decide if this path is right for you; provide tips on how to prepare for certification exams; explain how to get hired by an organization offering such opportunities; and more!
Step 1: Determine your fitness director career path.
First, you'll need to determine your fitness director career path. If you're just starting out, this can be a little bit confusing--there are so many paths! But don't worry: We've got your back.
- Define the problem before starting on a solution. This step is crucial in all areas of life, but especially when making big decisions like this one! The first thing we recommend doing is taking some time to figure out what kind of job and lifestyle would make you happy (and how much money you want). Make sure that whatever decision comes next aligns with those goals--otherwise, it'll be easy for things to fall apart later down the line. Don't worry about what other people's goals are. It's easy for us humans (especially millennials)
Step 2: Gain a bachelor's degree in a related field.
A bachelor's degree in a related field is the next step. You can find many different types of related fields, but some common ones include:
- Exercise science
- Sports management
- Recreation and leisure studies
The importance of having a bachelor's degree in fitness industry jobs cannot be overstated. Even if you don't plan to go into teaching or research after college, it will still help you get into entry-level positions that pay well and offer long-term growth potential. Although some employers may not require it, having any kind of formal education should improve your chances of getting hired because it shows that you are committed to staying on top of new developments in the field (and perhaps even making them yourself).
Step 3: Complete the required coursework at an accredited training institution.
- Complete the required coursework at an accredited training institution.
The American Sports & Fitness Association (ASFA) is the premier nationally recognized professional association for fitness directors and trainers in the United States, boasting a global membership of over 10,000. Achieving your certification through ASFA guarantees thorough preparation for assuming these roles and grants you access to valuable resources such as job postings, mentorship prospects, and ongoing education programs to consistently refine your expertise.
Step 4: Pass The American Sports & Fitness Association exam to earn your certification.
To attain certification as a fitness professional, successfully passing the examination administered by the American Sports & Fitness Association (ASFA) is required. ASFA extends certification in over 100 fitness disciplines. This certification carries lifelong validity and serves as concrete evidence of your expertise and proficiency while seeking employment opportunities or advancing your education. Moreover, it authorizes you to proudly employ the title "Certified Personal Trainer" on your CV and professional materials.
To prepare for the exam, study some key topics from each section of this guide:
- Personal Training & Group Training
- Nutrition & Weight Management
Step 5: Build experience in the field.
Once you have your degree, the next step is to build experience in the field. You can do this by working at a gym or health club and learning about the different types of fitness certifications available. Another option is getting a job as a personal trainer, which will help you gain knowledge about how to work with clients on an individual basis. If being around people who are interested in improving their health sounds like something that interests you, consider becoming an instructor for group fitness classes such as yoga and Pilates--it's another way that can help expand your knowledge base while providing valuable services for others.
Step 6: Start working as a fitness director.
The next step in your journey to becoming a fitness director is actually working as one. You'll need to find a job at a gym or other health club, which can be done by networking with people in the industry and sending out resumes.
Once you've gotten hired, it's important that you're ready for certification and licensure exams before starting work as a fitness director. These tests are designed to ensure that every person working in this field knows what they're doing--and they have strict time limits! If not prepared properly ahead of time, these requirements could prove too much for even some experienced candidates who have been working out since childhood (and maybe even longer).
Search for a job in a gym or other health club, then prepare for certification and licensure exams before starting work
Search for a job in a gym or other health club, then prepare for certification and licensure exams before starting work.
Once you've determined that fitness director is the right career for you, it's time to look for jobs. You'll need to be prepared with certification and licensure exams if they are required by state law; some states require all fitness directors to become licensed before they can start their jobs.
To find out what steps are necessary to become licensed as a fitness director in your state, contact your local Board of Health or Department of Health Services (DHS). The DHS will also be able to tell you whether there are any requirements regarding hours worked as an intern before becoming fully licensed as well as which types of certifications must be obtained beforehand; this varies based on location so check with them first!
