5 Exercise Science Jobs You Can Pursue

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Are you passionate about health and wellness? Do you want to impact people’s lives positively while pursuing a fulfilling career?

If so, a degree in exercise science may be the perfect fit for you. Exercise science is a growing field with many career opportunities, and various factors — like your level of education, years of work experience, and metropolitan area — influence salaries in this field.

Here’s a breakdown of the earning potential for exercise science careers and what you need to know to pursue this rewarding path.

Learn about start dates, transferring credits, availability of financial aid, and more by contacting the universities below.

Exercise science is a field about human movement and how it impacts health and wellness. Let’s explore a few key roles you could step into with an exercise science degree.

As an exercise physiologist, you’ll create personalized exercise programs to help patients enhance their health or recover from illness or injury. You’ll evaluate a patient’s fitness and health conditions, monitor their vital signs during exercise, and adjust the program based on their progress.

This role often demands a bachelor’s degree in exercise science or a related field, and many exercise physiologists get certified by the American Society of Exercise Physiologists (ASEP).

As an athletic trainer, you’ll work closely with athletes to prevent injuries and help them recover when injuries occur. You’ll design and implement training programs, provide emergency care, and educate athletes on injury prevention.

This role typically requires a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in athletic training or a similar field, and almost every state requires athletic trainers to be licensed or certified.

As a fitness trainer, you’ll lead and motivate individuals or groups in exercise activities as a fitness trainer and instructor. You’ll assess your client’s fitness levels, design personalized fitness plans, monitor progress, and provide fitness education.

While a high school diploma and certification may be enough for some roles, many employers prefer a bachelor’s degree in a fitness-related field.

As a kinesiotherapist, you’ll guide patients through therapeutic exercise programs to improve their strength, endurance, and mobility. You’ll conduct fitness assessments, design personalized treatment plans, and monitor progress.

To become a kinesiotherapist, you must graduate from a recognized kinesiotherapy program, complete a minimum of 1,000 supervised clinical work hours, and pass the kinesiotherapy certification examination.

As a coach or scout, you’ll lead professional and amateur sports teams. You’ll design strategies and game plans. And you’ll also provide performance feedback to athletes and recruit top talent. This job requires a lot of weekend and night working hours. Many coaches and scouts work for educational institutions.

Typically, a high school diploma is all that is needed to become a coach or scout, but a bachelor’s in a related field can be beneficial.

Advancing your career in exercise science involves a blend of further education, gaining experience, networking, and achieving relevant certifications. Let’s explore some strategies to fuel your career progression in exercise science.

Some exercise science roles, like kinesiotherapist, require certain certifications or licensures, emphasizing their importance in career advancement.

Acquiring certifications and licensures in your field can also significantly enhance your career prospects. Certifications such as Certified Personal Trainer (CPT), Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS), and Clinical Exercise Physiologist (CEP) can boost your employability, increase your earning potential, and provide specialized expertise that employers highly value.

Continuing education is a crucial aspect of career advancement in exercise science. Staying updated with the latest research findings, trends, and best practices in the field can enhance your expertise and skills.

It can also help you maintain certifications that are critical for your professional reputation and career progression. Consider enrolling in advanced courses, attending workshops, conferences, webinars, and pursuing higher degrees to expand your knowledge and stay at the forefront of the field.