Physical activity is a fundamental part of our well-being, regardless of age, body type, or BMI. It is always a top choice to improve the quality and longevity of life. Regular workouts of any nature help to enhance overall wellness. However, this aspect of life is often overlooked, and not many people don’t know how to begin this journey.

Exercise education is the study of bodily movements under stress as a part of physical exercise. It also includes research on the effect of health parameters on the body. These include nutrition and the detection of acute and chronic adaptations or pathological issues. Professionals work together to reduce and reverse disease progression through exercise, rehabilitation, injury prevention, and nutrition coaching.

It truly is an extensive area of study. If you are a fitness enthusiast or someone interested in health sciences, exercise science can offer excellent career opportunities. However, before stepping into careers, it is vital to know if the subjects grab your interest. Depending on educational institutes, the courses provided under an exercise science degree are as follows:

• Nutrition
• Kinesiology
• Biomechanics
• Sport phycology
• Fitness and health
• Injury prevention
• Wellness coaching
• Exercise physiology
• Applied sport sciences
• Rehabilitation sciences

Top Career Options For Exercise Science Degree Holders

Choosing a career path that you have little to no information about can be daunting. If you want to know what careers a bachelor’s degree in exercise science has to offer, you’ve come to the right place. Keep reading.

Exercise science is a highly expanded field of study. It includes countless career options starting from sports leagues to fitness companies and healthcare systems. It also offers coursework and a master’s degree for higher education. 

Here are some of the most popular and highly profitable career paths in exercise sciences.

• Personal Trainer

A personal trainer is probably the most chosen career path in exercise science. The immense popularity is due to the need for guidance on proper fitness techniques. There are numerous benefits to a career in personal training. The advantages are close to other highly qualified fields. 

To become a trainer, you require additional certifications from accredited companies, vocational colleges to universities, and online or internal gym programs. If you are enrolled in a college program, you can continue with a personal training certification side by side. It will help you gain experience and lead a career while you complete your degree.

The employment rate of this career is expected to grow 13% within five years. This is much faster than other occupations. The compensation varies depending on where and how you choose to work. Generally speaking, becoming a personal trainer for corporate or celebrity clientele has more benefits than being a regular gym instructor. All in all, personal training is a well-paid job, which guarantees professional success. 

• Physical Therapist

A physical therapist plans specified movement therapy programs for people with disabilities or injuries. It is a healthcare profession that further advances into manifold careers. A physical therapist can choose a variety of working environments with entrepreneurial opportunities. The median pay also stands at a towering $89,000, as stated by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. A physiotherapist also has an excellent work-life balance, making it an in-demand profession in healthcare. However, to practice, you will need doctoral certification or license. Nonetheless, it is a very rewarding profession, both professionally and personally.

• Athletic Trainer

Athletic trainers are similar to personal trainers. Both careers rank the same in terms of the nature of work. However, to be an athletic trainer, you need specialized training in a specific sport alongside a state licensure exam. 

This particular training career has a good yearly income. The employment rate is also immense and projected to grow 11% in the coming years. Athletic trainers can also work as sports coaches and scouts in universities and colleges. They have the opportunity to work hand-in-hand with top athletes or professional sports teams. To train them in fitness, strength, performance, and nutrition. It is a very diverse career option that comes with its fair share of glitz and glam if you choose to work with top tier athletes.

• Exercise Physiologist

A graduate or undergrad student looking to put their exercise science degree to use can become a physiologist. It is a popular career choice with plenty of benefits. The yearly median pay is appreciable, and the job lookout is also faster than average at 10%.

However, like most careers related to the healthcare industry, you will require a post-grad degree or certification from the American Society of experience Physiologists to start practicing professionally. Another compelling aspect of this career is that the self-employment rate is high, making it great for entrepreneurs. If you’re someone looking to start your own business, then an exercise physiologist is the career for you.

• PE Teacher

A PE teacher works in different school setups to guide students about sports and fitness. They also instruct and coach sports teams so they can play against other schools. The minimum educational requirement for this career is a bachelor’s degree and a teaching credential. A personal training certificate can also suffice.

PE teachers get all the perks regular teachers get. Summer breaks, winter breaks, job security, pension, etc. all these features make this quite an attractive career opportunity, especially for people who love to work with kids and teens. Overall, it is a career that helps you lead a rewarding life by keeping it simple and ideal. 

Conclusion

Of course, these are not the only jobs one can land with a degree in exercise science. There are many other options. In short, exercise science is a vast degree that opens up several doors for employment. It is crucial to choose the program you’re passionate about most. If you are settled on a path, make sure it’s within a reasonable financial plan. Another beneficial way to choose a career is to consider its typical salary. Lastly, before going on with your choice, do consider degree requirements and the time investment.