Career Opportunities in the Fitness industry.
When you think about a career in fitness, most people probably picture working as a trainer at the gym, personal trainer or other related job. While these are fantastic careers in the industry and growing fields, there are also other opportunities to consider that could be a better fit for you. If you’re thinking about a career in the fitness industry but not necessarily as one of those specific jobs, it might make sense to transition into a career in fitness management. This will allow you to continue working with and advising people on their fitness journey while also transitioning into management roles and focusing on strategy, leadership and team development. To begin exploring your options as they relate to this field, keep reading for an explanation of what exactly a career in fitness management entails. Keep in mind that there are many paths forward when it comes to this field; some examples outlined below may appeal to you more than others!
What is a Career in Fitness Management?
A career in fitness management is focused on managing the operations of a fitness facility, including hiring, training and managing staff, overseeing finances, marketing, membership and program development and more. In other words, fitness managers are responsible for managing the day-to-day operations of a fitness facility, from scheduling classes and hiring instructors to overseeing the facility’s finances and making sure things are running smoothly. Depending on the type of facility you work for, you may or may not work directly with clients on a day-to-day basis. Fitness managers also work with non-fitness departments within a fitness facility, such as HR and marketing, to make sure everyone is working together to achieve company goals and provide the best client experience possible.
Benefits of a Career in Fitness Management
- Work with people: If you enjoy working one-on-one with clients and want to continue doing that, a career in fitness management is a great way to do that while also managing the operations of an entire facility. - Be part of a team: As a fitness manager, you’ll work closely with other departments in the facility to make sure everything runs smoothly, from membership services to facility operations. This also extends to your team; fitness managers work with trainers and other members of their team to create a positive, collaborative culture. - Rise to the top: A career in fitness management is a great way to advance your career and climb the corporate ladder. You could begin by overseeing one facility and building a team, then moving up to managing multiple facilities. And as the industry grows, people in management roles are often the first to be hired for new positions as companies expand.
Key Responsibilities of a Fitness Manager
- Leading a team: Leading and managing your team is a big part of being a fitness manager. You’ll need to create a positive culture and lead by example, as well as provide creative coaching, mentoring and feedback to help your team succeed. - Creating and managing schedules: You’ll need to create and manage schedules for your team based on the needs of the facility and their individual skill sets. This likely includes creating and managing staff vacations and other time off. - Ensuring customer satisfaction: Customer service is important in every aspect of the fitness industry, but it’s especially important in management roles. You’ll need to make sure each member of your team is delivering an outstanding experience and that every client who walks through the door is happy with their membership. - Measuring success: Fitness managers use a variety of metrics to measure success and make adjustments as needed. This includes everything from attendance at classes to the number of new memberships purchased and more.
Conclusion
When you consider a career in fitness management, you’re taking a big step in the right direction. This industry is growing, and there are so many different directions you can take your career as a fitness manager. Whether you want to focus on training and coaching staff or on leading marketing initiatives within the company, a career in fitness management provides a lot of flexibility and opportunity for growth and development.