Fitness professionals are key to changing lives as they help people to live a more healthy lifestyle, care for their bodies and improve their mental health all at the same time. The fitness sector is therefore very diverse, with a range of careers to explore as well as ample opportunities for professional development. We chatted to Lauren Wakeling, UK Country Manager at CoursesOnline, about how you can plan for the future of your fitness career, learn to navigate the industry and achieve your career aspirations through upskilling.
Consider Your Career Goals and Opportunities
The first step to upskilling your resume and moving forward with your career is considering what your career goals are. There are several job types in the fitness industry for you to explore, including:
- Personal Trainer
- Fitness instructor
- Sports Coach
- Pilates or Yoga Instructor
- Health and Fitness Coach
- Physiotherapist
- Leisure Centre Assistant
- Lifeguard
- PE Teacher
- Outdoor Activities Instructor
Whether you’re just starting out in your career or are already on track and want to advance your career further, there are many avenues that the fitness industry can take you down.
Make a List of Skills and Qualifications Needed
Once you know which area of the fitness industry you want to work (or progress) in, you can start researching what you need in order to succeed in that career.
For example, if you want to work as a personal trainer, then you can start by looking into what qualifications and skills you need in this career. Often, there are recommended career pathways to help you develop the key skills needed for the career you want, for example doing an apprenticeship, studying a fitness course or getting an accredited qualification.
However, you might not have the resources to go down the usual pathway to develop the skills needed for your chosen career. Therefore having a list of qualifications alongside a list of skills can help you decide the best route for you to take to either kick-start your career or work your way up to the next stage.
Create a Plan for Career Development
Once you know what skills and qualifications are needed, the next step is to create a detailed plan for your career development.
Skills
First of all, differentiate between the skills you already have (and the evidence for you having them) and the skills you need to develop.
Skill Development
Next, decide how you will go about developing the needed skills. If you are keen to progress your career, for example to go from a leisure centre assistant to a team leader or manager, then try discussing this with your line manager as there may be opportunities for you to develop skills on the job or through work training.
Qualifications/Courses
Through advancements in online learning, there are many ways to develop your skills and qualifications flexibly. Online courses can help you learn the skills and knowledge you need in your own time, at your own pace. This could be a fitness course or a course to help you develop other skills such as leadership and management.
Timescale
Consider how long it will take you to complete your training and when you expect to have developed the skills needed for your chosen career. Keep track of progress throughout your upskilling steps and adjust your timescale if needed.
Goal
Always have your career aspirations in mind and be aware of how your plan will help you achieve them.
Start to Build Your Skills, Experience and Expertise
Once you have your plan together, you can begin building your skills and expertise. When you complete your upskilling plan, and have developed the required skills, you will have the necessary evidence to demonstrate to employers that you have what it takes to fulfil your chosen job role.
The fitness industry can be a very rewarding one to work in, and there are ample opportunities for career development. Through online courses and qualifications, as well as on the job work training, you can gain the skills needed to fulfil your career goals as a fitness professional.
For more info: CoursesOnline
