The Rising Demand for Exercise Physiologists

With today's increasing emphasis on exercise as a means of promoting good health, the need for Exercise Physiologists has never been greater. As a Board Certified Exercise Physiologist, you'll help individuals improve and maintain their health and fitness. You'll implement programs that help rehabilitate those with heart disease and other chronic diseases and disabilities. And you'll provide professional guidance and counsel to athletes and others involved in sports training. As an exercise physiologist, you'll study how physical activity influences the body’s cardiovascular system, endocrine system, and musculoskeletal system.

Exercise physiologists have a broad range of opportunities. Their services are in demand in commercial and industrial facilities, health clubs, recreation centers and educational institutions. Exercise physiologists may also work in clinical settings, prescribing exercise for doctor-referred patients.

Unlike a personal trainer, Exercise Physiologists are healthcare professionals who have completed a degree in exercise physiology and/or have been certified by the American Society of Exercise Physiologists (ASEP). To begin your career as an Exercise Physiologist, you'll need an undergraduate degree in exercise physiology or exercise science. A master's degree may be necessary in certain areas. An internship or part-time employment is ideal for most entry-level exercise physiology positions. The certification for exercise test technologist, exercise specialist, or health/fitness director is available through the American College of Sports Medicine. ACSM's highest certification is program director. Continuing education hours are required every four years for recertification.

What can you expect to make as an Exercise Physiologist? According to the Florida Agency for Workforce Innovation, Labor Market Statistics Center, exercise physiologists earned $43,323 annually in 2009. Salaries are expected to rise as the nation's population gets older and the need for continued exercise is stressed by physicians.

Alex A. Kecskes has written hundreds of published articles on health/fitness, "green" issues, TV/film entertainment, restaurant reviews and many other topics. As a former Andy/Belding/One Show ad agency copywriter, he also writes web content, ads, brochures, sales letters, mailers and scripts for national B2B and B2C clients.