Exercise science jobs may not be very well known, but they are part of a fascinating field that ranges from sports and recreational activities, to health professions and physical therapy. In this article, we’ll list the best and most interesting exercise science jobs divided by levels of education.
If exercise science seems like the perfect field for you, find your dream position in the article below and get started on your path to success.
What Is Exercise Science?
Exercise science studies the body under physical stress such as exercise, physical sports, or occupational therapy. This helps practitioners, coaches, and trainers to ensure the safety and health of their patients and clients. The fields that exercise science involves are studies in kinesiology, exercise physiology, biomechanics, exercise nutrition, fitness, and health science.
Practitioners and trainers will study in educational programs that put an emphasis in the areas of anatomy, physiology, chemistry, biology, and physics in order to have a well-rounded understanding of the body and its optimal health.
What Can You Do With An Exercise Science Degree?
Careers in exercise science are diverse and plentiful. Education in exercise science can lead to entry-level careers, such as fitness instructors and program directors, or act as the starting point for further education and careers such as doctors and occupational therapists.
Below we list ten exercise science jobs that only require a bachelor’s degree, and ten more that require further education.
Below are ten exercise science jobs that only require a bachelor’s degree.
1. Fitness Trainer And Instructor
Fitness trainers and instructors guide individuals or groups in exercise activities. This may include demonstrating exercise routines, choreographing and teaching exercise classes, or watching and critiquing clients on proper exercise techniques for their individual fitness goals.
2. Coach And Scout
Coaches and scouts monitor athletes and student athletes to determine their eligibility for teams and competition. They also train and give nutrition and technique advice to athletes in order to prepare them for teams and competition.
3. Recreational Therapist
Recreational therapists plan and direct recreational activities for individuals and groups in hospitals, nursing homes, and other institutions. These activities may be sports, games, social activities, or art projects in order to improve patients’ physical and emotional wellbeing.
Physical education teachers, otherwise known as P.E. coaches and teachers, plan and instruct students in sports and lessons that improve health and fitness.
5. Community Program Director
Community program directors develop sports, social, educational, cultural, recreational, seasonal, and family programs for a specific community or community center.
6. Recreation And Sports Director
Recreational and sports directors plan, organize, and direct recreational and sports activities. This includes managing and directing coaches, making sure coaches are properly trained, advertising and budgeting, as well as ensuring the safety of equipment and programs.
7. Sports Facility Manager
Sports facility managers are responsible for the day-to-day as well as larger planning operations involved in the management of stadiums, arenas, and sports facilities.
8. Strength And Conditioning Coach
Strength and conditioning coaches are responsible for establishing and running strength and conditioning programs for sports teams, with the three goals of improving athletic performance, reducing injuries, and teaching long-term fitness and exercise skills.
Best Exercise Science Jobs Without A Degree
9. Personal Trainer
Personal trainers provide physical and nutritional advice for their clients in their plans for weight loss, muscle building, and improved fitness. They help clients create individualized plans to achieve their fitness goals.
10. Aerobics Instructor
Aerobics instructors lead group classes of different fitness levels in exercise activities that focus on cardiovascular improvement, which may include specialized activities such as yoga or pilates.
Gym managers make sure that the equipment and facilities offered by the gym are checked and maintained, in order to ensure that everything is safe and functioning. Gym managers make sure that customers are safe and ensure an enjoyable gym experience.
12. Massage Therapist
Massage therapists assess clients’ physical condition, such as their soft tissue, muscle strength, joint quality and function, and range of motion. They then use pressure and massage to treat medical conditions and physical injuries.
13. Physical Therapy Assistant
Physical therapy assistants treat patients under the supervision of physical therapists. They guide patients with exercise, massage, walking and balance training, and other physical and therapeutic activities. In addition, they record each patient’s progress during the term of their treatments.
Best Exercise Science Jobs With Further Education
14. Doctor
A bachelor’s degree in exercise science or health science can be a great first foundation in order to continue on to a medical degree and career. Doctors may work in a variety of different specialities that ensure the physical health and treatment of patients.
15. Athletic Therapist
An athletic therapist is a healthcare professional that specializes in the care of muscles, joints, and bones. They specialize in athletics and physical activity to ensure the safety of these important areas.
16. Fitness Tech Engineer
Fitness tech engineers design fitness gear and technology in order to ensure safety and comfort for athletes and customers. This may include anything from exercise equipment to special workout clothes and tennis rackets.
17. Exercise Physiologist
Exercise physiologists plan exercise programs geared toward helping patients recover from chronic illness. Such programs are designed to improve patients’ cardiorespiratory functioning, muscular strength, muscular endurance, or flexibility.
18. Registered Dietician
Dieticians design nutrition programs to prevent illness, alleviate symptoms of disease, encourage health, and prevent allergies. They may also provide food programs to institutions such as schools, hospitals, and workplaces.
19. Occupational Therapist
Occupational therapists treat patients who are disabled or injured with the use of exercise and therapeutic equipment and activities. Treatments help improve patients’ mobility and function, as well as encourage them to recuperate and resume daily activities.
20. Physical Therapist
Physical therapists work with physical injuries in a similar way to occupational therapists. While occupational therapists are focused on everyday activities, physical therapists focus on recuperation of basic physical movement after an injury.
21. Physician Assistant
Physician assistants examine patients, suggest medication, stitch cuts, set bones, administer immunizations, and order diagnostic tests for patients under the supervision of doctors.
22. Chiropractor
Chiropractors treat patients with issues concerning nerves, bones, muscles, ligaments, and tendons. They use interventional procedures such as spinal adjustments and manipulation to treat pain and other health concerns.
Earn A Health Science Degree Online
If this field appeals to you, earning a health science degree may be the first step to pursuing a career in health and exercise science. University of the People offers health science degrees completely online, so you can earn a degree without having to attend university. University of the People is also tuition-free, making it an affordable choice for anybody wishing to earn a degree.
University of the People aims to make quality education affordable and accessible to all kinds of students, so that each student can work toward a successful career. That’s why mentorship and career development are key parts in our program, no matter what you decide to study.
Conclusion
There are many diverse and amazing exercise science jobs. If you’re passionate about health, exercise, or sports, you’re bound to find the perfect exercise science role for you. Whether you choose an entry-level position, earn a bachelor’s degree or certification, or continue on to medical school, there’s a unique path for everyone in this field.
At UoPeople, our blog writers are thinkers, researchers, and experts dedicated to curating articles relevant to our mission: making higher education accessible to everyone. Read More
