18th September 2017.Have you ever considered the possibility that you might get a job working in a field related to fitness or health? Whether you love playing sports or you're just a fitness nut who hits the gym on a regular basis, it's possible that you could turn that love into a passion ? and ultimately, a career. There are many opportunities that you can pursue in this sector, and there are very diverse career options for those willing to put in the work. Some jobs require intensive preparation, while others focus on your physical ability to do the job without so many qualifications on paper. How can you decide which way to go with your interests? You can start by thinking about what motivates you and what type of fitness activities you enjoy the most. Swimmers, for example, will naturally gravitate more towards fields that keep them in or around the water. Others zero in on clients to improve their health or guide them to better physical fitness. There are tonnes of options waiting for you out there. Want to develop a sense of what you could be doing in this industry? Here are a few of the potential career paths you could pursue.

Help others eat healthier as a nutritionist or dietician

Eating right is one of the most crucial factors in developing lifelong wellness. The proper diet is important for managing diseases, improving health, and fuelling your body during strenuous fitness activities. If you've ever tried to plan your own diet, you know it can be tough to meet all your nutritional needs while staying satisfied. What if you could help others navigate those difficult problems? That's exactly what a dietitian (also known as a nutritionist in some countries) does, and with the right studies, you could do it, too. In most cases, you'll first need to complete a degree in nutrition or a related field. Afterwards, there are often industry-level qualifications and some instituted by the government. Earning these qualifications focuses on studying how best to develop dietary plans, what the human body needs, and more. After that, you put your skills to use in many places. You could work alongside actual medical professionals, or work in a school, formulating healthy meals for children. You can even offer your services in a private setting, helping athletes and other individuals make effective eating plans.

Keep swimmers safe when you learn to lifeguard

Everyone needs to stay safe in the water; even the most experienced swimmers can end up in trouble. Lifeguards protect swimmers at both indoor pools and outdoor bodies of water. There are many positive aspects to becoming a lifeguard. You could choose to work full-time, making it a career, or you could volunteer your time part-time. In either case, you'll need to be able to demonstrate competence and fitness as a swimmer. After all, you might need to pull someone who weighs much more than you out of the water. To become a lifeguard mostly requires just a few basic certifications, including showing proof of your ability to meet the swimming requirements. You'll also need to be able to focus on large crowds for long periods of time. You need to be more than just a good swimmer: you need a pair of eagle-like eyes to spot potential dangers, too. After certification, you can begin looking for lifeguarding opportunities.

Hit the gym with a client as a personal trainer

If you spend any amount of time in a gym, you're likely to see someone else working out with the help of a personal trainer. These professionals play many roles: planner, encourager, spotter, and more. Working out and sticking to your fitness goals is much easier when you have accountability and someone to help you make plans to reach those goals. That's where trainers come into the picture. Could you be one of those people earning a handsome hourly wage while guiding others through their workout? Yes! If you already have experience in exercise, why not? It is actually very easy to become a personal trainer. You will need a few basic qualifications for personal training and gym instruction, but they are not degree-level courses. You'll also need to earn a first aid qualification and take out a special insurance policy to cover your personal training activities. At that point, you can begin offering your services! You can work independently, or you could choose to work in the employ of a gym; many keep trainers on staff to offer to their patrons.

Work in rehab: assist physical therapy patients

Sports injuries often present a tough road to recovery, especially if an athlete has injured the same body part in the past. In other cases, non-sports-related injuries create problems that make it challenging for individuals to exercise or enjoy the same range of motion as they did in the past. By understanding the "biomechanics" of the body and the way it heals after injury, physical therapists encourage patients to push their limits to "retrain" the body and regain more mobility. It's a rewarding, if difficult, field. How could you begin? It depends on if you want to work as a therapist or as a therapist's assistant. Both will require some formal study and medical qualifications. You may be able to work as an assistant with less experience, offering you the opportunity to gain first-hand knowledge. You can expect to work one-on-one with patients as they progress through their therapy regimen. Over time, you can help them develop serious improvements.

Prepare children for fitness with physical education

Everyone needs to start somewhere when it comes to learning how to eat right and stay fit. That's the reasoning behind physical education requirements in schools. Children not only need to burn off plenty of energy each day, but it is also a good opportunity to teach them foundational skills. Whether it?s proper running form or how to play team sports cohesively, these are things very important to every child's development. If you want to become a part of this process, you could become a physical education teacher. First, you may need a university degree in education or physical education. You will also need to complete an initial teacher training qualification. During your studies, you will learn strategies for teaching children and effective ways to introduce them to fitnessconcepts. Whether you work with older teenagers or young children, it's a desirable career field for those who love helping others. You may even find yourself as the organiser of after school sports clubs for the kids!

There are many other jobs available, too

Are you looking for something that requires less of a long-term commitment or without so many stringent educational requirements? There are positions out there for you, too. For example, if you don't want to pursue becoming a personal trainer, you could still apply for a job in a gym. Even if you are just handling new memberships and assisting members with issues, it will allow you to "get a foot in the door" and open future opportunities. Similarly, working in athletics stores or with youth sports teams can give you useful skills to take into other fields later. You don't always need to seek gainful employment to gain skills, either. Why not consider volunteer work? There are often plenty of chances in your local community to volunteer with fitness-related activities. You might help senior citizens exercise at a community pool, or lead a group of children in a game at a youth centre. All these scenarios present fun and exciting alternatives when you just want to test the waters before diving into a career in fitness.

Where will you find your career?

Building any career path takes time and dedication, but it all begins with a dream. When you want to involve yourself in the health and fitness field, where do you see yourself in five years? Ten? That kind of question can help to determine where you need to focus your efforts. You won't be able to start from the top ? so don't forget that there's no shame in taking a more basic job at a gym or community pool while you work on other qualifications. With hard work and determination, you'll come out on the other side ready and prepared to help others improve their lives.