| Related Jobs |  | Therapist, Recreational, Psychologist, Counseling, Social Worker, Medical |
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| Job Outlook | | Opportunities are expected to be better for fitness trainers and aerobics instructors because of relatively rapid growth in employment. Job openings for fitness workers also will stem from the need to replace the large numbers of workers who leave this occupation each year.
Overall employment of recreation and fitness workers is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2016, as an increasing number of people spend more time and money on recreation, fitness, and leisure services and as more businesses recognize the benefits of recreation and fitness programs and other services such as wellness programs.
Employment of fitness workers—who are concentrated in the rapidly growing arts, entertainment and recreation industry—is expected to increase much faster than average due to rising interest in personal training, aerobics instruction, and other fitness activities.
Recreation and fitness workers held about 235,000 jobs in 2006, and many additional workers held summer jobs in this occupation. About 62 percent were recreation workers; the rest were fitness trainers and aerobics instructors. Of those with year-round jobs as recreation workers, almost 40 percent worked for local governments, primarily in the park and recreation departments.
Almost all fitness trainers and aerobics instructors worked in physical fitness facilities, health clubs, and fitness centers, mainly within the amusement and recreation services industry or civic and social organizations. About 5 percent of fitness workers were self-employed; many of these were personal trainers. |
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| More Information | | National Strength Training and Conditioning Association, American Council on Exercise, American College of Sports Medicine |
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| References | | Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor, Occupational Outlook Handbook, 2008-09 Edition, Recreation and Fitness Workers, on the Internet at http://www.bls.gov/oco/ocos058.htm
O*NET OnLine, on the Internet at
http://online.onetcenter.org/link/summary/39-9031.00 |
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