Fitness Trainer: Career in keeping people fit

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Increased health consciousness among people has lead to the burgeoning of new-age gymnasiums which advertise a lifestyle of regular and rigorous exercise. With this the profession of fitness professionals has come to the forefront to cater to persons with specific needs and requirements.

Key Skills

Fitness instructors need to have good knowledge of the human anatomy, especially muscles. A lot of stamina and will power is required in this area of work. Fitness professionals need to be physically fit and in best of shape at all times to be able to impart good training and be the 'role model' for clients. Good communication skills are a must.

Professional Courses

To be a professional fitness instructor, one can take up related courses from reputed institutions. Reebok India Co. offers research-based programmes that are developed by Reebok University especially for professional sports and fitness instructors .The programmes are conducted in all the metros.

The U.S. based American Council on Exercise (ACE) also offers training and certification for fitness instructors valid for two years. These include:-

•    The ACE group Fitness Instructor certification.
•    ACE Clinical Exercise Specialist certification.
•    ACE Lifestyle and Weight Management Consultant certification.

There are Bachelor's and Master's level courses available in Physical Education. The premier institute of this kind in India is the Laxmibai National College of Physical Education in Gwalior. Also BFY Sports and Fitness provides certification and workshops for the fitness professionals at Mumbai, Bangalore and Pune.  The Sports Authority of India (SAI) offers courses in sports and athletics coaching in a large number of disciplines at its various branches across India. Another such institute is Indira Gandhi Institute of Physical Education & Sports Sciences (IGIPESS, affiliated to University of Delhi. Private courses are also offered at Symbiosis Department of Health Sciences, Pune and The Growth for Fitness Instructors (GFFI) Fitness training Institute.

Specialization

Fitness training can be divided into three major sub-categories:
•    Group Fitness Instructors: People who teach any form of exercise in a group/classroom setting.
•    Exercise Specialists: They work with people suffering from specific physical ailments. They design the appropriate exercise programme for a patient in accordance with a physician's recommendations.
•    Personal Trainers: They are instructors who supervise the exercise and workouts on a one-to-one basis. Daily interaction with clients is the most important part of the job, in addition to business and administration jobs.

Career Prospects

Fitness instructors can branch out on their own by starting their own fitness institute. They can also work as a salaried part time instructor. A person with a graduate degree in Physical Education will be eminently qualified to profitably run a fitness saloon or gymnasium. Personal trainers earn a lot more than the Group Fitness Instructors and Exercise Specialists.

Remuneration

Salaries may start at Rs 4,000 per month but would increase for those who establish themselves and create a good clientele. Established trainers can charge up to Rs 1,000 per hour. In addition to actual training, one can also earn by conducting various guest sessions for corporate houses, write about it or even participate in television shows.