More than ever, Americans are prioritizing their mental and physical health. With an increase in holistic approaches to human performance and fitness, we see a subsequent need for skilled exercise professionals. While on-the-job experience proves beneficial to sustaining a successful career, earning a degree in health and human performance provides in-depth teaching and training in order to become an expert on how the body moves and functions.
As exercise technologies advance, healthier food options increase, and the presence of health and fitness online personalities arise, more and more individuals are influenced to seek out ways to improve their lifestyles. According to Modern Gentleman, the global health and fitness industry is worth $96.7 billion and shows no signs of slowing down. Because of this, employers are seeking out skilled individuals to provide the best care and instruction possible.
Are you curious if a degree in Exercise Science would be beneficial to your career? We’ve broken down 3 key elements to explain why the investment in a degree is worth your while and how it might prepare you for future success.
Foundations to application
When most people think of exercise science, they think of the physical activities that improve daily life, but there are many more layers to this field study than that. To thoroughly understand every aspect of healthy living, you must have a deeper knowledge of the body and how it operates before ever working out or stepping into a gym. A degree in exercise science studies not only the physical elements of holistic living, but the psychological, structural, physiological and mechanical aspects as well.
Through this degree program, you are able to build concepts from each class to the next, with the supervision of experienced professors and mentors. Universities have courses structured for students to learn foundational concepts on topics such as nutrition, motor skills, human behavior and anatomy that all coincide with one another for a well-rounded education. This allows students to evaluate and understand the human body as a whole and apply instruction accordingly for optimal results for their trainee or client.
Post-grad career opportunities
As the demand for exercise professionals increases, so do the chances to expand your career opportunities and wages. Pursuing a degree in exercise science inherently makes you a more viable candidate than those without a degree. This is likely to provide higher salaries at entry-level positions and room to grow or fill leadership roles. Many students who complete this degree will go on to be exercise psychologists, fitness and wellness coordinators, fitness instructors, coaches and even sports scouts.
In addition to an increase in available career positions and salary opportunities, there is an influx of specialized training worldwide. New inventive ways of working out at home or in-studio are more popular than ever. Earning your degree will allow you to narrow your focus on what you’re passionate about and become an expert in that specific training area.
Graduate school & advanced learning
While a degree in exercise science prepares you to fill many entry-level career positions, it also serves as a foundation for graduate school and advanced learning. For individuals who want to go beyond the generalized instruction received through a bachelor’s program, you can pursue graduate school to gain a more microscopic look into aspects of health such as aging, sports management, chiropractic study, and more.
Do you have a passion for health and wellness or looking to advance your career opportunities in this growing industry? Explore a degree in Exercise Science at acu.edu/online, or contact us at 855-219-7300.