Exercise specialists create personalized exercise regimens for patients with health conditions. They need a bachelor’s degree in a health-related field, supervised experience, and certification. They typically start as assistants and need continuing education to stay current.
Exercise specialists assess the physical fitness and medical histories of patients with health conditions to create personalized exercise regimens. They rely on their expert knowledge of physiology, nursing and personal training to ensure that patients engage in safe and effective exercise. A person who wants to become an exercise specialist typically needs to earn a bachelor’s degree in a health-related field, gain supervised experience in a clinical exercise program, and pass regional and national certification tests. With the proper training and credentials, an individual can become an exercise specialist at a physical rehabilitation clinic or public gym.
An individual who believes they want to become an exercise expert can enroll in a four-year bachelor’s degree program at an accredited university. Some schools offer degrees in exercise science, which are particularly useful in preparing future exercise specialists. If an exercise science specialization is not available, the student can still gain the knowledge and skills necessary for work in a nursing, physical therapy, or physiology program. A graduate student learns the reasons why exercise is important for people at risk of health problems such as diabetes and heart disease. He or she receives detailed instruction on the physiology of the heart and lungs and how smart diet and exercise routines can reduce risk factors.
Many schools offer internship or job placement opportunities to successful students, helping them get started in the field after graduation. A person who wants to become an exercise specialist will typically start their career as an assistant at a clinical rehabilitation center, learning about the profession firsthand from established experts. Prior to working with real patients, an assistant is typically required to complete training courses and become certified in cardiopulmonary resuscitation, first aid, and basic life support.
Training requirements to become an exercise specialist vary between regions and countries, but most professionals need to gain between three months and one year of supervised professional experience before they can take the certification exams. Certification is offered by professional boards such as the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) in the United States. An individual can learn about prerequisites and test dates by browsing the ACSM website or a similar organization in another country.
Once a person earns specialized exercise credentials, he or she is qualified to work independently with patients. Continuing education and refresher courses are important for a fitness specialist so they can stay current on the latest techniques. Most exercise specialists enjoy their jobs immensely, and their services offer hope and health to millions of patients around the world.
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