Fitness directors manage gym operations, including hiring staff, organizing classes, purchasing equipment, managing finances, and ensuring compliance with safety laws. They typically have experience in fitness and may have degrees in physical education or business administration. Certification in various areas of physical education is also common.
A fitness director handles the managerial duties in a gym or fitness center. He or she is responsible for hiring instructors, organizing classes, purchasing equipment, and managing finances. Most fitness directors have extensive previous experience in the field as group trainers or personal trainers. Educational requirements to become a fitness director vary among employers, but many professionals have college degrees related to physical education, business administration, or both.
Personal trainers and group exercise leaders work under the guidance of the fitness director. The director sets the workers’ schedules and determines when to hold certain classes. He or she stays up to date on the latest trends in the fitness world to ensure gym users enjoy the best equipment and workout routines. Some fitness directors, especially those who work in small clubs or gyms, spend at least part of their time teaching classes.
A large part of a fitness director’s job involves standard administrative tasks common in most companies. He or she controls the user’s files, including billing and payment information. The director determines the prices of membership dues and sets wages for hourly and salaried workers. Budgeting decisions are made by analyzing past sales figures and investigating the success of competing gyms.
The fitness director is also responsible for ensuring that the facility complies with local occupational safety laws and building codes. He or she ensures that equipment is kept in good repair at all times and that safety rules are clearly posted for members to see. By keeping the gym clean and safe, the director is likely to get more business.
While there are no set education or training requirements to become a fitness director, most employers prefer to hire directors who have obtained relevant degrees. A bachelor’s or master’s degree program in physical education provides an individual with specialized knowledge in exercise science, human health, and personal training procedures. Many up-and-coming fitness directors also choose to study business administration to prepare for the various managerial roles related to the position.
A physical conditioning director is usually certified in many areas of physical education. A professional can take training courses and written exams to earn certification in personal training, physical conditioning, clinical exercises, and physiology, among other specialties. Many professional boards offer certification, including the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) in the United States. An individual interested in learning more about becoming certified by ACSM or a similar group can browse the organizations’ websites or speak with directors at their local health club.
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