Career Specializations

Specializations in training typically involve specific sports. A trainer who works at the professional level will typically spend his or her career working with different teams in a given sport. Likewise, some trainers may specialize in a specific age range such as high school, adults, or elders and will work in settings that serve these populations.

• Professional Team Trainer: These trainers work with professional sports teams to service various athletes on the team. Teams typically have a head trainer who manages a staff of trainers. This work is highly selective and requires an education in training and firsthand experience with the sport.
• University/College Sports Trainer: Many colleges and universities that have elite athletic teams, such as football or basketball, have a staff of trainers who work with their players. These trainers help improve performance and motivation for team athletes.
• Private Practice With Professional Athletes: Some trainers who have the experience and expertise eventually work with private clients who are professional athletes. These may include professionals who are involved in individual sports like golf, cycling, or running.

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Degree Levels

• Associate Degree: 2 years of full-time study in a community college
• Bachelor's Degree: 4 years of full-time undergraduate study in a college or university
• Master's Degree: 2-3 years of full-time study in a graduate program
• PhD Degree: 4-6 years of full-time study

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Education & Certification Requirements

Trainers take courses in human biology, including human anatomy and physiology. They must develop an in-depth understanding of the body's muscular and skeletal systems in order to work effectively with an athlete's physical performance and health. Courses cover common injuries, therapies used for recovery, and physiological factors such as respiration and heart function are also studied.

Trainers also complete a good amount of coursework in nutrition and diet. They typically work with athletes to help them maintain their physical health through proper diet and weight management. For some elite or professional athletes proper diet is essential to performance and injury prevention. Trainers learn how to assess dietary needs and energy levels, and make dietary adjustments as necessary.

Trainers also complete coursework in human behavior and psychology, particularly as it relates to an athlete's motivation and performance. They need to be able to communicate with clients in an effective manner to complete tasks such as goal setting and performance or fitness reviews. Much of this relates to psychology or counseling skills, and as such, many trainers will complete coursework in sports psychology. In addition, trainers may pursue specialized classes in sports management, depending on their focus in training. If they are working with scholastic or professional athletes, trainers can benefit from understanding basic sports management principles.

The BOC, or Board of Certification for the Athletic Trainer, offers examinations to certify trainers as members of this professional organization. Professional organizations assist participants in continuing education and professional development, but they are not required for employment in the field.

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Salary Information

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, sports and athletic trainers can earn anywhere from $16,400 to $63,200 per year, depending on their location and their level of work. (U.S. Dept. of Labor)

• Individuals with an associate degree earn between $16,400 and $24,400 per year.
• Individuals with a bachelor's degree earn between $19,900 and $29,200 a year.
• Individuals with a master's degree earn between $30,700 and $38,700 a year.
• Individuals with a PhD degree earn between  $45,700 and $63,200 a year.

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Job Outlook

According to the U.S. Department of Labor, jobs in the field of personal training should increase by 29 percent over the next seven years. The outlook for job placement will vary depending on the level of employment and specialization a trainer is seeking. Work with professional athletes is a highly selective field, and securing employment is quite a bit more challenging in this area. For beginning trainers, an entry-level job can be fairly easy to find in a fitness club or community center. In addition, school-based jobs at high schools or universities are available according to geographic area, as areas with higher numbers of schools also have more jobs. (U.S. Dept. of Labor)

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Related Careers

Nutritionists and dietitians study the management of people's food intake and dietary health. They understand how to create effective weight management diets and how to design meal plans for athletes or individuals with special medical needs. Nutritionists may work in medical settings or in health and fitness facilities. They usually work with a set group of clients over a period of time in order to guide healthy nutrition and weight loss. 

Personal trainers typically work in fitness centers or gyms. They have private clients and usually work with those clients on goals such as weight loss or body building and sculpting. A trainer can help a client use his gym time effectively by planning his workout and keeping him motivated. Trainers learn to track client progress over time, using body measurements and stress tests to evaluate their results.

Physical therapists work with patients who have injuries. Injuries may result from an accident or during a sports activity. A therapist assists a patient with a series of exercises intended to return the injured area to its full level of strength and flexibility. Physical therapists can work in hospital settings, clinics, and sometimes often consult in fitness clubs if the business has a collaboration with a physical therapy group or clinic.

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