Exercise Physiologists: How to Become One
If you were to ask a group of exercise physiologists about how they arrived at their current job, there's a good chance you would get several different answers about the paths and steps that each person took.
That said, there are still ways that you can develop a baseline understanding of the preparation that is necessary to become one.
The Best Adult Colleges and Careers Guide has gathered data to provide you with insight into the type of education that's commonly required for exercise physiologists to land a job. This page contains information, sourced from real job postings, that describes the experience levels and specific skills that employers of exercise physiologists expect candidates to have. In the end, this information will help you create an education or professional development plan that aligns with your career aspirations.
Keep reading to learn more about career steps for exercise physiologists.
What Education & Experience is Needed for Exercise Physiologists?
Do exercise physiologists need a degree? What kind of experience do exercise physiologists typically need? Thanks to data sourced from Lightcast™ from real job postings, we can get some clarity on those questions, as well as the level of education that is commonly required for exercise physiologists to secure jobs.
Education Level Required in Job Postings for Exercise Physiologists
Jobs Postings for Exercise Physiologists By Education
- Bachelor's degree: 3,543 (57%)
- Master's degree: 1,742 (28%)
- No Education Listed: 684 (11%)
- High School or GED: 216 (3%)
- Ph.D. or professional degree: 77 (1%)
A bachelor's degree is the level of education sought the most by employers of exercise physiologists. According to job data, a bachelor's degree was required for 57% of positions. In 28% of job listings a master's degree was required and in 11% of postings no education level was listed.
Experience Level Required in Job Postings for Exercise Physiologists
Jobs Postings for Exercise Physiologists By Experience
- 0-1 Years: 1,097 (57%)
- 2-3 Years: 704 (37%)
- 4-6 Years: 97 (5%)
- 7-9 Years: 6 (0%)
- 10+ Years: 17 (1%)
While the amount of required experience will vary based on the responsibility and seniority of the position, an aggregate view of job posting data can help paint a picture of the experience level sought for most job openings for exercise physiologists. In 57% of job postings for Exercise Physiologists, employers were looking for candidates with 0-1 years of experience. In 37% of listings employers were looking for candidates with 2-3 years of experience, while 4-6 years of experience was sought in 5% of job postings for exercise physiologists.
What Kind of Degree Do Exercise Physiologists Need?
So far this page has provided detail into the level of education and the amount of experience required in job openings for exercise physiologists, but what type of education or degree will help prepare you for a career in the field?
According to occupational data obtained through Lightcast,™ there are 6 key academic programs that can help prepare prospective exercise physiologists, and in 2023 a total of 53,854 of those programs were completed at institutions in the United States.
Check out the information below to learn more about the specific programs that should be considered by prospective exercise physiologists.
Top Degree Programs for Exercise Physiologists
Top 5 Degree Programs for Exercise Physiologists (2023)
| Program | Completions |
|---|---|
| Exercise Science and Kinesiology. | 32,323 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, General. | 12,748 |
| Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology. | 6,299 |
| Physical Fitness Technician. | 1,231 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, Other. | 1,147 |
| Program | Completions |
|---|---|
| Exercise Science and Kinesiology. | 32,323 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, General. | 12,748 |
| Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology. | 6,299 |
| Physical Fitness Technician. | 1,231 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, Other. | 1,147 |
| Kinesiotherapy/Kinesiotherapist. | 106 |
Top Online College For Working Adults
Franklin University is a top choice for adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin's main focus has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440), Franklin offers more than 50 affordable bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.
Degree Options for Exercise Physiologists
The B.S. Exercise Science major provides a clear path to a rewarding career helping individuals realize their health and fitness goals. You’ll learn to evaluate fitness levels, design results-oriented exercise programs and apply coaching methodologies to help your clients reach their full potential.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
Certificates & Microcredentials for Exercise Physiologists
Learn to help diagnose and test for cardiovascular issues in this online, comprehensive program that prepares you for the Certified EKG Technician (CET) exam through the National Healthcareer Association (NHA).
- Class Type: 100% Online
- Time To Complete: 2-3 months
- Cost: $2,000
- Class Type: 100% Online
- Time To Complete: 3-4 months
- Cost: $4,000
What Skills Do Exercise Physiologists Need?
Education and experience have been covered, so what are the specific skills and traits needed by exercise physiologists to secure a job?
A good way to understand this is to examine actual job postings for skills commonly sought by employers. Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for exercise physiologists, as well as common skills that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's Exercise Physiologists
Based on 4,730 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for Exercise Physiologists
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise Physiology | 3,531 | 75% |
| Exercise Science | 2,353 | 50% |
| Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation | 1,690 | 36% |
| Exercise Prescription | 1,346 | 28% |
| Kinesiology | 1,312 | 28% |
Top 5 Common Skills for Exercise Physiologists
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 1,393 | 29% |
| Management | 910 | 19% |
| Research | 559 | 12% |
| Customer Service | 548 | 12% |
| Teaching | 514 | 11% |
Based on 4,730 job postings related to exercise physiologists, exercise physiology was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 75% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for exercise science, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, exercise prescription, kinesiology and rehabilitation were also highly sought.
As for common skills, communication was the most desired skill found in job postings for exercise physiologists, followed by management, research, customer service, teaching and planning.
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise Physiology | 3,531 | 75% |
| Exercise Science | 2,353 | 50% |
| Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation | 1,690 | 36% |
| Exercise Prescription | 1,346 | 28% |
| Kinesiology | 1,312 | 28% |
| Rehabilitation | 1,264 | 27% |
| Electrocardiography | 1,218 | 26% |
| Medical Prescription | 1,063 | 22% |
| Exercise Programs | 1,013 | 21% |
| Cardiac Stress Testing | 929 | 20% |
| Exercise Testing | 901 | 19% |
| Pulmonary Rehabilitation | 792 | 17% |
| Health Risk Assessments | 771 | 16% |
| Treatment Planning | 672 | 14% |
| Patient Education And Counseling | 627 | 13% |
| Strength Training And Conditioning | 600 | 13% |
| Physiology | 559 | 12% |
| Blood Pressure | 519 | 11% |
| Cardiology | 497 | 11% |
| Physical Therapy | 488 | 10% |
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Communication | 1,393 | 29% |
| Management | 910 | 19% |
| Research | 559 | 12% |
| Customer Service | 548 | 12% |
| Teaching | 514 | 11% |
| Planning | 465 | 10% |
| Interpersonal Communications | 455 | 10% |
| Microsoft Excel | 422 | 9% |
| Leadership | 420 | 9% |
| Goal Setting | 398 | 8% |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | 393 | 8% |
| Microsoft Outlook | 391 | 8% |
| Coordinating | 384 | 8% |
| Operations | 382 | 8% |
| Scheduling | 377 | 8% |
| Writing | 335 | 7% |
| Professionalism | 319 | 7% |
| Computer Literacy | 317 | 7% |
| Critical Thinking | 291 | 6% |
| Presentations | 275 | 6% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information about exercise physiologists? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for exercise physiologists.
What do exercise physiologists do?
How much do exercise physiologists make?
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