Exercise Specialists: How to Become One
If you were to ask a group of exercise specialists 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 specialists 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 specialists 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 specialists.
What Education & Experience is Needed for Exercise Specialists?
Do exercise specialists need a degree? What kind of experience do exercise specialists 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 specialists to secure jobs.
Education Level Required in Job Postings for Exercise Specialists
Jobs Postings for Exercise Specialists By Education
- Bachelor's degree: 2,797 (50%)
- Master's degree: 1,793 (32%)
- No Education Listed: 761 (14%)
- High School or GED: 130 (2%)
- Ph.D. or professional degree: 112 (2%)
A bachelor's degree is the level of education sought the most by employers of exercise specialists. According to job data, a bachelor's degree was required for 50% of positions. In 32% of job listings a master's degree was required and in 14% of postings no education level was listed.
Experience Level Required in Job Postings for Exercise Specialists
Jobs Postings for Exercise Specialists By Experience
- 0-1 Years: 896 (55%)
- 2-3 Years: 610 (37%)
- 4-6 Years: 90 (6%)
- 7-9 Years: 22 (1%)
- 10+ Years: 14 (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 specialists. In 55% of job postings for Exercise Specialists, 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 6% of job postings for exercise specialists.
What Kind of Degree Do Exercise Specialists Need?
So far this page has provided detail into the level of education and the amount of experience required in job openings for exercise specialists, 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 specialists, and in 2021 a total of 54,339 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 specialists.
Top Degree Programs for Exercise Specialists
Top 5 Degree Programs for Exercise Specialists (2021)
| Program | Completions |
|---|---|
| Exercise Science and Kinesiology. | 32,735 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, General. | 13,892 |
| Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology. | 4,933 |
| Physical Fitness Technician. | 1,429 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, Other. | 1,240 |
| Program | Completions |
|---|---|
| Exercise Science and Kinesiology. | 32,735 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, General. | 13,892 |
| Exercise Physiology and Kinesiology. | 4,933 |
| Physical Fitness Technician. | 1,429 |
| Sports, Kinesiology, and Physical Education/Fitness, Other. | 1,240 |
| Kinesiotherapy/Kinesiotherapist. | 110 |
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 Specialists
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 Specialists
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 Specialists Need?
Education and experience have been covered, so what are the specific skills and traits needed by exercise specialists 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 specialists, as well as common skills that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's Exercise Specialists
Based on 4,075 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for Exercise Specialists
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise Physiology | 3,339 | 82% |
| Exercise Science | 1,660 | 41% |
| Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation | 1,597 | 39% |
| Electrocardiography | 1,220 | 30% |
| Rehabilitation | 1,163 | 29% |
Top 5 Common Skills for Exercise Specialists
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Communications | 1,143 | 28% |
| Management | 659 | 16% |
| Research | 523 | 13% |
| Leadership | 417 | 10% |
| Teaching | 399 | 10% |
Based on 4,075 job postings related to exercise specialists, exercise physiology was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 82% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for exercise science, cardiopulmonary rehabilitation, electrocardiography, rehabilitation and medical prescription were also highly sought.
As for common skills, communications was the most desired skill found in job postings for exercise specialists, followed by management, research, leadership, teaching and customer service.
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Exercise Physiology | 3,339 | 82% |
| Exercise Science | 1,660 | 41% |
| Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation | 1,597 | 39% |
| Electrocardiography | 1,220 | 30% |
| Rehabilitation | 1,163 | 29% |
| Medical Prescription | 1,020 | 25% |
| Exercise Prescription | 918 | 23% |
| Exercise Programs | 901 | 22% |
| Cardiac Stress Testing | 877 | 22% |
| Kinesiology | 751 | 18% |
| Pulmonary Rehabilitation | 733 | 18% |
| Health Risk Assessments | 678 | 17% |
| Exercise Testing | 653 | 16% |
| Patient Education And Counseling | 612 | 15% |
| Cardiology | 611 | 15% |
| Treatment Planning | 547 | 13% |
| Physiology | 462 | 11% |
| Blood Pressure | 448 | 11% |
| Exercise Therapy | 406 | 10% |
| Vital Signs | 390 | 10% |
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Communications | 1,143 | 28% |
| Management | 659 | 16% |
| Research | 523 | 13% |
| Leadership | 417 | 10% |
| Teaching | 399 | 10% |
| Customer Service | 384 | 9% |
| Planning | 376 | 9% |
| Interpersonal Communications | 351 | 9% |
| Computer Literacy | 316 | 8% |
| Writing | 295 | 7% |
| Scheduling | 289 | 7% |
| Coordinating | 288 | 7% |
| Coaching | 255 | 6% |
| Operations | 254 | 6% |
| Critical Thinking | 234 | 6% |
| Problem Solving | 218 | 5% |
| Detail Oriented | 217 | 5% |
| Lifting Ability | 208 | 5% |
| Self-Motivation | 188 | 5% |
| Professionalism | 178 | 4% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information about exercise specialists? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for exercise specialists.
What do exercise specialists do?
How much do exercise specialists make?
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