Careers: personal trainer, athletic trainer, exercise physiologist, sports coach, and recreation worker. Majors: Kinesiology and Exercise Science, Nutrition and Dietetics, and Sport and Recreation Management.
College majors for sports, fitness and wellness
Kinesiology and Exercise Science
Studies human movement, exercise and physical activity for health and performance.
Nutrition and Dietetics
Studies food, nutrients and diet and how they affect health and disease.
Sport and Recreation Management
Studies how sports programs, parks and recreation services are run.
Careers in sports, fitness and wellness
Personal Trainer
Coach people to get stronger, fitter and healthier.
- Typical training: 2–6 months for certification
Athletic Trainer
Prevent, treat and rehabilitate injuries for athletes and active people.
- Typical training: Bachelor’s plus 2-year master’s
Exercise Physiologist
Use exercise to improve health and help patients recover from illness.
- Typical training: 4 years
Sports Coach
Teach sports skills, build teams and help athletes compete.
- Typical training: Varies: certifications to a degree plus experience
Recreation Worker
Lead fun activities at parks, camps, community centers and senior centers.
- Typical training: 1–4 weeks
Dietitian
Use food and nutrition to help people prevent and manage disease.
- Typical training: Bachelor’s plus graduate program and supervised practice
Massage Therapist
Relieve pain and stress with therapeutic massage.
- Typical training: 6–12 months
Cosmetologist
Cut, color and style hair and help clients look and feel their best.
- Typical training: 9–18 months
Nail Technician
Care for and beautify nails with manicures, pedicures and nail art.
- Typical training: 2–6 months
Skills these careers use
- Exercise programming
- Fitness assessment
- Exercise technique
- Group class instruction
- Injury evaluation
- Emergency care
Minors that fit this interest
- Exercise Science: Adds knowledge of fitness, movement and physical health.
- Nutrition: Adds knowledge of food, diet and health.
Start building skills now
A self-paced online course on what personal trainers do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: exercise programming, fitness assessment, and exercise technique
Why it fits: Fits your interest in Sports, Fitness and Wellness
A self-paced online course on what athletic trainers do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: injury evaluation, emergency care, and taping and bracing
Why it fits: Fits your interest in Sports, Fitness and Wellness
A self-paced online course on what exercise physiologists do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: exercise testing, ECG monitoring, and exercise prescription
Why it fits: Fits your interest in Sports, Fitness and Wellness
A self-paced online course on what sports coaches do: duties, 15+ key terms, step-by-step tasks, tools, safety and how to launch the career.
Skills you build: sport skills and strategy, practice planning, and game management
Why it fits: Fits your interest in Sports, Fitness and Wellness
Sports, Fitness and Wellness: frequently asked questions
What careers are there in sports, fitness and wellness?
Careers connected to sports, fitness and wellness include personal trainer, athletic trainer, exercise physiologist, sports coach, recreation worker, dietitian, massage therapist, and cosmetologist.
What should I major in if I am interested in sports, fitness and wellness?
Majors connected to sports, fitness and wellness include Kinesiology and Exercise Science, Nutrition and Dietetics, and Sport and Recreation Management. Compare what each includes, the skills it builds and where it leads.
What sports, fitness and wellness careers do not require a four-year degree?
Examples include personal trainer, recreation worker, massage therapist, cosmetologist, nail technician, and esthetician. They typically start with a high school diploma, a certificate, an associate degree, an apprenticeship or on-the-job training.
Which sports, fitness and wellness careers usually require a bachelor’s degree or more?
Examples include athletic trainer, exercise physiologist, sports coach, dietitian, and recreational therapist. Some also need a license or certification.
What skills do you need for a career in sports, fitness and wellness?
Skills that come up often in these careers include exercise programming, fitness assessment, exercise technique, group class instruction, injury evaluation, and emergency care, along with communication and problem solving.
What minors fit an interest in sports, fitness and wellness?
Minors connected to sports, fitness and wellness include Exercise Science and Nutrition.
How do I start a career in sports, fitness and wellness?
Learn about the careers in the field, choose one or two that fit you, check the education or training each requires, and build practical knowledge early through classes, part-time work, volunteering or short career training.
Can I explore sports, fitness and wellness careers before choosing a college major?
Yes. Career profiles, job shadowing and short online career training let you learn what jobs in sports, fitness and wellness involve before you commit to a major or program.
Does Career Education Institute offer training related to sports, fitness and wellness?
Yes. Related online trainings include Personal Trainer Training, Athletic Trainer Training, Exercise Physiologist Training, and Sports Coach Training. They are general, non-credit courses that teach what a job involves; they do not grant a degree or license.
Which colleges offer programs related to sports, fitness and wellness?
Use the college search to find U.S. colleges that report awarding degrees in related majors, filtered by state, city, ZIP code, online programs and type of school.