Exercise physiologists can work in various settings. They can work in health clubs, educational institutions, community organization venues, recreation centers, and commercial or industrial facilities. They can also work in clinical settings collaborating hand in hand with physicians and other health care team members.
What is an Exercise Physiologist
An Exercise Physiologist is an allied health care professional who has obtained a degree in Exercise Physiology. An exercise physiologist is trained and skilled to provide exercise stress tests in health and unhealthy clients. They can also develop individualized or personalized exercise plans to improve physical fitness, strength, flexibility, and endurance.
They can also evaluate the overall health of a client specifically on their cardiovascular function and metabolism. Moreover, they can also plan customized exercise programs to achieve health care needs and goals. They can also focus on respiratory therapy, physical therapy, and sports medicine. They can teach exercise physiology subjects to students of physiology, medicine, and other health care fields.
Exercise Physiologist Salary
In 2009, the average salary of an exercise physiologist is around $43,323, whilst the salary range is from $20,000-$67,000 a year. For those novice exercise physiologist, they can obtain an average salary of about $20,067-$40,000. For the more experienced exercise physiologist, roughly five to nine years in experience, they can earn salaries of as much as $46,966. And for the most experienced ones, their earnings can reach $67,500. Other factors include geographical location of the workplace and the employer as well.
How to Become an Exercise Physiologist
To become an exercise physiologist, one must have a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Physiology. The courses included in this degree are Kinesiology, Physical Therapy, Biomechanics, Biochemistry, Human Anatomy and Physiology, Psychophysiology, Nutrition, Chemistry, Cardiac Rehabilitation, Hematology, ECG interpretation, Exercise Physiology Research, Statistics, and Sports Exercise. Other Exercise Physiologist positions also require a Master’s of Science Degree in Exercise Physiology. This course also entails internship in clinical settings such as hospitals and clinics. While for those who want to conduct research studies, a Ph.D. in exercise physiology is needed.
After all the education and training in a university or an exercise physiology school, and obtaining a degree, a graduate exercise physiologist is on its next step. He is down to the step of being certified by the American Society of Exercise Physiologist (ASEP). To become certified by the ASEP, a graduate exercise physiologist must pass the written and practical examination being administered by the said organization. For the renewal of the license of an exercise physiologist, continuing education units are needed to achieve enhancement for the professionals.
Exercise Physiologist Career Outlook
Due to the increasing awareness and consciousness of people regarding their health and fitness, employment opportunities for exercise physiologist will continue to grow and expand in the coming years. Furthermore, they have career opportunities in sports rehabilitation centers, military training centers, and research centers on the health advantages of exercise. An exercise physiologist can become clinicians, trainers, coaches, wellness directors, sports directors, exercise managers, rehabilitation specialists, program coordinators and a lot more. Moreover, aside from working under employers of different offices, an exercise physiologist can put up their own businesses like a fitness consultancy or athletic/sports consultancy.
Undeniably, exercise physiologist career had great potentials in health sciences. Because of this, many are now engaging in exercise physiology. Globally, many people are realizing the health benefits of exercise. Thus, demand is increasing for exercise physiologists. Being an exercise physiologist is a very rewarding career as well. Exercise physiologists not only know how to become healthy and fit themselves, but they are able to help their clients become the same through well-designed exercise programs.