FIT THE BILL
Sport- enthusiasts and fitness- freaks can now turn their obsession into a lucrative profession
With the fast- paced life and increased susceptibility to ailments, there’s also an increased concern about health and wellness, with individuals now spending approximately Rs 2,600 on an average, on personal health and fitness annually. Subsequently, as more and more gyms and fitness centers are mushrooming throughout the country, there’s also a boom in employment opportunities in the sector. One such profession that has recently emerged as a lucrative option is that of a fitness manager.
Typically working at sports and health clubs and physical therapy centers, a fitness manager is a troubleshooter of sorts, often bearing the onus of hiccup- free management on their shoulders. From customer care to staff and equipment management, they have a gamut of duties to perform and problems to deal with, keeping them on their toes, literally as well as metaphorically.
Primarily supervising fitness classes, a fitness manager creates fitness plans for the clients as well as helps them achieve their fitness goals. They are also involved in membership sales— attracting new customers while retaining old guests, and other everyday financial operations like handling expenses and generating revenues. Managing existing instructors, and hiring and coaching new staff members are also some of the responsibilities that the job entails. Some organisations require certification for fitness instructors and personal trainers. The fitness manager, in that case, needs to evaluate employees and ensure that they have all the training and certification that is required.
For those who are interested in sports, want to turn your fitness- obsession into a profession or just enjoy helping others, this could be the ideal job. Says Deepinder Kaur, fitness manager, Crunch Gym and Spa, Delhi, “Having been in the field for years now, I can easily say that it can be an extremely fulfilling career. Attractive remuneration, tremendous potential for growth and, most importantly, the field I’ve always been interested in— what more can one ask for.”
While no formal qualification is needed for fitness management, most employers prefer candidates with bachelor or master degrees in fields such as exercise science or physical education. Institutions like Gold’s Gym University, Mumbai and Symbiosis Institute of Health Science, Pune, also offer diploma courses in fitness management. Other graduates and post graduates are also eligible as long as they are physically fit and possess entrepreneurial skills. Knowledge as well as experience in the field, and good communication skills are some other important prerequisites.