Fitness and wellness management is a departure from the typical U.S. medical model in that the focus is on helping individuals achieve optimal health and fitness, rather than on discovering and treating disease. Recent research findings, along with rising health care costs, have spurred an interest in keeping people healthy to improve both the quality of life and also to avoid unnecessary medical expenses. Depending on the electives completed, there are several excellent graduate school options to pursue.
Some graduates are interested in becoming physician assistants.
Personal fitness professionals find employment primarily in commercial or community fitness centers, but may also work in hospital wellness programs or in corporate health-promotion programs. Job responsibilities typically involve teaching clients how to achieve optimal wellness through effective exercise, wholesome nutrition, and successful stress management strategies. Fitness and wellness professionals may function at a staff or management level. They also may conduct workshops, conferences, or seminars on exercise, nutrition, stress management, weight control, and many other topics. Program directors typically possess a master's degree with several years of experience functioning as a personal fitness professional.