I recently made the decision that I wanted to study exercise physiology when I go off to college. I'm still only a junior in high school, but this is something that really interests me, especially since I started training seriously a few months ago. I would like to become an athletic/personal trainer and/or a nutritionist expert and I was wondering if anyone on these forums is in or has studied in this field. (or knows someone that is in this field or has studied it).
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Exercise Physiology
- Thread starter reg56
- Start date
Personally I think when you get into bodybuilding you have to read and study every aspect of it, nutrition,body chemistry,etc.. I never realised before i became involved in this that there was so many different aspects, so in a way we all become an expert of our own bodies.But i do know people who have studied this and went to school for it and they have no regrets in taking up this field.
I'm currently enrolled in kinesiology which is exercise physiology or exercise science. i've been out of college for 3 semesters, but i'm going back in in 2 weeks! i'll be a junior. so i haven't hit a lot of my core classes yet, but soon! it's a great major and you should go for it. It took me until the age of 21 to figure out my major. good for you for knowing now. but a heads up, it could change. I'm doing the professional study in this major, which will lead me to graduate school. i'm looking at chiropractic or physical training. but i know a lot of people that do just the bachelors and work in health clubs. i work at a health club right now, receptionist, and the atmosphere is so awesome. it makes you want to work out. people tend to be in a better mood when they exercise and feed their bodies right. so the job you're thinking about is a great one. 
Thanks for the replies and advice. 
Yeah, the atmosphere at my gym is great also. I just love the people there, and they are a big reason why I want to go into this profession.
Yeah, the atmosphere at my gym is great also. I just love the people there, and they are a big reason why I want to go into this profession.
really depends on what you want to do with the degree. I mean, I have friends that majored in exercise phys. college and they are just trainers, making the same amt. of $$ as someone with any old cert. They jsut spent money on college on a degree that can't do much of anythign for them unless they go on to work on a masters in a field like kineseology where you can get into reaserch or something of that nature.
Personal training is not a road to riches. Yes, there are the PTs to the movie stars and athletes who are able to command retainers and $200 an hour plus fees, but the vast majority struggle to make a decent living, especially at the beginning.
Do the math. If you want to make say $50,000 a year pre tax, figure out how many sessions you would have to do a week at $35, $50, whatever the going rate is in your area for a new PT. It would be 20-30 sessions a week, EVERY week, 52 weeks a year ( and starting out, it is going to take awhile to get enough clients to even come close to that). Then subtract taxes, liability insurance, health insurance, the take the health club gets, licensing fees ( if any) and there is not much left. That kind of schedule also does not leave much time for your own training if you want to be a serious trainer. You are also going to have to spend alot of hours (unpaid) in your early months marketing yourself to build up a client base and I know of at least one major health club chain that has monthly quotas of PT sessions a trainer must meet, with the penalty of losing your job if you do not meet those minimums.
It would be a much better idea to get a degree in something else that will allow you to earn much more money, then study for a PT certification and maybe work as a part time PT until you have sufficient financial security, assets built up, a client base and a reputation in the field where you can afford to take the risk of going into full time personal training.
As someone else said, spending the money for college tuition to earn a degree that will take you into personal training is financially foolish.
Do the math. If you want to make say $50,000 a year pre tax, figure out how many sessions you would have to do a week at $35, $50, whatever the going rate is in your area for a new PT. It would be 20-30 sessions a week, EVERY week, 52 weeks a year ( and starting out, it is going to take awhile to get enough clients to even come close to that). Then subtract taxes, liability insurance, health insurance, the take the health club gets, licensing fees ( if any) and there is not much left. That kind of schedule also does not leave much time for your own training if you want to be a serious trainer. You are also going to have to spend alot of hours (unpaid) in your early months marketing yourself to build up a client base and I know of at least one major health club chain that has monthly quotas of PT sessions a trainer must meet, with the penalty of losing your job if you do not meet those minimums.
It would be a much better idea to get a degree in something else that will allow you to earn much more money, then study for a PT certification and maybe work as a part time PT until you have sufficient financial security, assets built up, a client base and a reputation in the field where you can afford to take the risk of going into full time personal training.
As someone else said, spending the money for college tuition to earn a degree that will take you into personal training is financially foolish.
reg--I did my undergrad in athletic training, it was a great education and an excellent jumping off point but the hours are horrible (think evenings and weekends) and the pay is worse. I'm still certified but have never used it as a career. It made getting certified as a strength and conditioning specialist (NSCA) a lot easier and it led me to my career of being a chiropractor (can you tell I really like letters after my name). I worked as a personal trainer as a side job during school and enjoyed it. I think its great that you're taking such an interest in your future while you're still in high school. I'd be happy to answer any specific questions you have. Best of luck to you!
BEKA! Where the H have you been?? Great to see you! Update??bekahleigh23 said:I'm currently enrolled in kinesiology which is exercise physiology or exercise science. i've been out of college for 3 semesters, but i'm going back in in 2 weeks! i'll be a junior. so i haven't hit a lot of my core classes yet, but soon! it's a great major and you should go for it. It took me until the age of 21 to figure out my major. good for you for knowing now. but a heads up, it could change. I'm doing the professional study in this major, which will lead me to graduate school. i'm looking at chiropractic or physical training. but i know a lot of people that do just the bachelors and work in health clubs. i work at a health club right now, receptionist, and the atmosphere is so awesome. it makes you want to work out. people tend to be in a better mood when they exercise and feed their bodies right. so the job you're thinking about is a great one.
Exercise phys and exercise science/kinesiology are different majors.
If you are looking to be a trainer, go with kinesiology or exercise science.
As for exercise physiology, I believe you can only get that as a Master's these days or a 3+2 degree. With this you go either clinical which is more research based or you go as an exercise physiologist. If you are looking for guaranteed income, this is a better field to get into as most are salaried positions. I have yet to meet a personal trainer who is salaried and a major portion of personal training is selling yourself, which I hated doing. I know people who have MS in exercise science who make half as much as people with a certificate just because they hustle. If you just want to be a trainer, I would shy away from exercise phys as it would typically require a greater investment in time and money with the same pay off.
If you are looking to be a trainer, go with kinesiology or exercise science.
As for exercise physiology, I believe you can only get that as a Master's these days or a 3+2 degree. With this you go either clinical which is more research based or you go as an exercise physiologist. If you are looking for guaranteed income, this is a better field to get into as most are salaried positions. I have yet to meet a personal trainer who is salaried and a major portion of personal training is selling yourself, which I hated doing. I know people who have MS in exercise science who make half as much as people with a certificate just because they hustle. If you just want to be a trainer, I would shy away from exercise phys as it would typically require a greater investment in time and money with the same pay off.
dg806 said:
tee hee, thought i'd get away without any one remembering me. I moved to cali in august 03, moved back to wisconsin nov 04 to finish school. cali was great! i didn't have a computer in my apartment so i haven't been online for a long time. i'm back on IM looking for input on training for a marathon. it's funny but i'm more health conscious here in WI than i was in cali. there was just so much to do there, plus i was a bartender so it was a party 7 days a week!!!!! i'm getting back on track though. great to be back and thanks for remembering me!!!!
No prob! Glad to see you're OK and doing wellbekahleigh23 said:tee hee, thought i'd get away without any one remembering me. I moved to cali in august 03, moved back to wisconsin nov 04 to finish school. cali was great! i didn't have a computer in my apartment so i haven't been online for a long time. i'm back on IM looking for input on training for a marathon. it's funny but i'm more health conscious here in WI than i was in cali. there was just so much to do there, plus i was a bartender so it was a party 7 days a week!!!!! i'm getting back on track though. great to be back and thanks for remembering me!!!!
