Personal Fitness Training Program

Overall employment of personal trainers, recreation, and fitness workers is expected to grow faster than the average for all occupations through 2012, as an increasing number of people spend more time and money on recreation, fitness, and leisure services and as more businesses recognize the benefits of recreation and personal fitness programs and other services such as wellness programs. Average employment growth is projected for recreation workers-reflecting growth in local government and civic and social organizations, industries that employ just over half of all recreation workers. Employment growth among recreation workers may be inhibited, however, by budget constraints that some local governments may face over the 2002-12 projection period. Employment of personal fitness workers, who are concentrated in the rapidly growing arts, entertainment and recreation industry-is expected to increase much faster than average due to rising interest in personal training, aerobics instruction, and other fitness activities.

Recreation and fitness workers held about 485,000 jobs in 2002, and many additional workers held summer jobs in this occupation. About 62 percent were recreation workers; the rest were personal fitness trainers and aerobics instructors. Of those with year-round jobs as recreation workers, almost 40 percent worked for local governments, primarily in the park and recreation departments. Around 14 percent of recreation workers were employed in civic and social organizations, such as the Boy or Girl Scouts or Red Cross. Another 12 percent of recreation workers were employed by nursing and other personal care facilities.

Almost all personal fitness trainers and aerobics instructors have worked in physical fitness facilities, health clubs, and fitness centers, mainly within the amusement and recreation services industry.