Physical fitness takes many forms. While there is some debate over aspects of conditioning and training, most experts agree on the main emphases—weight training, endurance, agility, stretching and running for speed, and cardiovascular strength.
Several studies have examined various sports in terms of their contribution to fitness (and, of course, each sport s demands upon the player).
This chart provides information on how demanding the sport(s) of your choice will he, and your training should follow accordingly. Be sure to include a program of flexibility; increased availability of training equipment in recent years has created sensation in this regard. Likewise, stretching has become part of everyone's program to avoid injury.
The trend toward aerobic exercise continues to gain momentum. Aerobic exercises challenge the heart, lungs, and muscles to become stronger and more efficient at the delivery and utilization of oxygen. Aerobic exercise thus makes all of these organs stronger and healthier. In practice, the aerobic exercises utilize the large muscle groups in a repetitive fashion. Common types of aerobic exercise in health clubs include stationary cycling, stair climbing, stationary rowing, walking, jogging, swimming, cross country skiing, and aerobic dance.
Research indicates that when done properly, aerobic activity yields the following positive results:
- promotes strong and healthy bones
- controls the physical and emotional stress in your life
- improves your intellectual capacity and increases your productivity
- helps you to lose fat and keep it off
- provides significant protection from heart disease
- achieves maximum benefits in a minimum amount of time
Health Clubs
Following attendance at San Antonio Community College and Cisco Community College in Texas, Jose Bernal found himself behind a computer in an S to S job. Obtaining a transfer, he found improved job satisfaction as a sales representative, largely because he liked working with people. However, not until he joined the staff of President s Health Club in Piano, Texas, did he truly enjoy his career while teaching aerobics and serving as the club's service manager.
Enjoy the real cross section of society that our club attracts, and I like working with people to improve their health," said Bernal. His teaching has included abdominal aerobics, calisthenics, dance, stretching, and a hips and thighs routine. Bernal suggested that if you plan to consider his type of career, "you must have appositive personality, be a motivator, and thoroughly like people."
Not all aerobics instructors work full time. Steph Cugini served part time at Buena Athletic Club in New Jersey while attending college full time.
"I love aerobics-it gives me a chance to work out, to teach, and I get paid!" she exclaimed. Cugini obtained her certification during a demanding three day weekend workshop involving evaluation of her knowledge, skills, and teaching effectiveness. The Aerobics and Fitness Association of America organized and conducted the course.
The skill and knowledge of the club employee is critical to the health of the client. Well trained instructors will provide advice to help avoid injury and maximize the benefits of the workout. They also help motivate people to improve their levels of fitness.
Health clubs exist in a variety of geographic settings. The neighborhood mall and the city club are the most common, but others may be in retirement communities, aboard cruise ships, or in large motels and hotels. Corporate fitness/health clubs have also become common.
Within this variety, clubs range from the very serious (very expensive)-emphasizing testing and medical evaluation, with specialized programs and rehabilitation, if necessary-to those simply featuring weight training equipment and aerobic exercise. Accordingly, careers range greatly, from those requiring extensive knowledge and education Co those requiring little. Naturally, salaries also vary greatly.
Administrative personnel in the health club industry mirror those of many other commercial enterprises. The major national and regional clubs have assistant managers, a manager, and regional/district supervisor-and, for national organizations, an executive staff. Independent clubs exist with administrative personnel just for the single club. These single clubs vary greatly inequality; some are excellent, while others are poor and consequently often fail to survive financially.
At the club level, administrative personnel perform many of the functions of typical service related industries. They plan budgets; arrange work schedules; hire, evaluate and dismiss personnel; supervise the maintenance of equipment and wet areas(whirlpool, steam rooms, pool); plan sales quotas; and perform other similar tasks.
In most health clubs, all employees except some specialists have the responsibility to sell memberships. Their job performance is rated to a large degree on this basis. Additionally, sales commissions form an important part of their salary. Consequently, health club personnel must have excellent sales skills as well as an in depth knowledge of fitness and conditioning.
Corporate Health Clubs
As with commercial health clubs, their corporate counterparts vary widely in sophistication. Some may offer their employees merely a swimming pool or volleyball/basketball courts and shower facility, while others have the capability of providing medical testing of one's fitness, conducting a monitored program for improvement, and offering education programs such as smoking cessation or relaxation therapy. The trend in the industry leans toward the latter center. Naturally, there is no charge to corporate employees for health club membership, so club workers do not have to sell memberships. If sales is not your thing, this may be a more viable career option.
Corporate fitness centers represent a recent and expanding trend on the health scene. As more enlightened manager's and labor leaders realize its value to people and the company, they will include it in collective bargaining agreements for non managerial personnel, as a perk for their executives, and generally as recruiting tool for prospective employees. Hence, job prospects with corporate health clubs will prove very good.
Exercise physiologists often are hired to manage these facilities. Dr. Ron Feingold, professor of the Department of Physical Education and Human Performance Science at Adelphi University on Long Island, New York, reports that Adelphi's graduate program in exercise physiology has shown excellent growth, attracting students with backgrounds in physical education, nursing, physical therapy, and related areas who all wish to move into this exciting new area.
Some sports medicine centers, such as those associated with hospitals, offer wellness programs to the public. These feature supervised fitness and educational programs similar to corporate centers and require participation fees.
Education
Most health club managers have college backgrounds in physical education, exercise physiology, or sports science. For corporate centers, a college degree in a fitness specialty is a must. Obviously, if the club features extensive fitness testing, specialists including medical personnel will be necessary. However, most employees do not need to have a college education, but acquire the training and knowledge that many people obtain on the job or certification received through a professional organization.
Naturally, appearance remains vital to hiring and retention; you must not only he able to play the part, but also look the part. Perhaps someday you will receive an invitation to join the prestigious National Fitness Leaders Association and follow the paths of fitness leaders such as Joe Weider, Denise Austin, Richard Simmons, Jack LaLanne, Joannie Greggains, Cory Everson, and others.
