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Exercise Physiologist

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AVG. SALARY

$45,610

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EDUCATION

Bachelor's degree

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JOB OUTLOOK

Stable

What They Do

Exercise Physiologists Career Video

Insider Info

Exercise physiologists are best described as health and fitness professionals. They specialize in helping people benefit from exercise.

Exercise physiologists help professional athletes perform better longer. They help patients recover from various diseases. They also perform various types of research revolving around the human body.

Exercise physiologists can choose to work in several different environments. They work in the health-care field helping patients with physical therapy and occupational therapy programs. They also work in hospital-based programs that deal with lung and pulmonary diseases, cancer, diabetes and cardiac rehabilitation.

It's also common for exercise physiologists to work in universities, teaching students and conducting research. Or they may choose to work in the private sector with workers' compensation boards or companies that deal with ergonomics.

Exercise physiologists also work in gyms and fitness centers as personal trainers, exercise instructors, strength and conditioning coaches and fitness leaders.

Because they work in so many different environments, it's difficult to say what a typical workday is. Those who work in a gym or a hospital may work shift work. Those at a university would likely work during the day, but may have to work overtime as needed.

Karen Chad is an exercise physiologist by trade. "It really depends on the facility you're going into, but it's probably fair to say [exercise physiologists] would work a standard workweek," she says.

Some have a much more physically demanding schedule than others. Those doing research or teaching in a university would find their jobs to be more mentally demanding than physically demanding. However, exercise physiologists who work in rehabilitation, or as personal trainers or fitness instructors, may find their jobs quite physically demanding.

Just the Facts

Want a quick overview of what this career is about?Check out Just the Facts for simple lists of characteristics.

At a Glance

Use exercise to help people

  • Exercise physiologists can work in health care, at universities or in fitness centers
  • They generally have a standard workweek
  • You'll need a strong science background

Contact

  • Email Support

  • 1-800-GO-TO-XAP (1-800-468-6927)
    From outside the U.S., please call +1 (424) 750-3900

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