Online Education (sports And Fitness Degrees)

By Author: John Srob
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Sport and Fitness Management Degrees
Both undergraduate and graduate degree programs are available in sports and fitness management. These programs offer training in personal health, nutrition, sports psychology and wellness. Students can acquire leadership skills, learn about athletic training and study legal issues in health and fitness.
Many programs offer courses focused on personal training, event management, sports marketing and sports business. Some programs prepare graduates to take national certification exams for careers in personal training.
Business-oriented careers in this field include sports marketer, agent, health club owner, sports promoter, team manager and sales executive. Fitness-oriented career options include fitness instructor, coach and personal trainer.
Career Options in Sport and Fitness Management
Sports Marketer
Sports marketers work for sports leagues and teams or for companies that sponsor sporting events. They plan sporting events, manage athletic merchandise development and create promotional materials. Some sports marketers find work with tourism or convention ...
... bureaus, helping to bring popular sporting events to a region.
While the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) does not provide information specifically for marketing professionals in the sport and fitness field, it reported that marketing managers in all industries earned an average salary of $126,190 as of May 2011. Marketing managers generally have bachelor's degrees and acquire work experience as public relations specialists or promotions agents before pursuing management positions, according to the BLS.
Sports Agent
Sports agents represent athletes. They set up promotional appearances, find companies to sponsor their clients and negotiate contracts for the athletes they represent. Sports agent salaries spanned the wide range of $28,118-$298,999, according to July 2012 data from PayScale.com.
Health Club Manager or Owner
Health club managers or owners might be responsible for one club or for multiple fitness centers. Duties vary depending on the size of the club and other factors. In general, people who manage and/or own fitness clubs are responsible for generating business through membership sales and providing services such as spa facilities, group exercise options and access to modern fitness equipment. They also oversee health club staff and personal trainers.
Personal Trainer
Personal trainers work one-on-one or with small groups of clients to design customized training programs. They help motivate their clients and monitor their progress. They might demonstrate specific exercises, discuss weight loss goals or review medical histories, nutrition plans and safety regulations for workout equipment.
This foundation degree course will help you get in good shape for a career in fitness training, sports coaching or management. You’ll develop work-related and academic skills that will enhance your performance and prospects at work – and if you want to carry on with your studies, you’ll be able to top up to our BSc (Hons) degree. As well as increasing your current effectiveness as a coach or exercise instructor, the Foundation Degree in Sport and Fitness will develop your understanding of sports science, training, leadership and management principles. Throughout your studies, you’ll always come back to what matters most – applying science and theory to practice, and meeting the physical and psychological needs of the participant or client. You’ll do this by using case studies and reflecting on real or potential work situations using film, text and online materials. In addition to your OU study, you’ll need to identify and complete a UK-accredited qualification in either coaching or exercise instruction.
This is a popular choice with people already working in the sector, and those looking to do so, who want to develop their interest in sport and fitness further. You can begin with our vocationally-focused qualification: the Certificate of Higher Education in Sport, Fitness and Management. This engages directly with the themes and issues relevant to employment in this field, so it’s ideal if you’re working – or hoping to work – as an exercise instructor, sports coach or in facility management. For more extended study, we offer the Foundation Degree in Sport and Fitness, which focuses on coaching or exercise instruction, developing the theory and skills needed in the work place. You’ll explore different areas of sport and instruction from individual, team and global perspectives, and get to grips with some of the key underpinning ideas.

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