We Can Change Our Future!
Erin Rademacher, MA, EPC
Arete HealthFit

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I am an Exercise Physiologist, by education and certification.  More specifically, I have a master’s degree in Exercise Physiology.  In the academic world this may mean something, but in the “real world” it doesn’t seem to amount to much.  In most professions a master’s degree improves job outlook and financial compensation.  In my chosen profession a master’s degree does not afford the same benefits.

I recently spent several hours researching current job opportunities within the fitness field and was completely disgusted by the lack of quality positions.  At best, most of the jobs I reviewed would only utilize a small fraction of my education and training and very few of the jobs provide enough pay to maintain even a minimal standard of living.  The jobs that do utilize my education and provide adequate financial compensation require an additional 5 to 7 years of experience.  In other words, to actually get the job I spent my college years dreaming of, I have to spend 5 to 7 years performing mindless tasks while living in a cardboard box.  This is not what I signed up for.

Why is it that a masters prepared Exercise Physiologist doesn’t receive the same respect as an MBA or a whatever?   It is my belief that this problem stems from decades of a lack of structure and organization within my chosen profession.  There are so many non-degreed exercise physiologists claiming to have the same knowledge and ability as I do.  These people are the reason that I must so vigorously promote myself to the general public.  They are the reason that I must constantly defend the education and skills that separate me from other fitness professionals.  Simply put, these people cannot do the things that I can do.

So what can I and others like me do to improve the job outlook?  We need to unify.  We need to hold ourselves to a higher standard; a standard outlined in the charter of the American Society of Exercise Physiologists (ASEP).  If you are a student looking to pursue an education in fitness, you need to seek out accredited Exercise Physiology programs.  There are many programs and degrees with similar titles and course offerings, but if they are not accredited Exercise Physiology programs, you should keep looking.  You can find a complete listing of all accredited programs on the ASEP website.

Once you have completed your education, take the Exercise Physiologist Certified exam.  This is the only certification solely for Exercise Physiologists.  Having the letters EPC after your name is a verification of the training and education you have received.  They separate you from the hundreds of other “fitness professionals” who receive weekend certifications, many of which require no formal education.  Market yourself as an EPC.  Be proud of your education and certification.  Tell potential employers that you are an EPC and what that means.  Lastly, support the national and your local ASEP organizations.  Ask what you can do to further the cause.  Unifying, as one voice, we can improve the future of our profession.  We can achieve the respect that we deserve.

For those of you who regularly read the pages of the ASEP website and ASEP affiliated publications, these are not new recommendations.  Dr. Boone and many other members of ASEP have been promoting these steps for years, but I think many of you are asking, what does an academician know about finding a quality job in the real world.  I am not an academician.  I am telling you, as an Exercise Physiologist in the real world, that these are the things that we need to do to improve our profession.  If you don’t want to listen to the academicians, listen to someone who is struggling to make his/her way in this profession.
It’s a tough job market, but we can change it.  If you are an Exercise Physiologist who is lucky enough to have found quality employment, take time to help those who wish to follow in your footsteps.  If you don’t, the doors that were open to you may not be open to them.