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Exercise Physiologists
Assess, plan, or implement fitness programs that include exercise or physical activities such as those designed to improve cardiorespiratory function, body composition, muscular strength, muscular endurance, or flexibility.
Other titles employers use
Bariatric Weight Loss Counselor · Certified Exercise Physiologist (EPC) · Clinical Exercise Physiologist · Clinical Exercise Specialist · Exercise Physiologist · Exercise Scientist · Exercise Specialist · Lifestyle and Weight Management Consultant
Inside the work
What you would actually do.
6 responsibilities that define the role, before job titles and workplaces change the details.
- Develop exercise programs to improve participant strength, flexibility, endurance, or circulatory functioning, in accordance with exercise science standards, regulatory requirements, and credentialing requirements.
- Provide emergency or other appropriate medical care to participants with symptoms or signs of physical distress.
- Demonstrate correct use of exercise equipment or performance of exercise routines.
- Recommend methods to increase lifestyle physical activity.
- Interpret exercise program participant data to evaluate progress or identify needed program changes.
- Prescribe individualized exercise programs, specifying equipment, such as treadmill, exercise bicycle, ergometers, or perceptual goggles.
Who it suits
Would this work hold your attention?
This career often appeals to people drawn to practical, analytical and helping work.
- Practical
- Building, repairing, using tools, or working outdoors
- Analytical
- Investigating questions, testing ideas, and solving problems
Skills and strengths
What you would get good at.
Compare the skills the work relies on, the subjects behind it, and the abilities that make it easier to learn.
Core skills
- Reading Comprehension
- Active Listening
- Speaking
- Critical Thinking
- Instructing
- Writing
Subjects to know
- Customer and Personal Service
- Medicine and Dentistry
- Therapy and Counseling
- Education and Training
- English Language
Useful strengths
- Oral Expression
- Problem Sensitivity
- Oral Comprehension
- Written Comprehension
- Deductive Reasoning
Working day
Picture yourself doing it.
These measures show how much of the day involves people, movement, conversation, and hands-on work.
| Measure | Out of 5 | What that means here |
|---|---|---|
| Close to other people | 4.1 | Arm’s length or closer, most of the day |
| On your feet | 3.6 | Up and down through the day |
| Talking face to face | 5.0 | Continuous — the job is conversations |
| Working with your hands | 2.5 | Little of the day |
Preparation
How people prepare for this work.
Employers usually ask for a bachelor's degree. Other routes may also lead into the field.
- A four-year degree 59%
- A master's degree 32%
- A doctorate or professional degree 9%
Tools of the work
Technology you may use.
- Electronic mail software
- Medical software
- Spreadsheet software
- Office suite software
- Presentation software
- Word processing software
- Internet browser software
Opportunity near you
See where this work is growing.
Choose a state to compare the size of the field, annual openings, and expected hiring change.
- People doing this work
- 2,700
- Job openings each year
- 200
- Expected hiring change, 2022–2032
- 28.6%
Compare every available state
| State | People doing it | Job openings each year | Expected change |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | 2,700 | 200 | 28.6% |
| Pennsylvania | 1,390 | 90 | 12.1% |
| Texas | 1,390 | 100 | 23.0% |
| Michigan | 1,210 | 80 | 6.1% |
| Florida | 930 | 70 | 17.7% |
| North Carolina | 900 | 70 | 21.6% |
| Ohio | 800 | 50 | 8.1% |
| New York | 750 | 10 | 5.6% |
| Illinois | 720 | 50 | 4.3% |
| Wisconsin | 690 | 50 | 13.1% |
| Virginia | 660 | 40 | 8.2% |
| Tennessee | 630 | 50 | 28.6% |
| Oklahoma | 500 | 30 | 8.7% |
| New Jersey | 460 | 30 | 15.0% |
| Minnesota | 420 | 30 | 10.5% |
| Arizona | 410 | 30 | 17.1% |
| Indiana | 340 | 20 | 9.7% |
| Georgia | 330 | 20 | 17.9% |
| South Carolina | 300 | 20 | 11.1% |
| Utah | 280 | 20 | 40.0% |
| Washington | 230 | 20 | 15.0% |
| Oregon | 220 | 10 | 15.8% |
| Alabama | 210 | 10 | 10.5% |
| Missouri | 210 | 10 | 16.7% |
| Connecticut | 200 | 10 | 17.6% |
| West Virginia | 180 | 10 | 5.9% |
| Kansas | 160 | 10 | 6.7% |
| Maryland | 160 | 10 | 6.7% |
| Massachusetts | 140 | 10 | 16.7% |
| New Hampshire | 130 | 10 | 18.2% |
| Nebraska | 120 | 10 | 9.1% |
| Louisiana | 110 | 10 | 10.0% |
| Kentucky | 100 | 10 | 11.1% |
| Rhode Island | 100 | 10 | — |
| Mississippi | 90 | 10 | 12.5% |
| Iowa | 80 | 10 | 14.3% |
| Nevada | 60 | 0 | 20.0% |
| Arkansas | 50 | 0 | 25.0% |
| Idaho | 50 | 0 | 25.0% |
| Wyoming | 50 | 0 | — |
| North Dakota | 40 | 0 | — |
Career to college
Build a path toward this work.
Start with a related major, then compare colleges where students complete that field.
Where to study
Colleges with strong activity in these fields.
Start with program size, admission, and likely cost. Open a college for the full picture.
University of Iowa
- Degrees each year
- 550
- Admit rate
- 85%
- Annual cost after aid
- $20,000
California State University-Fullerton
- Degrees each year
- 542
- Admit rate
- 87%
- Annual cost after aid
- $6,000
University of South Carolina-Columbia
- Degrees each year
- 486
- Admit rate
- 61%
- Annual cost after aid
- $20,000
Texas A & M University-College Station
- Degrees each year
- 466
- Admit rate
- 63%
- Annual cost after aid
- $17,000
Brigham Young University
- Degrees each year
- 432
- Admit rate
- 69%
- Annual cost after aid
- $13,000
University of Memphis
- Degrees each year
- 424
- Admit rate
- 93%
- Annual cost after aid
- $14,000
Texas State University
- Degrees each year
- 423
- Admit rate
- 89%
- Annual cost after aid
- $14,000
Texas Tech University
- Degrees each year
- 416
- Admit rate
- 71%
- Annual cost after aid
- $17,000
Compare every college offering physiology, pathology and related sciences