Career Pathway
Develop the career pathway of your choice
The Australian Fitness Industry provides a diverse range of services for the general public. From personal training to group exercise, the choice of activities and services continues to grow, providing an increasing range of exciting employment opportunities for registered exercise professionals.
Fitness Australia registration provides the opportunity to enter the profession and begin developing the career pathway of your choice. The following description of Fitness Australia registration categories and levels can assist in identifying your pathway to a fulfilling career as an exercise professional.
Click on each of the qualifications to find out what career pathway you can take.
- Exercise Instructor (Certificate lll in Fitness)
- Exercise Trainer (Certificate lV in Fitness)
- Exercise Specialist (Diploma in Fitness)
Develop an exciting career in the fitness industry
Exercise Instructor (Certificate lll in Fitness)
Those who have completed the Certificate lll in Fitness are able to register with Fitness Australia in the category of Exercise Instructor. They may be involved in the assessment, training and supervision of a variety of people in health and fitness centres, gyms, sports centres and community organisations.
Exercise Instructors are trained in fitness activity specific competencies to instruct individuals and group clients in specified work environments, under predictable circumstances. They can work under the guidance of a higher qualified professional.
The Exercise Instructor would be able to:
- conduct an initial client induction including basic screening, fitness appraisal, program development and exercise instruction;
- design individualised training programs within the context of a long term plan;
- critique technique and apply a variety of appropriate instructional strategies in a range of exercise modalities; and
- regularly appraise client's fitness and modify their program accordingly.
There are three areas of specialisation the fitness professional can complete under the Certificate lll in Fitness;
Exercise Instructor - Gym: plan, lead and instruct basic exercise programs and activities for aerobic conditioning, flexibility and strength, and perform fitness assessments for individuals.
Exercise Instructor - Group Exercise: plan and conduct group exercise to music classes.
Exercise Instructor -Aqua: plan and instruct water based group exercise classes.
Exercise Trainer (Certificate lV in Fitness)
Those who have completed the Certificate lV in Fitness are able to register with Fitness Australia in the category of a Exercise Trainer. They are involved in the assessment, training and supervision of a variety of people in health and fitness clubs, gyms, sports centres, community recreation organisations and other venues.
An Exercise Trainer designs and delivers exercise programs for individuals and small groups in both predictable and unpredictable circumstances. Exercise Trainers possess a wide range of relevant instructing and fitness-specific competencies to provide appropriate exercise prescription and delivery to their clients which would lead to a healthy lifestyle.
Exercise Trainers may provide musculoskeletal rehabilitation exercise after referral from and under the supervision of a medical or suitably qualified allied health professional. They may also become involved in exercise for specific population groups such as older adults, children and adolescents as well as lifestyle planning and behaviour modification.
In addition to the abilities of a Exercise Instructor, a Exercise Trainer must be able to:
- develop, conduct and evaluate long term periodised fitness plans;
- evaluate and analyse the performance of individual clients or groups in a variety of fitness settings;
- provide advice on a range of areas related to health and fitness;
- undertake basic dynamic postural screening using applied biomechanics;
- apply teaching methods and instructional styles in a variety of indoor and outdoor fitness settings; and
- supervise and train other fitness staff.
Exercise Trainers may specialise in the following areas;
Personal Trainer: work independently with a variety of individuals or groups in a range of environments. Personal Trainers develop the knowledge and skills to be able to operate effectively as a Personal Trainer in the fitness industry.
Older Adults Trainer: possess the knowledge, skills and attitudes necessary to plan and deliver exercise for older adults in consultation with an allied health professional or medical practitioner.
Children's Trainer: plan and deliver exercise for low risk children and young adolescents, develop a consultative network, apply fitness assessment protocols to a potential client group, identify and apply the need to refer and review exercise programs for children and young adolescents.
Aqua Trainer: plan and instruct water based classes for individuals and those with specific goals. They posses the knowledge and skills to develop a broader range of water based activities for specific client groups.
Specialised Trainer (Diploma in Fitness)
Those who have completed the Diploma in Fitness are able to register with Fitness Australia in the category of Specialised Trainer. They are involved in the delivery and monitoring of exercise interventions and working in close cooperation with suitably credentialed allied health professionals and/or medical practitioners.
A Specialist Trainer is skilled in working with a variety of environments relating to the delivery of higher level fitness training, sports conditioning and other fitness and health related activities.
Specialist Trainer are involved in the delivery of exercise programs for (at-risk) clients in a range of unpredictable circumstances, but is not involved in program design or modification.
A Specialist Trainer is able to:
- work in a variety of environments e.g. Hospital, fitness centre, private home, portable gym;
- deliver exercise for ‘at risk' populations in collaboration with and under the guidance and supervision of allied health professionals e.g. Physiotherapists, Exercise Physiologists;
- deliver higher level fitness training, sports conditioning,sports training;
- manage GP referrals requesting admission into and supervision with specific approved programs;
- liaise with a range of other professionals from both the health and fitness industries and engage in project management and health promotional activities; and
- carry out the functions of middle management including staff management and training.