Sport and fitness has in recent years become more than just a lifestyle, it’s a passion that allows anyone to turn it into a career. There are so many exciting ways to become a Sport Coach, Fitness Professional or Sport Manager.

I’d like to identify the kind of personality a sport or fitness professional is, how to help you identify if your passion is more than just a hobby and instead a career, and where to begin if you’re ready to start your career in sport and fitness.

Personality types – this is such an interesting topic; is there really a specific personality one needs to have in order to make sports and fitness a career? In my opinion there are a number of different personalities and each has a role in this growing industry. You might think to yourself, “I’m not a success-oriented personality type but rather a caring, interpersonal personality type” or you think of yourself as a principled, idealistic personality type and not an independent, intellectual personality type. It doesn’t matter which personality type you are, there is a sport and fitness career out there that will suit your personality, interests and personal drive. eta College has a range of Higher Education qualifications and by simply chatting to one of our course consultants, you’ll get assistance straight away. Make an enquiry or book an appointment here.

Let’s look at a career path – well this is a specialised field of practice and having had a gym contract for a couple of years does not make you qualified. So, the first step is to get yourself a recognised qualification. There are various options available to suit just about anyone, so as long as you have passed Matric you can find something that will suit your career goals. Oh, by the way, if you haven’t passed matric, no problem, we have an option available for you too!

The entry level qualification is Fitness Instructor. This takes about 3-6 months (NQF Level 4 accredited by CATHSSETA), is an excellent introduction to exercise science and you are able attain a job at a gym, instructing pre-designed exercise programmes but cannot administer any fitness tests. If you would like to become a personal trainer, doing a 9-month certificate course is ideal.

However, we always recommend you work towards gaining a Higher Education qualification. eta College offers a wide variety ranging from Higher Certificates (NQF Level 5 accredited by the CHE), and they are:

• Higher Certificate in Fitness
• Higher Certificate in Coaching Science
• Higher Certificate in Sports Recreation and Fitness Management

eta College offers also offers a range of Diplomas and Advanced Certificates (NQF Level 6 accredited by the CHE) namely:

• Diploma in Sport and Exercise
• Diploma in Sport and Recreation Management
• Advanced Certificate in Fitness (Sport Conditioning)
• Advanced Certificate in Fitness (Special Populations)
• Advanced Certificate in Coaching Science
• Advanced Certificate in Sports Recreation and Fitness Management (coming soon)

We’ve also been working on two new exciting degrees (NQF Level 7, to be accredited by the CHE) namely:

Bachelor of Exercise in Sport and Leisure

Bachelor of Management in Business and Sport Studies

eta is proud to state it’s the first of its kind in the industry at this level. Both degrees offer a fantastic set of modules and I would highly recommend looking out for these if you’re wanting to take your career to the next level.

Although a recognised and accredited qualification is enough to find work and start a career in the sport and fitness industry, being really successful in this industry goes further than the qualification you have. It has a lot to do with your personal drive and your ability to provide a good service, or better yet, providing something that people want and need. Finding that something, takes initiative, research and knowledge. At eta College we feel we can adequately equip you with all the skills you need to advance your career.

I also cannot stress the importance of continued education enough. Short courses allow students to stay current with the ever-changing world of fitness technology, techniques and equipment. It is essential to stay ahead of the pack, especially if you want to grow your career and knowledge. Knowledge is power!

This is an important element for anyone making a career in the sport and fitness industry, as business models are changing and most professionals outside of large sporting institutions are self-employed. Graduates are employed in health and fitness facilities, sport specific environments, in private practices, schools, sports clubs, hotels and spas with their fitness facilities and consultants. Students are also recruited to work at hotel spas and on luxury cruise liners. The Sport and Fitness industry is one of the fastest growing industries internationally. Employment opportunities for the qualified fitness professional are abundant!

So, as you can see there are a number of options available to you if you want to start studying towards your career, or even study to advance your career. By keeping up to date with the latest information and trends, taking advantage of short courses and specialisations, eta graduates are assured of further exciting career opportunities.

Start your career in sport and fitness by studying at one of the most reputable and internationally recognised colleges – eta College. We love what we do and are passionate about the industry, our students and everything related to sport and fitness. Read about all our courses here or take the next step and enquire with us.

By: Caitlin Carpenter