Unlike fitness or personal
trainers, exercise physiologists do not work in gyms or fitness centers. Most
exercise physiologists work in hospitals, rehabilitation clinics or research
facilities such as universities. Some facilities, such as camps or sports
therapy clinics, that focus on fitness or are developing fitness programs will
hire exercise physiologists. Exercise physiologists may also find employment
with nonprofit organizations that offer fitness alternatives for wellness and
recovery after an illness. An exercise physiologist may also assist in the
development of a physical fitness program or physical education curriculum. As
more treatment and rehabilitation programs place an emphasis on fitness for
recovery and maintaining good health, opportunities for exercise physiologists
should increase. An aging population and a bigger interest in fitness as
preventative medicine means that there will be a stable labor market, if not a
marked increase in positions, for exercise physiologists. The demand for
exercise physiologists is expected to remain strong over the next ten years.
This is mostly due to increased life spans and the necessity for high quality
of living in the later years of life. Today's retirees expect to remain active
and strong during their golden years and exercise physiologists can help them
meet their goals.