Health and Fitness
What is good exercise?
It is recommended that when exercising you should try and work all of the major muscle groups such as arms, shoulders, chest, abdomen, back and legs.
Alternate between these muscle groups at least twice a week. It’s advised to do at least 3 hours of exercise each week if you want effective results, spreading the exercise out over 4 or 5 days, grouping the less intense days together, as this gives the body the most time to recover
There are many different types of exercises that people in today’s societies enjoy undertaking. As such, those who work in the fitness industry are not only required to have a firm knowledge of their own area of speciality, but it is also highly desirable that they have an all-around general knowledge of effective exercising practices too
You will usually find that when it comes to exercise and nutritional advice, there are all sorts of different guidelines and recommendations given, that’s why the best way to approach this in an interview is to simply be confident and assured when the talking about the things you know!
Some fitness industry statistics
It’s estimated that 25% of men and 7% of women undertake some form of regular physical exercise. When it comes to gym memberships, women are much more likely to cancel in the first year though, and statistics put this as high as 16%, with men only 5% cancelling theirs
Further fitness demographics
Of people that use gyms, the following age groups go as follows:
Gen Z (under 25 years old) = 17%
Millennials (26-42 years old) = 37%
Gen X (43-57 years old) = 22%
Boomers (58-77 years old) = 22%
Silent generation (78 or older) = 2%
Gym members are inclined to go to the gym the following times per week
Once a week 10%
Several times a week 59%
Daily 31%
Following surveys with multiple choice responses, this is how people answered as to their reasons for exercising
People who exercise because they want to build muscle and strength = 40% answered Yes
People who exercise to get fit = 42% answered Yes
People who exercise because they want to improve their overall appearance and look great = 60% answered Yes
People who exercise to lose weight = 32% answered Yes
People who exercise to participate in some form of exercise for enjoyment or as a social activity = 25% answered Yes
Exercise itself can consist of several types of things
It can consist of areas like weight training, this not only strengthens the body and helps to build muscle, but is great for getting rid of excess weight too
Aerobic activity. This is a rhythmic and repetitive form of exercise that helps increase cardiovascular endurance. (It’s recommended that you do at least 3 hours of cardiovascular activity a week to gain the biggest benefits). There are many different types of aerobic exercises such as:
Yoga, Pilates, and Calisthenics
Or
Dancing, walking, running, swimming, cycling, football, rugby, tennis, badminton, water aerobics, or other sports where any type of movement is involved – even everyday household activities can count as a mild form of aerobic activity!
High Intensity Interval Training
This consists of things like weight training, sprints and interval running, or other activities that require intense muscular or cardiovascular endurance. Such training can lead to huge gains in muscle mass, weight loss, and cardiovascular endurance, depending on the area of activity in question
HEALTHY EATING AND SUPPLEMENTS
The fitness industry doesn’t just concern services related to the exercise aspects of fitness, but as a wider definition, also concerns other areas too, with healthy eating being another main area
Healthy eating also underlines a wider trend in many countries in recent years as consumer demand has been steadily shifting away from industrially produced processed food in favour of healthier, more natural, and/or organic alternatives
Healthy foods and supplements are great for many different reasons, aside from the evolutionary advantages they provide to a living organism, (when we die and go to ‘heaven’, the things we’ve eaten over the course of our lifetimes will almost certainly influence where we end up when our lifeforce is eventually reintroduced back into existence at a later point in time!). That fact aside, there are more immediate benefits too. For instance, healthy eating is a great way to increase energy levels, and is also an excellent way to manage weight loss and increase muscle mass too. There are many types of healthy foods to enjoy, and these can give us all the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients that our bodies need after a long hard exercise
Fruits
Apples – high in vitamin C
Oranges – high in vitamin C
Bananas – high in Vitamin B6, Vitamin C, and Carbohydrates
Vegetables
Potatoes – good for nutrients
Carrot – rich in potassium, and vitamin A
Peas – (Sometimes classed as a fruit), high in vitamins C and E, Zinc
Dairy products
Milk – high in calcium and B and D vitamins
Eggs – high in protein
Cheeses – good for calcium
Other foods such as:
Fish – high in proteins, and vitamins such as D and B2
Poultry – high in proteins, iodine, iron, zinc, vitamins (especially B12) and essential fatty acids
Meats – high in proteins, iodine, iron, zinc, vitamins (especially B12) and essential fatty acids
There are plenty of roles within the fitness industry where dietary and nutritional advice and is heavily utilized. For instance, in roles such as personal training and fitness instruction, applicants are normally required to be highly knowledgeable in such areas – and in other types of instructor roles, an applicant’s knowledge of nutritional expertise will often be listed on job descriptions as highly desirable indeed
Supplements and vitamins are another area that directly concern the fitness industry too. Being a separate industry in its own right, the vitamin and supplement industry has a turnover rivalling the fitness industry itself, currently being valued at £129.60 billion, and this is projected to increase to as much as £200 billion by the end of the decade
Many who exercise take nutritional supplements and vitamins for various reasons. These could be for health reasons, (to help with an underlying condition). It could be for dietary reasons, (for instance if there is a certain type of food someone doesn’t like or is allergic to), or for other important reasons like to lose weight
There are other reasons why people take supplements too though – this can not only help them to exercise better, but can also help improve their physiques and build muscle. The are many types of supplements available, and these can range to everything from muscle builders like creatine and testosterone, to protein supplements, to anti-aging treatments too
Jobs in health and fitness
Aerobics Instructor
Teaches group classes. Plans and choreographs sessions. Leads and instructs class members in aerobics
Salary £25,798 – £38,900
Fitness Instructor
Instructs patrons on proper use of exercise equipment, demonstrates proper exercise techniques. Responsible for the safety of gym patrons. Ensures gym area is clean and free from safety hazards. Provides classes on areas like weight training, callisthenics, and aerobatics. Provides nutritional and dietary advice
Salary £25,324 – £40,811
Personal trainer
Works with clients one or one or in group settings. Helps them to achieve their fitness goals, evaluates and works to develop tailored exercise plans based on the abilities and goals of their clients. Monitors fitness progress, provides support and motivation to clients. Will advise on nutrition and provide tailored dietary plans
Salary £26,705 – £58,213
Gym Manager
Keeps financial records and performs administrative duties. Maintains and compiles statistics reports on patronage and membership levels to drive further organisational growth. Performs advertising and marketing functions. Performs customer service-related functions in the form of handling enquiries and complaints. Responsible for hiring staff and overseeing staff training. Responsible for ensuring health and safety compliance guidelines are met and maintained
Salary £35,876 – £58,983
Leisure centre manager
Keeps financial records and is responsible for administrative functions.
Maintains and compiles statistical reports on patronage and membership levels to drive further organisational growth. Performs advertising and marketing functions. Performs customer service-related functions in the form of handling enquiries and complaints. Is responsible for hiring staff and overseeing staff training. Responsible for ensuring health and safety compliance guidelines are met. Organises fitness courses, leisure programs, and membership incentives
Salary £36,506 – £63,187
Pilates Instructor
Verbally screens candidates to ensure they meet adequate fitness required to participate in Pilates sessions. Plans and conducts Pilates classes. Ensures instruction area is clean and obstacle free
£24,500 – £47,128