Recreation and fitness jobs

Looking to pump iron or play kickball on the clock? Grab some sneakers and get to work.

Nature of the work

• Recreation and fitness workers plan, organize and direct activities in local playgrounds and recreation areas, parks, community centers, health clubs, fitness centers, religious organizations, camps, theme parks and tourist attractions.
• Recreation workers hold a variety of positions at different levels of responsibility.
• Recreation leaders, who are responsible for a recreation program’s daily operation, primarily organize and direct participants.
• Camp counselors lead and instruct children and teenagers in outdoor-oriented forms of recreation, such as swimming, hiking, horseback riding, and camping.
• Fitness workers instruct or coach groups or individuals in various exercise activities.

Working conditions

• Recreation and fitness workers may work in a variety of settings, including health clubs, cruise ships, recreational parks and playgrounds.
• Regardless of setting, most recreation workers spend much of their time outdoors and may work in a variety of weather conditions, whereas most fitness workers spend their time indoors at fitness centers and health clubs.
• Recreation and fitness workers at all levels risk suffering injuries during physical activities.
• Many recreation and fitness workers work about 40 hours a week. People entering this field, especially camp counselors, should expect some night and weekend work and irregular hours. About 36 percent work part time and many recreation jobs are seasonal.

Training, qualifications and advancement

• Educational requirements for recreation workers range from a high school diploma -- or sometimes less for many summer jobs -- to graduate degrees for some administrative positions in large public recreation systems.
• Specialized training or experience in a particular field, such as art, music, drama or athletics, is an asset for many jobs. Some jobs also require certification.
• Persons planning recreation and fitness careers should be outgoing, good at motivating people, and sensitive to the needs of others.
• Excellent health and physical fitness are required because of the physical nature of the work.
• Volunteer experience, part-time work during school, or a summer job can lead to a full-time career as a recreation worker.
• As in many fields, managerial skills are needed to advance to supervisory or managerial positions.