Photo: Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)
Job description
Coordinators track attendance, participation, and performance data to see what's working, then use that information to recommend new program or service offerings that promote wellness, bring in revenue, or cut costs. They also oversee fitness or wellness specialists directly, whether that's fitness instructors, nutritionists, or health educators, and are responsible for keeping facilities and equipment safe and clean. The role typically requires a bachelor's degree and involves significant independent judgment, since coordinators are often deciding what programs are worth running, not just administering an existing schedule.
Pros
- Faster than average projected job growth (6.5% over the next decade)
- Work centers on health and wellness, appealing to those motivated by helping others get fit
- Standard, capped hours (40-45) rather than an open-ended workweek
Cons
- A relatively small number of positions nationwide, so opportunities may be geographically limited
- Regularly deals with frustrated or upset people over programming or facility issues
- Success depends on managing a varied staff of instructors, nutritionists, and health educators
A typical day
The coordinator opens the corporate wellness center at 6 for the before-work crowd, then spends mid-morning on the program calendar: a new mobility class to replace the underenrolled spin slot, an instructor to hire, and a biometric-screening event to schedule with a vendor. Midday brings a walkthrough — equipment inspected, cleaning logs checked, a treadmill tagged out for service. The afternoon is data and persuasion: participation numbers assembled into the quarterly report that justifies the program's budget, and a pitch to HR for an incentive challenge. The best part of most days is small: a regular hitting a goal because the program the coordinator built actually worked.
Tasks at the job
- Maintain wellness- and fitness-related schedules, records, or reports.
- Develop or coordinate fitness and wellness programs or services.
- Recommend or approve new program or service offerings to promote wellness and fitness, produce revenues, or minimize costs.
- Manage or oversee fitness or recreation facilities, ensuring safe and clean facilities and equipment.
- Supervise fitness or wellness specialists, such as fitness instructors, nutritionists, or health educators.
- Track attendance, participation, or performance data related to wellness events.
Workplace & working conditions
Work happens indoors in a climate-controlled setting.
You're expected to exercise significant independent judgment day to day. The work is highly structured, following set procedures. You'll regularly deal with frustrated or upset people as part of the job, and almost all of the work is done as part of a team.
Education necessary or common
Bachelor's degree
Common college majors
Licenses & certifications
- CPR/AED
- ACSM or NASM certifications
- Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES) for the health-promotion track
Career path
Related fields
Courses to take
- Anatomy & Physiology — the science credibility behind programming
- AP Biology
- Business — programs live and die on budgets and participation
- AP Statistics — outcomes reporting is the job's currency
- Psychology — behavior change is the real product
Clubs, activities & competitions
- HOSA or sports medicine student aide program
- Lead a fitness activity: lunchtime running club, intramural league
- A varsity sport
- Student council event planning
First steps you can take now
- Get CPR/AED certified
- Design and run a 4-week fitness challenge for friends and track completion honestly
- Interview a wellness coordinator at a gym, hospital, or company
- Work a front-desk job at a gym and watch what makes programs stick
