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Fitness Assessment: Measure Your Fat, Not Your Weight

Great Flex Time Career Option for Today’s Fitness-Minded Moms

Carpinteria, CA – September 10, 2008 – Carpinteria, CA - In today's society, many women dream of finding work that allows them to balance work and family. While 80% of working mothers with young children would rather not work full-time, according to a recent Pew Research Center survey, many yearn for part-time jobs that allow them the flexibility to work around carpools, sick days, and other "mom" duties.

But the earning potential of making a purely stay-at-home choice--even for a short time--can negatively impact future income. In fact, a recent survey by professors at Pace and Rider universities found that businesswomen who pulled out of the job market to care for their children earn nearly 20 percent less than those who never experienced an employment gap.

Unfortunately, finding a part-time job that pays well and is mentally stimulating and also emotionally fulfilling can be really difficult--not to mention add to the stresses of motherhood and family finances.

One option for the health and fitness-minded mom is to look toward the fitness industry, where there are many great paying and rewarding part-time opportunities available. In fact, CareerBuilder.com recently highlighted fitness training as the #9 part-time job of 2008. According to data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, fitness training is also expected to grow both in demand and the amount of job openings over the next ten years.

In order to become a personal trainer in the U.S. today, however, you first need to get certified. Jen Lilienstein, mother and Director of Sales and Marketing for the International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA), assures us that this process is not as time-intensive or expensive as it sounds. "If you love helping others, enjoy being active, and would like some extra income, personal training is a perfect option."  

According to their website, ISSA's personal training certification course takes, on average, 3 to 4 months to complete and costs right around $600. Lilienstein goes on to say, "Many of our students buckle down and finish faster, so you could conceivably start the course tomorrow and be working part-time earning a good amount of holiday spending cash by Thanksgiving."

The cost and time involved to become a personal trainer is considerably less than the tuition for most careers in the health care industry. An added benefit is that the knowledge gained from taking a personal training certification course can give you the ability to improve your own health and physique, as well as the health of your family.

When asked about the earning potential of a beginning trainer, Lilienstein replies, "The American Sports Data Company states that the average trainer just starting out makes about $22-$45 per hour doing training sessions at the gym. But we've found that personal trainers who decide to work for themselves rather than for a fitness facility often earn much, much more."  

Most fitness trainers that venture out on their own have greater control over their hours, their clients, and where they work. "It's not uncommon for a personal trainer to have 2-4 women exercising in groups, walking, biking, and exercising outdoors. Training groups of different clients, young or old, kids or women, dramatically increases income potential. But, best of all, everyone has a lot of fun in the process." said Lilienstein.

Check with your CPA or tax expert, but a possible fringe benefit of self-employment as a fitness trainer is that purchases one probably would have made otherwise, like exercise equipment and clothing, could be a tax write-off.

Currently, no states regulate personal training or require a license to practice. However several have proposed bills that could, according to the National Board of Fitness Examiners (NBFE) website.  There are several reputable certifying organizations and, like the ISSA, a few have been providing education for personal trainers for 20 years or longer.

So, if you're a mom and need a rewarding, emotionally stimulating part-time or full-time job, personal training could be just the right career path for you.

For more information visit:
National Board of Fitness Examiners (www.NBFE.org)
International Sports Sciences Association (www.FitnessEducation.com)

About the ISSA

To schedule an interview with a representative of ISSA, please contact:

Jen Lilienstein
Director of Marketing for the ISSA
Email: jlilienstein@issaonline.com
Toll-free: 1-800-892-4772
International: (805) 745-8111

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