Fitness worker education requirements

Updated January 8, 2025

4 min read

There are several educational requirements to become a fitness worker. Fitness workers usually study kinesiology, business, or health sciences and services. 66% of fitness workers hold a bachelor's degree, and 17% hold an high school diploma. We analyzed 109 real fitness worker resumes to see exactly what fitness worker education sections show.

The most common colleges for fitness workers are the Central Connecticut State University and the Central Connecticut State University.

There are also many online fitness worker courses to help get the education required to be a fitness worker.

What education do you need to become a fitness worker?

What degree do you need to be a fitness worker?

The most common degree for fitness workers is bachelor's degree, with 66% of fitness workers earning that degree. The second and third most common degree levels are high school diploma degree at 17% and high school diploma degree at 7%.

Bachelor's, 66%

High School Diploma, 17%

Associate, 7%

Master's, 3%

Other Degrees, 7%

What should I major in to become a fitness worker?

You should major in kinesiology to become a fitness worker. 21% of fitness workers major in kinesiology. Other common majors for a fitness worker include business and health sciences and services.

Kinesiology, 21%

Business, 10%

Health Sciences And Services, 8%

Biology, 8%

Other Majors, 53%

Most common colleges for fitness workers

Fitness workers often get their degrees at Central Connecticut State University, La Sierra University, and University of Central Arkansas. Here are the most common colleges for fitness workers in the US based on their resumes.

Fitness worker common college	Percentages
Central Connecticut State University	24.14%
La Sierra University	6.90%
University of Central Arkansas	6.90%
Murray State University	6.90%
West Virginia State University	3.45%

Show more common fitness worker colleges

Best majors for fitness workers

Rank	Major	Percentages
1	Kinesiology	21.2%
2	Business	9.6%
3	Health Sciences And Services	7.7%
4	Biology	7.7%
5	Nursing	5.8%

Show more common fitness worker majors

Best colleges for fitness workers

The best colleges for fitness workers are Columbia University in the City of New York, Northwestern University, and University of Michigan - Ann Arbor.

A fitness worker with advanced education typically earns a higher salary and has access to better jobs. That's why Zippia looked into the best colleges for fitness workers. We based this list on several metrics: admissions rate, retention rate, mean earnings of graduates, the ratio of working vs. non-working students ten years after admission, the average cost of attendance, and median debt for graduates who become fitness workers.

1. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

In-state tuition

$15,262

Enrollment

30,079

2. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$59,430

Enrollment

8,216

3. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Enrollment

31,503

4. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$55,695

Enrollment

6,596

5. University of Washington

Seattle, WA • Private

In-state tuition

$11,207

Enrollment

30,905

6. Clemson University

Clemson, SC • Private

In-state tuition

$15,374

Enrollment

19,564

7. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Enrollment

31,321

8. University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

Chapel Hill, NC • Private

In-state tuition

$8,987

Enrollment

18,946

9. Georgetown University

Washington, DC • Private

In-state tuition

$54,104

Enrollment

7,089

10. University of Virginia

Charlottesville, VA • Private

In-state tuition

$17,653

Enrollment

16,405

20 best online courses for fitness workers

Advertising disclosure

1. Predictive Modeling, Model Fitting, and Regression Analysis

Welcome to Predictive Modeling, Model Fitting, and Regression Analysis. In this course, we will explore different approaches in predictive modeling, and discuss how a model can be either supervised or unsupervised. We will review how a model can be fitted, trained and scored to apply to both historical and future data in an effort to address business objectives. Finally, this course includes a hands-on activity to develop a linear regression model...

2. Belly Dance & Belly Core Fitness International Certification

4.5

(261)

Belly Dance & Belly Core Fitness Internationally Certified instructor & steps to creating your own Fitness Business...

3. Personalized Bodyweight Workouts: Science-Based Home Fitness

4.7

(270)

Step-by-Step Instruction From Ex-Military Officer: Build Home Bodyweight Workouts: Strength, Muscle, Lose Fat, Fitness...

4. Fitness For Beginners

4.5

(968)

The Beginners Guide to Learning How to Exercise...

5. Internationally Accredited Diploma Certificate in Fitness

4.5

(3,628)

Learn how to Create Gym & Bodybuilding Workouts that help boost testosterone, muscle building and/or lose weight...

6. The Complete Fitness & Health Masterclass - 21 Courses in 1

4.3

(512)

The Most Comprehensive Masterclass to Improve Your Mind, Body and Health - Start Growing Today!...

7. Fitness Trainer Certification: Gym Workouts & Bodybuilding

4.7

(1,757)

Become A Fitness Coach: Create Muscle Growth & Strength Workouts, Build A Fitness Training Business & Be A Health Expert...

8. Complete Fitness Trainer Certification: Beginner To Advanced

4.5

(9,275)

Become A Fitness Coach: Create Muscle Growth & Fat Loss Workouts, Build A Fitness Training Business & Be A Health Expert...

9. Yoga At Home - Flexibility, Fitness, Strength & Weight Loss

(488)

Yoga for Weight Loss : Yoga Workout at Home : Yoga for Fitness Strength & Flexibility : Yoga for Losing Weight & Health...

10. Sports Nutrition for Athletes and Fitness Enthusiasts

4.5

(353)

Learn all about sports nutrition with 7 hours of online video content and start training SMARTER instead of HARDER...

11. Science-Based Workout: Build Muscle, Lose Fat & Get Fit

4.6

(791)

Learn The Simple Science Of Building Muscle & Fat Loss With A Proven Workout & Diet Program (Gain Muscle, Weight Loss)...

12. Health and Nutrition Life Coach Certification (Accredited)

4.5

(5,133)

Life Coaching: Create a Workout & Nutrition Plan Based on Your Clients' Fitness, Weight Loss, Dieting & Nutrition Goals...

13. HIIT & Body Weight Training: A 4-week Home Workout Program

4.4

(365)

Be your own Personal Trainer: Bodyweight Workouts that boosts testosterone, help with muscle building and/or weight loss...

14. Science-Based Bodyweight Workout: Build Muscle Without A Gym

4.3

(1,531)

Learn The Simple Science Of Building Muscle & Losing Fat Using Bodyweight Exercises, Bodyweight Fitness & Home Workout...

15. Basics of Tolerance Stack-up Analysis and Fits with GD & T

4.4

(494)

Learn About Tolerances Stack-up Analysis and about fits in engineering with multiple examples with GD & T for mechanical...

16. Beginner's Yoga Workout System For Inflexible People

4.6

(278)

Discover Yoga's Amazing Benefits. Created For All Ages With Modifications For Those Who Can't Touch Their Toes...

17. OSHA Safety Pro: Personal Protective Equipment

4.5

(1,881)

Impress management or get that job with you your ability to display life and dollar saving work place safety practices...

18. Exercise Physiology

4.5

(678)

Learn how the body systems work in concert during acute and chronic exercise...

19. Home Workouts: 7 Day Bodyweight HIIT Workout Program

4.5

(331)

Anywhere, anytime workouts for busy professionals. Feel great in front of the mirror quicker and easier than before...

20. NLP for Emotional Intelligence, Mental Fitness and Wellbeing

4.9

(420)

Learn how Neuro-Linguistic Programming (NLP) can advance your Self-Improvement, Mental Wellness, and Personal Growth...

Top 10 most affordable universities for fitness workers

The most affordable schools for fitness workers are California State University - Long Beach, hunter college of the city university of new york, and university of florida.

If the best universities for fitness workers are out of your price range, check out these affordable schools. After factoring in in-state tuition and fees, the average cost of attendance, admissions rate, average net price, and mean earnings after six years, we found that these are the most affordable schools for fitness workers.

1. California State University - Long Beach

Long Beach, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,798

Cost of attendance

18,306

2. Hunter College of the City University of New York

New York, NY • Private

In-state tuition

$7,182

Cost of attendance

13,998

3. University of Florida

Gainesville, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,381

Cost of attendance

21,034

4. University of South Florida

Tampa, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$6,410

Cost of attendance

20,456

5. California State University - Bakersfield

Bakersfield, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$7,309

Cost of attendance

16,714

6. California State University - Dominguez Hills

Carson, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,942

Cost of attendance

14,469

7. Brigham Young University

Provo, UT • Private

In-state tuition

$5,620

Cost of attendance

18,136

8. California State University - Los Angeles

Los Angeles, CA • Private

In-state tuition

$6,749

Cost of attendance

14,823

9. Florida State University

Tallahassee, FL • Private

In-state tuition

$5,656

Cost of attendance

21,623

10. Minot State University

Minot, ND • Private

In-state tuition

$7,064

Cost of attendance

15,576

Top 10 hardest universities to get into for fitness workers

The hardest universities for fitness workers to get into are Columbia University in the City of New York, Northwestern University, and University of Michigan - Ann Arbor.

Some great schools for fitness workers are hard to get into, but they also set your career up for greater success. The list below shows the most challenging universities to get into for fitness workers based on an institution's admissions rates, average SAT scores accepted, median ACT scores accepted, and mean earnings of students six years after admission.

1. Columbia University in the City of New York

New York, NY • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,512

2. Northwestern University

Evanston, IL • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,508

3. University of Michigan - Ann Arbor

Ann Arbor, MI • Private

Admissions rate

23%

SAT average

1,434

4. Johns Hopkins University

Baltimore, MD • Private

Admissions rate

11%

SAT average

1,513

5. Duke University

Durham, NC • Private

Admissions rate

SAT average

1,516

6. Northeastern University

Boston, MA • Private

Admissions rate

19%

SAT average

1,466

7. University of Tulsa

Tulsa, OK • Private

Admissions rate

41%

SAT average

1,321

8. University of Virginia

Charlottesville, VA • Private

Admissions rate

26%

SAT average

1,427

9. Georgetown University

Washington, DC • Private

Admissions rate

15%

SAT average

1,456

10. Clemson University

Clemson, SC • Private

Admissions rate

47%

SAT average

1,337

Top 10 easy-to-apply-to universities for fitness workers

The easiest schools for fitness workers to get into are Bluefield College, wayland baptist university, and felician university.

Some schools are much easier to get into. If you want to start your career as a fitness worker without much hassle, check out the list of schools where you will be accepted in no time. We compiled admissions rates, average SAT scores, average ACT scores, and average salary of students six years after graduation to uncover which were the easiest schools to get into for fitness workers.

1. Bluefield College

Bluefield, VA • Private

Admissions rate

95%

SAT average

980

2. Wayland Baptist University

Plainview, TX • Private

Admissions rate

98%

SAT average

1,003

3. Felician University

Lodi, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

81%

SAT average

999

4. Barry University

Miami, FL • Private

Admissions rate

91%

SAT average

1,006

5. Oklahoma Wesleyan University

Bartlesville, OK • Private

Admissions rate

68%

SAT average

964

6. Life University

Marietta, GA • Private

Admissions rate

94%

SAT average

979

7. Kean University

Union, NJ • Private

Admissions rate

86%

SAT average

991

8. Ottawa University

Ottawa, KS • Private

Admissions rate

78%

SAT average

1,024

9. Saint Joseph's College of Maine

Standish, ME • Private

Admissions rate

84%

SAT average

1,069

10. Holy Family University

Philadelphia, PA • Private

Admissions rate

72%

SAT average

1,017

Average fitness worker salary by education level

Fitness workers with a Master's degree earn more than those without, at $40,787 annually. With a Bachelor's degree, fitness workers earn a median annual income of $38,999 compared to $36,792 for fitness workers with an Associate degree.

Fitness worker education level	Fitness worker salary
Master's Degree	$40,787
High School Diploma or Less	$33,216
Bachelor's Degree	$38,999
Some College/ Associate Degree	$36,792

Fitness worker education FAQs

What is the best college for Fitness Workers?

Have more questions? See all answers to common personal care and attendants questions.

Search for fitness worker jobs

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

Browse personal care and attendants jobs