According to the current trends, health and fitness is the second largest growing industry in the world. It is believed that this industry will grow into tremendous proportions in the next five years. Today, fitness has emerged as a popular field of employment and business as a result of the enhanced rate of health awareness of the young people and the assured high premium attached to appearance. Qualified fitness professionals have, therefore, now come to the forefront to cater to the growing needs of fashion and physique.

What Fitness Is?

Though no sensible person would agree to the idea that might is right, the current world trends strongly favour building a good physique and maintaining an equally good appearance and sound health. It is here that the concept of fitness has a role to play. And it is nothing but remaining in a state of being healthy and strong so that you are able to do hardwork or take part in sports. It also means to be suitable or good enough for a particular situation or purpose.

Aerobics and Calisthenics

These are more or less the same but known by different names. These techniques have been developed after many scientific experiments and therefore have specialised treatments. Aerobics is an exercise programme specifically focused on improving physical fitness by forcing the lungs and heart to work hard for a long period, thus improving cardiovascular functioning. This includes running, swimming, and cycling.Calisthenics is a set of physical exercises that are intended to make you thin and healthy with the additional goal of making your body more graceful and beautiful.

Job Profile

Fitness industry can offer you two kinds of jobs: one that of being the manager of a center or a professional trainer. In both cases you need to have a thorough knowledge about the latest trends in the area. Any person wishing to make a career in this field should have a strong inclination for sports. A background in science is also desirable though not mandatory. It would be better to opt for a degree in physical education before turning into aerobics, weight-training and so on. This way you get an understanding of the human physique. One should have a good knowledge of the human anatomy, especially the musculature.

Setting up a Centre

If you want to be a fitness entrepreneur, you will have to weigh a lot of things and when it comes to setting up a centre, the proposed location is of very important consideration. It has to be centrally located with ample parking space.The area should be pollution-free as well. If it is a semi-residential-cum-semi-commercial area, that will be all the more better. Ensure that the centre is well ventilated; an AC would be of additional comfort and convenience with a provision for good music.

Infrastructure

While going for the equipments extra care must be exercised. Though India has a couple of equipments manufacturing companies for strength exercises, much better equipments are available in America and Europe. One should ensure that the right kind of equipment such as a spa, multigyms, treadmill and free weights like dumb bells for those who need heavy exercises are installed. Despite the higher investment incurred, it will pay in the long run hence never compromise on quality to save money.

Investment

The investment in the fitness industry depends on the type of centre one is setting up. It can range from Rs. 5 lakh to Rs. 2 crore. For a small enterprise, an initial investment of Rs.15lakh would suffice. The salaries and the maintenance cost would amount to Rs. 80,000 per month. One would need a minimum of 1,000 square feet for a gymnasium, catering to around 150 members. You could also offer discounts to senior citizens and students. Also, one cannot run a centre all by himself. You will have to hire qualified trainers in case you have a good number of clients. Look out for people who are physically fit and mentally alert.

Personal Traits

Before opening up a centre, one should have trained under someone for at least two years. An interest in fitness and practical knowledge will help you to personally look into the needs of the members and supervise their workouts. As you cannot run a restaurant without knowing how to cook yourself so is the case with fitness centres also.

Therefore it is positively imperative that whether you are an entrepreneur or a professional trainer you should acquire a wide range of knowledge by reading, surfing the net, and even meeting professional coaches in this field. You have to do practically everything and gain experience. There is no substitute for that.

Educational Qualifications

To be a professional fitness instructor, enroll for a course conducted by a reputed institution.
In India, Reebok India Company offers training programmes for professionals in all metro cities. For details contact: Reebok India, Signature Towers, Gurgaon South, Hariyana. Ph: 0124-6805011. The US based American Council of Exercise offers training and certification for fitness instructors. Contact Stefanie moody at the following e-mail address for any kind of information: stephanieM@acefitness.org ACE Lifestyle and Weight Management Consultant certification is a bachelor's and even master's level course is available in physical education and run by various universities across the world.

The Minus Points

The attendance of your clients may be low during the festive seasons and holidays when people take a break. Otherwise, there are no major losses in the business. The profession is not an easy cakewalk but is exhausting and at times you will have to work till 10 p.m.

Remuneration

It is no secret that a successful professional trainer in the metros with a good influx of clients is able to earn anything in the range of Rs50,000 a month. With fitness becoming a rage with the youth, investing in this field is a lucrative proposition. The income is divided: forty percent of the earnings go into maintenance and staff salary; the rest of the sixty per cent are profits.

Courtesy: Deepika Education