Health Club Owners and Managers

Employers

Fitness facilities may be chain operations or local establishments, or they may be owned by a larger corporation that offers the facility solely for the benefit of its employees.

Starting Out

Because of their growing popularity, clubs offer more part- and full-time positions than ever before. To find an employer near you, check newspaper or online classified ads. You can also search online for "health clubs" to find gyms in your area and visit them to find out about job opportunities.

Graduates of programs in sports administration and sports facility management usually find jobs through past internships, from personal contacts they developed in the field, or from job listings in their graduate programs' placement departments.

Many health club managers start out in other jobs. They may move into a management position after working in another fitness career. For example, an aerobics instructor who desires more management duties may become the club's fitness director. Other club managers are hired after first working in the business industry. For example, a public relations professional who is dedicated to working out may choose to leave his or her industry to work in health and fitness instead.

The job of health club owner is not a starting position. Most owners start out in other fitness industry positions, gaining the experience and financial know-how that are necessary for running a business.