A dream job is one in which you can combine your personal interests and passions with a future-proof career path. If you have a personal passion for sport and fitness, you can achieve this dream job by training to become an EFZ specialist in exercise and health promotion – with a recognized qualification in the Swiss education system.
Read this article to find out exactly what the job description entails, how the training is structured and what prospects you have afterwards.
Why are careers in the health and fitness industry currently so popular?
Many jobs today are carried out at a desk. This means that office workers spend most of the day sitting down and hardly move at all. A lack of exercise is considered one of the biggest risk factors for health. According to a recent
The consequences are serious: an increased risk of chronic illness, obesity, mental exhaustion and a reduced quality of life. In addition to the personal fates associated with this, the costs for the healthcare system also increase.
This is precisely why exercise and health programs are becoming increasingly relevant. Well-trained specialists who accompany people professionally on their path to greater activity and well-being are more in demand today than ever before. Those who choose this career path make a meaningful contribution to the health of others and, of course, also benefit themselves from secure prospects in a growing market.
Specialist in exercise and health promotion EFZ: A brief profile of the profession
As an EFZ specialist in physical activity and health promotion, you will help other people to lead healthier lives and integrate physical activity into their everyday lives. In other words, you will primarily provide advice, planning and motivation.
These are typical tasks in this profession:
- You create individual training plans that are tailored to the goals and fitness level of the customer
- You lead exercises – in individual training, group courses or on equipment
- You carry out health checks and simple movement analyses
- They provide advice on all aspects of prevention, posture and exercise in everyday life
- You motivate your customers to lead a more active lifestyle and are available as a contact person
What you can expect from the training: structure, content and duration
You should plan to spend a total of three years training to become a specialist in physical activity and health promotion EFZ. It is offered through Switzerland’s dual education system, which is very practice-oriented. This means that you will work in a training company and attend vocational school at the same time. At the same time, you will also take part in inter-company courses, where you will deepen your practical and theoretical knowledge.
During your training, you will acquire knowledge in the following areas, among others:
- Anatomy and physiology: you will learn how the human body works
- Training theory: you understand how targeted training is structured and adapted
- Communication and advice: you develop the ability to support customers professionally
- Health promotion and prevention: you will learn how to prevent illness with exercise
- Customer service: you practise dealing directly with people – personally and competently
At the end of your training, you will receive the Federal Certificate of Competence (EFZ), a recognized professional qualification. This puts you in the best possible position for your professional future.
Prospects after your apprenticeship: what you can do next
With the EFZ in your pocket, many professional doors are open to you. The health and fitness industry literally welcomes graduates with a kiss. Demand is constantly growing due to the developments mentioned above, and with it your chances of quickly establishing yourself professionally and making a name for yourself.
After graduating, you can work in a wide variety of facilities. The first job is usually in fitness centers, exercise studios or health centers. There you will look after customers individually and create personal training plans for them. However, you can also work in rehabilitation clinics, in physiotherapy practices or with providers of prevention programs. Here, too, qualified specialists with an EFZ qualification are gladly employed.
swiss active as a partner for companies and apprentices
swiss active actively shapes the development of the profession on several levels. The association is committed to ensuring that the occupation of movement and health promotion specialist EFZ gains a strong position in the industry and can continue to develop. The association maintains a close exchange with the training institutions, companies and authorities so that the training content is closely aligned with practical requirements and can also be designed with a view to the future.
Would you as a company like to create apprenticeships in this area?
If so, swiss active will be happy to advise you. The association supports training companies with questions about implementation, networking and quality assurance. In this way, it makes a very important contribution to the sustainable anchoring of basic training in the industry.
Apprentices can get a solid start in the industry with the apprenticeship – companies hire very well-prepared, motivated young people in return. Win-win for both sides.
Your entry into the fitness sector starts with strong basic training
Training as an exercise and health promotion specialist EFZ opens up meaningful prospects for your professional future. Providers of fitness and health services also benefit from having highly qualified specialists with whom they can further develop their own services and put them on a solid foundation in terms of quality. swiss active supports this path as a strong partner through excellent networking, quality assurance and a high level of political commitment.
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