Summary of Key Points
In recent years, the number of students pursuing sports-related majors in the college entrance examination has been on the rise (with record numbers of applicants in Shandong and Shanxi, as well as expanded enrollment at institutions like Shanghai University of Sport). However, the proportion of fitness coaches with a bachelor's degree remains low (only 41.1% in 2022), and less than 10% of sports graduates actually work as fitness coaches. The reasons include a disconnect between higher education in physical education and the actual needs of gyms, limited demand for advanced knowledge among gym operators, and a preference by sports graduates for more stable careers (such as teaching or becoming civil servants), along with a general lack of understanding of the fitness coaching profession. In the future, the industry will need more specialized coaches, and both universities and gyms must work together to attract more students to this field.
1. More Sports Graduates, but Few Becoming Fitness Coaches
The number of students choosing sports-related majors in the college entrance examination has increased significantly over the past few years. For example, in 2020, the number of applicants for sports majors in Shandong was 5,000 more than in previous years, and despite a decrease in the total number of candidates in Shanxi, the number of applicants for sports-related programs still increased. Shanghai University of Sport expanded its enrollment by 40 students in 2020, with an additional 60 students enrolled in sports rehabilitation-related programs. Although majors in social and leisure sports (which include courses on sports anatomy and equipment use) are relevant to fitness coaching, few graduates from these programs end up working as coaches. For instance, only 10% of the 200 sports graduates from Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University went on to work as coaches; a survey conducted by Chengdu Sport University in 2017 found that most graduates entered the education (28.91%) or cultural and entertainment industries (26.76%). Additionally, the low proportion of fitness coaches with a bachelor's degree is noteworthy—41.1% in 2022, while those with a junior high school education or less (3.6%) even outnumber those with a master's degree or higher (3.5%), indicating that the industry does not attract highly educated candidates.
2. Why Don't Gyms Seek Out Sports Graduates? Not an Immediate Need
Many believe that sports graduates are well-suited for fitness coaching, but gyms do not see them as a priority:
- Disconnection between Education and Industry Needs: Fu Jia, a master's graduate from Shanghai University of Sport, explained that the university focuses on competitive sports training (e.g., helping athletes improve their performance), which does not necessarily prepare graduates for working with ordinary members. The head of training at a chain gym in Beijing stated that undergraduate students often lack practical skills compared to those trained by specialized institutions, and that competitive sports training methods can be frustrating for regular gym visitors.
- Lack of Need for Advanced Knowledge: General fitness clients seek basic services (weight loss, body shaping) and do not require in-depth knowledge of sports science. Moreover, hiring highly educated graduates is costly, while gyms prefer to use less expensive, standardized coaches. Top domestic sports universities (such as Beijing Sport University and Shanghai University of Sport) focus on training athletes, whereas foreign institutions offer master's degrees in sports health that are more relevant to the general public.
3. Sports Graduates Themselves Are Uninterested in Becoming Coaches
There are practical reasons why many sports graduates are not interested in becoming fitness coaches:
- Desire for Stability: Teachers at Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University noted that students prefer careers as middle or high school physical education teachers, civil servants, or pursuing further graduate studies, considering coaching to be less stable. A survey in Hunan found that lack of job-seeking skills is a common barrier for sports graduates, while another survey in Shandong highlighted that salary and benefits are major concerns.
- Lack of Understanding of the Profession: Many students perceive fitness coaching as an unattainable career due to low local interest in sports and a lack of understanding about the role and earnings of coaches.
4. The Future Depends on Professional Coaches: Universities and Gyms Must Change Together
The fitness industry is evolving, with a shift away from sales-oriented coaches towards more specialized ones who can address issues related to sports injuries and promote healthy lifestyles. To attract more sports graduates to coaching, both universities and gyms need to make changes:
- University Guidance: Since 2016, Teacher Xiao Cunxi from Jiangxi Science and Technology Normal University has been collaborating with fitness institutions to provide students with information about the job requirements and potential earnings of coaching. Most of the coaches in his studio are former students, and he aims to have 30-40% of his graduates pursue careers in coaching.
- Gyms Recruiting Professionals: The founder of DP Fitness mentioned that his team includes master's graduates in sports who can provide valuable services to clients (e.g., helping with weight loss and addressing sports-related health issues).
Only by working together can universities and gyms help more qualified sports graduates enter the fitness industry and improve the overall quality of coaching.