4 Pros and Cons of Working at a Gym

By Kate Harveston

Are you in the market for a new job? Maybe you saw the “help wanted” sign in the gym window last time you worked out, and you’re considering a career in the fitness industry. Before you fill out the application, what are the pros and cons of working at a fitness facility?

You do enjoy tons of perks — but like any industry, the health biz has it’s downsides as well. Read on to discover the good and the bad about this possible career choice. In the end, your decision boils down to your lifestyle and career aspirations. 

1. Grooming Rules Are Lax 

Getting ready in the morning takes time. If you could live happily without ever donning a suit again, a gym career might work for you. You can more or less roll out of bed and throw on your leggings. Add a scrunchy for your hair, and voilà! You’re ready to rock your day!

That said, however, fitness centers are the places people go to sweat. This exertion results in body odor — sometimes, an overwhelming amount. You might find it tempting to skip the armpit perfume yourself, but do keep up with basic hygiene, especially when it comes to laundry. Gym clothes are bacterial breeding grounds, and these germs can build up and leave you smelling ripe.  

2. You Can Stay Healthier 

Hello? A free gym membership? Talk about a desirable job perk! If you pass your interview and take the job, you can often work out on your employer’s dime. Indeed, they’ll probably encourage the behavior — after all, you’re the face of their business. They want you to look like you do more than sit on the couch, eating cheesy poofs in your spare time. The downside of this? If you’re at all sensitive about your weight or appearance, hello, pressure. 

One caveat — chances are, your employer will not offer you health insurance, meaning you’re responsible for buying it. You’ll have to decide for yourself based on your unique situation whether or not this is a deal breaker. Going without health coverage in America is risky for a number of reasons, so you’ll still want to search for marketplace coverage if you do decide to take the job without insurance. Remember that even if you’re a fit-and-fabulous gym rat, a single stroke of bad luck can sideline you permanently.

3. You Meet All the Interesting People 

Are you an extroverted people person? If so, a career in the fitness industry might be the perfect fit! As a trainer or even a janitor, you’ll get to meet people from all walks of life. The CEOs use the ellipticals side-by-side with the farmers. This inclusive circle broadens your outlook on life and helps you to see things from new perspectives. 

However, as with any customer-oriented career, dealing with people has its downsides. You’re going to run into surly and downright rude individuals during your tenure. When dealing with an upset patron, remain calm and practice active listening to diffuse their ire. Once they calm down, you can work together toward a solution to their gripe. 

4. You Learn New Things Every Day 

If you adore lifelong learning, a fitness career is a great choice. Exercise physiology is an intricate science. You can count on your team of trainers to continue to build your knowledge of proper lifting techniques, etc., every day. 

However, you’ll also meet those people who try to convince you that their miracle formula will cure anything from cancer to male-pattern baldness. When you run into the sort who tries to convince you that people can live healthfully on only air and sunlight, for example, maintain your composure. Ask them to follow that thought to its logical conclusion instead of reacting with shock. 

In the End, Working at a Gym Pretty Much Rocks 

Is a gym career the best for you? Only you can decide. Now that you know the pros and cons, will you put in your application?

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