Recreation and fitness workersPeople spend much of their leisure time participating in a wide variety of organized recreational activities, such as aerobics, arts and crafts, the performing arts, camping, and sports. Recreation and fitness workers plan, organize, and direct these activities in local playgrounds and recreation areas, parks, community centers, health clubs, fitness centers, religious organizations, camps, theme parks, and tourist attractions. Increasingly, recreational and fitness workers also are found in workplaces, where they organize and direct leisure activities and athletic programs for employees of all ages. Recreation workers hold a variety of positions at different levels of responsibility. Recreation leaders, who are responsible for a recreation program�s daily operation, primarily organize and direct participants. They may lead and give instruction in dance, drama, crafts, games, and sports; schedule use of facilities; keep records of equipment use; and ensure that recreation facilities and equipment are used properly. Workers who provide instruction and coach groups in specialties such as art, music, drama, swimming, or tennis may be called activity specialists. Recreation supervisors oversee recreation leaders and plan, organize, and manage recreational activities to meet the needs of a variety of populations. These workers often serve as liaisons between the director of the park or recreation center and the recreation leaders. Recreation supervisors with more specialized responsibilities also may direct special activities or events or oversee a major activity, such as aquatics, gymnastics, or performing arts. Directors of recreation and parks develop and manage comprehensive recreation programs in parks, playgrounds, and other settings. Directors usually serve as technical advisors to State and local recreation and park commissions and may be responsible for recreation and park budgets. (Workers in a related occupation, recreational therapists, help individuals to recover from or adjust to illness, disability, or specific social problems; this occupation is described elsewhere in the Handbook.) Camp counselors lead and instruct children and teenagers in outdoor-oriented forms of recreation, such as swimming, hiking, horseback riding, and camping. In addition, counselors provide campers with specialized instruction in subjects such as archery, boating, music, drama, gymnastics, tennis, and computers. In resident camps, counselors also provide guidance and supervise daily living and general socialization. Camp directors typically supervise camp counselors, plan camp activities or programs, and perform the various administrative functions of a camp. Fitness workers instruct or coach groups or individuals in various exercise activities. Because gyms and health clubs offer a variety of exercise activities such as weightlifting, yoga, aerobics, and karate, fitness workers typically specialize in only a few areas. Fitness trainers help clients to assess their level of physical fitness and help them to set and reach fitness goals. They also demonstrate various exercises and help clients to improve their exercise techniques. They may keep records of their clients� exercise sessions in order to assess their progress towards physical fitness. Personal trainers work with clients on a one-on-one basis in either a gym or the client�s home. Aerobics instructors conduct group exercise sessions that involve aerobic exercise, stretching, and muscle conditioning. Some fitness workers may perform the duties of both aerobics instructors and fitness trainers. Fitness directors oversee the operations of a health club or fitness center. Their work involves creating and maintaining programs that meet the needs of the club�s members. (Workers in a related occupation— athletes, coaches, umpires, and related workers—participate in organized sports; this occupation is described elsewhere in the Handbook.) Related news articles Business Credit Expert Dr. Richard M. Krawczyk To Be Interviewed ... - 16 Oct 2006 PR Web (press release),Business Credit Expert Richard M. Krawczyk, Ph.D. (a/k/a Dr. Richard -- America's Financial Fitness Trainer™), has announced the airing of an interview on ... Merlin Transformations Provides Holistic Breakthrough in Addiction - 16 Oct 2006 Press Dispensary (press release),Rebekah Rhind began her career as a personal fitness trainer and nutritional specialist with specific interest in eating disorders and clinical weight issues ... 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More information on Recreation and fitness workers from The U.S. Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Outlook Handbook Overview of Recreation and fitness workers occupation Number of Recreation and fitness workers in the U.S. Salary and earnings for Recreation and fitness workers Working conditions for Recreation and fitness workers Significant points for Recreation and fitness workers Training requirements for Recreation and fitness workers Labor Information Home | Occupational data by city | Search Rainforests | Madagascar | What's new |