The profession of a sports and fitness merchant is multifaceted. In addition to planning various procedures and administrative processes, a sports and fitness merchant coordinates day-to-day sports operations - including advising and supporting customers, members and the curious, as well as assisting with training. So, in addition to various commercial activities, the sport itself is also part of the job. But watch out: Sports and fitness offers can only be enjoyed by most people in their free time - in contrast to a "normal" office clerk, a sports and fitness clerk has to reckon with working hours in the evenings and on weekends, and possibly also with shift work! For the training you need a completed secondary school leaving certificate, the training lasts 3 years.
The range of tasks in the profession
Sports and fitness management assistant is a very varied profession. Administrative and accounting tasks in the office, sports and customer contact form a constant change, so you will always find different tasks and work situations in this profession.
The customers are also very diverse - fitness is a constantly growing topic in Germany. This means that you have to deal with a lot of different people. Young, old, athletic or non-athletic doesn't matter to you - your job is to advise every customer on sports offers, nutrition, exercise, fitness, health sports or prevention. During your training, you will also learn how to create individual training plans. This requires a great deal of openness - you must be as versatile as your future customers and be able to approach everyone with an open mind. You are expected to be able to explain basic exercises on any fitness equipment - whether you are a woman explaining the power sled in the functional training area or a man swinging a gymnastics machine. What matters here is not your own athletic preferences, but versatility. Sports and fitness administrators also need a good dose of curiosity - who else would be closer to the latest sports and fitness trends? So wearables and virtual should be just as familiar to you as aerial fitness or SGT.
Education and training in the fitness industry
An overview of the training content
In the vocational school, the following training contents are taught in the 3 apprenticeship years:
- Sports and exercise
- Business and performance process
- Commercial management and control
- Operational process organization, quality assurance
- Technical operations, operational safety
- Marketing
- Planning and organization of events
- Human resources management
- Offer development and sales
In the second year of training, trainees take a written intermediate examination, and after completing the third year of training, they take the final examination. The vocational training as a sports and fitness merchant enjoys a good reputation due to the state regulation and the uniform examination before the Chamber of Industry and Commerce.
Possible jobs
Sports and fitness merchants basically work in companies that offer sports. This covers a very diverse area, fitness studios, sports associations such as the DFB but also swimming pools, health centers, sports schools, dance studios or sports stadiums are among your possible jobs. However, you should always keep in mind that you will be doing a lot of work in the office. If you prefer to work mainly with clients and assist with training, you'd better think about getting one or more trainer licenses. Sports and fitness administrators have varied, exciting tasks in planning and organization, as well as important administrative duties. Before you decide to become a sports and fitness merchant, you should also consider that most people train in the evenings or on weekends - this means that you must be willing to work at these times as well.
Conclusion
The range of tasks for sports and fitness administrators is varied and exciting. During the 3-year training, you will learn the necessary basics in the commercial area as well as how to deal with customers and the necessary basic knowledge of sports. For the apprenticeship you need a secondary school leaving certificate, enjoyment of sports, openness in dealing with people and the willingness to work shifts. You can find a suitable job at fitnessjobs.de or at our partner jooble.
Editorial fitnessmarkt.de (DG)
Picture credits: #172320801 Prostock-studio / stock.adobe.com
Published on: 28 August 2019