Your Guide to Becoming an Exercise Physiologist

Written by Coursera Staff • Updated on

Learn all about what an exercise physiologist is, salary information, and how to become one.

[Featured image] An exercise physiologist plays tennis with a client in a wheelchair.

Key takeaways

Exercise physiologists develop exercise plans for their clients based on their unique health goals and needs. At a glance, here's what you need to know about these impactful health care professionals:

  • They're in demand. According to the US BLS, job openings for exercise physiologists are projected to grow by 13 percent between 2025 and 2035 [1].

  • Exercise physiologists develop individualized treatment and exercise regimens for patients who are ill or injured.

  • To join the profession, you'll typically need a bachelor's degree in an applicable field of science and certain certifications.

Below, you'll learn more about exercise physiologists, including what they do, how much they earn, and how to become one. Afterward, if you’re ready to start exploring careers across human physiology, consider enrolling in the Personal Fitness Trainer Professional Certificate from NASM. You will have the opportunity to gain the expertise to help clients achieve lasting lifestyle change, while learning about the exercise science principles and how they can shape fitness outcomes.

What is an exercise physiologist?

Exercise physiologists work with injured or sick patients to create custom treatment and exercise plans to help them recover and reach their health goals. They may work with athletes to improve their performance and overall well-being. They also rehabilitate individuals after chronic illnesses or conditions, such as disabilities.

Not to be confused with fitness trainers, physical therapists, athletic trainers, or even fitness instructors, the primary role of an exercise physiologist is to help improve overall health by assisting patients to work on their body composition, cardiovascular health, and flexibility.

What does an exercise physiologist do? 

Exercise physiologists use their knowledge of exercise science and health care to develop activity programs for their clients. Here are just some of the duties they must commonly perform:

  • Review and analyze their client's medical history to determine the best exercise program for them.

  • Conduct tests and measurements to asses a client's overall physical fitness and health, such as to identify their muscular strength, cardiovascular function, cardiorespiratory function, and heart rhythm.

  • Develop fitness programs to help clients with their particular health needs.

Where do exercise physiologists work?

An exercise physiologist can work in various settings, including hospitals, physical therapy offices, fitness centers, college athletic offices, and sports team staff. More than half of exercise physiologist jobs are self-employed with full-time schedules.

Exercise physiologists can also work as rehabilitation specialists, coaches, trainers, clinicians, directors, or program coordinators. In medical or clinical settings, primary care providers may refer their patients to exercise physiologists to create exercise regimens for their patients to follow. These regimens can focus on anything from torn ligament pain relief to improving blood pressure or losing weight.

Exercise physiologists develop programs to help athletes reduce injury and minimize recovery time in athletic settings, so a sports equipment company's designer might receive consulting from and hire exercise physiologists to assist in developing safe, effective products.

Exercise physiologist salary and job outlook

According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), exercise physiologists earned an average salary of $59,460 as of May 2025 [1]. That's a bit higher than the median wage for all roles during the same period, which was $50,980.

The role is also expected to see some demand in the coming years. According to the US BLS, the number number of job openings for professionals in the field is projected to grow by 13 percent between 2025 and 2035. This rate is much faster than the average for all occupations and means an estimated 1,400 job openings are projected for exercise physiologists each year throughout the decade [1].

The demand for this health care professional is expected to rise as health care professionals increasingly emphasize exercise as preventive care against chronic disease and a way to improve the overall quality of life.

How to become an exercise physiologist

To join this impactful health care profession, you'll need to undergo the right training and must often obtain certification. Here's what you can expect:

Exercise physiologists need at least a bachelor’s degree in exercise physiology or a related field to enter practice. Appropriate degree programs for exercise physiologists include science and health-related courses, such as nutrition, biology, anatomy, kinesiology, and clinical work.

And while it is not required for most positions, you can pursue a master's degree in exercise physiology, which may help you expand your career options within the field.

Coursework 

As an aspiring exercise physiologist, you'll take coursework in biology, anatomy, kinesiology, and nutrition. More advanced coursework includes echocardiogram interpretation, biomechanics, cardiac rehabilitation, and psychophysiology, among others.

Some certification programs require those with any major other than exercise physiology to complete specific coursework before being eligible to sit for the certification exam. The American Society of Exercise Physiologists (ASEP), for example, requires candidates to complete seven out of these nine specific courses, earning a grade of C or above, before sitting for the Exercise Physiologist Certified (EPC) exam [2]:

  • Biomechanics

  • Environmental physiology

  • Exercise and special populations

  • Exercise metabolism

  • Exercise physiology

  • Fitness assessment and prescription

  • Kinesiology

  • Nutrition

  • Research design

It is also required for candidates to have hands-on laboratory experience in exercise physiology (or related) laboratories and hold a current ASEP membership.

2. Consider certification.

You have several options for exercise physiologists seeking certification. Two different programs offer the major certifications: ASEP and the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM). These certifications include:

  • Exercise Physiologist Certified (EPC)

  • Certified Exercise Physiologist (ACSM-C)

  • Certified Clinical Exercise Physiologist (ACSM-CEP)

Certifications granted by the ASEP require the certification holder to complete continuing education courses every five years. Certifications from the ACSM require continuing education courses every three years.

Upon hiring, most employers will require you to possess and maintain Basic Life Support (BLS) or Advanced Cardiac Life Support (ACLS) certification. Both of these certifications incorporate CPR training.

3. Explore exercise physiologist jobs

Aside from working as a certified exercise physiologist, studying exercise physiology can prepare you for many other careers. A bachelor’s degree in exercise physiology can be a precursor to a career in physical therapy, occupational therapy, medicine, nursing, physician assistant studies, rehabilitation health science, and much more.

  • Clinical director: After practicing as a clinical exercise physiologist, it is possible to pursue the position of a clinical director.

  • Exercise physiology professor: Should you decide you're passionate enough about exercise physiology that you want to teach others, becoming a professor could be a suitable career path for you. You'll typically need at least a master's degree for this.

  • Personal trainer: A background in exercise physiology makes for a strong personal trainer, creating opportunities to become a small business owner if you want to manage your own business or gym.

  • Physical therapy aide: Studying for an exercise physiology bachelor's degree qualifies you to become a physical therapy aide. While working as an aide, you can continue your education and become a licensed physical therapist.

Read more: How to Become a Physical Therapist

Exercise physiology vs. exercise science

While exercise physiology and exercise science are similar areas of study that focus on improving health and wellness with exercise, the two have their fair share of differences. Exercise science generally focuses on how the human body moves. It is a broad topic that includes strength, nutrition, and physical education. Exercise physiology focuses more on how physical activity affects organs and bodily systems and the body's response to that activity.

If you’re considering a career in the health care field, subscribe to our LinkedIn newsletter, Career Chat, to learn more about trending topics across industries. Then, explore our free digital resources to guide you on your journey.

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Article sources

1. 

US Bureau of Labor Statistics. "Exercise Physiologists: Occupational Outlook Handbook, https://www.bls.gov/ooh/healthcare/exercise-physiologists.htm.” Accessed October 13, 2026.

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