In the Health and Fitness Industry, Your Work Is Working Out
Publié le 4 February 2013
Lindsay Goetz has always been active. Whether participating in dance, soccer, field hockey, volleyball, swimming or CrossFit, she is always on the move, and applies this enthusiasm to her career in the health and fitness industry.
She completed the recreation and leisure program at Conestoga College in 2010, and then moved into the fitness and health promotion program, graduating in 2012. She also has her personal trainer and fitness instructor specialist certification.
“I am so fortunate to be using the knowledge I have gained from both programs every single day, and I can honestly say that I love what I do,” Goetz says about her job at Tri Fit, an Ontario-based SME. “You should leave work every day with a smile on your face—I do.”
Inside the industry
Tri Fit employs health promotion consultants, kinesiologists, personal trainers, dieticians and holistic nutritionists. These specialists work with companies that contract Tri Fit to provide a specific health or wellness service. These services enhance employee engagement and create a healthier workplace culture, the company says.
Most of Tri Fit’s 62 employees are sent to work at more than one company, and their duties vary with each location. Goetz works as the fitness and wellness consultant at Toyota Motor Manufacturing Canada (TMMC) in Woodstock, the wellness consultant at Corporate Benefits Analysts (CBA) in Kitchener, and is also a personal trainer and fitness instructor at Studio Energi in Waterloo, apart from her career at Tri Fit. Her job at Studio Energi allows her to focus more on personal training and instructing, which includes teaching three boot camps a week, one of which involves training a rep girls’ soccer team.
At TMMC, her day mostly consists of workouts, fitness assessments and nutrition consultations with the team members as well as wellness planning and programming, such as posting healthy tips and recipes on bulletin boards and implementing plant-wide fitness challenges.
At CBA, she is more focused on spreading knowledge about wellness, through stretch breaks and individual consultations, as well as roves, which are quick facts provided in small groups or on a desk-to-desk basis. “It’s basically just to teach them something about health or fitness that they may not be aware of,” she says. “For example, I recently conducted a back fit clinic, which explained why back pain occurs, such as lack of core strength, poor posture and muscular imbalances. Then I offered solutions, core strength exercise and stretching routines that can be done right at their desks, in their chairs or on a stability ball. Another one was an apple rove, where I brought in different types of apples to sample. Roves are typically based on more stimulating topics delivered in an interactive method, which allows the clientele to relax, reduce stress and have some fun all while learning ways to improve their overall health.”
However, these aren’t the most important parts of her job. “Basically, it doesn’t matter what I have on my To Do list that day—if a team member approaches me and they would like me to work out with them, or they have questions or need support, I put everything aside and spend time with them,” she says.
Small business benefits
Naturally, in a small business like Tri Fit there is a close, friendly atmosphere, which makes for a supportive workplace. The presidents of the company go to staff meetings and share their stories and knowledge with the employees, Goetz says.
“It wasn’t scary or intimidating, even as a new employee,” Goetz recalls of her first conversation with the presidents. “They wanted to really get to know me, and they clearly valued and appreciated me as an employee.”
Tri Fit also has a buddy system, which pairs a new employee with another staff member who offers them support, checks up on them and makes sure they are doing well.
“Having that connection with another Tri Fit employee has made me feel even more confident in my position… I feel that in big companies you tend to just be another number in the system, whereas with Tri Fit, a smaller-scaled company, I know I am cared about. My success matters to them,” she says.
Putting your foot in a smaller door
For students interested in working in the health and fitness industry, networking is key—and especially important among smaller companies. Goetz got her job at Tri Fit through her college placement, and she says making herself known to the company was crucial. She also recommends getting as many degrees, diplomas and certifications in the health and fitness field as you can. A diverse knowledge base qualifies you for a wider range of jobs and sets you apart from other candidates.
Your personality is also a big part of working in a company like Tri Fit. “Definitely being outgoing and bubbly—that really helps as well. And just a passion for it, a passion for helping other people. That’s what we all have. We want to make a difference in everyone’s lives. That’s very, very important in this field,” she says.
When you do get the job, Goetz says, the work is amazing. “I just walked across the stage five months ago to collect my second diploma. I did not foresee upon graduating that this is where I would be so soon. I really work for an amazing company, and I did work very, very hard to get to where I am… Working in the health and fitness field, as well, is very rewarding. You make that connection and you make a difference in that individual’s life. That really feels wonderful.”
Grace Kennedy is a journalism student at the University of King’s College in Halifax.
For more information, please visit: trifit.com, conestogac.on.ca, careeroptionsmagazine.com
By Grace Kennedy
