How to become an Exercise Physiologist

Official title: Exercise Physiologists

Also called: Bariatric Weight Loss Counselor, Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Practitioner, Cardiopulmonary Rehabilitation Therapist, Certified Exercise Physiologist (Certified EP), Clinical Cardiac Exercise Physiologist, Clinical Exercise Physiologist, Clinical Exercise Specialist, Exercise Scientist, Exercise Specialist, Lifestyle and Weight Management Consultant

Assess, plan, or implement fitness programs that include exercise or physical activities such as those designed to improve cardiorespiratory function, body composition, muscular strength, muscular endurance, or flexibility.

Main tasks

• Explain exercise program or physiological testing procedures to participants.
• Develop exercise programs to improve participant strength, flexibility, endurance, or circulatory functioning, in accordance with exercise science standards, regulatory requirements, and credentialing requirements.
• Provide clinical oversight of exercise for participants at all risk levels.
• Provide emergency or other appropriate medical care to participants with symptoms or signs of physical distress.
• Interview participants to obtain medical history or assess participant goals.
• Demonstrate correct use of exercise equipment or performance of exercise routines.
• Prescribe individualized exercise programs, specifying equipment, such as treadmill, exercise bicycle, ergometers, or perceptual goggles.
• Interpret exercise program participant data to evaluate progress or identify needed program changes.

How to become one

Exercise physiologists typically need a bachelor's degree in exercise science, exercise physiology, or a related field to enter the occupation.

Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree

Read the full guide from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics

Ways in

• College: Allied Health degrees, Offered by 15 universities in the US
• Licence: A licence is required in 5 states.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

• Median pay: $59,460 a year The middle half earn $49,620 to $67,230.
• About 21,200 people work in this job now, and about 23,900 are projected by 2035. (+12.8%)
• People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

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Questions people ask

How do I become an Exercise Physiologist?

Exercise physiologists typically need a bachelor's degree in exercise science, exercise physiology, or a related field to enter the occupation.

How much does an Exercise Physiologist earn in the US?

Median full-time pay is $59,460 a year (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics). The middle half earn $49,620 to $67,230.

Is an Exercise Physiologist a growing career in the US?

Yes. Employment is projected to grow 13% by 2035, from about 21,200 to about 23,900 people (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics).

Do you need a degree to become an Exercise Physiologist?

Usually. 89% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of an Exercise Physiologist?

People use generative AI for relatively little of this work so far. Microsoft Research rates its AI applicability as low.

Sources

• Microsoft Research: Working with AI: AI applicability by occupation (2025-12-22 (built on O*NET 29.0)), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Employment Projections (2025-35 (released 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Outlook Handbook (2025-35 edition (published 2026-08-27)), Public domain (BLS); photographs excluded, retrieved 2026-10-03
• U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics: Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), Public domain (BLS), retrieved 2026-10-03

Updated 2026-10-03

This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA.