Which degree would you choose: exercise science or nutrition?

It basically depends on what interests you more and what university you are taking the classes at. At my university (BYU) there was an Exercise Science degree with 2 tracks. One was for pre-med with chemistry and physics and the other was for those who were going to use their degree when they graduate which had more nutrition and business classes. One option would be to major in one thing and minor in another. That's what I did.

I think I would look into both.

Exercise science it is!

After 11 years as a personal trainer and endless hours of continued education and reading up on exercise science related material, this would certainly be the easier route to take.

Nutrition can get a lot more complex and you would have to ask yourself which population you want to work with. There is a lot of clinical nutrition, working with those who are diabetic or have Celiac's disease, to name just the first that came to my mind.

It is a decision to weigh very carefully. One aspect is a question of return for investment. Will it give you a competitive advantage? What will you be able to offer that you are not offering now?

I would choose dietetics if I had to choose all over again. I feel it is somewhat frustrating that anyone (like a dietician) can pose as an exercise specialist, however, you need a degree and an internship in order to call yourself a dietician.
If you go to school to be a dietician then you just need a certification for personal training and you are set. And you can get a personal training certificate without going to school for 4 years. But you cannot get a dietetics license without going to school.
Also, if you are interested in working for the VA or the government in any way, they seem to 'respect' the dietician degree more than a kinesiology, exercise science, etc degree.
Keep in mind that being a dietician can take you clear out of the fitness world and right into hospitals and nursing homes and straight to desk jobs, but you don't have to apply for those jobs. And being a dietician will give you the legal credentials to write meal plans for the clients at your studio...you can't do that with personal training.
However, I really enjoyed my schooling....kinesiology.
Good luck with your decision.

It depends on your interests, but I believe Nutrition would be the best way to widen your scope of practice. That is really one of the few things we can't do as personal trainers/fitness instructors and I think your business could definitely benefit from adding that as a service.

I agree with the other posters that a lot will (and should) depend on your interests. However, that being said, I think that if you have already established yourself after 11-years of work as a knowledgeable and effective trainer, AND you keep up with current research and trends through continuing education, you may be better suited by pursuing the Nutrition degree. I think that having that educational background coupled with your training experience would make you very marketable if that is what you are looking for.

LaRue, MHA, JD, CSCS
www.lecfitness.com
lecfitness@yahoo.com

I enjoy exercise science, I don't enjoy nutrition but can see the benefit of having extensive knowledge in it.....as easy as that!

Hi Stephen,

From reading your question, I think you'd benefit, at this stage of your career, from an exercise science degree. Not that nutrition is something one can simply pick up in his spare time...but if you're devoted to constant self-education (as you appear to be), you'll learn what you need and keep up with what is important on the nutrition-front.

Now that I have my masters in exercise science, I would have to say nutrition. I have to be honest with myself though, this is not where my passion lies.

Good question.