Boosting Financial Success Through Advanced Education

As fitness and health professionals we all recognize the importance of staying on top of our game, passionately pursuing continuing education, and applying cutting edge strategies and evidence-based knowledge with our clientele. What we may not fully appreciate is the impact that advanced education and receiving a degree online can do for our employer’s bottom line, as well as your own personal income. While pursuing an academic degree may seem overwhelming, most online degree offerings allow you to work “school” around your work and family schedule. Additionally, you can complete your degree within a much more reasonable amount of time compared to traditional brick and mortar college campuses.

John Preston, a fitness educator and industry advocate, posed this question in a recent article in the IDEA Fitness Journal, “Is Formal Education Essential for Success?” He provided a strong rationale for self-development through higher education. Since many fitness professionals may still question the financial return on investment (ROI) of earning their college degree, let’s take a more detailed dive into how earning your degree via an online academic program can expand your personal income and/or add to the financial stability of your employer.

Although a formal college degree is not vital to being a successful fitness professional, most will agree that obtaining relevant certifications and continuing education through a structured program such as continuing education offered by IDEA and other providers is highly recommended to gain credibility, enhance your base knowledge and open doors to more progressive opportunities within the field. Earning your degree online can take your professional achievements to a whole different level of success; basically, formal education is not mandatory, but when pursed strategically can significantly boost financial success as a fitness and health professional. 

Here are three ways an online academic degree can make you money:

1. Pursuing your online degree over the period of twelve months, offers you perspectives you might not learn through your daily routine or discover via continuing education. You’ll have professors with years of clinical and true-life experience, many of whom are considered national experts in their area of study. Imagine learning from faculty members located around the world and discovering innovative strategies for enhancing marketing campaigns, applying cutting-edge fitness approaches and ultimately increasing income.

• College level coursework provides education in areas that will help you increase your income. Whether you are a personal trainer or a fitness center manager, you will take courses in business management and leadership which will provide case studies you can apply to enhance your income and profitability. As an example, having the opportunity to visualize, create and write a business plan for something you have thought about for years will allow you to jump start your own goals or those of your employer.

• In an online degree program, you will be enrolled in classes with other fitness and health professionals from around the world. We call this your learning community. The insight you will gain from your classmates through discussion posts, case studies and group projects will allow you to apply best practice ideas within your current environment and situation. Often, this can increase your income and introduce revenue generating ideas to your employer, making you a more treasured employee. Many of your online classmates own their own businesses, manage large fitness facilities and work in professional sports. The amount of knowledge acquired from your classmates is priceless.

Universities like PennWest can offer you the ability to explore new educational options that can ultimately lead to a better financial future for you and for your employer. If you believe that having that quality degree will not help your bottom line, take some time to explore online degree programs and reevaluate if now is the time to invest in yourself.

Dr. Barry E. McGlumphy, LAT, ATC is a Professor in the Department of Exercise, Health and Sport Science at PennWest University- California. He also serves as Program Director for the fully online graduate program in Exercise Science and Health Promotion. Dr. McGlumphy also works part-time on the Sports Medicine staff for the Kansas City Chiefs. 


PennWest University is the national leader in offering 100% online degree programs in fitness and wellness. Graduate degree concentrations include Nutrition, Wellness & Fitness, Sport Performance Training, Sport Psychology, Tactical Fitness, and Wellness Coaching. For more information about online bachelors and master’s degree programs, go to: https://online.pennwest.edu/programs/exercise-science-health-promotion/index.php