If you have a degree in Exercise Science, you’ve probably been asked this question more than once. People often ask, “So, what can you do with that?”
Many people immediately think if you are getting a degree in exercise science, you will become a personal trainer. Alternatively, they believe you are planning to go back to school to become a physical therapist. An often-overlooked career path in this field is worksite wellness. This growing sector allows exercise science professionals to combine their understanding of human performance, health behavior, and injury prevention. They make a difference on a larger scale within the workplace.
What Is Worksite Wellness?
Worksite wellness focuses on improving the health, safety, and overall well-being of employees within an organization. The goal is to create a culture of health that benefits individuals. It also enhances productivity. Additionally, it reduces injury rates and lowers healthcare costs.
Professionals in this field use their knowledge of exercise physiology, behavior change, and ergonomics to design programs that help employees live healthier lives — both on and off the job.
What Does a Worksite Wellness Professional Do?
The beauty of this career path is that it’s multidisciplinary. A worksite wellness professional:
- Conduct ergonomic assessments and recommend workplace modifications.
- Develop injury prevention and movement programs tailored to specific job roles.
- Collaborate with occupational health teams to address recurring injury trends.
- Deliver health education, fitness challenges, or wellness workshops.
- Analyze health data to identify risk factors and evaluate program outcomes.
In short, this role blends exercise science with elements of public health, safety management, and human resources.
A Real-World Example: My Experience at NASA
During my time at NASA Langley, I coordinated monthly fitness activities. Technically, these were competitions, but we were not allowed to call them that due to a government rule. I ran multiple weight loss challenges. Our most popular was “Weight Loss Wars,” which always started in January. Finally, I gave multiple presentations on-site at Langley and virtually across the United States. My post popular being “Standing Up to Sitting World”, which I gave to thousands of employees. Lastly, I taught multiple group fitness classes in person and virtually. These included boot camp, core blast, yoga, and basic stretching. I personally trained various members of the site; Langley has 4,000 employees. I also managed daily tasks in the fitness center. This experience was enlightening. It showed me how much exercise science can be in a corporate setting. Its influence extends far beyond the gym or clinic.
Why Worksite Wellness Matters
Worksite wellness is about more than step challenges or free fruit in the breakroom — it’s about building a culture where health and safety are integrated into everyday operations. When employees feel supported in their well-being, organizations thrive.
Research consistently shows that effective wellness programs can:
- Reduce absenteeism and turnover.
- Increase employee satisfaction and engagement.
- Lower healthcare costs.
- Enhance overall productivity.
As an exercise science professional, you have the tools to make that happen.
How to Get Started in Worksite Wellness
If you’re interested in pursuing this path, here are a few ways to get started:
- Gain broad experience: Work in clinical, fitness, or community settings to understand diverse populations.
- Pursue certifications: Credentials like ACSM’s Exercise Physiologist or ACE’s Health Coach strengthen your expertise in behavior change and wellness programming.
- Learn about ergonomics and safety: Many roles blend wellness and occupational health.
- Develop communication and presentation skills: You’ll often need to present data and advocate for program improvements to leadership teams.
Final Thoughts
Worksite wellness is where exercise science meets organizational leadership. It’s a field that challenges you to think beyond individual clients and consider the health of entire populations.
You may be working in a hospital, a government agency like NASA, or a corporate fitness center. Your skills in movement science, data analysis, and health promotion can create lasting change. You can impact one workplace at a time.
Exercise Science Journey 