For many ACE Certified Professionals, being a health and fitness professional is not a full-time job—it is their side hustle. Some have described the side hustle as work that relates to your passion and brings you satisfaction, while providing a service or product to others and generating income for you. Side hustles can remain as on-the-side work or be a springboard into a full-time business.

Side hustles often relate to personal goals that may not be satisfied by a 9-to-5 job. Side hustles are often entrepreneurial in nature (e.g., having your own health coaching business versus being employed as a coach at a wellness facility). Though there are many ways to side hustle, you are still engaging in and representing the profession, even if it is just on the side.

If you have a passion for fitness and helping others, becoming an ACE Certified Professional could be a great side hustle for you, whether or not you have a full-time job. Here are some of the benefits of adding “ACE Certified Professional” to your resume.

Positively impact lives.

If your 9-to-5 job does not make you feel like you are creating change in the world, being an ACE Certified Pro on the side gives you the opportunity to positively impact the lives of your participants and clients.

Share your strengths.

Your personality, your ability to listen and motivate, or your knack for developing workouts that clients actually love—a side hustle gives you the means to share strengths like these with others.

Create a schedule that works for you.

You can commit to teaching a fitness class a couple times a week or training a few hours each month at a facility—you get to decide what type of schedule works for you. Subbing a class or filling in for a trainer can provide additional work, if desired.

Experience longevity as a health and fitness pro.

Working on the side as a health and fitness professional can help prevent burnout, because you select the hours you work and what you do in those hours.

Stay connected to the profession.

Being an ACE Certified Pro means completing continuing education to stay up-to-date on the latest science, tools and trends. This helps ensure you provide safe and effective fitness and health programming. Check out the many different opportunities available for maintaining your ACE certification.

Make some money.

Side hustles can mean extra income, even if making money is not the main driver of your hustle. It is important to know your worth and the value of your time. This ACE Salary Report provides information on income ranges for health and fitness professionals.  

Is a Side Hustle Right for You?

Side hustles are meant to enhance to your life, not be a burden. Some effort may be needed to balance your side hustle with your 9-to-5 life. Whether being an ACE Pro on the side is complementary to your full-time profession or in a completely different field, a side hustle can pull mental energy away from other aspects of life. Set time aside for planning your schedule and strive for a routine that helps reduce mental fatigue.

Additionally, being a health and fitness professional means you are in a giving profession. Using your time and energy to help others may leave you feeling the effects of burnout. Being aware of the signs of burnout can help you assess your schedule and know when to reduce the number of classes you teach or clients you train.

Lastly, consider your legal and ethical responsibilities. If you are going toward a more entrepreneurial side hustle, don’t neglect to acquire the appropriate insurance. And if you are hired by a fitness/health facility, make sure you are covered by their insurance. Insurance discounts are available to ACE Certified Pros.

If you are considering a side hustle, here are ways you can integrate a career as an ACE Certified Professional into your 9-to-5 life:

• Easiest option for starting your side hustle: Teach, train or coach at an existing health and fitness facility.
• Partner with a business, such as a dietetics clinic, spa, grocery store or community organization, that may be looking for health and fitness experts for special events.
• Start your own side business. This is a more intensive effort, but may be appropriate for those who are ready for a career change.
• Partner with another side hustler. If you meet a person with a skill set that complements your own, consider combining your efforts for bigger impact.
• Create content for an existing social media platform or start your own social media brand. Find tips on using social media here.

ACE educates, certifies and represents more than 70,000 health and fitness professionals, health coaches, and other healthcare professionals who have made movement their mission. Pursue your passion for fitness and helping others by becoming an ACE Certified Professional in 2018.