Strength and Conditioning Coach

Optimizing performance, fitness, and athletic development.

Career Overview

This field is centered on helping athletes and active individuals improve performance, build strength and reduce injury risk through structured training and movement-based programming. Professionals in this area design workouts focused on speed, power, mobility, endurance and overall athletic development while often collaborating with sport coaches, athletic trainers and healthcare providers. The work combines exercise science, leadership, motivation and performance analysis in highly interactive settings. Career opportunities include collegiate and professional athletics, private training facilities, fitness centers and community wellness programs.

Schedule Advising

The program was very engaging and highlighted every area needed to jumpstart my career in the Health and Fitness world.

Deena Nunes - Class of 2013

Certifications & Professional Preparations

  • Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist (CSCS – NSCA)
     Gold standard for working with athletes; often required for collegiate and professional roles
  • Certified Personal Trainer (CPT – NASM, ACE, ACSM)
    Entry-level certification for fitness coaching and general population training
  • Performance Enhancement Specialist (PES – NASM)
    Focuses on athletic performance, speed, agility and strength development
  • USA Weightlifting (USAW)
    Specializes in Olympic lifting and sport-specific strength training
  • Most certifications require a bachelor’s degree and passing a national exam 

Career Settings

  • Collegiate athletics (strength & conditioning programs)
  • Professional sports organizations
  • High school athletic programs
  • Private training and performance facilities
  • Corporate wellness or fitness centers
  • Tactical strength & conditioning (military, law enforcement)

Key Skills

  • Program design for strength, speed and conditioning
  • Coaching technique and movement mechanics
  • Communication and motivation with clients/athletes
  • Injury prevention and basic rehabilitation knowledge
  • Leadership and ability to work with teams

Internships

  • Intern with collegiate or high school strength & conditioning programs
  • Assist with athlete training, program design and performance tracking
  • Work in gyms, fitness centers, or private coaching environments
  • Gain hands-on coaching experience with teams or individuals
  • Begin preparing for certifications (CSCS, CPT) while gaining experience
a women pushes a weighted sled with a man coaching in the background