Exercise Specialist PT

POSITION SUMMARY:

Under the supervision of the Healthy Living Director, the Exercise Specialist provides exceptional health and wellness services that inspire members to achieve their personal fitness goals. This position delivers fitness assessments, personal training, wellness coaching, and educational programming while fostering a welcoming, safe, and inclusive environment. Builds meaningful relationships with members, and promotes YMCA health and wellness programs.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS:

- Build positive relationships with members and provide exceptional customer service that encourages engagement and long-term wellness participation.

- Conduct health assessments, fitness consultations, exercise orientations, and individualized exercise programming.

- Provide safe, effective personal training and wellness coaching based on members' goals, abilities, and health considerations.

- Promote and grow participation in personal training, specialty programs, and other YMCA health and wellness services.

- Monitor the wellness center to ensure member safety, proper equipment use, and compliance with YMCA policies and procedures.

- Demonstrate proper exercise technique, body mechanics, and equipment use while providing coaching and encouragement.

- Maintain a clean, organized, and safe wellness environment, reporting equipment concerns promptly.

- Maintain accurate client records, appointments, progress notes, and other required documentation.

- Assist with the planning, promotion, and delivery of wellness events, educational seminars, and community health initiatives.

- Participate in required staff meetings, continuing education, trainings, fundraising efforts, and association initiatives.

- Perform other duties as assigned.

YMCA COMPETENCIES (Leader):

Mission Advancement : Accepts and demonstrates the Ys values. Demonstrates a desire to serve others and fulfill community needs. Recruits volunteers and builds effective, supportive working relationships with them. Supports fund-raising.

Collaboration: Works effectively with people of different backgrounds, abilities, opinions, and perceptions. Builds rapport and relates well to others. Seeks first to understand the other persons point of view, and remains calm in challenging situations. Listens for understanding and meaning; speaks and writes effectively. Takes initiative to assist in developing others.

Operational Effectiveness : Makes sound judgments, and transfers learning from one situation to another. Embraces new approaches and discovers ideas to create a better member experience. Establishes goals, clarifies tasks, plans work and actively participates in meetings. Follows budgeting policies and procedures, and reports all financial irregularities immediately. Strives to meet or exceed goals and deliver a high-value experience for members.

Personal Growth : Pursues self-development that enhances job performance. Demonstrates an openness to change, and seeks opportunities in the change process. Accurately assesses personal feelings, strengths and limitations and how they impact relationships. Has the functional and technical knowledge and skills required to perform well; uses best practices and demonstrates up-to-date knowledge and skills in technology.

COMMITMENT TO CHILD SAFETY:

The YMCA of Coastal Carolina is committed to creating environments where children are safe, supported, and empowered to thrive.

Employees and volunteers who directly supervise children are expected to:

- Adhere to YMCA policies regarding professional boundaries with youth.

- Attend all required Abuse Risk Management and Child Protection training.

- Follow established procedures for supervising children and managing high-risk activities.

- Immediately report suspicious or inappropriate behaviors and policy violations.

- Comply with all mandated reporting requirements and child protection protocols.

- Follow all YMCA and Praesidium standards related to child abuse prevention and youth protection.

- Every employee shares responsibility for protecting the children and families entrusted to our care.

Qualifications

QUALIFICATIONS:

- Bachelor's degree in Exercise Science, Kinesiology, Sports Medicine, or a related field preferred.

- Current nationally accredited certification in Personal Training, Exercise Physiology, Wellness Coaching, Group Exercise, or a related specialty from an NCCA-accredited organization.

- Minimum of one year of experience in personal training, wellness coaching, or fitness programming preferred.

- Strong knowledge of exercise science, injury prevention, exercise prescription, and healthy lifestyle practices.

- Excellent customer service, communication, organizational, and interpersonal skills.

- Ability to motivate and build relationships with individuals from diverse backgrounds.

- Current CPR, First Aid, AED, and other YMCA-required certifications, or the ability to obtain them within YMCA-established timeframes.

WORK ENVIRONMENT & PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

- Work is performed primarily in a fitness and wellness environment with frequent interaction with members and staff.

- Regularly required to stand, walk, bend, squat, reach, demonstrate exercises, and actively participate in fitness activities.

- Must be able to lift, carry, and move fitness equipment and supplies weighing up to 50 pounds.

- Requires the physical stamina to lead exercise sessions, demonstrate proper techniques, and respond to emergency situations.

- Frequently uses computers, tablets, and other technology to schedule appointments, document services, and communicate with members.

- Moderate noise levels are typical in fitness areas.

- Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable qualified individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.