Biokineticists are people who help people improve their physical conditions by advising them on exercise programs that are tailored to their specific needs. Personal training or corporate fitness are two options for these professionals. A biokineticist must complete four years of training in both a classroom and a lab setting after graduating from high school. He or she should also complete two years of graduate school and an internship to gain industry experience.
To work as a biokineticist, you must earn a four-year degree in a field such as athletic training or exercise science. To enroll in this type of training program, you must fill out an admissions application and submit your high school diploma or equivalent certification. You must also submit a copy of your high school transcript, as well as your most recent standardized test results.
Exercise and human health courses will give you the foundation you need to get started in this field. You should take a medical terminology class so that you can communicate effectively with the healthcare professionals with whom you will most likely interact as a biokineticist. You’ll also be prepared to work with clients by taking classes on developing specialized exercise programs and physical fitness tests. In addition, classes will teach you how to use biokinetics research methods to measure people’s physical performance in various aspects of the exercise science field.
Students in an undergraduate program are usually required to complete laboratory assignments as well. You should practice monitoring equipment in the lab, such as treadmills and ergometers, which are devices that measure how much work a person does — or how much energy he or she expends — when they exercise. As you train to become a biokineticist, your goal should be to assist in determining a person’s level of health.
Completing graduate school and an internship will improve your job prospects in this field. A master’s degree program in fitness activities and sports nutrition typically lasts two years and covers advanced concepts. Before you can graduate, you may need to complete a major original research thesis project or participate in an internship that gives you hands-on experience in a real-world setting. The career services department at your school should then be able to assist you in locating companies that are interested in hiring a biokineticist.