ISSA Career Connect Is The Future of Fitness Industry Hiring

The International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) remains dedicated to educating and certifying fitness professionals while also ensuring they find meaningful careers in the industry. To further this commitment, the organization has launched ISSA Career Connect, a game-changing platform designed to bridge the gap between certified fitness professionals and top career opportunities in the industry.

A New Era for Fitness Careers

For years, ISSA has supported its graduates with its industry-leading job guarantee, ensuring that US based certified trainers who meet the minimum requirements of gym employment and apply and interview with at least 3 gyms within 6 months of completing their certification course will secure a job. ISSA Career Connect advances this initiative by providing a centralized, interactive platform where fitness professionals can explore job opportunities, network, and access valuable career development resources.

“ISSA Career Connect is much more than just a job board,” shares Connor Ray, ISSA’s Partnerships Growth and Marketing Director. “It’s a community hub that allows trainers to connect with hiring managers, access career-building tools, and showcase their expertise. No other platform in the fitness industry offers this kind of comprehensive career-enhancing opportunity.”

How ISSA Career Connect Stands Out

Unlike other job platforms, ISSA Career Connect is tailored specifically for fitness professionals. 

The platform offers:

• Exclusive Job Listings: ISSA partners with top gym brands, boutique studios, and fitness centers across the U.S. and Canada, giving trainers direct access to career opportunities and the most updated hiring information.

• Employer-to-Trainer Connections: Employers can strategically promote their brand or facility and actively search for and reach out to trainers who match their hiring needs; flipping the traditional job search model on its head.

• Career Development Resources: Users can access resume-building tools, interview prep guides, and continuing education opportunities at a discounted rate, helping them grow and sustain long-term careers.

• Networking & Community Engagement: Trainers can connect, share successes, and collaborate in a space dedicated to advancing their careers.

• Seamless Communication: A built-in direct messaging feature allows trainers and employers to easily connect, schedule interviews, and discuss job opportunities.

More Than a Job Board, A Career Accelerator

ISSA Career Connect goes beyond job hunting by fostering professional growth. “By joining this platform, trainers become part of an elite community of fitness professionals dedicated to career advancement,” Ray explains. “They gain access to exclusive certification discounts, mentorship opportunities, and even potential ambassador roles at industry events.”

For fitness businesses, this means a more efficient and targeted hiring process. Gym owners and hiring managers can filter candidates by certification, specialty, experience, and location, making it easier than ever to find the perfect fit for their teams.

What Gym Partners Are Experiencing

As ISSA Career Connect gains traction, gym leaders across the country are already seeing its impact, not just in numbers, but in the quality of candidates and the speed of hiring.

Shannon Reid, National Fitness Director at Snap Fitness, signals the value of immediacy:

“We are thrilled to have a direct connection to ISSA-certified trainers who are ready to make an impact in our gyms. This platform makes hiring easier and more effective than ever.”

For Reid and her team, what once took weeks of sifting through general job boards has been replaced by a curated pool of motivated, certified professionals eager to contribute on day one.

Meanwhile Vic Kemming, Sr. Manager of Operations AF Training, Anytime Fitness, sees the platform solving a deeper challenge, finding not just credentials, but chemistry. “For owners, it's more difficult to find qualified trainers with the right mindset and personalities that fit the community and culture of our health clubs. With direct access to ISSA Career Connect, it helps them find candidates at speed.”

Hiring managers aren’t just posting jobs in ISSA Career Connect, they're actively discovering talent that fits their brand DNA. That shift from passive listing to strategic recruiting is what makes ISSA Career Connect a turning point for fitness employers.

The Future of Fitness Hiring is Here

With more than 500,000 ISSA-certified professionals and a rapidly growing fitness industry, ISSA Career Connect is set to become the leading career hub for ISSA certified personal trainers, strength coaches, and wellness professionals.

“The demand for skilled fitness professionals has never been higher, and we believe this platform will revolutionize the way fitness careers are built,” says Ray. “This is just the beginning, ISSA Career Connect will continue to evolve and expand to meet the needs of trainers and employers alike.”

Fitness professionals looking to take the next step in their careers can explore ISSA Career Connect today and unlock new opportunities. Learn more and create a free profile on ISSA your Student portal, here.

Employers or organizations with career opportunities or tools can reach out to ISSA’s Partnerships Team at Partnerships@ISSAonline.com to be invited to join the platform as a Partner.