Most people choose their careers based on how much money they’ll have the capacity to earn, or how much it aligns with their passions. But there is another metric you can use when deciding which jobs to pursue: how the job will impact your fitness.
It’s no secret that many of us are living lives that are more sedentary than they should be, and that can have a profound impact on our fitness. Many jobs simply don’t encourage us to move at all; just think of how little people who work on computers all day move. And that can really damage our health — so much so, in fact, that some people are even calling sitting down ‘the new smoking.’
But of course, not all jobs are like that. There are some that actively help to improve your health, both physical and mental. We’ll take a look at a few of these below. If you’re looking to switch to a career that is good for your overall fitness and happiness, then consider one of these.

Yoga Teacher
Becoming a yoga teacher won’t just do wonders for your physical conditioning — it’ll also have a positive impact on your mental well-being, too. After all, yoga is a pretty relaxing, zen activity, and while it won’t be quite as relaxing as when you’re a student, you’ll still be operating in this positive environment.
And the physical benefits of yoga are well-known. After all, they said that you remain the same age you are when you start doing yoga regularly! And you won’t just be doing yoga regularly; you’ll be doing it every day. If you love yoga and want to become your own boss, then consider becoming a yoga instructor. We’re confident you won’t regret it.
Personal Trainer
Being a personal trainer involves helping other people to reach their fitness goals. But of course, you’ll only be able to do that if you’ve undertaken your own journey towards becoming your healthiest self. The vast majority of personal trainers aren’t just in good shape; they’re in incredible shape. If you’re already an enthusiastic gym-goer, then consider taking a personal training course to get the qualifications you need to begin offering your services. Plus, working as a personal trainer can provide a happiness boost, too — there’s much to love about working to help individuals reach their goals!
Landscaper
Looking for a physically demanding job that will keep you in tip-top conditioning and also benefit your mental health? Then consider becoming a landscaper. Studies have shown that gardening can have a tremendously positive impact on mental health, as can spending time outdoors. By becoming a landscaper and offering your services to local homeowners, parks, and businesses, you’ll be putting your green thumb to work and will spend most of your working day outside. You’ll need to have expertise to get started in this role, but that’s it — no qualifications or licensing are required.
Nutritionist
Eating well is the foundation of healthy living — however, not everyone knows how to eat well. By becoming a nutritionist, you’ll work closely with clients, guiding them on the foods and drinks they should be consuming to reach their fitness goals. As you might expect, this role involves having an expert understanding of food and how it impacts our bodies. And you won’t just deliver that expertise to your clients; you’ll also take the advice on board yourself.
Retail and Bar Work
Retail and bar work isn’t automatically fun, but it can be if you land a role in a good shop or bar. Working in a trendy shop or bar that’s popular with the kinds of people you like can make going to work extremely fun. Plus, these roles offer the right amount of physical exertion. You’re unlikely to push your body to the limit, but you’ll give it a gentle workout during each shift. After all, there’ll be virtually no point during the shift when you’re sitting down for extended periods.
Sports Coaching
Love sports? Then working to produce the next football, tennis, or rugby superstar might just be your professional calling. These roles are “hands-on,” which means you’ll naturally stay fit through the course of your job. While you’ll spend a bit of time behind the desk, the vast majority of your workday will be out there on the pitch. Plus, you never know what your sports coaching career might lead to — you might just end up working for a Premier League football club.
Another option that’s similar to sports coaching is to become a PE teacher. You’ll guide youngsters through a range of sports as part of the national curriculum.
Dog Walking
If you love animals, then there won’t be many things that you enjoy more than spending time with dogs. If you have experience of looking after dogs, then why not look at becoming a dog walker? This role can be good for both your mental and physical well-being. On an average day, you’ll take long walks with a bunch of canine friends by your side — and that would be awesome anyway, but it’s even better when you know that you’re getting paid for it. You don’t need any qualifications to become a dog walker, but you’ll need experience. You’ll have to be confident that you can comfortably take care of multiple dogs at once. If you are, then begin offering your services in your local area. Over time, you’ll build up a long client list.
Conclusion
It’s much easier to live life to the fullest when you’re at your healthiest best. Alas, many people work in jobs that have a negative impact on their health. If you’re sitting down all day, then you’ll need to work extra hard to stay fit. The more logical approach is to work in a role that helps with your fitness. The jobs we’ve outlined above aren’t just physically active, either — they also tend to perform well on job satisfaction surveys, increasing the chances that your job helps to improve your mental well-being too.