Industry Contact Directory
Professional associations, conferences, and networking resources for San Diego area health & fitness professionals
Professional Associations
National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
Premier organization for strength and conditioning professionals. Offers certifications (CSCS, NSCA-CPT), research journals, and career resources.
www.nsca.com
- Student membership: $70/year
- Access to NSCA Coach journal
- Job board and career center
- Local and regional clinics
American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
Largest sports medicine and exercise science organization. Excellent for those interested in clinical or research careers.
www.acsm.org
- Student membership: $50/year
- Regional chapters across California
- Annual meeting and conferences
American Council on Exercise (ACE)
Non-profit fitness certification organization. Strong focus on behavior change and accessible fitness.
www.acefitness.org
National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)
Known for the OPT model and corrective exercise specialization. Popular among commercial gym employers.
www.nasm.org
IDEA Health & Fitness Association
Resources for group fitness instructors and personal trainers. Great continuing education options.
www.ideafit.com
San Diego Area Organizations
San Diego American College of Sports Medicine (SDACSM)
Regional chapter offering local networking events, student scholarships, and professional development.
www.sdacsm.org
San Diego County Physical Therapy Association
For those pursuing physical therapy careers. Networking and advocacy for PT professionals.
Major Industry Conferences
NSCA National Conference
July annually • Largest S&C conference in the world • Student registration discounts available
ACSM Annual Meeting
May-June annually • Research-focused • Excellent for clinical and academic careers
IDEA World Fitness Convention
July in Los Angeles/San Diego area • Group fitness and personal training focus
NSCA Coaches Conference
January annually • Tactical and collegiate S&C focus
Perform Better Summits
Multiple locations/dates • Functional training focus • Hands-on workshops
Student Tip: Most conferences offer significant student discounts (50-70% off). Volunteer opportunities often include free registration. Check with CSUSM Kinesiology department for potential funding.
Online Networking Resources
LinkedIn Groups to Join
- NSCA Members
- Personal Trainers & Fitness Professionals
- Strength and Conditioning Coaches
- Exercise Science Professionals
- Physical Therapy Network
- Corporate Wellness Professionals
Podcasts for Industry Insights
- NSCA Coaching Podcast - Strength & conditioning interviews
- Iron Culture - Evidence-based fitness discussions
- The FitPro Collective - Business of fitness
- Physical Preparation Podcast - Athletic performance
San Diego Job Boards & Resources
- NSCA Job Board - nsca.com/careers
- ACSM Career Center - acsm.org/career-center
- Indeed San Diego - Filter by "fitness" or "personal trainer"
- LinkedIn Jobs - Set location to San Diego area
- CSUSM Career Center - Handshake platform
Local Gym & Facility Networks
Major employers in the San Diego area:
- Equinox / SoulCycle
- LA Fitness
- 24 Hour Fitness
- Chuze Fitness
- The Olympic Training Center (Chula Vista)
- UCSD Recreation
- YMCA of San Diego County
- Various boutique studios (OrangeTheory, F45, CrossFit)
Networking Strategy: Start building relationships NOW, before you need a job. Attend local events, engage on LinkedIn, and conduct informational interviews. The best opportunities often come through personal connections.