(BPT) - One upside to the burgeoning obesity epidemic is that it’s fueling the growth of jobs in the fitness industry. 

Whether you’re one of those people in need of a personal trainer or you’re looking for work in a dismal job market, the bureau of labor statistics reports “employment of fitness trainers and instructors is expected to grow by 24 percent from 2010 to 2020, faster than the average for all occupations.”

According to Jeff Rosga, director of education at Life Time Academy, the training and certification organization for Life Time – The Healthy Way of Life Company, weight loss is a primary driver for people who seek out a personal trainer. “There is a very large population of boomers with the economic means to hire a personal trainer,” he adds. “Their requirements are substantial; they want a high-quality experience in training as well as in-depth knowledge. Some are injured, have functional issues, or simply want to be more physically active, and need assistance in learning how to overcome their challenges.”