Fitness Coaching: Analysis of a Developing Profession in Senegal

Abstract

Initially considered as a simple passion and a voluntary commitment, fitness coaching is becoming more and more professional and seems to be becoming a real profession in Senegal today. This situation is due in part to the growing demand for fitness activities expressed by a large part of the population. The aim of this study is to take stock of the situation of fitness coaches in Senegal. Specifically, it is a question of analyzing their socio-demographic profiles, their levels of education and training in the field of sport, and the conditions of exercise of their profession. This research is based on a mixed methodology combining a questionnaire survey (n = 124) and a series of 23 semi-structured interviews conducted with actors in the fitness sector in Dakar. The results show that the supervision of fitness activities is mainly characterized by a male population composed mainly of young people with a high level of education. Coaching in fitness appears as a “second” profession that complementsanother professional occupation. Moreover, the fitness sector is characterized by the “pluriactivity” where ismixed interventions in several fitness rooms and professional occupations in other sectors.