r/Kinesiology

So I’m at a crossroads career wise and I genuinely don’t know what the smartest move is anymore. I have my master’s in Exercise Science and Wellness: Fitness and Performance along with my ACSM-EP certification. The problem is I don’t really have much experience besides internships from undergrad, and I’m not finding much luck getting into the exercise physiologist field. Most of the EP jobs I do see would probably require me to move states, and honestly I refuse to do that at this point in my life unfortunately.

Originally during undergrad my plan was PT or OT school. But realistically I just couldn’t make it work financially. I’ve always been super independent and had to work full-time plus part-time just to pay bills. During my bachelor’s degree it worked because it was during Covid and I only had like one in-person class a semester. PT or OT school obviously wouldn’t be like that and I don’t think I could survive not working much for multiple years.

And yes, before anyone says it, I know I probably should’ve researched job options better before going for my master’s. I know. I didn’t. And honestly I regret it.

Now I’m considering massage therapist school. The program would only be 4.5 months long from October to February, and the schedule is Monday-Thursday 8:30-5 which would still let me work nights or weekends part-time. Honestly it seems way more realistic financially and lifestyle wise.

Part of me feels bad because I already have a master’s degree, but another part of me feels like I need to be practical. If I ever did go fully back to school it would probably be nursing, not PT/OT. I honestly think doctorate-level schooling would be too much for me and sometimes I don’t think I’m smart enough for it lol.

What do you think ?

hi! I plan to major in human bio at uc davis but am unsure where this degree could take me. I had originally been planning to get my bachelors and then apply to a dpt program, but am trying to explore other options. I am interested in kines and human movement, but my main concerns with a career in physical therapy is a low return on investment, burnout, and time before starting a career. what would be other good options with a human bio degree?

I used to do rowing for four years (a lot of repeated load on my upper back because of my specific body type and the way I would pull) and even though it’s been a year since I stopped, I still feel residual tightness.

I used to feel the tension and knots most acutely doing long zone two workouts that my coach would attribute to stress, but it still hasn’t gone away. Currently, I lift a few times a week and when I do a particularly upper body heavy day, I’ll feel tightness the next morning. As a student, it gets really bad during exams when I have to hunch over for hours, straining my neck both during and the day after the test.

I’ve tried (very painful) massages where the masseuse had no mercy for the poor knots in my traps, at home shoulder massage contraptions, and rolling with a tennis ball. None of these have given me much relief, so I wonder if there is a way to train mobility and strengthen that area to alleviate pain and tension. For reference however, I do have fairly flexible shoulders. I can do the thing where I touch my hands behind my back with one elbow up and the other down and I can hold my arms how straight behind me, interlock my hands, and hold them past 90 degrees from my body.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated 🙏 (concerning frequency of massages/rolling, types of exercises to train/avoid, etc.)

One more last note!: my shoulders pop when I reach my hands out interlocked and rotate them. My neck also always pops when I roll it back a half circle arc. If either of these points fail to make a pop sound, it usually indicates I’m extra tight that day…

Looking for career advice or just shared experiences.

I've been working towards PT school (doing my prerequisites), but the new changes to the federal loan allowances mean that I won't be able to afford pretty much any DPT program.

What I WANT to do with my career is: be doing client-focused, diagnostic, hands-on bodywork that is holistic and pain relieving. I have received this kind of bodywork from PTs, chiropractors, massage therapists, and other body workers (Feldenkrais, Alexander technique practitioners), so I know it's possible to get to do the kind of work I want to do via many different avenues. Massage is out for me because I have too much chronic pain in my hands, but I'm open to pretty much anything else.

If you couldn't go to PT school but wanted to do the work I'm dreaming of doing, would you choose chiropractic? Osteopathy? Something else I'm not thinking of? I would love to hear from any and everyone who has an opinion or experience to share.

Hello! I am interested in making a career change and becoming a CEP. I would like to work in a cardiac rehab. Recently, a family member had a heart attack and I was introduced to the concept of cardiac rehab and I just really thought it was great work. I have a BS in Public Health and a MS in Health Education- I'm also currently working as a Clinical Research Coordinator in cardiology right now! Unfortunately, I can't go back to school full time so ideally I'd like to do something online. Can anyone give me any insights into any legit online programs, or the best way to go about jumping into this career change! Any help appreciated :)

For one of my practical interviews I was told to show up in athletic professional attire. What should I wear ?

My everyday wardrobe consists of sweatpants and leggings, with sweatshirts and t-shirts, not really trying to buy anything.

edit: I can’t wear shorts due to scarring issues, I’m also a female

I (30F) am fascinated with all things body and movement. I hate my job and don't belong behind a desk, so I've been researching careers for months. I feel very passionate about health but especially movement. I feel the most pull towards jobs that help people move and live life pain free and with as little difficulty as possible. ie Ergonomics, proper form and breathing, holistically fixing & preventing pain, you get the gist.

The problem is, I make $61k and can only really go down to $50k at the absolute least to start off with, and would like a pay ceiling of $90k+. I also already have student debt and can't afford too much more unless the pay really makes up for it.

From what I've seen, pretty much anything ending in "therapy" is right up my alley in subject and job function (physical, occupational, animal assisted, recreational), but the pay and/or debt isnt worth it. Exercise Physiology (Clinical and research) sounds amazing too, but it doesn't seem to have a great ROI either. Personal trainer is a no for many reasons.

So I'm aware I'm not going to get my exact dream job, but are there jobs that involve or at least get somewhat close to kinesiology that have a good ROI?

My list at the moment:

Respiratory Therapy (possible to work in cardiopulmonary rehab, sports clinics, etc?)

X Ray/CT/MRI (get to see the injuries)

Neurodiagnostic tech (possible to work in neuro rehab?)

Sonography (imaging the cardiovascular system, but not sure if this really translates? it's not like you're administering a sonogram while someone is running)

RN (orthopedics, cardiopulmonary rehab, sports clinics, etc. The possibilities are endless but how hands on are they really with movement, breathing, etc?)

NP, PA (I see sources saying they come up with rehab plans but to what extent? I feel like they often just refer you to a PT/OT and move on?)

Or, I could just choose the path of least resistance/most money and pursue my interests in my personal time lol.

Worked as a physical therapist for 5 yrs in Nursing home transitioned to home health . Every job I took I received a $1 less from previous employer. I took a break of 3 yrs and they are offering $ 4 less than my last job. I feel hopeless and worthless as my career graph is sloping in downward direction. I dont know what to do.

Hi everyone, I’m currently undecided in college, but I’ve been strongly considering kinesiology as a possible major.

I wanted to hear from current students and graduates about your real experiences.

• What are the job opportunities like after graduating?
• Is the pay generally good, average, or lower than expected?
• If you went to grad school (or are planning to), what was that process like?
• Do you feel like kinesiology was worth it overall?
• Anything you wish you knew before choosing this path?

I got my bachelors in Kinesiology and masters in exercise physiology. What career am I qualified for to be making over 90k a year? I’m stuck- I don’t want to do more school.

I’m going into the McMaster Kin program this fall 2026.

I was having trouble figuring out which courses are best for this program, also keeping in mind that I will be applying to OT/PT school post grad.

Right now I have the mandatory 5 kin courses (Kinesiol 1A03/1AA3/1F03/1K03/1ED3)

Also I saw a lot of people that took Kinesiol 1E03 instead of 1ED3, why is that and should I be taking that instead?

Then my elective courses:

-MATH 1LS3

-BIO 1A03

-CHEM 1A03

-PSYCH 1X03

-Half course in INDST 1A03 (For Western PT, but replace with PHYSICS or whatever else)

I am also debating between taking PHYSICS 1A03 but the issue is that I have no prior knowledge of physics, since I never took any classes in Hs. I also read it would help in KINESIOL 2A03. How helpful is physics in relation, and should I risk taking it cause I heard it was a hard course.

If I shouldn’t what other elective courses should I take instead?

I’ll get straight to the point.

I’m starting an MSc in Molecular Physiology this year and plan to pursue a PhD afterward.

To become a certified clinician in my hometown, I need a clinical PhD or a physiology program that involves human-based research not cell/lab work.

The challenge is that most university websites are vague, and supervisors rarely specify whether their research involves human subjects or cells, they typically only list their disease area or research interests.

Is there a reliable way to determine whether a university’s PhD program will issue a certificate specifically recognizing clinical studies?​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

I honestly have no idea what kinesiology is, or how it works. I went to an appointment yesterday and she gave me supplements for sibo. I agree with her.

How reliable is kinesiology is what I’m asking basically and how does it work? I’m confused on what she did and why she did it

I am grade 12 rn and can’t decide between york or western university. I got offer from both and also scholarship from western $40,000 , $5,000 from york. I heard that grade in western GPA is a little bit different from others. Is york will be easier to get higher GPA? And what is the environment in the uni. Which one you like more?

I hurt it running long distances in shoes that weren’t meant for running. I was on a run outside over a month ago and it started hurting really badly. The pain is concentrated on a spot in the middle of my shin.

I feel like I’m going crazy bc no matter how much I ice it or rest it or wear compression socks it still hurts. Walking or standing for a prolonged period is rly frustrating. My big toe on that foot constantly feels like a finger that needs to be cracked. I stopped running and have only been cycling but I have no idea what to do and I really need help.

Please help