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What should you study to become a football fitness coach?

Being a football fitness coach goes far beyond designing training sessions. Elite football demands a level of specialization that didn’t exist decades ago, with footballers who are increasingly faster and stronger.

¿Qué hay que estudiar para ser preparador físico de fútbol?

FSI Training · @fsitraining_

March 27, 2025 |

5 minutes

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If you want to know what to study to become a football fitness coach, this guide explains the ideal educational path and why specialization in football is key to working at a club.

The foundation to become a fitness coach: a university degree in CAFD or a similar field

If you wonder how to become a football fitness coach, the first step is to obtain a degree in Physical Activity and Sport Sciences (CAFD) or a similar program. This training provides the theoretical and practical foundation needed to optimize footballers’ physical performance, with knowledge in:

  • Anatomy and physiology of sport.
  • Biomechanics and injury prevention.
  • Training methodology.

From here, the next step is to specialize in physical preparation applied to football.

Cómo ser preparador físico de un equipo de fútbol

Why is specialization in football necessary as a fitness coach?

Football is a sport with very specific physical demands. Knowing general physical preparation is not enough; specializing in football makes a difference in each athlete’s performance and injury prevention.

  • Increase in intensity and professionalization of football. Footballers cover more distance at higher speeds than 20 years ago. Modern football demands specific physical planning that balances endurance, strength, and recovery.
  • Workload management and injury prevention. With increasingly demanding seasons and more matches per year, managing rest and recovery is vital. A specialized fitness coach knows how to adjust training load to prevent injuries.
  • Adaptation to the specific demands of football. Football requires explosive accelerations, constant changes of pace, and anaerobic endurance—skills that are not trained the same way in other sports.
  • Use of technology and science applied to performance. In professional football, GPS, data analysis, and biomechanical tools are used to personalize training and optimize performance.
  • Multidisciplinary work in elite technical teams. Their work is coordinated with doctors, physiotherapists, nutritionists, and coaches, designing individualized plans for each footballer.

Specializing in football: where and what to study to become a football fitness coach?

There are different paths to specialize if you wonder how to become a fitness coach for a football team:

— Universities without specialization in football:

  • They offer master’s degrees in sports physical preparation with a generalist focus.
  • Their programs include training in various sports without delving into the specific needs of football.
  • They can be valid options, but they lack connections with football clubs.

FSI Training Master’s Degree in Football Physical Preparation:

  • 100% online training, accessible from anywhere in the world, available in English and Spanish.
  • Exclusive focus on football, with constantly updated content.
  • Elite faculty, including fitness coaches working in professional clubs, top researchers, and world-renowned experts.
  • Internships in more than 40 football clubs, facilitating your access to the job market worldwide.
  • Practical approach and real-world application, integrating real cases to make the most of theoretical knowledge.

Testimonials and real experiences from fitness coaches

Many FSI Training students have managed to work in clubs after completing their training. Jesús Olivares and Pablo Trueba, for example, have succeeded in joining professional football thanks to the club internships associated with the master’s program. You can see their experience in this FSI Talks.

Considerations before choosing this career

Before making a decision, it is important to assess the job opportunities as a fitness coach and the salary earned by a specialist in football physical preparation.

In conclusion, you now know that studying to become a football fitness coach starts with a degree in CAFD, but the key is to specialize in football. A master’s program like the Football Physical Preparation Master at FSI Training provides you with the knowledge, network, and practical training necessary to access professional clubs.

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How much does a professional football fitness coach earn?

The work of a physical trainer in professional football is key to optimizing players’ performance and preventing injuries. If you are considering making this your profession, it is natural to wonder how much a professional football physical trainer earns.

Preparadores físicos y entrenadores discutiendo la estrategia de entrenamiento deportivo de fútbol

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5 minutes

This guide will help you understand the factors that determine the salary of a professional football fitness coach and the different wages depending on the most prestigious leagues worldwide.

Factors that influence how much a football fitness coach earns

The salary of a football fitness coach varies depending on many factors. Among the main ones are:

– Experience and track record. Professionals who have worked in elite clubs or accompanied teams in international competitions are more likely to receive attractive salary offers. Additionally, having worked with high-level footballers and demonstrating results in terms of performance and injury prevention can be key to securing a better salary as a football fitness coach.

— Location and league. Economic differences between football leagues and markets are significant. Some competitions have higher revenues and can offer better salary conditions to coaching staff and professionals working within them.
For example, in leagues such as the Premier League, LaLiga, or the Bundesliga—where broadcasting rights and sponsorships are worth millions—fitness coaches tend to earn higher salaries. In contrast, in leagues with less international exposure, wages may be more modest, even at the first-division level.

— Certifications and education. Holding specialized degrees in sports science, sports rehabilitation, and applied physiology for professional football can be decisive when aiming to work as part of a coaching staff. Additionally, certifications endorsed by elite clubs—such as ours—enhance credibility and improve the positioning of fitness coaches in the job market.

— Network of contacts. In the world of football, building relationships is strategic. Many professional opportunities arise through recommendations and connections within the industry. Staying in touch with other fitness coaches, physiotherapists, players, and technical staff increases the chances of receiving offers from more prestigious teams.

— Football category and divisions. Within professional football, salary also depends on the category (men’s, women’s, youth, cadet, or junior) and the division in which the team competes. In top leagues, the salary gap between first and second division can be significant, which is why many fitness coaches aim to establish themselves at the highest level of competition.

— The club. The club’s financial capacity is a key factor. Even within the same league, budgets vary greatly between teams. Participation in national and international tournaments, the organizational structure, and the level of investment can make a significant difference in the salary of fitness coaches.

How much does a first division football fitness coach earn? \ [Updated 2025]

First division football is the most sought-after destination for those pursuing a solid career in elite football fitness coaching. Here, we review the salary differences for football fitness coaches in some of the most prestigious leagues worldwide:

Spain
In LaLiga, fitness coaches for first division clubs can earn between 50,000 and 150,000 euros annually. In elite teams like Real Madrid or FC Barcelona, salaries can be significantly higher, especially for those who have worked at the club for years and strengthened their position.

England
The Premier League is the league with the highest salaries in the world, and this applies not only to football players. In top-level teams, the salary of a football fitness coach can exceed 200,000 euros per year, especially if they have a long-term contract and a well-established career in European competitions.

Italy
In Serie A, fitness coaches’ salaries vary depending on the club, but generally range between 60,000 and 120,000 euros per year for mid-table teams. However, at clubs participating in the Champions League, salaries can be higher.

Germany
The Bundesliga is another top European league with competitive salaries. At renowned clubs like Bayern Munich, fitness coaches’ salaries can exceed 150,000 euros per year, while at teams with smaller budgets, the figures hover around 80,000 euros annually.

Becoming a professional football fitness coach is a path that requires education, experience, and a well-defined strategy to access the best opportunities. Salary conditions depend on professional experience and the ability to stand out in a highly competitive field.

If you want to develop your career in professional football and work in the first division, having specialized training is key. At FSI Training, our Master’s in physical training for football provides the specialized education that elite football demands, along with practical experience in clubs worldwide.

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Stay informed about everything happening in the FSI Training ecosystem by subscribing to our newsletter and following us on social media.

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FSI Training
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