so i'm a junior in highschool and my parents are starting to make me think about possible career paths. i have been thinking that some thing like fitness testing or a cycling coach would be really cool. i like the scientific side of cycling and racing. are any of you guys in this field and what kind of majors should i be looking into. and if possible what colleges did you guys go to. thanks
-Mpap

Im only in college (think thats senior high where you are) but I think you should be looking at a sports science/human movement degree.This would open up many paths including phyisotherapy, teaching, coaching, nutritionalist et al You could specialise in one of these areas whilst improving your understanding of what makes the body tick, helping you become a bette coach. Have this as your main job and have coaching on the side. If you then get a big enough market to become a full time coach you can move away from the other area but still have it as a back up. Just my 2 cents.

On the collegiate side, it's usually called Kinesiology here. You can also look at Sprots Psychology, and a whole host of smaller disciplines. I know CU Boulder has a good kines program, don't know about any others, there has to be one in Cali.

Check out Lees-McRae College in NC. There is a great biology program that has a bunch of different paths that you might be interested in. There is also a very strong cycling program. Try to get in contact with Doug Owen if your interested.

junior

from someone who works in this indusrtry - my advice for what it's worth:

if you unsure exactly which course to do, something general like science, human movement can help steer you in right direction. definitely do some post grad study as you won't get far without it. decide what you do as early as possible and go for it, don't piddle around like I did

get some experience, get yourself out there and get known. the sports science industry is fickle and clicky - more often than not it comes down to who you know and not what.

hope that helps, good luck!