Andrew Wyant Returns as ISSA CEO Amid Growing Demand for Fitness Professionals
Krissy Vann | Host, All Things Fitness and Wellness
The International Sports Sciences Association has named Andrew Wyant chief executive officer, marking his return to the position after previously leading the fitness certification and education company from 2018 to 2024.
Wyant, who has remained on ISSA’s board of directors, succeeds Warren Heffelfinger and assumes the CEO role effective immediately. During his previous tenure, ISSA says annual revenue increased from approximately $10 million to nearly $80 million.
Wyant has 15 years of experience in fitness certification and workforce development and previously led the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM).
“Every week, someone decides to bet on themselves with ISSA. They trust us with their time, money, and future and it pays off,” said Wyant. “Our job is to get them across the finish line and into the work they love. I’m coming back because I believe ISSA can help start and build fitness careers better than anyone.”
His return comes as the fitness industry continues to face demand for qualified trainers. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects employment of fitness trainers and instructors will grow 7% between 2025 and 2035, with approximately 68,000 openings annually. The agency counted 388,400 fitness trainers and instructors in the U.S.
ISSA’s 2026 Fitness Hiring Report also identified a gap between certification and workplace readiness. Gym operators surveyed for the report cited client acquisition, retention and sales among the areas where new trainers most frequently lack skills, regardless of certification.
According to ISSA, 94% of its gym partners surveyed said they would use a platform providing pre-vetted, job-ready trainers. The company also cited hiring needs at major fitness operators, including a reported shortage of approximately 1,300 coaches across Anytime Fitness locations in the U.S., a need for 4,000 additional trainers globally at Snap Fitness and plans by Equinox to hire more than 500 coaches over five years.
The workforce opportunity is occurring alongside continued growth in fitness facility participation. According to the Health & Fitness Association, a record 81 million Americans belonged to a fitness facility in 2025, an increase of 5.2% from the previous year.
