CARPINTERIA, CALIFORNIA (September 2, 2026) — Lionel University, an institution focused on career-driven education in fitness, wellness and human performance, has partnered with Fit Bodies to help qualified fitness and wellness professionals explore international teaching opportunities at resorts and travel destinations around the world.
Through the partnership, Lionel University students and graduates who meet Fit Bodies' professional requirements can pursue opportunities to teach fitness and wellness classes at participating properties while gaining international experience, expanding their professional networks, and building skills that can strengthen their careers.
Fit Bodies works with more than 120 properties and connects qualified professionals with opportunities across destinations including Jamaica, the Dominican Republic, Mexico, Costa Rica, St Lucia, St Martin, and the Maldives, among others.
"This partnership represents exactly the kind of career pathway we want our students and graduates to see," said Dan Duran, VP of Lionel Global University.
"A career in fitness and wellness no longer has to follow one traditional route. Professionals can use their education and credentials to teach, travel, lead, build relationships, and gain experience in environments they may never have imagined when they entered the industry."
Turning Fitness Credentials into International Experience
Fit Bodies uses a professional-exchange model in which qualified fitness and wellness instructors typically teach one or two scheduled classes per day at a participating resort. In return, instructors can access the property at a substantially-reduced professional rate, with specific costs and benefits varying by destination, property, and travel dates.
Opportunities are available across a range of disciplines, including group fitness, Aqua Fit, yoga, Pilates, dance fitness, HIIT, mobility, meditation, and other wellness services.
The experience can provide more than an opportunity to travel. Teaching internationally requires professionals to adapt to new audiences, fitness levels, cultures, and environments — experiences that can translate into stronger communication, leadership, and coaching skills.
"Fitness and wellness professionals are increasingly looking for ways to combine meaningful work with experiences that help them grow personally and professionally," said Debbie Bellenger, Chief Operating Officer at Fit Bodies.
"Our work with Lionel University gives emerging and experienced professionals another way to see how far their skills can take them."
Preparing Students for a Changing Fitness Industry
The partnership is part of Lionel University's broader focus on helping students identify career opportunities beyond traditional gym-based roles.
During a recent Lionel University Career Services webinar, Fit Bodies Chief Operating Officer Debbie Bellenger discussed the qualifications professionals need to participate and encouraged aspiring fitness professionals to develop teaching experience, maintain current credentials, and continue adding new skills throughout their careers.
Fit Bodies generally seeks professionals with current certifications in their teaching discipline, CPR credentials, and relevant instructional experience. Professionals can create a profile with Fit Bodies and explore available destinations and opportunities before deciding whether to book a trip.
The growing range of opportunities also reflects changes within the wellness and hospitality industries. In addition to traditional group exercise, resorts are increasingly incorporating services focused on mobility, recovery, mindfulness, and mind/body wellness.
For Lionel University students and graduates, that evolution creates new possibilities for applying an education in exercise science, fitness and wellness.
"Our responsibility is not simply to prepare students for their first job," said Dan Duran.
"It is to help them understand the full range of possibilities their education can create. Partnerships like this allow our students to think bigger about where a career in fitness and wellness can lead."
Qualified professionals interested in Fit Bodies opportunities can learn more and review current travel opportunities at FitBodiesInc.com.
To learn more about Lionel University's degree and certificate programs in exercise science, fitness, wellness and human performance, visit Lionel.edu.
About Lionel University
Lionel University helps learners build careers in fitness, wellness, and performance through flexible, career-focused online education. The university offers degree and certificate pathways designed to prepare students for opportunities across exercise science, personal training, wellness, performance, coaching, and related fields.
For more information, visit Lionel.edu.
About Fit Bodies
Fit Bodies connects qualified fitness and wellness professionals with teaching opportunities at participating resorts and travel destinations around the world. Through its professional-travel model, instructors can share their expertise with resort guests while experiencing destinations across an international network of properties.
