Most people who are thinking about starting their career in the electrical industry as electricians are aware that there is a minimum level of education to become one. We refer to the high school diploma, GED certificates and minimum experience required (you may refer to the state map in our Electrician Training Info home page for details in your state).
Some people, however, are curious whether there is some kind of physical requirement involved as well. Practically, they wonder how “fit” do you have to be to become an electrician.
Minimum requirements and physical fitness
As of the moment, there is no relevant US states legislation or some kind of physical fitness test required. That being said, some of the companies who are recruiting electricians might have some “unofficial” requirements for physical state. They understandably wish to make sure a potential employee will have the capacity to make it through the tough electrician job.
It is understandable that the more fit you are, the better. Being an electrician involves a lot of physically stressful tasks. In some occasions, while on the job, you might lift-heavy objects, work while in awkward position, handle heavy tools etc. All in all, the electrician job can be physically exhausting from time to time, so it would be better to be as fit as possible.
Improving your physical fitness
Physical fitness essentially comes down to two things: Regular exercise and healthy eating. There are numerous resources online on how to train and improve your fitness, so it is not our position to instruct you on what to do. Try to keep it light but consistent. Additionally, there are plenty of healthy eating tips that you can find and follow. Be persistent and with time you will have improved your fitness considerably.
Nothing radical or extreme is necessary. Working out a few hours per week and monitoring your eating habits will have you on track in no time. Adopting some small “hacks” such as using the stairs instead of the elevator or taking a walk in the afternoon will also help a lot.
Being an electrician is an exciting and fulfilling career path that is currently quite in demand. It would be a pity for anyone to be denied the chance to become a member of this community just because of physical limitations. Whatever you decide to do if you need to get into a better shape, we wish you the best of luck!