Special population training courses give personal trainers the ability to extend their knowledge in terms of training specific groups, for example, older people, individuals with disabilities, those with medical conditions, and pregnant women.
It can often be a good idea to specialize in one area of fitness, as this helps you to distinguish yourself from other personal trainers. After all, certain segments of the population require specialist help when it comes to health and fitness.
With that being said, in this blog post, we are going to take you through 10 of the best special population courses so that you can get a better understanding of some of the greatest options out there.
1. DNA-Based Fitness Coach - ISSA
With this DNA-based Fitness Coach course, you will be able to eradicate guesswork when it comes to genetic factors so you can design the ideal program for your clients.
During this course, some of the topics you will cover include:
Ultimately, you will be able to evaluate more than 30 genetic identifiers that relate to how a person responds to different techniques in terms of motivation, nutrition, and exercise. Armed with this knowledge, you will be able to provide clients with programs that really do drive the best possible results.
During this course, some of the topics you will cover include:
- The foundations of DNA testing and how to read the results
- How to apply DNA results to athletic performance
- How to apply DNA results to weight loss
- Fat loss response to cardio
- Intrinsic motivation to exercise
- How clients’ bodies respond to weight training, exercise, and food
Ultimately, you will be able to evaluate more than 30 genetic identifiers that relate to how a person responds to different techniques in terms of motivation, nutrition, and exercise. Armed with this knowledge, you will be able to provide clients with programs that really do drive the best possible results.
2. Lifespan Coach - ISSA
Another great course to consider from ISSA is their Lifespan Coach training course. You will discover how to help generations of all ages get active, get moving, and stay healthy.
You will learn about different terms and how to educate clients irrespective of their ages. After all, seniors interpret things differently from youths, so you need to adapt your approach accordingly.
Other topics that are covered include age-related disease, anatomy and physiology, how to measure and track physical fitness levels, and dynamic flexibility movements that are beneficial based on the stage of the person’s life.
You will learn about different terms and how to educate clients irrespective of their ages. After all, seniors interpret things differently from youths, so you need to adapt your approach accordingly.
Other topics that are covered include age-related disease, anatomy and physiology, how to measure and track physical fitness levels, and dynamic flexibility movements that are beneficial based on the stage of the person’s life.
3. Senior Fitness Instructor - ISSA
Discover the different strategies you can use to create programs that meet the unique needs of senior fitness clients. You will learn how to recognize the different health and fitness challenges that older adults face.
This CPD course also covers chronic conditions so you can understand how to incorporate exercise for these conditions.
You will also be able to apply teaching and motivation techniques that are suitable for the older population, administer suitable health and fitness assessments, identify the right exercises for specific conditions, and identify situations whereby it is necessary to see a doctor for further help.
Ultimately, you will get all of the tools and assistance you need to be the best possible personal trainer for seniors!
This CPD course also covers chronic conditions so you can understand how to incorporate exercise for these conditions.
You will also be able to apply teaching and motivation techniques that are suitable for the older population, administer suitable health and fitness assessments, identify the right exercises for specific conditions, and identify situations whereby it is necessary to see a doctor for further help.
Ultimately, you will get all of the tools and assistance you need to be the best possible personal trainer for seniors!
4. Tactical Conditioning Specialist - ISSA
Firefighters, Police, Military, and all First Responders have jobs that are mentally and physically demanding. A personal trainer must have specialist skills to help these individuals get ready for their exams. This course will help you to develop those skills.
Some of the different areas you will cover during this course include:
Like all ISSA courses, you are going to be able to study at your own pace, which is something most people enjoy.
Some of the different areas you will cover during this course include:
- Testing and evaluating tactical fitness
- How to train for the high demands of tactical occupations
- Core strength training
- Neuromuscular anatomy
- Injury prevention
- Speed, power, and strength development
- Unique workout program design
- Functional training
Like all ISSA courses, you are going to be able to study at your own pace, which is something most people enjoy.
5. Youth Fitness Specialist - ISSA
There is great demand for youth trainers who can help the younger population to enhance agility and stay active. By taking this ISSA course, you will discover everything you need to know about youth sports and how to apply sports psychology principles for young clients.
You will also discover how to measure a young client’s body composition and classify the results according to their physical development as a youth. ISSA gives students all of the skills they need to put together an exercise program that is thorough and utilizes Adaptive Programming techniques and principles to address a young client’s fitness needs.
If that was not enough, you will learn how to apply the principles of adolescent and pediatric growth, biomechanics, muscle anatomy, metabolism, adaptation principles, and training to generate appropriate workouts for teens and younger children based on fitness goals and levels.
The Youth Fitness Specialist course helps you identify situations where seeking a doctor’s assistance is needed, the causes of overtraining and injury prevention, and knowledge regarding food nutritional content, growth needs, energy requirements, and the food pyramid.
You will also discover how to measure a young client’s body composition and classify the results according to their physical development as a youth. ISSA gives students all of the skills they need to put together an exercise program that is thorough and utilizes Adaptive Programming techniques and principles to address a young client’s fitness needs.
If that was not enough, you will learn how to apply the principles of adolescent and pediatric growth, biomechanics, muscle anatomy, metabolism, adaptation principles, and training to generate appropriate workouts for teens and younger children based on fitness goals and levels.
The Youth Fitness Specialist course helps you identify situations where seeking a doctor’s assistance is needed, the causes of overtraining and injury prevention, and knowledge regarding food nutritional content, growth needs, energy requirements, and the food pyramid.
6. Adaptive Special Needs Trainer Courses - Strong Education
Strong Education offers a number of different training courses that focus on training people with special needs.
You can choose from the following:
The third option - Adaptive Special Needs Master Trainer Bundle - is the most comprehensive of the three. It includes the following:
You can choose from the following:
- Adaptive Special Needs Speciality Trainer Bundle
- Adaptive Special Needs Fitness Trainer Bundle
- Adaptive Special Needs Master Trainer Bundle
The third option - Adaptive Special Needs Master Trainer Bundle - is the most comprehensive of the three. It includes the following:
- Life skills training techniques
- Kettlebell instructor routines
- Comprehensive nutrition coaching
- Kickboxing instructional videos
- Virtual training curriculum
- Group fitness instructor course
- Live training videos and sample plans
- Brain integration techniques
- Adapted video library
- CEUs/CECs
- Certification diploma
- Downloadable templates and tools
- Inclusion in a nationwide directory
7. Exercise and Disability - YMCA Fit
YMCA Fit is another great provider of personal training courses. Their ‘Exercise and Disability’ course teaches you how to become a specialist personal trainer for disabled people.
This course will give you the knowledge to provide advice and adapted workouts for people with impairments, helping them to stay happy, healthy, and fit.
Disabled people are under-represented in terms of fitness facilities at gyms, and they need help. You can be the person to provide them with this.
YMCA Fit is a classroom-based course, which lasts two days. You will also learn about barriers to exercise for disabled people, current legislation, and the implications of impairments and disabilities.
This course will give you the knowledge to provide advice and adapted workouts for people with impairments, helping them to stay happy, healthy, and fit.
Disabled people are under-represented in terms of fitness facilities at gyms, and they need help. You can be the person to provide them with this.
YMCA Fit is a classroom-based course, which lasts two days. You will also learn about barriers to exercise for disabled people, current legislation, and the implications of impairments and disabilities.
8. Exercise for Older Adults - YMCA Fit
The ‘Exercise for Older Adults’ course from YMCA Fit is another two-day, classroom-based course, which qualifies you to teach classes that are exclusive for this population group.
You will discover the advantages of exercise for the aging population, how to deliver modifications and adaptations for different abilities and conditions, and how to identify cases whereby activity and exercise are not recommended.
The YMCA Fit class also covers elements of working with older adults beyond exercise, including referral to healthcare professionals, nutrition, and social interaction, as well as the anatomical and physiological changes of aging in regard to exercise.
Ultimately, you will get all the tools and knowledge needed to plan and teach effective, safe sessions for older adults.
You will discover the advantages of exercise for the aging population, how to deliver modifications and adaptations for different abilities and conditions, and how to identify cases whereby activity and exercise are not recommended.
The YMCA Fit class also covers elements of working with older adults beyond exercise, including referral to healthcare professionals, nutrition, and social interaction, as well as the anatomical and physiological changes of aging in regard to exercise.
Ultimately, you will get all the tools and knowledge needed to plan and teach effective, safe sessions for older adults.
9. 3rd Age Woman - Menopause Transition - Burrell Education
A female will spend approximately one-third of her life in the ‘menopause transition’ phase. Despite this, there are not many personal trainers who have expanded their knowledge in this area, presenting you with an excellent opportunity.
This course is designed to give you all of the knowledge you need about the physiological changes women experience and how to design a fitness and wellness program with this in mind.
There is also a focus on the spiritual, familial, cultural, psychological, and social elements of transitioning through the menopausal years.
The course is split into four different parts and contains knowledge from leading industry professionals.
This course is designed to give you all of the knowledge you need about the physiological changes women experience and how to design a fitness and wellness program with this in mind.
There is also a focus on the spiritual, familial, cultural, psychological, and social elements of transitioning through the menopausal years.
The course is split into four different parts and contains knowledge from leading industry professionals.
10. Kid's Fitness - Fitness Education Online AU/NZ
Last but not least, Fitness Education Online provides an Internet-based course that focuses on children’s fitness. It contains between nine and 10 hours of coursework, and you will get lifetime access to all coursework.
The course is split up into five different modules:
The course is split up into five different modules:
- Module 1: Prolapse, Incontinence, and Pelvic Floor 101
- Module 2: Mindset & Motivation
- Module 3: How to Build a Children’s Fitness Business
- Module 4: Athletic Development of Teenagers
- Module 5: Growing Your Children’s Fitness Program
Take Your Personal Training Career to the Next Level with a Special Population Course
So there you have it: an insight into 10 of the best special population courses for personal trainers. We hope that this has given you some great insight into the best training courses for certain segments of the population. This is an excellent way of standing out from the crowd and distinguishing yourself as a personal trainer.
