what is the best way to become a wellness coach? Is cerification a must?
I am a veterinarian and spin instructor. In my “previously life” through school I instructed everything from aqua aerobics to step aerobics. I am maxing out in my educational budget so want to prioritize my next phase in life. I am very interested in nutrition and have a fair amount of base knowledge but would like to help others. I have been investigating the Wellcoaches program as well as the IIN program. Any thoughts on how well these certifications may be accepted in the larger medical and fitness community?
Lisa Wolkind,
The route I took was through Wellcoaches.com. You will find them by visiting www.wellcoaches.com.
Hope this is of help.
Hi Lisa. In my opinion, having the certification as a ‘Wellness Coach’ will help lend credibility to your wellness practice when marketing to medical professionals and others. That being said, in truth, much of what I do (we do) as a certified fitness professional on a daily basis is ‘wellness-based’ and incorporates many of the aspects of wellness coaching. In fitness and personal training the movement is towards a more holistic approach to training (at least that’s my take on things) and as a result, the typical work and advice that we as trainers are now expected to provide transcends merely teaching someone how to lift a weight or develop a good sweat!
I truly see much of my practice as that of a wellness coach or wellness consultant. I often opine on my client’s lifestyle beyond mere exercise.
I hope that this helps.
LaRue, CSCS
www.lecfitness.com
[email protected]
Hello Lisa,
Certification will serve you well to truly help others. I would ask around the community to see what the health industry prefers. I get many questions about nutrition, so you may want to get the nutrition certification.
Being a personal trainer myself, I believe that adding wellness coach should enhance my credibility, for those who seek a healthy lifestyle as opposed to performance improvement. I am often asked what a personal trainer does; wellness coach may be more self explanatory.
Maybe you want to sit back and watch, instead of maxing out your educational budget, at this time. Being a veterinarian and a spin instructor must keep you quite rewardingly busy.
Take care.
I agree with LaRue in that fitness and personal training is a movement towards a holistic approach. Our focus as trainers should be on the well-being of the client not just on the proper way to lift weights, how long to run in order to burn fat and/or lose weight. All of that is just part of the whole (holistic) picture. In my opinion, the current health crisis in this country is letting us know that a lifestyle change is what’s needed. Wellness/Health Coaches will be the the link between the clients doctor and apart of their health team. As fitness trainers the added certification is a natural transition. I recommend you investigate both IIN and Wellcoach but my money is on IIN because their emphasis is on “bioindividuality” in that “one person’s food could be another person’s poison.” That really reasonated with me. And being that you’re a veterinarian, I strongly recommend you do some research on a fellow veterinarian by the name of Dr. Joel Wallach. That’s if you haven’t heard of him yet. Good luck in your researching and trust your gut. God bless.
Don