What’s the difference between a Wellness Coach, a Health Coach and a Life Coach? Different organizations, different names?
Hi Bonnie,
different organizations call things by different names but the focus could well be different as well.
In our industry, most coaching would be around helping people reorganizing their lives to incorporate exercise, healthy eating, possibly a way to manage weight or reduce stress.
There are other organizations that focus on time management and business organization.
There is no standard job description for any of those titles.
Karin Signleton
www.meltnc.com
Bonnie,
We just published a great article on health coaching in our July-August issue that should answer your questions: https://www.ideafit.com/fitness-library/health-coaching-the-new-fitness-c….
Jessica Cline
[email protected]
Jessica,
Thanks. I just noticed it and have printed it out. Didn’t get a chance to read it yet. I am certified through AFPA as a “Nutritionist & a Wellness Coach”, but I didn’t know if I should take a “Health Coach” cert or not, if it was more acceptable to the medical and/or corporate field (which is the area that I want to be in).
I know that people signed up to sell Beachbody.com workout DVDs and their powdered “healthy shake” are also calling themselves Wellness Coaches and Health Coaches just on the basis that they are selling fitness dvds and sometimes lead “challenge groups”. They most often have no fitness or health background or knowledge (except that they’ve worked out to a couple of the dvds themselves) just trying to sell people on drinking the Shakeology and buying the newest DVD that comes out and recruiting new “coaches” under them. People who sell herbalife call themselves “wellness coaches” too I believe.
I’m all for anyone that wants to help others get healthy, but I know it is confusing when someone is looking for fitness and nutrition help and these “wellness coaches” are telling them to drink their shake or buy a dvd is the solution to all their fitness problems.