In an increasingly sedentary society, health coaches have become more prominent than ever before. Their rise has coincided with the need to combat various long-term ailments, many of which come from spending too much time sitting at a desk, and too little time exercising and eating the right foods.
The simple fact is that an increasingly fast-paced world, coupled with changing workplace conditions, is taking its toll on society. The mental strain of modern work, combined with the physical after-effects of a sedentary lifestyle, increase the risk of heart disease and obesity. A 2014 compilation of studies, published in the British Journal of Sports, also highlighted a link between sedentary lifestyles and depression.
Your lifestyle choices affect your wellness.
This has led to many people becoming concerned about their overall wellness. Unfortunately, many don’t know exactly what they need to do to start feeling healthier. While the internet may contain lots of information, it’s sometimes too much for the average person to deal with. Furthermore, it’s easy to find contradictory information, which leaves you feeling more confused.
That’s where health coaches come in.
You may have come here after learning how to become a fitness instructor, and thus want to learn more about this specific field.
At its core, health coaching is a simple profession. Health coaches assess your personal situation, including lifestyle, exercise habits, and diet, to come up with a plan of action that will help you to tackle health-related issues.
However, they also recognize that it’s not easy to change behavior. A well-laid plan means nothing if somebody doesn’t want to follow it. As a result, health coaches often help people change the behaviors that may have led them to adopt unhealthy habits in the first place.
Health coaching is often a specialization to go with personal training and add to the offerings that a personal trainer has. This is similar to certifications in strength and conditioning, corrective exercise, group exercise, and more.
These specializations and career paths in fitness allow for trainers and those focused on these specified areas to have a great fitness professional salary. Health coaching and personal training are both increasing in desire, and so is the average salary each year.
That’s a basic description of what a health coach does. Let’s take a look at the best health coach certification programs before diving into the more detailed descriptions and questions surrounding the specific arena of health and wellness. You will notice some crossover with many of these same companies in fitness offering the best personal training certifications, as well. This shows the true quality and variety offered.
ACE Health Coach
The ACE Health Coach certification comes from this excellent non-profit organization, and it is potentially the best option for health coaching.
ACE offers four primary certifications that sometimes change, but the health coach is a solid certification program with the gold standard curriculum and study resources.
It may still not be the best option for everyone, but it is worth considering first in most scenarios.
On top of the standard health coach certification that ACE is offering, they include a higher tier package to set them a bit more above the rest and offer hands-on experience, which in the fitness industry is beyond valuable.
I will mention ACE later in the article as an example program for getting certified in health coaching.
With ACE and the other two best certifications in this article, make sure to rememcber that these health coach certs are all in an online course format for students to easily study everything in a convenient process.
The ACE health coach certification starts at a base price of $1,299.
ACE is my ideal health coach certification program, so it is potentially going to meet most people’s expectations and happens to be priced really well when compared next to NASM.
NASM Certified Wellness Coach
NASM is highly valued and respected among the top certification programs, especially for its CPT certification, and this extends to the health coaching program.
NASM offers this health coaching certificate under the name of a certified wellness coach, which is pretty much a synonym for health coach.
The main pillars of health coach teaching and management of clients is taught through movement, nutrition, mental and emotional well-being, recovery and regeneration, and coaching.
The NASM-certified wellness coach course materials come packaged at the cost of $2,999.
This is quite an expensive cost for a health coach certification, especially compared to the other options.
The ideal individuals pursuing the NASM wellness coach certification are people that want a well-respected certification like ACE, but they may already be certified with NASM and want to stick with that company.
ISSA Health Coach
The third spot of these top organizations belongs to ISSA and their health coach credential.
ISSA is most known for offering a lot of value for the purchase of multiple certification programs while still offering nearly the equivalent knowledge held within the health coach certs like ACE and NASM.
Health coaching from ISSA looks to address what can be done health-wise outside of the gym, since the learner would have covered the business and learning within the gym in a personal training program or other fitness certification.
The ISSA health coach certification costs a base price of $1,188.
ISSA offers an Elite bundle and a Master bundle, which partner 3 and 7 health coaching-related certifications together, respectively.
All in all, the optimal learner for ISSA is someone looking for multiple certifications while still wanting a high-quality certificate.
Who Can Work as a Health Coach?
Typically, you’ll find that health coaches already have careers that involve either health or fitness. For example, many who achieve the certification already work as nurses, dietitians, or in some other medical field that requires direct interaction with people. Many sports trainers and physical fitness professionals also study to earn a health coach certification so they can provide more information to their clients.
Beyond this, people study for health coach certification so that they can advance in their careers. Many specialists see health coaching as a way to round out their skillsets, as it gives them knowledge in areas that they may not have studied in-depth before. For example, a nurse may study to become a health coach to develop a better understanding of proper nutrition.
Are There Any Requirements for Training?
Yes, you will have to meet certain requirements to begin training as a health coach.
Most health coach certification courses ask that candidates provide proof of possession of at least one of the following:
- An associate’s degree earned at an accredited university or college. This degree should focus on a field related to health coaching, such as healthcare, nutrition, wellness, or fitness. For example, a sports science degree would be suitable.
- Certification in one of the above-mentioned fields that carries accreditation from the National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).
- Certification in a different health coach training program, which should have approval from the International Consortium for Health and Wellness Coaches (ICHWC).
- A couple of years of experience in the health, fitness, behavioral, or wellness fields. This experience should focus on the design and implementation of plans for clients, ideally with a leadership element.
These requirements may vary depending on the certification provider. However, the general gist is the same. Health coaches must already have a background in a related field before they can earn certification. This is because the certification builds on their pre-existing knowledge, in addition to introducing new concepts.
Beyond this, most certification providers ask that applicants are at least 18 years of age, though most are older due to the need for previous study and work experience. Knowledge of cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) and first aid courses is usually a prerequisite.
Furthermore, most certifiers ask for proof of identity, such as a driving license or passport.
Getting Certified as a Health Coach
It’s a good idea to take some time to compare programs before you apply for health coach certification. Look for a program that will match your career plan and equip you with practical skills and new insights.
For most people, ACE Fitness is the best and most well-rounded certification option. The American Council of Exercise cares deeply about the quality of your work, and they are the only organization to offer NCCA-accredited certifications for health coaches.
NCCA accreditation means you will develop a very thorough understanding of your job. You’ll be required to maintain your certification by attending courses or specialist programs. This will help you progress in your field and stay aware of new scientific developments.
If you decide on ACE Fitness, how do you get started? First, you have two programs to choose from: Standard and Premium. The Standard program is more affordable, but the Premium program comes with more study materials and practice tests.
Whichever program you select, your goal is to learn all you can from the ACE Health Coach Manual. It was co-written by an experienced physical therapist, nutritionist and a behavioral psychologist.
This manual will teach you how to recognize the underlying psychological issues that may stand in your client’s way. You will learn the best ways to approach your client’s issues with confidence, professionalism and tact.
On average, it takes 80-100 study hours to learn this manual, and the extra study materials can be a big help. Make sure to register for your exam within six months of starting your program, but you can sit the exam whenever you’re ready.
You can take ACE Fitness exams in a large number of cities worldwide. If you decide to go for the electronic version of the exam, results will be instantaneous.
Since it guarantees quality performance and dedication on your part, your ACE Fitness certification will make it much easier to get any job you may choose. Some employers list NCCA accreditation as a requirement, after all. Once you are certified, you may want to start thinking about specializations. ACE Fitness offers a wide variety of specialization options as well.
What Are a Health Coach’s Tasks?
Health coaches perform a variety of tasks, with a general view to improving a client’s overall health and wellness. These tasks often include the following:
- Working with clients to identify issues that affect their wellness and come up with plans of action to confront and resolve those issues.
- Provide ongoing support and health education for their clients to help them better understand the purpose of the plan.
- Examine the current behavior of clients so they can identify patterns that may prevent them from achieving their goals.
- Work with clients to confront behavioral issues that may prevent them from following their plans.
- Take regular readings of client vital signs, such as blood pressure, blood sugar levels, height, and weight, since weight management and health conditions is important.
- Use the readings to adapt their clients’ plans as needed.
- Apply their specialist knowledge, usually in the fields of fitness, nutrition, or medicine, to refine plans.
- Suggest new exercises and techniques for clients to try.
- Maintain positivity in all interactions with clients, while also showing empathy to their personal situations.
This last task is particularly crucial, as empathy is key to helping clients through personal situations. Health coaches must understand both the issues afflicting their clients, and the mindsets that may keep clients in damaging patterns. Through understanding and continued positivity, a health coach leads their clients, ensuring they follow the plans the coach puts in place for them.
Fitness and exercise is one of the most emphasized skills in the health coaching field when someone has a personal training certification and pursues a health coach specialization. But, as I emphasized in the previous points, this is not the primary objective, as positive lifestyle health changes depend on more factors than just exercise.
What Secondary Skills do Health Coaches Need?
Beyond the formal qualifications mentioned above, health coaches must employ a range of secondary skills to provide effective services to clients. These include the following:
- A well-rounded knowledge of nutrition, fitness, and health. The coach must understand how these three things combine to affect both physical and mental health.
- The ability to recognize common medical conditions and create treatment plans based on their knowledge.
- Stellar communication skills. This extends to talking, writing, and, perhaps most importantly, listening.
- The ability to motivate others to keep them on track. This often requires the coach to have a lot of self-confidence.
- The patience required to provide insight to clients of different ages and backgrounds.
- An efficient and well-organized personality.
- The desire to stay up to date on the latest developments in the health and wellness sectors.
- The ability to educate clients, without confusing them by using complex medical terminology.
How Do Health Coaches Differ From Doctors?
In some respects, doctors and health coaches have similar roles. They both work with people, with the aim of discovering issues and providing solutions.
However, their approaches and qualifications differ.
Some argue that doctors focus more on the disease than they do the patient. While they must interact and show empathy, their focus is on finding the condition and providing treatment. Oftentimes, their treatment revolves around curing symptoms while trying to get to the root of the condition itself.
Health coaches reverse that focus, placing more emphasis on the person behind the condition. They learn as much about their clients as possible, both to build a connection and so that they can develop better long-term wellness plans. Empathy is key, as is the ability to listen to and understand the challenges that clients face in their personal lives.
In doing this, health coaches facilitate lifestyle changes. Their focus is on helping their clients avoid the behaviors that lead to poor health. Health coaches don’t diagnose medical conditions, or prescribe treatment for them. However, they often have a rudimentary understanding of medical issues, which they use to support their recommendations.
They also commonly work with clients who have chronic health conditions. Again this work involves confronting the condition, and the behaviors that can make it work. For example, a health coach may educate a diabetic client on the importance of maintaining a healthy diet. The coach then provides recommendations, support, and understanding to ensure the client eats more healthily.
Having said that, both take a scientific approach to their work. This is why most health coach accreditation bodies require the prerequisites mentioned earlier.
The Benefits of Health Coaching
When working with a health coach, you’ll benefit from the following:
- The creation of actionable and achievable goals related to your wellness issues.
- Focus on the entire wellness spectrum rather than a specific condition.
- A connection with a professional who wants to understand what makes you tick.
- The ability to retrain your mind so you can move away from harmful behaviors.
- Continued education with the aim of making you more independent.
- The confidence needed to take control of your life and confront your wellness issues.
The Final Word
In many cases, your lifestyle and personal choices have a huge effect on your wellness. However, you may not realize just how much an old habit may be harming you. Over time, such behaviors can lead to long-term health concerns, or exacerbate chronic conditions.
Health coaches aim to educate you about the issues, and help you to understand how they apply to your personal circumstances. They also provide recommendations, ongoing support, and the benefits of extensive knowledge in a range of health-related fields. All in all, they are an invaluable resource on the path toward wellness.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Who offers the best health coach certification?
All three of the health coach certifications mentioned in this article (ACE, ISSA, and NASM) are great choices for health coaching. The top option for me is going to be ACE, but you won’t go wrong with ISSA or NASM, as well. ACE has more pros and fewer cons for me than the others on this list.
Outside of fitness certification training programs, there are health coaching programs from the sears wellness institute, integrative nutrition, precision nutrition level certs, the health coach institute, and other places more often sought out by healthcare professionals.
You may also find health coach program options with other names, like life coach, holistic health, and other course types. These are all similar to the best health coaching certifications.
What are the average salaries for health coaches?
Health coaching is a very valuable field to get into, and it is growing quickly. The average salary for health coaches is currently in the range of 55k – 71k, depending on many factors like location and other small factors. This is very similar to the average salary for a personal trainer, and oftentimes this expands a trainers salary, as wellness coaching is considered a specialization.
What are the continuing education requirements for certified health coaches?
As with most other certifications, learners are going to require about 20 hours worth of credits every 2 years in order to recertify. This is an average of 10 hours of continuing education per year. All of these organizations with a great health and wellness certification will have access to internal continuing education and content for the community to get recertified with.
How do I know if I’m ready to become a health coach?
It is important to ask yourself if you are ready for health coaching certification with one of these top health coach certificate education programs. Becoming a health coach requires a lot of dedication and commitment, and it is important to make sure you are prepared to take on the challenge. Start by considering your qualifications and experience. Then move to choosing your preferred company or organization to certify with. Make sure to check through their offered coursework and products..
What is the job outlook for certified health coaches?
The job outlook for certified health coaches is very positive. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the employment of health coaches is projected to grow 11 percent from 2019 to 2029, much faster than the average for all occupations. This growth is due to the increasing demand for health services, as well as the need for health coaches to help people make lifestyle changes to improve their health. Health coaches typically work with clients to help them develop healthy habits and lifestyle changes.