Currently, 60% of adults are managing a chronic illness, and 40% are dealing with two or more of them. A lot of these conditions are caused by problems like heavy drinking and smoking, poor eating habits, extensive stress, and a lack of physical activity that people have come to terms with.
The positive aspect is that it is possible to avoid these medical issues. Individuals dealing with medical conditions can achieve improved wellbeing and quality of life with guidance and instruction from health and wellness coaches.
This post looks into all the details necessary to search for the optimal health coach training program and what would be anticipated if this field is chosen to be pursued.
How to Choose the Best Health Coach Training Program
Researching “health and wellness training” on Google yields an abundance of results. How do you decide which of only a few options is the best one?
Below are some significant points to consider while choosing.
1. Scope of the Program
The primary purpose of these programs is the same – to foster a comprehensive outlook on health and wellbeing – however, the tools and methods for transmitting this knowledge vary. Some may favor alternative treatments, while others may emphasize nutrition. Before choosing a specific program, make sure that its purpose and ambitions align with the profession you want to pursue.
2. Learning Materials and Teaching Methods
No two individuals acquire and process information in the same manner. Some might find pleasure in sifting through large amounts of text, but others detest it, preferring to have visual elements or video clips to convey the same message.
No matter which method of learning is best for you, the content of the course will remain the same. Pick a program with a presentation style that will enable you to remember the knowledge imparted in every class. Select an initiative that has a higher chance of keeping you on track.
3. Cost Considerations
Schools providing virtual education programs are usually less expensive than those which necessitate students to go to traditional physical universities or colleges. Although finances are a factor, the advantage of Learning in terms of convenience is priceless, especially for people with hectic timetables that don’t allow them to go to a physical school, particularly if it is located some distance away from their residence or job.
4. Support and Certification
In addition to the material covered in the program, what makes a great health and wellness training program appealing is the amount of expert guidance and assistance you get while working through it. Do you have an assigned teacher who is available to answer any of your queries whenever they are needed? Or do all your calls go unanswered every time? Can you use a chat feature or send an email to get a quick answer to your questions?
It is essential to do thoughtful research before deciding on a certain program.
5. Sample Class
It’s unbelievably irritating to pay for an educational program and find out afterwards that the setup, educational resources, and training tactics are not like what you expected them to be. You should only consider programs that let you experience a sample lesson to determine if it’s the best fit for you. If a program doesn’t provide this, it is not a good choice and should be removed from the list.
Experimental classes are not just utilized to assess the educational resources. They also assist in giving you a comprehensive view of a certain course, introducing it to you, the standard of the material, and whether or not it is the right choice for you.
6. How Long It Has Been in Operation
You should avoid enrolling in a newly established health coach certification program. Search for a program with a long history and a high-profile image that has been established through its commitment to providing excellent training.
7. Duration of the Program
Be cautious when it comes to wellness training programs that say they can turn you into a certified health coach in a few short weeks. Given the limited time frame, it is difficult to acquire a comprehensive understanding of nutrition and health, sharpen coaching techniques, and acquire the necessary business knowledge to start and sustain a health coach job over a long period of time.
A certification program should last at least 6 months and incorporate periodic evaluations throughout to guarantee that the information is retained. A program that claims to do this swiftly is a futile investment of your resources.
8. Does It Link Students With Alumni
A sign of a quality health coach training program is that it offers opportunities for you to get in touch with its former students. One terrific approach to gain wisdom from people who have completed the program is to examine the way their job has advanced since then. If they don’t, that’s a glaring red flag. There is, however, a way to circumvent this.
You can visit LinkedIn to find individuals who have just completed the health coaching program that has caught your attention. Send a brief email to them and inquire if they would be agreeable to talking by phone briefly to get their genuine assessment of the program.
9. Does It Have Any High-Profile Alumni
Can the boasted excellence of a training program be confirmed by any renowned people who have graduated from it?
IIN has a number of accomplished coaches in their list of alumni. Most of them proceeded to start their companies shortly after finishing the program. This serves as evidence that their program provides graduates with the necessary resources to create a successful business down the line.
10. Make Sure You’re In It for the Right Reasons
Ultimately, before committing to a specific program, be sure that being a health coach is the career path you desire. Before starting the certification process, it is necessary to have an objective of what you aim to achieve.
Be realistic when thinking of how much money you want to earn when beginning your coaching job. You must be relentless in your work and have a well-thought-out plan to achieve your objectives.
Once you are certain this is something you would like to take on, look for a well-respected program that meets your goals and start working! Set aside enough time for your studies and drills, drills, drills!
Best Health Coaching Certification Programs
What certification program should you select out of all of the available ones? We have taken out all of the speculations by looking at thirteen of the top health coaching certification programs that are offered.
1. Health Coach Institute
HCI offers a comprehensive and entirely virtual program that provides guidance on building healthier habits, personal growth, nutrition, and running a business.
In addition to the basic program, Health Coach Institute also provides a postgraduate fitness instructor training program (Holistic MBA) which is currently viewed as the main graduate business training for fitness instructors.
The Health Coach Institute assists with tackling self-development goals so that you can assist customers successfully in effectuating modification. It also offers coaching experiences with real practice clients.
HCI has a highly experienced teaching team, including celebrity health expert JJ Virgin and the author of “Happy Gut”, Dr. Vincent Pedre.
2. ACE Fitness Health Coach
The American Council on Exercise’s Fitness Health Coach credential is designed to equip its recipients with the knowledge of behavior modification and preventive health measures. This course will help you gain an understanding of active listening, motivate people through interviewing, and assist clients in setting objectives. The ACE Fitness Health Coach Program is the lone health coaching course that has been endorsed by the esteemed National Commission for Certifying Agencies (NCCA).
3. National Society of Health Coaches (NSHC)
The National Society of Health Coaches (NSHC) provides a professional accreditation scheme specifically crafted for health practitioners who are also students. This exclusive scheme has been developed by healthcare workers and specialized clinicians.
The NSHC was the origin of the country’s original clinical form of health counseling and motivational interviewing based on evidence, which has been taught by numerous Fortune 500 organizations, such as Glaxo-Smith-Kline, Lockheed Martin, and Tiffany & Co., to their medical personnel.
4. AFPA Health Coach
AFPA is among the few organizations which have been officially recognized as eligible to grant certifications. The program covers over 25 qualifications in a broad range of health and wellness disciplines, including senior physical fitness, yoga teaching, nutrition, and health advice. Its health coaching certification program teaches you to:
- Provide nutritional coaching to clients
- Inform clients about lifestyle and nutritional goals
- Apply counseling strategies and motivational interviewing techniques
5. Adapt Health Coach
The ADAPT Health Coach Training Program is an internet-based instructor certification program that uses a variety of methods including podcasts, movies, webinars, written material, demos, and Q&A times. This program offers a variety of learning experiences, such as interacting with mentors, teachers, and peers in both collective and individual settings, completing more than thirty-five practice scenarios with class members, and over twenty-five practice activities with real customers.
6. Dr. Sears Wellness Institute
The Dr. William Sears Wellness Institute Health Coach Certification Program was created from a research-based approach. The focus of this program revolves around four foundations of wellness: behavioral lifestyle, physical activity, positive outlook, and diet. Once students attain their certification, they are motivated to give lectures and classes at the Institute’s workshops and conferences.
7. Duke Integrative Medicine Health Coach
Obtaining Duke’s Integrative Medicine Health Coach Certification requires an in-depth program and is one of the most rigorous to get. Duke is pioneering the health coaching portfolio with its program which has been constructed from both practical know-how and scientific data.
8. Emory Continuing Education
Emory University in Atlanta, Georgia is presenting this particular coaching program as part of its continuing education courses. This program is given approval by the National Board of Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC) and requires a big commitment as it is quite intense.
Those who have completed their studies are granted the high honor of becoming a National Board Certified Health and Wellness Coach. Emory stands apart from other universities in the US, being one of the top institutions and being one of a very few providing a health coaching program.
This program combines virtual instruction, in-person classes, and self-paced study.
9. Institute for Integrative Nutrition
In 1992, IIN, the leading nutrition school in the world, issued its first health coach diploma and has since shipped out credentials to more than 100,000 students in 150 nations. New York City restaurants were spearheading efforts to bar trans fats.
IIN enables students to learn over a hundred different dietary theories that span from traditional Eastern practices to modern-day Western medicine. They also cover the fundamental ideas in anatomy and science, providing you with a broad understanding of how the body functions. IIN also offers training in business-related matters that will assist you in setting up your own business.
IIN receives advice from several renowned well-being specialists such as Dr. Deepak Chopra, Dr. Mark Hyman, Arianna Huffington, and Dr. Mehmet Oz.
10. International Association of Wellness Professionals (IAWP)
The International Association of Wellness Professionals (IAWP) Holistic Wellness Coach Certification Program is a totally web-based program. At IAWP, you will discover how to initiate and expand your business, in addition to grasping significant lessons on health and wellness and how to customize your guidance to every customer. IAWP touts their program as one that promotes hands-on experience, and it’s built on their Three Pillars of Learning, which are:
- Wellness 360 Education – This pillar encompasses holistic health, natural healing, and nutrition.
- CORE Coaching Method – This pillar is IAWP’s trademarked coaching method, focusing on creating lasting changes in clients’ lives.
- Coach Launch System – This pillar provides training to build and launch a successful business.
Attempting to become a health mentor without a professional certificate is comparable to attempting to become a doctor without attending medical school: You won’t achieve much success. Getting certified can pave the way to finding a job or even launching a business. Getting a health coach certificate is much more significant than just having a document.
Leave a Reply