So, you want to be a personal trainer for special needs clients. That’s a valiant desire! We commend you. But we know that, if you have a full-time job or have kids or any other obligation that takes up most of your time, obtaining a personal training certification can seem impossible. Online certifications seem appealing to you, but if you don’t have time to research the process ahead of time, even that can seem daunting. Here’s a comprehensive tutorial to obtain personal trainer certification online for disabilities.
Do Your Research (AKA Google It)
Unfortunately, disability specialized fitness certifications aren’t very common, so you won’t be able to simply select a name certification name you recognize. You want to make sure that the certification you have chosen to complete is a nationally accredited program. Search for special needs personal trainer certification programs that are accredited by these national organizations:
- NASM
- ACE
- NSCA
- ACSM
- NESTA
- NCCPT
- NCSF
Choose the Best Certification for You
You already know that you’re interested in online certification courses only, so you’re off to a great start. In addition to finding a certification course that meets this need, you’ll also want to find a specialization that mirrors your future visualization. For example, you might be interested in a group fitness training course, rather than a personal training one. Or you might want to focus on fitness training that can be done at the client’s home. That’s entirely up to you, and you can get all the information you need online.
Download the Learning Materials
Make sure your laptop, desktop computer, or tablet is updated with the latest software. This will make downloading your course materials seamless and stress free. (You’re studying for something important to you; you don’t want to add more stress caused by technical difficulties!) Make sure you’re granted access to any tutorial videos, PDFs, infographics, etc. that you may need in order to adequately study for the certification exam (if applicable).
Complete Your Personal Training Certification for Disabilities
If you’ve chosen the right certification program, then most of the work will have been done upfront — when you were researching programs, choosing a specialization, and absorbing the course materials. Once you have adequately showcased your knowledge of the material (via multiple-choice test, demonstration, or otherwise), that’s it! You officially achieved your goal, and you are now a special needs personal trainer. Congratulations!
Ready to Obtain Personal Trainer Certification Online for Disabilities?
We offer four different options for special needs personal training certifications, all of which are online and can be completed in eight hours. With our certification courses come exclusive access to online adapted exercise tutorials and Facebook groups for networking within this niche industry. You’ll also receive one-on-one mentorship with our founder, Daniel Stein. Sign up today!
Strong Education teaches personal trainers, parents, and professionals how to adapt fitness for children, adolescents, and adults with autism, Down syndrome, and other disabilities through our online special needs certification course.
