There is something very special about being a personal trainer. You have the opportunity to work one-on-one with your clients rather than working with a group. But, if you are already a certified personal trainer, have you considered the next step? Have you thought about earning your special needs fitness certification? There is no better way to grow your gym than working with special needs kids. To help you make your decision, here are 7 benefits of getting a special needs certification.
1. It’s about Helping People with Special Needs
Are you a personal trainer working on your own, you work in a gym, or you are a gym owner? No matter which of these describes you, you can never have too many tools in your toolbox. If you have the training and certification that lets you work with the special needs population, everyone wins. Keep in mind the fitness industry is very competitive and you need something that makes you stand out.
Being an inclusive fitness trainer or gym has many benefits that go far beyond the good it can do for you. This is only one half of the reason to earn your special needs certification. According to Title III of the Americans with Disabilities Act, your gym must be accessible to the disabled. But is this enough to bring in those with special needs? When you go the extra step, you will be helping a huge segment of the population get the fitness training they need. This is what being a special needs fitness trainer is all about.
2. Working with Special Needs People
The term special needs covers a vast range of people. It can include seniors, those with physical or mental disabilities, those struggling to lose weight, cancer survivors, and more. Each of these separate segments of special needs people has its own requirements. You may find it necessary to modify your gym if you are the owner. In most cases, the equipment you already have will work for these groups.
What you need is the education that comes with earning your special needs fitness certification. Once you start working with those who have special needs, you might wonder why you didn’t do this earlier. It takes hard work and commitment, but you will be making a huge difference in their lives.
3. Special Needs Fitness Certification Offers Personalized Training
You already create custom your able-minded, able-bodied clients you. With the training that comes with a special needs fitness certification, you will be able to create custom fitness training plans for your special needs’ clients. Imagine being able to work with each of your special needs clients to develop a training plan that meets their specific needs. You will be helping a segment of the public that has, to date been unable to find the training they need.
4. Working with the Marginalized
One of the biggest issues for those with special needs, no matter what they are, the public tends to marginalize them. Even in today’s “inclusive” era, this section of the population tends to be ignored so many ways. Finding a gym with personal trainers who have a special needs fitness certification is typically very challenging. By adding this to your skillset, you can affect the lives of so many of those the general public tends to ignore.
5. Bringing Joy with Specialized Fitness Training Certification
While it would be easy to think of getting a Special Needs Fitness Certification might seem to be for your benefit. There is so much more to this certification than you might think. Those who are part of the special needs population need fitness training as much as any other segment of the population.
While all gyms must be accessible to those with disabilities, this doesn’t mean much. If you truly want to put a smile on their faces, you need to know how to help them. Special needs fitness training requires more than knowing how to teach your clients standard exercises. Each of your special needs clients will have their own specific requirements. During your special needs fitness certification training, you will learn how to accomplish this.
You will learn how to modify the exercises and training routines to suit those with both physical and mental disabilities. This could include the blind, those missing a limb, have cancer or are recovering from treatment, and especially those with disorders such as autism. You will be able to work one-on-one with your clients or in groups.
6. The Right Training
When you enroll in a special needs fitness certification training, you get highly specialized training. The good news is that anyone can earn this certification, including personal trainers, teachers, corporate employees, and others. The course offered by Certified Strong is nationally recognized by the National Academy of Sports Medicine, and the American Council on Exercise. It also provides you with up to 2.4 CEUs (NASM) or up to 0.5 CEUs (ACE).
Not only are you going to learn how to work with special needs children and adults, but you are also taking care of your required CEUs. The Special Needs Fitness Certification course offered by Special Strong uses evidence-based training methods. These scientifically tested methods will help you provide your special needs clients with the fitness training they need. A service they may not be able to find elsewhere.
7. Special Needs Fitness Training Certification Lets You Help
Whether you are a personal trainer, gym owner, Phys. Ed. Teacher, or lead your corporate exercise program, certification is important. While this type of training might seem to be for gyms and personal trainers, this only the tip of the iceberg.
Very few schools have any trained to work with special needs kids and provide them with the right fitness training. By adding this skill to your toolbox, you make yourself more valuable. Along with being an asset to your school, you will be an asset to your community by providing the special needs kids (and adults) with a fitness program that is custom made to meet each person’s exact needs. In school, gym class has always been for the able-minded and able-bodied. Typically, those with special needs end up sitting P.E. out. But with the education that comes with Special Needs Fitness Certification, they get to join.
Most of us think about staying fit in terms of going to the gym and hitting the various machines. Beyond a little basic training, they can get on by themselves. Although some special needs people can follow suit within their physical or mental limitations, this is not true for everyone.
In many cases, those with special needs will require you to adapt your training methods and equipment to meet their abilities. You will receive training in four very important areas of Special Strong.
These are:
- Core, Balance, and Flexibility
- Brain & Sensory System
- Strength & Muscle Development
- Endurance & Stamina Adaptation
By the time you have completed training, you will have the skills needed to work with special needs people. If you are currently looking for a job, having a Special Needs Fitness Certification will make it much easier. You may find you have to pick from several offers as most gyms would love to have someone with your skills.
But of all the many benefits that come with being certified, being able to help those with special needs is the best benefit. So many of those with special needs cannot get the fitness training they need. By providing this type of training you are enriching their lives and help them to lead a happier healthier life. It doesn’t get any better than this for you and your new special needs clients.