AFPA Health and Fitness Blog

Thinness equals health and moral virtue. That’s diet culture in a nutshell. But as a fitness coach, like a Certified Personal Trainer or Yoga Instructor, you’re probably familiar with how misguided diet culture beliefs are.

According to a 2021 report published by Research Dive, the global Pilates and yoga studios market is expected to garner $269,301.8 million in revenue between 2021 to 2028 – growing from $127,698.8 million in 2020 (a healthy compound annual growth rate of 10%).

High impact exercises, like interval sprints, box jumps, and burpees, can improve your clients’ cardiovascular fitness, bone mineral density, muscular strength, and athletic performance. 

But there’s one problem, and it’s something you may have realized as a Certified Personal Trainer: Not all clients are suited for or enjoy high-impact exercises.

When a coaching client tells you they have a complex health condition, do you feel confident coaching them? 

TW: Detailed discussion about eating disorders and disordered eating behaviors

For some people, the meaning behind the term eating disorder feels distant and difficult to comprehend. For others, the term may bring up difficult feelings or feel deeply triggering. 

Health and wellness coaches have key roles in supporting clients in working toward health behavior change. An important element of implementing health behavior change strategies is identifying ways to sustain them in the long term while also leaving room for the normal changes in lifestyle everyone experiences. 

Regardless of whether you’re a personal trainer, health coach, or nutritionist, keeping track of clients’ health information can get overwhelming—fast. This is especially true when you have a large base of clients dealing with a unique mix of risk factors and health conditions.

Humans are naturally social beings—we evolved to form close relationships and build community because when we work together in numbers, we have a better chance of survival. As a result, our brains are wired to find pleasure and safety in different types of intimate relationships. 

Consumers no longer view “wellness” simply as “improved fitness and nutrition,” but, instead, as a much broader and holistic path—one that encompasses better long-term health management, mental health (specifically, mindfulness), and sleep.

Your client has high blood pressure. Understandably, they’re worried about the effect physical activity could have on their blood pressure.