Look at these diagrams on the aging of America produced by the U.S. Census Bureau. If you are considering adding personal trainers who specialize in functional fitness to your gym lineup, these illustrations should convince you the time is right.
Functional fitness is the buzzword for training older adults striving to maintain their physical fitness and personal independence. In the case of this blog, we argue it can be a boon for gyms looking to attract members who are both financially capable of hiring personal trainers and personally invested in their health. There has never been a group more collectively driven toward a healthy lifestyle than Baby Boomers. Following them closely, at least in demographic size, are their children—millennials born between 1982 and 2000.
As members of the fitness industry, targeting this group is a goal you can’t avoid.
Even if you tried to attract only photogenic young people, chances are their millennial parents are tagging along.
Four Functional Fitness Certifications by Organization
1. Functional Aging Institute
Founded in 2013, this organization is dedicated to designing certifications for the senior market. Their certifications provide Continuing Education Units (CEUs) for most major education and certification companies, including ISSA and NASM.
Mature adult certifications include:
- Functional Aging Group Exercise Specialist
- Functional Aging Specialist
- Tai Chi Basic
- Brain Fitness
The FIA has also partnered with ISSA to provide continuing education on more specific modalities, including training clients with joint replacements and pelvic balance issues, anchor point training, and suspension training. Click on this ISSA link for a complete list.
2. American Sports & Fitness Association
Their “Advanced Senior Fitness Certification” self-paced course only offers a test. Texts and manuals are available at an additional cost. The ASFA organization bills itself as an online resource for fitness professionals with dozens of advanced and introductory certifications.
From what I can tell from the website, it is simply a direct line to certification at a cost of $399 for one year, without the extra work of taking a course. Yet, for those who do need to learn the fundamentals of training seniors, the recommended texts and manuals for self-study will run you another $500 or so.
Personally, the site’s 40-plus paragraphs of AI-generated self-congratulatory blather are enough to make me reconsider this certification source. But you be the judge. Here’s the link.
3. Fitpro
Established in 1990, this United Kingdom-based organization is a comprehensive, membership-based service providing additional industry products, including insurance and music licensing.
Their Functional Aging Specialist certification program is only open to Level 2 qualified trainers. It uses the Functional Aging Training Model (FATM), which focuses on the ability to perform everyday activities. Students gain functional training strategies, assessment skills, program design, and professional guidance on managing senior clients. Beyond this higher-level training cert program, Fitpro offers dozens of additional courses covering a wide range of topics—from BARE® (feet) Workout instruction to courses on kidney disease and multiple sclerosis. No matter your training interest, Fitpro may provide additional instruction.
4. Medical Fitness Association
This membership-based organization aligns itself with the medical community by providing certification for health clubs and fitness companies that wish to receive members recommended by physicians. It functions under the motto of “Exercise as Medicine,” with the goal of providing industry standards for medically integrated facilities. Among its functional fitness certifications is an alliance with ACE, which includes the ACE Certified Medical Exercise Specialist.
In this course, trainers learn how to work with individuals managing chronic conditions, including cardiovascular, pulmonary, metabolic, and musculoskeletal issues.
Questions to ask your personal trainers before pursuing the the senior market:
- What direct experience do they have with the senior population?
- Do they like meeting, speaking, and spending time with older people?
- How do their current certifications or education align with training people who may have co-morbidities or existing physical limitations?
What issues does a fitness club owner need to address before targeting functional fitness clients?
- Do you have the right insurance coverage for senior training?
- Are your trainers aware of the difference between personal training consultations and giving medical advice?
- Have you considered becoming certified as a medical fitness organization?
Are There More Certifications for Working with Mature Adults?
Probably, but the ones mentioned might be a great start. Functional fitness is bound to become an important buzzword as our population ages. More importantly, it is a significant instrument in maintaining health as we age. We hope this blog helps you learn more about this important trend and opens the doors to new opportunities for your fitness club.
Gym Insight
We are a gym management software development company owned by former fitness club owners. We’ve been in the field, trying hard to make a living running a gym—just like you. That is why—and how—we created Gym Insight. Our gym software product offers all the functions you need to run an efficient club without the overhead and cost of traditional software.
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