The US, in recent times, has seen an increase in population that suffers from heart diseases, obesity, diabetes, arthritis and other such longstanding health conditions. There is also a rising need for health programs that are cost effective and help in Medicare qualifications of adults. All these factors have given birth to a new branch in fitness learning called specialized populations training.
The certification is usually structured in collaboration with healthcare experts and enables the fitness trainers to work with individuals with diverse fitness and health needs. These specialized trainers become distinguishable in the fitness industry by being able to scientifically design effective and safe preventive exercise programs for your fitness center members with unique needs.
The scope
Trainers with Special Populations Certification are professionals who use individualized approach to educate, motivate, assess, and train their clients among the special population. These include people with chronic as well as 
temporary health conditions. These conditions are categorized by body systems and psychological implications and involve cardiovascular, pulmonary, metabolic, immunologic, musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, cancer as well as behavioral/psychological impairments.
Special population also includes people who are not necessarily affected by disease conditions and can include women who are menopausal, pregnant or postpartum. They could also be older adults, adolescents, or children.
How to choose the right trainer
The appealing work hours and excellent compensation have driven an increasing number of athletic trainers and physical therapists who have opted to become personal trainers. This has raised the bar as professionals in allied healthcare branches are highly qualified with extensive experience working with the special population.
To hire a trainer who would meet the standards you have set for your fitness center and the expectations of your members, you need a person who has obtained the certification from a reputed institution. One of the best certifications is provided by National Strength and Conditioning Association. This is a nonprofit association that was founded in the year 1978 and is well reputed.
National Academy of Sports Medicine is another reliable institution that has been churning out quality trainers since over 20 years. There are also numerous other certification programs; but, as always, conduct your own research to verify the quality of organization before hiring the certified trainer. Also, additional health care qualifications and experience can be a great advantage and provide you the added assurance that the trainer would deliver quality service. Advertising the credentials of such professionals will give your fitness center a great competitive edge!
The future of the fitness industry
The fitness industry is sure to undergo a lot of changes in the coming years. Education is getting more priority in the field with health insurance companies focusing on preventive health through personal training. It is said that for every dollar that an insurance company spends on prevention, it saves $10. The current trend has been that insurance providers even reimburse the fitness center membership fees.
As this trend picks up, the need for professionals with Specialized Populations Certification is going to increase and it would be no surprise if in the near future the certification becomes mandatory. Fitness center owners and managers should therefore aim at becoming thought leaders of the industry and hire certified trainers well before it becomes compulsory to do so.
Need for standardization
As with athletic training and physical training, people are now pushing for regulations to guide legal and professional standards for fitness training. This might soon bring more oversight by the government via national certification exams and state licensing requirements. Staying one step ahead of game is just another reasons that you should hire a trainer who has obtained the certification through a reputed institution. Having qualified trainers when standardization happens will help your business to quickly conform to these regulations and continue business as usual without skipping a beat.