The number of specialties within personal training certifications is exploding. From adaptive special needs to sleep recovery, the range of human conditions now addressed by the fitness industry is stunning. For ambitious gym owners this evolution in specialty training programs creates the perfect opportunity to build a very profitable niche business.
By selectively choosing to encourage your trainers to continue their education within specific categories, gym owners can sculpt and introduce their gym to a completely new set of members. Whether you wish to pursue individuals recovering from health conditions or pivot to holistic remedies or youth athletics, the specialties are out there for you.
The future of fitness is everything.
Fitness is being redefined as we write this blog. It is no longer about being the fittest athlete on the field – it is the constellation of human conditions made more manageable and safer through the right guidance and training. In this writing, we’ve compiled a basic list of the top-well-known fitness certifying agencies and their specialties. It is not a full representation, so we urge you to do your own research. We hope this handy sample is helpful in deciding which specialties you want to offer members.
American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM)
- ACSM Exercise is Medicine Credential
- Autism Exercise Specialist Certificate
- ACSM/ACS Certified Cancer Exercise TrainerSM
- ACSM/NCHPAD Inclusive Fitness Specialist Certificate Course
- Physical Activity and Public Health Specialist Certificate Course
National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)
- Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist® (CSCS®)
- Certified Performance and Sport Scientist (CPSS)
- NSCA Certified Personal Trainer® (NSCA-CPT®)
- Certified Special Population Specialist® (CSPS®)
- Tactical Strength & Conditioning Facilitator®(TSAC-F®)
American Council on Exercise (ACE)
- Fitness Nutrition
- Senior Fitness
- Functional Training
- Corrective Exercise
- Weight Management
- Behavior Change
- Sports Performance
- Youth Fitness
- Function First Pain-Free Movement
- Cancer Exercise Training
- Size-Inclusive Training
- The BioMechanics Method Corrective Exercise
- Pilates Unlimited
National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)
- Physique & Bodybuilding Coach
- Performance Training
- Corrective Exercise
- Stretching & Flexibility
- Weight Loss
- Group Fitness Instructor
- Behavior Change
- Group Personal Training
- Virtual Coaching
- Business Blueprint
- Home Gym Design
- Senior Fitness
- Women’s Fitness
- Youth Exercise
National Council on Strength & Fitness (NCSF)
- Suspension Training Specialist
- Low-Back Specialist
- Kettlebell Coach
International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) (Not complete)
- Bodybuilding Specialist
- Glute Specialist
- Kickboxing Instructor
- Performance Enhancement Coach
- Powerlifting Instructor
- Online Coach
- CPR.AED Certification
- Tactical Conditioning Coach
- Corrective Exercise Specialist
- DNA-Based Fitness Coach
- Exercise Recovery Specialist
- Running Coach
- Transformation Specialist
- Lifespan Coach
- Weight Management Specialist
- Youth Fitness Instructor
- Senior Fitness Instructor
- Functional Aging Group Exercise
- Sleep, Stress Management, and Recovery Coach (partner)
AFPA Health, Nutrition, & Fitness (Not complete)
- Holistic Nutritionist
- Autoimmune Holistic Nutrition
- Gut Health Nutrition
- Plant-Based Nutrition
- Nutrition and Wellness
- Weight Management
- Sports Nutrition
- Holistic Health Coach
- Prenatal and Postpartum Fitness
- Hormones and Women’s Health
- Psychobiotics and Gut-Brain Connection
Narrowing Focus for Your Gym with Specialty Training Programs
As you can see by this (absolutely!) incomplete list of specialties, there are myriad ways to redefine and expand your gym programs. Now is the time to research your own market and determine which of these might be most helpful. Consider what types of people and populations live near you and frequent your gym. Then plan out a strategy to build a portfolio of services appealing to this group. Or better yet, ask them first. Survey members through social media and at the gym. Find out what they are looking for and how much they are willing to pay. Then build a plan. You’re good at that. You’re a gym owner.
Tell us how creating a niche business worked out.
The Gym Owner’s Podcast on our YouTube Channel loves to hear from our customers and gym owners. If you’ve found success appealing to specific markets through certifications and specialty training, let us know how you did it. We’d love to share your story with our audience.
Gym Insight
We are a privately owned gym management software company that thrives on providing excellent, person-to-person customer service for our fully integrated software. Insight was created by gym owners for gym owners. We built and designed the most dependable, and affordable gym software on the market. Insight’s easy-to-use and fully integrated features automate the day-to-day running of your gym For more information, visit our social media pages or call us at 855-FOR-GYMS and ask for Anthony or Natalia.