04 Oct What You Should Know Before Hiring a Health Coach
The newest trend in the health and fitness industry is the rise of the Health Coach. I bet you know at least one person who is currently a health coach. Personally, I have my own health coach and I know several people who are health coaches. But before you shell out upwards of $100 a month, lets take a closer look at the title, the profession and some things to expect.
What is a health coach anyway?
A health coach is someone you pay to help you implement behavior changes including diet, nutrition, lifestyle and exercise. Usually this person reviews your medical history, your current lifestyle, activity level, nutrition habits, as well as other personal information he/she feels is relevant to your overall goals. After combing through this information, they then recommend specific behavioral changes for you to make those goals a reality. Suggestions include changing activity levels, caloric intake, your outlook on life and perception. Most health coaches will share information with you to educate you, so that eventually you can maintain these lifestyle changes without them.
Certification versus Non-Certified
Since there is no one nationally recognized and accredited certifying agency that oversees health coaches, its on the honor system. ACE (American Council on Exercise), a leader in fitness accreditation for personal trainers, group fitness instructors and the like, offers a health coach program that is “accredited and nationally reconginized curriculum and testing standards”. NASM (National Association of Sports Medicine) offers a program for Behavioral Change Specialist, which would be a comparable certification. Both require that anyone applying for the Health Coach certification has, at minimum, extensive experience in the fitness industry, and/or an undergraduate degree in the exercise science or psychology field, so they are familiar with the psychology behind coaching and behavioral change. While some accreditation programs exist, anyone can call themselves a Health Coach, the certification is not necessary by law and the programs that do exist are not necessarily required to follow any specific standards.
How can I find a coach?
Ask your gym friends, do a google search, check out ACE’s website for a list of health coaches that have completed their program. Most should offer a free initial consultation, so you can get to know them and see if they are someone you can get along with for 3 to 6 months or longer. Here are some helpful links to coaches I have worked with and know.
Next week, I’ll talk about what to expect to get out of health coaching and what that might look like.
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