How to Become a Health Coach

FAQ on Earning Your Health Coach Degree or Certification

Following are top tips that address key parts of health coach training. Within these tips is also a clear view of what separates a health coach from other careers like dietitian, fitness trainer and nutritionist.

• 1. Are continuing education credits a requirement of the field?

  Some certification agencies require health care workers to complete a minimum of 20 hours of training every two years. CPR/AED training, accompanied by an in-person or virtual CPR/AED exam may also be required.

• 2. What is the difference between a health coach and other fitness workers like personal trainers, dieticians and nutritionists?

  Health coaches perform fitness, dietary and behavioral health screenings on clients. They also set dietary standards and exercise plans. Unlike nutritionists and personal trainers, health coaches take a broader approach to fitness. They record client data like caloric intake, vital signs and minor medical condition screenings.

• 3. How much clinical work does a health coach perform?

  A health coach works with individuals and entire families to create realistic health plans. They also perform age-based and entry level screenings. It is important that health coaches know how to take accurate vital sign readings and educate clients on steps to prevent development of a chronic illness.

• 4. How important are communication skills?

  Health coaches need strong communication skills. These skills are used to develop positive relationships with patients and family members who have daily interactions with the patient, people who may be required to stop enabling a patient’s eating habits. They also communicate with other healthcare professionals like physicians and dieticians. Emails, telephone calls and webcasts are used to hold weekly coaching sessions with patients.

• 5. What types of coaching does a health coach perform?

  Motivational, physical fitness and behavioral coaching sessions. How to eat, exercise and rest to avoid developing a chronic illness is a specific coaching. Other coaching helps patients sustain fitness, dietary, mental and behavioral plans.

• 6. Where do health coaches work?

  Health coaches work at hospitals, fitness centers, public health organizations, major corporations, insurance companies, nursing homes, nonprofit agencies and training centers. Independent or freelancer health coaches work in their or a client’s home. Coaches can also hold online sessions with patients.

• 7. What trends are expected to impact the industry?

  Drive to pay healthcare professionals based on the effectiveness of their work results may impact the health coach field. Greater emphasis on positively altering internal motivations is another trend hitting the industry. In fact, it’s this trend that is making health coaching, a relatively new career field, increasingly popular.

• 8. What types of backgrounds do health coaches come from?

  Interest to work as a health coach is growing. People from nursing, social work, psychology and allied health fields are becoming health coaches. Some licensed physicians are also entering the health coaching field.