How to Become a Fitness & Nutrition Coach

A fitness and nutrition coach helps people get in shape and learn healthy eating habits. This type of coaching offers the flexibility of working with clients in a sports clinic, health spa or even a private fitness studio. By 2018, jobs in the fitness industry are expected to grow by 29 percent, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Wages, which depend on education and experience, range from $44,000 to $60,000 annually. Fitness and nutrition coaches who work with specialized populations, however, can command higher salaries. 

Instructions

1. • 1
     Get certified. Both the American College of Sports Medicine and the American Council on Exercise offer on-line courses ranging from $300 to $500, including certification exam. One way to save money on certification is have a health club sponsor you in exchange for employment services.
     
   • 2
     Take college coursework in nutrition and meal planning. Mastering the principles of healthy eating and how body metabolism works provides a solid framework for counseling on healthy eating. It also gives you credibility and knowledge in evaluating diet trends and vitamin supplements.
     
   • 3
     Affiliate with a health club. Finding clients will be difficult until you establish a reputation. Offer to volunteer your services at a health club in exchange for use of space and equipment. As you build your clientele, you can negotiate a percentage fee with the club or meet clients in a private setting.
     
   • 4
     Build a portfolio of success stories. Take before-and-after pictures of the clients you helped. Show them diet and exercise plans that worked for others. This will help sell your service and give new and referred clients confidence to work with you.
     
   • 5
     Consider working with a specialized population. Obese children, senior citizens, diabetics and heart disease sufferers are all examples of specialized populations. Some fitness associations such as the ACSM offer certification in working with these groups. Experienced coaches can command higher fees because fitness and nutrition planning is more complex for these people.