Continuing education generally refers to any post-secondary learning or programs that adults pursue after formal education. This can vary from seminars or one-time classes to online courses and entire degree programs.
Some professions require continuing education in a variety of ways. Some of these requirements come in the form of yearly classes or tests to keep you up on changes in your industry. A continuing education unit (CEU) is a measure used in continuing education programs to assist the professional to maintain their license in their profession.
Why are CEUs Important?
Continuing education for personal trainers is relevant on so many levels. For starters, it is a requirement of every credible personal training certification body that the professionals that represent their organization stay up to date on their principles and guidelines. Secondly, continuing education provides personal trainers a method in which to enhance their knowledge, improve their businesses, learn more about health, fitness and safety, and ultimately to enhance the lives of the clients that they serve. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, advanced education of every kind increases your income by thousands of dollars a year.
Each personal trainer certification body has recertification requirements that must be met by any trainer who wants to maintain their certification. At NESTA we require 4.0 CEUs (or 40 hours) of continuing education for our PFT recertification. Other courses
Even if you’re completely satisfied with your job and lifestyle, that doesn’t mean continuing education isn’t for you.
Experts agree that learning should be a lifelong process, and devoting time to continuing education can be a journey of personal development.
Whether you want to learn more about a subject that you find interesting or want some additional skills to take to your work, there are ways you can use continuing education to your advantage.
How Do You Choose a CEU course?
Want to make more money? Want to switch your job? Want to feel more fulfilled? Need new skills? Continuing education can help you accomplish all these goals.
Ask yourself these questions when deciding on which CEU courses you want to take:
Why are you choosing a specific course or seminar? What will you use it for?
What type of client will benefit from the skills or knowledge you will attain? Are they abundant? Is this the population you want to work with?
Do you enjoy learning about this topic?
Analyzing these factors will allow you to make proper decisions based on your career and training goals.
Something else to consider when researching which CEU is best for you is to look for an organization that is adding new courses to its catalog on a regular basis. Does their course catalog cover a wide spectrum of subjects that will not only keep you current but also enhance you professionally?
You will want to make sure that you are scheduling time for yourself to complete your continuing education. For example, if you know you have a 4-year cycle to complete 4.0 units, break those units up over the course of that four years and set short-term goals for each month. Use this to help you stay on track.
NESTA CEU Courses to Consider
Group Exercise Instructor (GEI) 2.0 CEU
Another fun fitness career option is leading fitness classes as a Certified Group Exercise Instructor. A Group Exercise Instructor is responsible for leading a group through various choreographed classes. They typically range from 30-90 minutes. This fitness career is perfect for an individual who is interested in guiding a group through the fundamentals of fitness. A fitness instructor is typically someone who is fit, healthy and energetic, as they will be leading a group through a class and expected to participate physically, not just guiding them verbally.
Sport Yoga Instructor (SY) 2.0 CEU
Fitness training and coaching are highly competitive professions. Whether you are new to the industry or a veteran, clients are always looking for the most effective and innovative programs from you. This little bit of pressure keeps you on your toes and pushes you to provide the most creative and beneficial programs for your clients. Sport Yoga, because of its innumerable benefits, is becoming an integral part of training programs.
A Sport Yoga instructor is similar to a Group Exercise Instructor in that they typically teach a small-to-large group of clients through physical activity. The only difference is that yoga is more about focusing on posture, breathing exercises, meditation, and balance activities. It’s a more gentle, relaxing activity, versus group fitness classes that are typically more high-energy. A fitness career as a Sport Yoga Instructor
Lifestyle & Weight Management (LWM) 1.5 CEU
Obesity, overeating, pain because of body image, emotional challenges with food, digestive ailments, fatigue, and nutrition-linked metabolic disorders are with us more than ever. As a Lifestyle & Weight Management Specialist, you bridge the gap and make a difference for clients who struggle with these issues.
Most people who struggle with weight loss are experiencing difficulties because they haven’t made all the changes necessary in order to see their desired results. During a consultation, a Certified Lifestyle and Weight Management Specialists can determine the behavior of the client and whether they are accepting the change or having difficulties making lifestyle changes. Lifestyle and Weight Management Specialists will also help their clients identify their biggest obstacles and help them create realistic, achievable goals.
Certified Wellness Coach Course (CWCC) 2.0 CEU
Wellness is a state of being, which is different for each individual. Wellness is achieved as each person reaches a healthy balance between physical, emotional, spiritual, vocational, intellectual, social and environmental wellness health. Wellness Coaching will be different for each individual as they work to achieve the highest level of wellness that is possible for them in each of these areas.
Wellness is a rapidly evolving and expanding global industry and ss a Certified Wellness Coach, you can choose from a long list of highly rewarding and lucrative careers.
Getting Started
Continuing education is a valuable element to your résumé. For many jobs, it is a direct qualification requirement to have a certain amount of education, but even if you meet the minimum qualifications, additional education will make you stand out.
Is your recertification coming up? Learn more about earning your CEU credits. You can find the full list of CEU courses here.
There is always something exciting about earning a new training or coaching certification and applying that new knowledge of how you train your clients. This also helps you hit the reset button.
NESTA and Spencer Institute coaching programs are open to anyone with a desire to learn and help others. There are no prerequisites.
That’s it for now.
Take action!
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