Fitness Specializations: Specialty Fields That Trainers And Coaches Could Pursue To Advance Their Careers In Singapore

“Male Fitness” by Direct Media/ CC0 1.0

As fitness training and coaching services continue to evolve throughout the world and within our own Singapore fitness industry, more and more opportunities are now opening-up for fitness professionals in Singapore to explore different career pathways – beyond the usual norm of working with just the general or healthy adult population.

To better serve the diverse needs and goals of different types of clients and population groups in the country, and to further enhance their own expertise and standing in specific/specialized fitness niches, fitness professionals in Singapore should consider specializing in one or more of the following specialty fields – all of which have great growth potential:

Sports Performance: As Singapore grows and evolves into a regional sporting hub, with sports like swimming, track-and-field, table tennis, badminton, MMA etc. growing ever in popularity, more and more aspiring athletes and up-and-coming sports enthusiasts will be seeking professional help in order to boost their performance in the sporting arena, as well as to gain a competitive edge over their fellow competitors. As such, there will be a plethora of opportunities for those keen to be trained as Sports Performance Specialists and/or Strength-&-Conditioning Coaches to work with these competitive athletes in honing their skills, and in tailoring specialized workouts that are sport-specific in nature.

Kids, Youth And Teen Fitness: With growing concerns over the rise of childhood obesity in many developed countries (including Singapore), together with greater household disposable income and increased parental willingness to invest in their children’s health and well-being, there is increasing demand for trainers/coaches to be trained as Kids/Youth Fitness Specialists to cater to this group of individuals. Trainers and coaches trained in this particular domain could offer specialized programs targeting the unique needs of children and teenagers, as well as customized services for teens/youths of different age groups, skill levels, and fitness goals.

Older Adults, Senior And Geriatric Fitness: As the pace of aging continues to accelerate in Singapore and throughout the developed world, there is now a greater than ever before demand for trainers/coaches with specialized training and expertise in Geriatric Fitness. These trainers/coaches are required to work with our aging communities to improve our seniors’ quality of life, via enhancing their physical strength, aerobic fitness, functional independence and overall well-being. Better known as Senior/Older Adult Fitness Specialists, these professionals provide seniors with fitness programs that are specially-designed to include exercise modifications and customized adaptations that take into account all the unique needs, bodily changes and challenges that come along with aging. In the coming years, with Singapore’s population aging rapidly, this particular group of specialist trainers/coaches will find themselves in greater demand than ever before.

Pre- And Postnatal Fitness: Being a special population group in itself, with its own distinctive needs and concerns, pregnant and postpartum women require specialized fitness programs tailored to suit their unique circumstances and requirements. This is where trainers in this particular field – otherwise known as Pre-&-Post Natal Fitness Specialists – enter the picture. With their specialized training and advanced education in pre-post natal fitness, these professionals help create safe and effective exercise programs to support the health and well-being of both expectant and new mothers. At the same time, they also play a crucial role in mitigating any potential risks that may arise during the time when one is pregnant or in the postpartum recovery period.

Corrective Exercise : With our modern and sedentary lifestyles, more people than ever before are now experiencing dysfunctions and abnormalities in their bodies, postures and overall movement patterns. Oftentimes, these issues may manifest themselves as nagging aches and pains, faulty postures, repetitive injuries, as well as weaknesses at various points along the kinetic chain of the Human Body. In order to identify and address these imbalances and limitations, there is a growing demand nowadays for specialized trainers/coaches who are trained in the discipline of corrective exercise. These Corrective Exercise Specialists – as they are commonly known – utilize their expertise in this area to address and correct the various dysfunctions and imbalances found in the Human Body; and in the process, restoring proper bodily alignment, correct posture and movement efficiency to their clients.

Special Population Fitness : In our modern societies, there are always groups of people among us who are struggling with their very own unique needs, considerations and challenges. These individuals may have chronic diseases and/or health conditions such as dementia, diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, arthritis, osteoporosis, cancer etc., or are afflicted with certain physical/intellectual disabilities and impairments, or have other specific needs and health issues that require constant attention and special care. Catering to these special population groups are fitness professionals who have chosen to undergo further education and advanced training in the field of Special Population Fitness. With their unique skill set and expertise, these fitness professionals will be highly-coveted in the coming years to meet the growing needs and evolving demands of these diverse groups of special population individuals.

Health/Wellness Coaching: Living in a fast-paced, stressful and often challenging world has negatively affected the health and well-being of many people. To offset the detrimental effects of modern-day stress and anxiety, more and more people nowadays are looking for ways to safeguard and enhance their own mental, emotional and physical well-being. To meet this need, many are turning to health-and-wellness coaching as a solution. As such, a new breed of fitness professionals – known as Health/Wellness Coaches – have emerged to support these individuals on their path to holistic wellness and health. Via professional guidance, personalized motivation and mindful engagement with their clients, these coaches seek to empower their clients to make sustainable and positive changes to their lives. Looking ahead, more of such specially-trained fitness professionals will be needed in the near future to help people cope with the ills of modern living, and to improve their all-round health, well-being and quality of life .

In conclusion, the above are just some of the many specialty fields that current personal trainers, fitness coaches and mind-body wellness professionals can pursue for their own career progression and professional advancement.

Deciding which specialization to focus on, will of course depend greatly on each and every individual’s personal inclination, professional background, as well as market opportunity, financial considerations and a host of other interconnected factors.

Leveraging Upon Current Fitness Trends For Maximum Advantage: Guide For Fitness Professionals, Trainers And Coaches.

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For over the past decade, various fitness organizations and institutions, such as the American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM), have been regularly releasing updates and announcements regarding the latest fitness trends from around the world.

This information is published and distributed with the intention of educating the general public of the latest happenings in the fitness world, and more importantly, to aid the various stakeholders within the fitness industry, such as corporate fitness businesses, commercial gyms, boutique fitness studios and even private, independent fitness professionals on where to align and focus their businesses on.

Interestingly, to this day, there are still a number of fitness businesses and wellness set-ups who are simply NOT making the best use of this information to their advantage. As a result, many end up missing-out on the golden opportunity to reach out to a wider group of potential clients and prospects.

The objective of this article is to highlight the key fitness trends that have been identified as growing in popularity throughout the world, with an eye on the local Singapore fitness scene.

Hopefully, the information herein will benefit locally-based fitness professionals, networks and businesses in their strategic planning and business development down the road.

Following are some of the dominant trends that everyone and anyone with a vested interest in the fitness/wellness industry should take note of:

The Rise Of Health/Wellness Coaching

In recent years, there has been a rise in the number of people seeking out professional health/wellness coaching services rather than just paying for basic exercise knowledge or simple fitness skills.

On first appearances, the role of a health/wellness coach may not seem that different from your typical, everyday personal fitness trainer or exercise instructor; however, the dissimilarities are actually quite stark in reality.

Instead of just focusing on one, single health/wellness component (for instance, exercise instruction or skill acquisition) like what a typical exercise instructor or fitness trainer would do, health/wellness coaches typically adopt a more holistic approach when working with their clients, integrating various other processes and skills, such as behavioral change, lifestyle guidance, emotional support, goal-setting and self-empowerment into their programs to help their clients achieve holistic health and all-round wellness.

With its current rise in popularity across the world, fitness/wellness professionals should sit up and take heed of this trend, and seriously consider equipping themselves with the relevant skills and credentials to offer this service to their clients.

The Popularity Of Online Training

The recent COVID pandemic has truly thrust online or virtual fitness training into the limelight and into the forefront of personal fitness/wellness services.

With the widespread closure of gyms and fitness facilities around the world at the peak of COVID-19, coupled with the on-going fear of being infected with the virus whenever one choose to continue patronizing the few remaining open communal settings, many people have since started to seek alternative methods to meet their fitness needs.

And, unsurprisingly, online fitness training has turned out to be one of the greatest beneficiaries of the on-going health catastrophe afflicting our world.

With online training, clients can choose to work-out – in absolute seclusion, privacy and safety – AWAY from the maddening crowds, thus drastically lowering their risk of contracting any contagious diseases.

At the same time, choosing digital or virtual exercise options also offers one the unsurpassable advantage of being able to train at one’s own absolute convenience and discretion – at anytime of the day, at anywhere around the world!

Thus, savvy fitness/wellness professionals should take advantage of this trend to reach out to more clients with web-based or electronic fitness services that are professionally-designed and of an outstanding quality.

The Appeal Of Body Weight Training

Not only are more and more exercise experts and fitness professionals around the world exhorting and endorsing the use of body weight as a training tool in itself, an increasing number of general exercise enthusiasts and aficionados are also buying strongly into this idea too.

Inexpensive, practical and super-efficient, bodyweight training has truly grown in leaps and bounds as an attractive and viable option for those who are keen to shun expensive gym memberships and their fanciful – and often redundant – machines, gadgets and gizmos.

Personal trainers and bodyweight exercise specialists skilled in the discipline of using one’s bodyweight as a training modality should take note of this growing trend.

The Allure Of High Intensity Interval Training

HIIT or High Intensity Interval Training has taken the fitness world by storm in recent times.

Highly-effective, efficient and brutal, this method of training involves alternating short bursts of intense exercise periods with equally short bouts of rest or active recovery.

Though not for the faint-hearted or those with existing health issues and other medical problems, HIIT has certainly gained a growing number of followers and fans over the past few years; with many converts underlining their fitness progress and gains as evidence of the effectiveness of this particular approach.

Personal trainers and fitness coaches who are equipped with the necessary knowledge and skills to design high-quality HIIT exercise programs should also consider riding on this current wave.

The Perennial Favourite: Personal Training

Customized, tailored workouts designed by certified personal trainers to suit every body type, needs and goals continue to be a top trend among many consumers and clients across the world.

Despite COVID-19 – and probably, because of it – one-on-one personal training workouts have continued to flourish and thrive even as other sectors of the fitness industry have taken massive hits to their profits and bottom line.

As people continue to prioritize personal well-being, safety and hygiene during this ongoing health crisis, it certainly takes a very foolhardy trainer or coach to ignore this thriving trend.

The Booming Demand For Weight Loss Exercises

With nearly 4 in 10 Singaporeans having reported gaining weight during the onset of the COVID pandemic, and nearly 40% of adult Americans having experienced the same, it is no wonder that professional weight loss services continue to be HIGH in demand throughout this period.

Coupled with caloric restriction and lifestyle changes, exercising for weight loss with the aim of expending unwanted calories, while under the professional guidance and supervision of weight loss exercise specialists, will continue to grow in demand across the world.

Professional trainers and coaches are advised to take heed and capitalize on this rising trend as well.

The Up-And-Coming Status Of Strength Training

With tons of new research and studies strongly affirming the benefits of resistance training, it is not surprising that more and more people nowadays are incorporating strength-and-resistance training into their workout routines.

Regardless of implements used – whether dumbbells, barbells, kettlebells or medicine balls – strength/resistance training has now been proven without doubt to have wide-ranging benefits to the Human Body: from improving one’s musculo-skeletal health to reducing one’s risk of metabolic diseases to even injury prevention.

Fitness professionals who have undergone training to qualify as resistance exercise specialists, and/or have relevant backgrounds in strength-&-conditioning programming should make the most out of opportunities presented by this growing trend.

The Draw Of Outdoor Workouts

As a result of the global pandemic, outdoor physical activities have now become more popular than ever before as they are often widely-acknowledged as being safer options (in terms of contagion risk) compared to enclosed or indoor physical pursuits.

As such, an increasing number of people across the world are now embracing outdoor exercise programs as well as open-air workouts like never before!

And, of course, on top of the safety factor as mentioned above, the irresistible lure of the Sun, the fresh air and the natural greenery have also made outdoor workouts such an enticing choice for many today.

Outdoor fitness coaches whose passion lie in taking their training expertise out and beyond the confines of the gym into the great outdoors are primed to gain from this trend!

The Growth Of Home-Based Workouts

With the global COVID-19 pandemic still a long way from panning out, home-based workouts have continued to surge in popularity as vast segments of our population continue to shun the gym in favour of the safe confines of the home.

Taking into account the affordability and ease of availability of home fitness equipment nowadays, more and more people are investing heavily in home-friendly fitness tools and implements so as to be able to exercise within the safe boundaries of their own homes.

As such, fitness coaches and personal trainers offering in-home fitness services should take note of this trend, and adapt their business approach to cater to the above.

The Attraction Of Wearable Technology

The boom in wearable fitness technology, and their widespread usage, have been a game changer in the fitness industry of late.

These technological inventions, that include anything and everything from activity trackers, heart rate monitors, smart watches to mobile fitness apps have not only permeated every facet of our everyday life, but also our personal workout sessions, exercise routines and fitness programs.

Once belonging only to the realm of fantasy, today, we are not only able to track almost every biological and physiological parameter of our Human Body at a quick press of a button, but also receive crucial bio-feedback on practically all of our bodily functions.

Hence – though not entirely without its own downside and flaws – wearable technology can indeed be a great complement and supplement to any knowledgeable fitness coach or personal trainer, who knows how to maximize this technology for his/her own clients – from utilizing the relevant data to fine-tune fitness programs, to implementing customized fitness solutions.

With wearable technology probably going to be very much in vogue for the rest of this era and beyond, personal trainers, fitness coaches and other health/wellness professionals should make the most out of this burgeoning trend.

Final Take Away

With the knowledge and awareness of the above various fitness trends, it is very much up to each individual business entity and each independent fitness professional to sieve through the wide array of business opportunities available in order to leverage upon those that have the greatest bearing and relevance to their respective areas of focus and strength.

How To Thrive As A Fitness Professional During A Pandemic

Since the COVID-19 pandemic started in late 2019, the entire fitness industry has been turned upside down and shaken deep to its core.

To date, countless brick-and-mortar fitness facilities, private gyms, boutique exercise studios and even independent, self-employed fitness professionals, exercise instructors and wellness coaches have seen their businesses and livelihoods brought down to the knees by the global scourge and by its seemingly incessant waves of aftershocks and setbacks.

Despite this bleak and grim scenario enveloping most of the fitness industry, as well as many other business sectors across the world, it is still entirely possible not just to survive, but even THRIVE during these turbulent and uncertain times.

The following are 5 ways that YOU – the Fitness/Wellness Professional – can find a way to succeed in spite of the on-going pandemic:

1. Stay Connected

It has always been our very human nature to seek out social connections and meaningful relationships.

Thus, it’s vitally important to continue to stay engaged and connected to your clients, your community and even with your fellow fitness professionals during this pandemic.

Not only will this be good for your own mental health and well-being, being in the loop will also ensure that people keep you and your business in mind at all times.

This in turn will increase the likelihood of people seeking you out and turning to you once the need for such a service resumes!

Thus, stay connected to flourish – even in the midst of a raging pandemic!

2. Remain Positive

Being positive and upbeat when others around you are wallowing in self-pity and spouting defeatist or negative views will not only make you an absolute Stand-Out amidst your competition, but truly set you apart as an attractive and appealing alternative compared to the others!

In fact, studies have shown that the very vibes sent out by positive individuals will not only be picked-up by those around them, but also have the capacity to positively influence and mould the behaviors of others toward them!

Furthermore, being positive will also aid you to cope more easily with your own current challenges and emotions, and help you to move forward and onward in life instead of remaining stagnant or flailing helplessly in the storm!

3. Adapt And Adjust

As the saying goes: “Change is the new constant”.

Fitness businesses that resist change and insist on doing things the “same, old way” will soon find themselves obsolete and going the way of the dinosaurs.

As a fitness professional, it’s vitally important to learn to stay nimble, flexible and versatile in your business approach.

Not only do you need to adapt and adjust to evolving trends and demands, you’ll also have to learn to roll with the punches and seek new solutions to your current challenges.

If you feel things are way beyond what your current capabilities are at the moment, do feel free to step back a moment, take stock of the situation, and seek assistance from those with the necessary experience, exposure or expertise to help you.

A trusted advisor, fellow experienced fitness professionals, or even a business mentorship program – are all good sources of help that you can tap on to redefine and transform your current fitness business.

4. Optimize Communication

Keeping communication channels open and transparent are crucial for all businesses even during the best of times; and infinitely more so during this troubling period in our human history.

In fact, the very fabric of your business often hinges on how well and effective you can communicate and interact with your clients and customers during these challenging times.

To build trust and rapport, seek to communicate as much and as often as you can with your client base, sharing anything and everything from your business philosophy to your upcoming events, from your membership plans to your current, on-going promotions!

5. Keep Going

Under the current social-economic circumstances, it is all too easy to want to give-up in the face of all these adverse situations and challenges.

However, always remember that giving-up now also means practically eliminating any chance of success that you may have down the road!

As circumstances can change in the blink of an eye, staying the course and pushing on – with suitable modifications and necessary adjustments – will not only solidify your position in the industry, but also predispose your business to new possibilities and opportunities when they surface!

So hang in there, continue to hustle and bustle all you can, and keep doing what you can to attract new clients and retain old ones!

With all the above tips in mind, decide for yourself which and what constructive actions you could take right now.

Because when you start doing so, you will find yourself more likely to survive AND thrive during this pandemic – and beyond.

Private Personal Training: A Bright Spot Amidst The Darkness Enveloping The Fitness Industry

In these times of economic uncertainty and bleakness amidst the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, many businesses and sectors within the fitness industry in Singapore and across the world have been badly hit and most are barely surviving.

However, amidst all these doom and gloom, one of the few bright spots that continues to shine out of the prevailing darkness permeating the entire fitness landscape is that of private personal training services.

Due to its unique format and distinctive structure, it should actually come as no surprise that one-to-one personal training services – especially those held within clients’ private residences, homes and compounds – continue to flourish in many parts of the world even where governmental restrictions and social distancing rules have been implemented.

Unlike many other fitness business models which struggle to keep up with ever-changing COVID-19 measures and procedures, home personal training on the other hand has little if any problems adjusting and adhering to most general safety practices and social distancing protocols.

In fact, the ease at which many private in-home fitness businesses are able to align and conform themselves to government-imposed health measures and procedures have certainly helped them to survive and even thrive during these challenging times.

From a socioeconomic point of view, home personal training, together with other private fitness hire services have somewhat even become a safety harbour for many hit by the current economic downturn.

Anecdotal evidence from the grounds has shown a swelling number of people – who are either seriously considering, or having already made – a switch over to the private fitness sector as fitness coaches, personal trainers, strength-and-conditioning coaches or other fitness/wellness professionals during these difficult times. Many doing so as a means to ride out the poor external job market conditions and the dismal hiring prospects across most industries.

In theory, it is actually NOT all that difficult for one to become a private personal trainer or fitness coach nowadays – considering its low entry barrier and the relative ease of getting a personal trainer certification via online courses and weekend workshops.

However, thriving and succeeding as one is a totally different story altogether!

To truly shine and flourish as one, the following hard questions must be asked – and answered comprehensively – by each and every prospective personal trainer-in-waiting first:

1. What and how can I develop the necessary personal and professional qualities needed to succeed?
2. What are the various steps, procedures and tools that I need to set-up my business?
3. What and which marketing plans can I use to stand-out in an already over-crowded market?
4. Which demographic group/groups should I target at?
5. What types of fitness programs should I market to my target audience?
6. What client attraction strategies should I adopt?
7. What client retention methods should I employ?
8. How does one grow and scale the business down the road?

All the above and more have to be seriously considered and answered if one truly wants to succeed in the highly-competitive private personal training space.

To navigate through the above, there are numerous routes and strategies one could take.

For instance, one can choose to do one’s own market research on the industry or consult with current fitness professionals to pick their brains for the best practices to adopt.

On the other hand, one can also turn to more formal avenues like learning from Personal Training Business Manuals, or signing-up for Online PT Business E-courses.

Alternatively, one may even choose to engage a Fitness Business Mentor for private one-on-one consultation sessions to get personalized attention, individualized advice and customized strategies for a head-start.

Whichever route one chooses to take, do be prepared still to put in lots of hard work, effort, sweat and tears throughout the journey and more.

Regardless, with private home personal training here to stay, it is up to each and every prospective personal trainer to evaluate the ever-evolving landscape around them, and make the very best of whatever opportunities there are – pandemic or not.