Education for health and fitness is important for young people as they establish active lifestyles and healthy living habits for their lifespans. Children who engage in healthy levels of fitness have been linked to having lower levels of stress, better coping skills, and socialization skills, regularly practice good sportsmanship, and have fewer health problems and illnesses. Getting a personal training certification specializing in youth fitness can help kids of all ages get fit and healthy and carry those principles with them into their adult years for a lifetime of healthy habits and healthier choices.
The education needed to be a personal trainer working with children involves getting a basic personal training certification and then continuing your education to get a specialty fitness certification in youth fitness. Together, you will have knowledge of fitness and health and how that applies to children directly and the extra risks and common problems youth face today. Children face many of the same struggles that adults do, such as anxiety and depression. Exercise is a great way to help deal with anxiety, stress, and depression. Exercise helps increase endorphins, those good feelings or runner’s high, in the brain which makes us happy. Happier children and those who deal with stress in a positive manner have lower risks of heart disease in their adult years, higher self-esteem and confidence, and are less likely to involve themselves in self-harming behaviors such as drug or alcohol abuse. Fitness can also enhance brain power! Many children are able to manage their attention deficit disorder (ADD) or attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) with consistent exercise and/or team sports for better focus and attention due to the extra dopamine that the body produces as a result of exercising. Exercise has been known to be a natural antidepressant and mood booster.
A youth fitness trainer has the responsibility of demonstrating exercises and monitoring form to ensure exercises are done safely and effectively. A youth fitness specialist has knowledge on how to make modifications to any exercise so that any individual would be able to effectively perform the exercise with any accommodations needed. A youth fitness trainer also requires First Aid and CPR certification and must be prepared to administer either or both if necessary. Anyone who works with children understands that children are at higher risks of accidents, and accidents can happen to anyone at any time.
Getting specialized certification in youth fitness on top of your education to be a personal trainer can be a fun and rewarding experience positively influencing and educating the next generation of athletes and inspiring a lifetime of health and fitness.
Learn more about ASFA’s Youth Fitness Certification today--24/7, online convenience!
