What is the Training for a Prenatal Trainer?
QUESTION
Dear Fitness Expert,
Hello. My wife has been a personal trainer for 6 years now. I heard her talk about wanting a new career path in fitness. Where would I find information for her about getting started into prenatal fitness? I think she would love this new career path.
If you know where I could find this information out please let me know.
Thank you.
ANSWER
Hello,
This is an exciting time to be involved with prenatal fitness. As we learn more and more about what women can/cannot do in terms of physical fitness and the importance of nutrition, there is much to share. There are hundreds of personal trainers-turned prenatal experts which is a bit frightening. Too may claim to be experts without the proper training/knowledge/education. If your wife really wants to do this, she needs to do it right.
It's off to school she goes. Although she is certified as a personal trainer, she will need to take classes specifically designed for prenatal fitness. It is always a great idea to take a variety of prenatal classes, talk to moms-to-be and see what they like, what works and what doesn't. With proper certification, prenatal classes and references to claim, she will already be able to set herself apart from other trainers. Have her speak with OB/GYN practices in the area, introducing herself/her services to different physicians. She may also log on to www.acog.org, www.obgyn.net and/or www.prenatalandbeyond.com for more ideas and contacts.
-- Alex
Alexandra Allred
Alexandra Allred is a former member of the US Women's Bobsled team, is an accomplished martial artist, and continues to teach kickboxing while juggling her career as a full-time writer and mother of three. She has interviewed hundreds of athletes, models, actresses, trainers, doctors, and health/fitness experts as she sought to find answers to her own questions about working out while pregnant, arranging breast-feeding around a training schedule, diet when pregnant and breastfeeding, and encouraging her whole family.
Alex is the author of ten books, including Atta Girl! A Celebration of Women in Sports and Entering the Mother Zone: Balancing Self, Health & Family. We're excited to have her on board!
