INCREASE LONGEVITY AND BOOST QUALITY OF LIFE
Becoming a Senior Fitness Specialist will give you the tools to safely and effectively train the millions of Americans currently over the age of 55. Aside from exploring how to connect with older adults, the expertise you’ll gain will help you incorporate appropriate modifications and techniques to prevent muscle deterioration, improve bone strength, and boost quality of life.
Who is it designed for?
Our Senior Fitness Specialty Certification is designed for fitness and health professionals who want to help people over 55 increase their longevity and boost their quality of life. Instructors of adult fitness programs at colleges and community centers, as well as personal trainers, health coaches, nurses, social workers and physical therapists can all use the expertise to deliver appropriate exercise programs that combat the effects of osteoporosis, arthritis and other age-specific conditions.
How do I earn one?
Our team of experts developed specialty certifications based on public demand and the knowledge they believed a well-rounded specialist should possess. Requirements for each specialty certification include a blend of courses created by ACE and those developed by our educational partners.
You must complete each of the courses described below. As you move through the required curriculum, you will earn continuing education credits (CECs) for each component. CECs will be added to your MyACE account as you go, allowing you to apply them to your current recertification requirements.
Once you complete all of the courses, you will automatically be updated in our system as an ACE specialist and a specialty certification will be uploaded into your My ACE account. Our specialty certifications do not expire. Purchase price includes all materials and the specialty certification itself.
For health and fitness professionals, a Senior Fitness Specialty Certification is equivalent to 2.5 ACE CECs, 25.0 ACSM CECs or 1.9 NASM CEUs.
Learn special considerations to help you design personalized programs for older adults, specifically those that incorporate strength training. Topics range from the physiology of aging to techniques for motivating and communicating to this growing population.
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One-size-fits-all workout regimens are never a good idea, especially when working with clients over 50. Learn special considerations to help you design personalized programs for older adults, specifically those incorporating strength training. Topics range from the physiology of aging to techniques for motivating and communicating to this growing population. Upon completion of this course, you’ll have a comprehensive knowledge of older clients and specific exercises to help them stay fit.
You will learn:
- Instructional and communication techniques appropriate for older clients
- Safe and effective exercise guidelines for clients over 50
- Physiology of aging clients and modifications to use for specific medical conditions
- Appropriate assessment protocols
Discover specific techniques to help you train clients suffering from arthritis, a joint disorder that affects 27 million Americans each day. Learn to safely and effectively design programs for this special population based on insight from the Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals and the Arthritis Foundation.
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Developed in partnership with the Association of Rheumatology Health Professionals and the Arthritis Foundation, this online course addresses how to train clients suffering from the most common joint disorder in the United States. With 27 million Americans over age 25 affected by arthritis, specializing in this field could equate to more business.
You will learn:
- Disease process, symptoms and treatment strategies for osteoarthritis and other types of arthritis
- Exercise benefits and potential risks for clients with arthritis, as well as guidelines for flexibility, range of motion, strength training, and cardiovascular exercise
- Specific exercise tips and joint protection strategies
Learn health risks commonly associated with older adults including malnutrition and sociopsychological factors. Discover ways you can help prevent osteoporosis and other geriatric conditions, and treat obesity, diabetes, hypertension, cancer and pulmonary disease with a healthy diet.
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Due to an increased risk of osteoporosis and other geriatric conditions, nutrition is especially important for older adults. Learn risks associated with this special population including malnutrition and sociopsychological factors, and ways you can help treat obesity, diabetes, hypertension, cancer, pulmonary disease and more with a healthy diet.
You will learn:
- Factors that govern biological aging including heredity, the environment, chronic disease and the effects of aging on major tissues, organs and systems
- How physiological changes associated with aging affect the need for specific nutrients including calories, carbohydrates, protein, fat, fiber, vitamins, minerals and fluids
- Dietary modifications for obese clients or those suffering from cardiovascular disease and hypertension
- Risk factors for protein-calorie malnutrition
- Anthropometric assessments methods, and pros and cons of applying them to older adults
- Impact of aging on drug effectiveness
Increase your accessibility to older adults by discovering strategies for in-home training that incorporates balance, challenges for the core, and modifications that take musculoskeletal limitations into account.
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With more than 25 percent of Americans over the age of 65, learning to safely and effectively train the Baby Boomer population could mean a tremendous business opportunity. Make training more accessible to this special population by bringing it to their home. Incorporate balance and challenges for the core, upper and lower body and exercise modifications that takes into account musculoskeletal limitations including osteoarthritis and osteoporosis.
You will learn:
- Musculoskeletal changes associated with the aging process and “FITT” principles for working with mid-life and older adults
- Program design and safety considerations for working with clients at home
- Development of a home exercise program with progressions for core, lower and upper body strength, balance and stretching for mid-life and older adults
If you’ve already completed one or more of the courses listed above, call (888) 825-3636, ext. 782 to find out how you can apply your credits toward a specialty certification.