Top Rated Adaptive & Special Needs Fitness Certification
Why Our Certified Trainers Choose Strong Education
- 10,000+ clients trained through our adaptive fitness certification
- Nationally accredited with over ten organizations, including NASM, ACE, and ISSA
- Worldwide recognition and industry leader for adaptive fitness training
- Completely online and covers all categories of disabilities – mental, physical, and cognitive
- 30-day money-back satisfaction guarantee
Who We Serve
Our adaptive fitness special needs fitness and nutrition instructors have proudly served over 1,500 clients with disabilities, ranging from rare diseases to common conditions like autism.
Special Needs Individuals We Serve
Who We Educate
Learn to design workout programs and get easy step-by-step tactics for motivation and challenge behaviors through our online certification course for trainers and providers.
Who We Educate
Skills You’ll Learn
With many different types of conditions, people are stuck in a “fight or flight” response due to their disability. Triggers such as sound, lighting, or even trying something new can set someone off into a meltdown. In our course, we teach you adaptive personal training tactics to navigate those meltdowns and use exercise as a tool to prevent future occurrences of meltdowns.
When you think about the step-by-step process of how a child learns to walk, it’s incredibly simple. We take that process and apply it to exercise through what we refer to as regressions and progressions. Many professionals and special needs trainers refer to this as grading. We teach you how to break down complex movements, such as the squat, and progress it step by step to achieve mastery of the movement.
Learn how to use motivational interviewing for behavior change and redirect the attention of an individual with intellectual disabilities. People with special needs and other disabilities may be highly functional and able to independently participate in nutrition counseling, while other individuals need a parent or guardian present to help facilitate the counseling session. In our course, we teach you how to navigate all of these situations.
Nutrition recommendations can sometimes be challenging to translate to a plate. Additionally, someone with special needs or a disability may have nutrition goals that differ from their family, which can make meal planning difficult. This course will show you how to navigate taking nutrition recommendations and creating a meal for both the individual and their family.
How It Works
Purchase the Course
Once you purchase the course, you’ll receive an email within minutes where you’ll be prompted to create a profile & get set up in our online database of local adaptive personal trainers and service providers (optional).
Take the Course
The course is online, and we utilize text documents, videos, and other interactive items to help you learn all the tips and tricks we’ve gathered regarding personal training for disabled people. The easy-to-understand course is designed for people without any prior training.
Put Education Into Action!
After you complete the course, you’ll have all the tools you need to be able to design adaptive fitness workouts and manage challenge behaviors, and more importantly – get results! If you have any follow-up questions, or need extra assistance, don’t forget we’re just a phone call or email away!
Why More Fitness Professionals Choose Our Certifications
- State & national accreditations with over 12 organizations
- 95% passing test rate
- Flexible payment plans with no interest or credit checks
- Train clients with mental, physical and cognitive challenges
- Training videos with real clients with adaptive special needs
- Responsive and personalized customer support
Testimonials
Watch Susannah Train Clients After Getting Certified
Even with a bachelor’s degree and several personal training certifications, Susannah didn’t feel knowledgeable or confident when working with people with special needs and other disabilities. Watch as Susannah applies what she learns to her adaptive special needs clients.
Watch Doug Share His Story from Across the World
Doug has been a certified personal trainer in Canada for most of his life. Watch how Doug shares about the new opportunities gained from this Certified Adaptive Personal Trainer certification and how it’s given him the confidence he has always been looking for.
Watch How Jennifer Combined Her Passions
Jennifer is a passionate personal trainer and special education teacher. By taking our Certified Adaptive Personal Trainer certification, Jennifer was able to combine her passions and help more students with adaptive special needs in the classroom live a more independent and abundant life.
Approved and Accredited Provider
We believe that getting the CEUs you need and becoming a special needs personal trainer can be an enjoyable experience. That’s why we filled the certification course with useful lessons and exciting videos. And it’s why we provide dedicated support to make it easy to earn the CEUs your workplace requires. We are recognized by the following organizations:
Frequently Asked Questions
Once I'm certified through your adaptive personal training certification, what's my next step?
Your next step depends on your goals. You can dive into creating impactful one-on-one or group fitness programs for individuals with disabilities as a personal trainer for special needs, enrich your current practice by offering specialized training as a disability fitness instructor, or join facilities that welcome our nationally accredited certification for personal trainer certification for disabilities or personal trainer for individuals with disabilities.
How do I know if I qualify to enroll in the adaptive personal training certification?
If you’re 18 or older, you’re set to enroll! Just ensure you have a valid CPR/AED certification if you plan to work with others as a certified fitness professional for special needs.
Can I get CEUs/CECs for taking your adaptive personal training certification through my governing body?
Absolutely! Our certifications are individually approved for a range of professionals, including personal trainers, occupational therapists, teachers, adaptive physical educators, and many more in the healthcare field.
If your provider isn’t listed, you can still submit our courses to your provider for CEU credit consideration for certification for working with special needs.
I'm not a personal trainer. Can I still do personal training with people who have special needs and other disabilities using your adaptive training certification?
Yes! Our certification equips you to start training clients with special needs right away; no prior personal training background is required. You can become a personal trainer for disabled individuals, including disabled adults.
Am I eligible for certification if I live outside of the United States?
Yes! Our personal trainer certification for disabilities is available to individuals worldwide. We currently have certified trainers in over 20 countries.
How does the payment plan for the personal training certification for special needs work?
How does your satisfaction guarantee policy for the adaptive personal training certification work?
If you are not satisfied with our courses within the first 30 days, we will issue a full refund. Please note that refunds are not available for courses that are 50% or more completed.
What happens after my personal training certification for disabilities expires?
After your certification expires, you can choose to renew annually for $99 to keep your certification as a personal trainer for disabled individuals active, or opt for a one-time lifetime renewal at $299.
How does the Qualified Adaptive Trainer Branding work for the personal trainer for people with disabilities?
With the Gold package, you gain access to our Adaptive Fitness Badge, a universal symbol of inclusivity. Use it on business cards, websites, and marketing materials to broaden your audience in the adaptive fitness community as a certified personal trainer for special needs or a disabled personal trainer.
How long does it take to complete the adaptive personal training certification for special needs?
Typically, it takes 5-10 hours to complete the adaptive special needs trainer certification. It’s a self-paced, fluff-free program with easy-to-follow videos so that you can learn at your own speed.
How are you different from other certifications for working with special needs?
We’re 100% online, saving you the challenge of in-person training. Uniquely, we cover all categories of disabilities – mental, physical, cognitive – it’s like getting three certifications in one! Learn science-based techniques for working with people who have special needs and disabilities, both individually and in groups, as a certified fitness professional for special needs.
Can I use my adaptive fitness certification to work as a personal trainer for disabled adults?
Absolutely! Our adaptive special needs trainer certification equips you with the necessary skills and knowledge to work as a personal trainer specifically for individuals with disabilities, including disabled adults. You will learn how to modify exercises, create personalized exercise programs, and meet the unique needs of your clients in order to help them improve their physical fitness and overall health.
How does exercise programming for individuals with disabilities differ from regular fitness programming?
Exercise programming for individuals with disabilities requires a more tailored approach. As an adaptive fitness specialist, you will learn how to assess your clients’ needs, capabilities, and goals, and then create personalized exercise programs that address their specific challenges and abilities. This may involve modifying exercises, using adaptive equipment, and focusing on improving functional movements, mobility, and overall physical fitness.
Can working with clients with disabilities in the fitness industry help improve their social skills?
Yes! Engaging in physical activity and exercise can provide individuals with disabilities opportunities to develop and improve their social skills. As a personal trainer or fitness professional working with clients with disabilities, you can create a supportive and inclusive environment where clients can interact with others, participate in group activities, and build social connections. This not only benefits their physical fitness but also enhances their overall well-being and social integration.
