Until recently (the last decade or so) fitness experts believed that men and women could be trained the same. However, research over the last few years has shown that women are in need of different fitness training protocols. They began to see topics such as menopause, pregnancy and pelvic health were all topics that require specific attention.

With the emergence of this information, a variety of organizations and educational programs have popped up to try and fill in the knowledge gap regarding fitness training for women. A few of these stand out as leaders in this segment of the industry.

One such organization, the Women’s Health Foundation (WHF), believes that women need individual attention. WHF’s mission is to improve all women’s pelvic health and wellness by being proactive in current research, serving as a national resource on female pelvic health, and developing education programs related to pelvic health. WHF has already, through a partnership with individuals at the Loyola University Medical Center, found that specific exercise techniques (specifically called the “Total Control Program” through WHF) have been effective in improving incontinence and bladder control during both the initial and long term (one year after research trial) follow up.

Another organization leading the way in female health is Healthy Moms (HM). HM is dedicated to enhancing the well being of women before, during, and after pregnancy. In addition to keeping “moms healthy”, HM provides various resources for health and wellness professionals that care for women throughout pregnancy. One of the resources they provide is their “Healthy Moms Advanced Perinatal Fitness Instructor Training Course”. This program helps prepare fitness professionals for creating specific programs that can meet the needs of females that are pregnant from the first trimester to delivery.

In addition to their advanced perinatal course, they also provide a variety of other useful programs and information. Areas such as on-site seminars, perinatal specific classes offered at various locations throughout the country, & free tips, advice, and articles on their website, are all provided to help those either preparing for pregnancy or in pregnancy be as ready for each stage as possible.

Colleges throughout the country are also beginning to see the importance of women’s health training. Specifically, they are offering an ONLINE female fitness/wellness education program titled “Women’s Exercise Training and Wellness”. School’s involved in offering this program include:

* Chicago State University
* State College of Florida
* University of Southern Mississippi
* Washington State University

The goal of this program is to educate an individual on how to establish an exercise program specific to women’s needs. The program covers topics such as musculoskeletal and functional anatomy of the female pelvis, the hormonal/endocrine system, bone density, pre and postpartum fitness, & breast, ovary, and uterine cancers.

It’s important, with how many women makeup part of your total membership/client base, that you have the skills necessary to properly train them. By utilizing the above-mentioned resources, you will guarantee your female clients better results.