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Senior Fitness Specialization
(NASM-SFS)

Help aging adults feel empowered by designing individualized exercise programs that meet the specific needs of older adult clients with this specialization.

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Course Price:

$499

 

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Course Highlights

  • 13 In-Depth Chapters
  • 12 High-End Videos
  • Programming Manual (PDF Download)
  • 90+ Infographics & Charts
  • High-End, Easy-to-Use Digital Portal
  • 1 Year to Complete the Final Exam
  • Complete in as Few as 2-4 Weeks
  • Specialization Certificate Upon Completion

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What You’ll Learn

Trainer assisting elder man in gym

Play an important part in keeping active older adults healthy! There are currently over 54 million adults over the age of 65 living in the United States, and that number is projected to continue to grow.

Senior Fitness Specialists have a unique opportunity to work with the growing older adult population and help them improve their health by providing safe and effective exercise programs that use NASM’s Optimum Performance Training (OPT™) Model program.

Our Senior Fitness Specialization provides an immersive online learning experience for fitness professionals, teaching innovative ways to design individualized programs to meet the needs of active aging adults through evidence-based practices. Addressing physiological and psychological needs, this course will provide the application needed to create a positive, comfortable trainer-client relationship and help older adult clients achieve their goals and overcome obstacles.

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Increase your client base and maximize revenue by training aging adults during non-peak training times.

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Develop programs that safely and effectively meet the needs of the active adult population.

Revolutionary Digital Learning Platform

Tap into NASM’s Senior Fitness Specialization on a user-friendly, interactive digital learning platform that you can use anywhere, anytime, and on any device. Take a look below to get a first-hand look at the tools and features of our innovative platform.

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Why Become a Senior Fitness Specialist?

  • Meet the specific needs of aging adults by designing exercise programs that use NASM’s Optimum Performance Training (OPT™) Model program
  • Enjoy the convenience of schedule flexibility to increase clientele with active aging adults
  • Reduce risks for falls and preserve the independence of older adult clients
  • Understand aging adults’ limitations, common medical conditions, aging process, and frequent fitness obstacles
 

Curriculum

There are no prerequisites for this course, although a personal trainer certification or a fitness specialization is recommended.

Chapter 1: Introduction to Senior Fitness
The Senior Fitness Specialization (SFS) is a comprehensive program for fitness professionals delivered in an immersive online experience that combines current evidence-based information on the physiological and psychological considerations of aging, assessment strategies for the older adult, exercise progressions, and program design considerations for the older client.

Chapter 2: Scope of Practice
In this chapter, you'll examine the scope of practice for Senior Fitness Specialists and understand their role in the healthcare continuum.

5 Infographics

1 Video

1 Quiz

5 Infographics

1 Video

1 Quiz

Chapter 3: Physical and Physiological Considerations of Aging
You'll understand the physiological changes that occur in the nervous system and the cardiorespiratory system as people age. Learn how the musculoskeletal system changes with age and understand safety concerns.

Chapter 4: Psychological Considerations of Aging
In this chapter, you'll learn age-related influences on the quality of life, emotional well-being, and self-perception for the older adult client. You'll also understand the psychosocial effects that exercise can have.

11 Infographics

2 Videos

2 Quizzes

11 Infographics

2 Videos

2 Quizzes

Chapter 5: Fitness Assessments for the Active Older Adult
This chapter will help you understand the components of an integrated assessment to be used with older adults. Learn how to conduct a screening process and interpret the data to reveal health risks. Utilize several different assessments to enable successful behavior change, physiological and functional fitness improvement.

5 Infographics

1 Video

3 Printable Handouts

1 Quiz

5 Infographics

1 Video

3 Printable Handouts

1 Quiz

Chapter 6: Flexibility Guidelines for Active Older Adults
This chapter discusses the rationale for flexibility training. Learn to safely progress an older adult through flexibility training and apply appropriate acute variables when performing flexibility training with older adults.

Chapter 7: Cardiorespiratory Training Guidelines for Active Older Adults
You'll get an understanding of cardiorespiratory training and how to safely assist older adults through it. Find out how to apply the FITTE principles when performing this type of training.

Chapter 8: Core, Balance, and Plyometric Training Guidelines for Active Older Adults
This section explains the epidemiology of falls and importance for fall prevention programming in older adults. Learn different core, balance and reactive trainings to help prevent the risk of falls.

Chapter 9: Resistance Training Guidelines for Active Older Adults
In this chapter, you'll learn the adaptations that occur during the stabilization-endurance, strength-endurance, muscular hypertrophy, maximal strength, and power phases on the Optimum Performance Training (OPT™) Model. Know how to use appropriate resistance training exercises based on the different levels of the OPT™ Model.

8 Infographics

4 Videos

1 Printable Handout

4 Quizzes

7 Infographics

3 Videos

1 Printable Handout

3 Quizzes

Chapter 10: Program Design for the Active Older Adult
This chapter will help you define and describe the acute training variables within each phase of the Optimum Performance Training (OPT™) Model. Be familiar with the physiological considerations when designing cardiorespiratory and resistance training programs for older adult clients.

Chapter 11: Common Medical Conditions and Programming Modifications
Be able to determine various chronic conditions and comorbidities associated with active older adults. Understand how medical conditions affect the body and be able to outline exercise recommendations for those with chronic conditions and comorbidities.

10 Infographics

2 Videos

1 Printable Handout

2 Quizzes

10 Infographics

2 Videos

1 Printable Handout

2 Quizzes

Chapter 12: Nutrition Guidelines and Considerations for Active Older Adults
You'll understand the caloric requirements, guidelines and considerations for macronutrient consumption for older client health. Explain proper micronutrient considerations and determine nutrition guidelines for them.

2 Infographics

1 Video

1 Quiz

2 Infographics

1 Videos

1 Quiz

Chapter 13: Professional and Business Development
In this chapter, you'll learn the legal requirements when working as a personal trainer and NASM's Code of Professional Conduct. Develop a plan of action to best market services.

1 Video

1 Quiz

1 Video

1 Quiz

You will have 365 days from the date of enrollment to take your final exam, which consists of 100 multiple-choice questions. There is a time limit of 90 minutes, and you must pass with a 70% or higher. You will have 3 attempts to pass, but additional retests can be purchased by calling Member Services.

 

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FAQs

It's important for fitness professionals to understand their scope of practice. As a Senior Fitness Specialist, you will be able to perform individualized assessments and design safe, scientifically based exercise programs for older adults. You'll be able to provide older adults with advice about healthy lifestyle choices and help them improve their quality of life, while knowing when to refer them to a qualified healthcare practitioner.

NASM-SFS is approved for Continuing Education Units (CEUs) by the following organizations:
NASM Provider logo

1.5 CEUs

AFAA Provider Logo

15 CEUs

Mobile NASM Provider logo

1.5 CEUs

Mobile AFAA Provider Logo

15 CEUs

You will have 1 year from the day of enrollment to take your final exam. An extension can be purchased by calling Member Services.

No, you do not need to renew your NASM Senior Fitness Specialization. Once you pass your final exam, your NASM-SFS specialization certificate never expires.

Don't worry! You'll have 3 attempts to pass the final exam, and you can purchase additional retests by calling Member Services.

While a fitness certification or specialization is recommended, it is not required to take the Senior Fitness Specialization program.

The final exam is administered online within your student portal. It consists of 100 multiple-choice questions and 90 minutes for completion. You must score a 70% or higher to pass and you will have 3 attempts.

5 stars

"I've been training clients of all ages for the past decade. Recently, I've come to fully embrace training older populations because of the big challenges and even bigger rewards seeing them live happy and healthy. The NASM Senior Fitness Specialist course was just what I needed to grow and apply my knowledge of older populations. I feel super confident I can continue to grow my clientele using this credible specialization from a well-recognized certifying organization."

 

Jason J., FL

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5 stars

"Great course that is very easy to follow and really builds on CPT. Lots of helpful info for the trainer and to teach older adults. Covered everything I was expecting and I feel like I learned and comprehended the material. And its really helpful to have tools to use from the course going forward."

 

Cassy O., MO

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5 stars

"As a non-fitness trainer who took this course to learn more about senior fitness to assist my husband and parents, I found the course material very informative, engaging and seeking additional learning."

 

Susan T., SC

5 stars

"The SFS course was very well presented and provided an excellent foundation for working with older adults. I highly recommend it for anyone working with older adults."

 

S.F., CA

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Why Choose NASM

trainer assisting elder woman outside

At NASM, we're committed to ensuring that everyone has access to the latest fitness advice and guidance to help them live healthier lives. That’s why we created our Senior Fitness Specialization, so that our older adults can remain active in a safe environment with the support of trainers who have the tools and resources necessary to deliver results.

By connecting our world-renowned approach to program design with a scientifically-backed process, trainers discover safer and more effective solutions to their clients' needs. Become a Senior Fitness Specialist today to increase clientele and help older adults meet their fitness goals.

WANT TO LEARN MORE?

Talk to one of our program advisors to learn more about the NASM-SFS. Fill out the form and you will be contacted within 1 business day.

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