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Do you need a certification before starting an online health + fitness biz?
Health and fitness coaching in the online space is largely, and unfortunately, unregulated. It can feel like people with no education or certifications are putting out health and fitness content, and charging people for programs…And that’s because they are. But that doesn’t mean it’s ethical, okay or even legal. Now we must ask, do you need to be certified before starting your online business?
You don’t necessarily need a certification before putting out FREE content if you’re still in your education process (college) or getting your certification. But that needs to be made clear in my opinion in your bio – be it on any social media platform.
The video below lays out your options when it comes to starting your biz, creating content, getting certified and taking on clients whom you charge for a program or service.
If you skipped the video, these processes can happen in tandem but you NEED paper under your butt and the needed letters behind your name before you start charging people in your area of focus. Probably a good time to make abundantly clear that I am not a legal expert. If you need further clarification please consult a lawyer or liability specialist for more specific information.
There can be this predicament when attempting to start your health and fitness business – not knowing at what points you should invest in a business course, start putting out content to build your audience, and begin actual coaching. If you get certified and haven’t built an audience, you have limited humans to sell to – to help. Thus this is why I encourage you to start producing content with what you know as soon as possible. Just don’t be pretending you know shit that you don’t.
Tell me your thoughts on this in the comments. Again let me be VERY clear – YOU DO NEED A CERTIFICATION to offer a service and charge people money for advice/a program. You can do a lot of things to set yourself up in biz BEFORE or WHILE becoming certified.
Join my free workshop – Your biz, your way – 3 steps to build a profitable online health and fitness business. Or, stick around for more free content.
And while you’re on the site, snag all the free resources – you’ll find goodies for trainees and coaches or entrepreneurs alike. Much love.
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I'm an adventurous introvert from Vancouver, Washington who lives on sleep + "me time." I'm a lover of lifting weights, dinosaurs, real talk and traveling with my husband. I am here to help you move better, lift more, bust the myths of the fitness industry, and inspire you to love the process.
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