Sports Medicine Academy Launches Updated Online Women’s Fitness Program

GILBERT, Ariz. — The National Academy of Sports Medicine has launched a new interactive program that aims to provide science-backed and cutting-edge guidance on women’s health and fitness at each stage of life.

The update to the Women’s Fitness Specialization program will allow fitness professionals to design and adjust fitness programming for female clients across their unique life stages and associated physical changes — from adolescence to pregnancy and postnatal needs, to considerations of those in perimenopause and postmenopause stages.

“Traditional fitness programs evolved from bodybuilding and sports competition that neglected a woman’s various life stages,” said Laurie McCartney, president of Ascend Learning’s Fitness and Wellness brands, including NASM, in a written statement.

“Our mission is to enable trainers and fitness instructors with the best knowledge and tools to help their clients live healthier and happier lives.

“Since approximately 69% of all personal training clients are female, it is essential that fitness professionals understand the impact hormonal stages have on women’s health and their fitness journeys,” McCartney continued. “This interactive program arms them with the information needed to improve client results and increase their client retention.”

The specialization covers women’s health stages and how those affect their ​​neuromuscular, skeletal, cardiorespiratory and endocrine systems, as well as hormone management, different training modalities and nutrition.

It also gives trainers insights into how to conduct a fitness assessment and psychological elements to consider when working with women in a health and fitness setting.

The online study materials, which resemble an interactive e-book, consist of a variety of study aids, including interview videos with the authors, an interactive glossary, pdf handouts, chapter quizzes and a comprehensive practice exam.

To learn more visit www.nasm.org.