With this being an unregulated part of the health and wellness industry, truly anyone can title themselves a lifestyle coach. However, there are a few things to consider when vetting the coach that will be a fit for you, to make sure you are in good hands.

• Education. Some formal education in health, fitness, recreation or lifestyle management would be a great base to start from. The base level schooling provides a ground work and backing for the professional to also acquire insurance to be operational as a valuable and reliable service.

• Certification. Additional continued education also allows deeper knowledge and backing to deliver higher level services. This also helps the coach refine their skills and stay up to date on what tools and new knowledge they can gain from this growing industry. 

• Specialization. “Lifestyle” or “Wellness” coaching can often seem very broad as a service, so often coaches will find a niche or specialization to contribute to a more specific type of client or situation. As an example some coaches may have a fitness specialty that builds a lifestyle around the theme of physical activity. Others may focus on mental health or even spiritual coaching. So, who one may be looking for will also depend on what specialty may appeal to their needs.

• Experience. When seeking a coach for a specific need we may also benefit from working with someone that has a certain amount of exposure or experience in the area we are interested in. Even if a coach is quite young, he or she may have decades of experience in a specific area simply because of sports they have played or a significant amount of exposure in their youth. It is important for the coach to stay in the space of their expertise so the care being given is sound and relevant to the client.

• Referrals. It’s of key importance to also be clear on what value the coach is bringing to one’s life. Over a certain time frame some sort of tangible outcomes or measurable key indicators should be identified and impacted to determine if your coach is a right fit. It is helpful to gain feedback from past clients or testimonials of those that have done some work with the coach you are considering. Don’t hesitate to ask more questions so have what you need to make the best choice for you.

A common situation where one may feel they need a fitness and lifestyle coach is often when there is a DESIRE to improve in one or more areas of their current life situation. However, since there are often many areas to impact holistically, there could be a main aspect of one’s life that yields the greatest area of opportunity to positively impact health and happiness. That “MAIN THING” is the gateway to accessing the clarity and vitality one may need to align with their ultimate vision. The fitness and lifestyle coach serves as an expert leader, navigator and resource while engaging in such a journey.

Since so many coaches often have different levels of training the cost and form of agreement may vary from coach to coach. Some charge hourly. Some monthly. Or some offer a single program that focuses on a specific timeline, event or series. 

Some coaches may charge between $75-$150 per hour in the mainstream and higher level experts may charge $1000’s. But often when the potential client is doing the research, exploring their needs and budget, when the student is ready the right teacher will appear.

The key is to begin the process of asking questions, following your heart, and knowing that if you want more from your life, you definitely deserve to have it, and it is your journey to discover!