How To Choose The Best Mobility Instructor Courses

You depend on mobility every day, whether you work out or go about your daily routine. When you have poor mobility, you may find it hard to give it your all during an exercise routine. Even your daily chores can feel more tedious if you have poor mobility. 

You have two different options to choose from if you want to take up a course on mobility. You can choose a standard mobility course or a certification that allows you to become an instructor. Mobility instructors can provide their services to different types of clients. This includes those who simply want better mobility, as well as clients who need to recover from injury or improve their exercise performance. 

In this post, we are going to take a closer look at what mobility instructor courses are, why you need to take one, and review the best options that are currently available. 

What Are Mobility Instructor Courses?

Let’s start by taking a closer look at what exactly mobility instructor courses are. These courses have some similarities to mobility training programs that people can follow. The main difference, when compared to a standard mobility course, is the fact that this one focuses on helping you understand how you can teach others about mobility and movement.

As a personal trainer, you might have the skills to help people with cardiovascular and strength training. You may even have the ability to create a functional fitness program. At the same time, you may lack the knowledge you need to help people with their mobility. 

There are several people who can benefit from the best mobility certification. For example, those that offer physical therapy services to their clients can also take up a mobility course to become a certified instructor. Fitness professionals who focus on strength training and martial arts can also benefit from this type of certification, as it allows them to introduce a functional movement program to their clients’ training regimen.

A mobility training course will generally focus on techniques that are great for enhancing flexibility and range of motion. The fitness education you obtain also provides an overview of how to improve various body mechanics for more comprehensive coverage.

Why Are Mobility Instructor Courses Important?

Even if you are certified to provide physical therapy, bodyweight training, and other exercises to your clients, it is important to understand that the functional movement introduced by mobility training is different from the skills and knowledge you already have. Even if you already know a lot about mobility training, it is still important to ensure you obtain a mobility certification.

There are a number of reasons why a mobility certification is important in these cases. You’ll be able to add functional fitness programs that focus on mobility to your arsenal of offerings that your clients can choose from. By improving your client’s joint mobility and overall flexibility, you may find that they start to perform better in their weight training and other exercises you add to their fitness program.

You’ll also have credibility when you are able to show clients your mobility certification. When you have a mobility certification, it is easier to get clients to trust you when you offer them the ability to undergo mobility training as part of their workout regimen.

Types Of Courses

There are many mobility instructor courses available. You will find that a large number of these come in the form of online courses. This allows you to study at your own pace. 

Here, we are going to take a closer look at the main course types in the fitness industry that focuses on mobility instructors:

• Pilates: A very common form of mobility exercises include Pilates. These exercises have a strong focuses on creating better stability at the core. The movements are also great for promoting an increase in core strength. This means there is a large focus on the upper body when it comes to Pilates. Many olympic athletes tend to perform Pilates to ensure they are flexible and have an excellent range of motion. It has also been shown that Pilates is great for relieving stress.
• Yoga: One of the most common movement programs is yoga. This is a calming type of movement exercise that is great for enhancing mobility of the entire body. It’s great for everything from shoulder mobility to weight loss. Yoga can also effectively improve range of motion and can be used to increase overall strength of the body.
• Gymnastics: Depending on your main focus area as a fitness professional, you may also choose to focus on gymnastics for mobility among your clients. Gymnastics puts a large focus on improving agility while also working on strength. Coordination can also be significantly enhanced with the use of gymnastics. Bodyweight training is often included in gymnastics to promote greater control and mobility.
• Barre: Another type of mobility training program a movement athlete may consider is called barre. This is actually a mobility program that focuses on combining elements from ballet, Pilates, and yoga. It is quite unique, but certainly very helpful.
• Functional Movement: Another type of mobility instructor course that you might decide to take up involves functional movement. These movements are excellent for athletes who are looking to better optimize their general performance. A calisthenics movement plan is sometimes integrated with this type of mobility training regimen.

Accreditation

There are several associations that can issue a certification for mobility instructors. You should educate yourself about these associations to better understand which ones are recognized. 

 This can help you choose the institute or association that is most appropriate for your goals and the type of clients that you wish to serve as a mobility instructor.

This can help you choose the institute or association that is most appropriate for your goals and the type of clients that you wish to serve as a mobility instructor.

The American Council on Exercise (ACE)

The American Council on Exercise, also known as ACE, provides programs that focus on safety and efficacy of your client. The programs that are offered by ACE provide in-depth details of how you can develop regimens that are highly effective at improving mobility in your client, but also to ensure that each of the movements you introduce to them are safe to perform. This is a particularly popular association for professionals who want a general mobility certification. The certification is nationally recognized, but there are also cases where their certificates are recognized in other countries too.

The National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM)

NASM, or the National Academy of Sports Medicine, offers certifications that teaches you how to use mobility training to provide postural correction for your client. The programs will also teach you how you can assess the current posture of your clients and identify problems. Furthermore, the programs also have a large focus on assessing functional imbalances among your clients and show you techniques that you can use to improve these imbalances. When you obtain a certification from NASM, you’ll essentially have the knowledge and skills to develop highly effective corrective programs for your clients. These programs do not only focus on mobility, but also proper function of the body. It’s a great choice for professionals who want to focus on helping clients with imbalances, poor posture, or while they go through a recovery process.

The National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA)

The National Strength and Conditioning Association, or NSCA, also offers a mobility certification. This particular program is great for fitness professionals who are working with clients that have a large focus on strength training. You’ll find that the certification from NSCA emphasizes the important role that functional balance and postural correctness plays in mobility and performance.

You’ll gain the ability to assess your client’s current performance, how well their posture is and whether they have imbalances in their overall functionality. The certification then teaches you how to create strength and conditioning programs for your clients that promotes better flexibility, range of motion, and mobility – while also keeping the safety of the client in mind.

The National Exercise Trainers Association (NETA)

Another association that is well recognized in the United States is the National Exercise Trainers Association, also called NETA. This particular association is quite diverse in terms of the certifications and programs that they offer. There is a large emphasis on teaching professionals who they are able to improve the mobility of a client to reduce the risk of injury. Apart from injury prevention, the program also focuses on flexibility, range of motion, and movement quality. You’ll find that NETA certifications are recognized in the entirety of the United States. 

Best Mobility Instructor Training Programs And Courses

If you want to become a mobility instructor, then you have to consider the courses that are available. Many of these courses exist, and they are not all the same in terms of quality and content. You may find it hard to filter through the courses and choose the one that is most beneficial for yourself. 

We’ve done some research to find which courses are truly worth it if you want to become a certified mobility instructor. 

Functional Training Institute

Functional Training Institute, also known as the FTI, is an online-based platform that gives you access to a range of educational courses. These courses focuses on movement, restoration, and functional training. The company started within the fitness Australia industry and soon become an internationally recognized provider of instructor courses.

There are currently two different courses that you can choose from. One involves mobility and functional rehabilitation. This is a great choice if your focus is on clients recovering from an injury. The other course that is available at the Functional Training Institute focuses on strength training and conditioning.

The mobility course offered by the FTI includes the following modules:

• Functional mobility course
• Mobility and flexibility certification
• Movement restoration coaching
• Functional breathing
• Preparation and recovery

There are numerous associations that certifies and recognizes the courses provided by FIT. This includes NASM and ACE.

The cost of these courses starts from $249. There is also the option to pay six installments, one every fortnight, if you cannot afford the once-off amount right away.

NASM Corrective Exercise Specialist

The NASM Corrective Exercise Specialist course is a detailed program that focuses on fitness professionals who want to learn more about human movements. By the end of the course, you’ll essentially have expertise on human movements, have the ability to recognize imbalances, and provide clients a way to improve their movement and mobility.

This is a virtual course that you can follow on any device. Some people complete the entire course in as little as two weeks, but you have more time if you want to go at a slower pace.

The great thing about the NASM Corrective Exercise Specialist certification is the fact that it uses evidence-based educational content. This means you will be providing your clients with programs that are evidence based – this can give clients more peace of mind.

There are two different program options available. This includes the self-study and premium self-study plans.

The self-study plan costs $41 per month, or you can pay a once-off fee of $449, which saves you 50% on the course. The premium self-study course costs $54 per month or a once-off fee of $599, which also saves you 50% compared to paying the monthly subscription price.

ACE Functional Training Specialist

Another excellent certification that you should look at is the ACE Functional Training Specialist course. There are five separate modules that comes with this particular course, which covers a wide range of aspects to help you become an effective mobility instructor.

The modules that you will go through with this course include:

• Functional Training Specialist Program
• Conducting Postural Assessments
• ACE’s Practical Guide to Exercise Coaching
• Biomechanics of Assisted Stretching
• The Art of Fascial Line Training

The program is ideal for professionals who work with a diverse range of clients. The online courses are easily accessible on your computer and allows you to work with clients that has different fitness levels and abilities. You’ll also be able to use the knowledge and skills you develop through this program to create customized programs for clients. There are also certain modules that shows you how to help clients who have chronic illnesses and those recovering from an injury that they had suffered.

What Are The Main Types Of Training That Mobility Instructors Focus On?

As a mobility instructor, there are certain forms of training that you will likely focus on when you design a program for your clients.

The four main training types and workouts that mobility regimens focuses on include:

• Cardiovascular exercises
• Strength training
• Flexibility training
• Balance training

Each of these training modules plays a role in helping the client gain an advantage in terms of their mobility. An advanced level program can be provided to those who already have good mobility, but want to experience further improvements.

You’ll usually use a combination of these exercise techniques in order to design a mobility program. 

Sometimes, you will only use one or two of these categories. The idea here is to make an assessment of your client. Learn what their current capabilities are. Understand what they want to achieve. When you know what your client needs, it’s easier to set up a program for them. 

How Do I Get Started As A Mobility Instructor?

The first step to becoming a mobility instructor is to complete a program or course. There are several courses available, as we mentioned previously in this article. This does complicate the process of picking a specific course – but with the guidance provided and by sharing the best options, you should be able to find a program that fits your expectations and needs.

You can complete these programs at your own pace. You usually get a timeline, but you are free to move at your own pace throughout the course up until the exam time. Once the exam time comes, you will need to complete an examination on your computer in order to receive a certification for the course that you completed. Some of these courses will also allow you to choose when you want to write the exam.

Once certified, you can add mobility training as an extra service to what you already offer your clients. You can also focus on providing mobility programs separately to people who want to improve joint mobility, increase their overall performance, and recover from an injury.

Conclusion

When it comes to helping your clients improve their mobility, flexibility, and range of motion, you need a special set of tools and education to ensure you do so safely. There are numerous certifications that you can choose from, but it is important to first assess your expectations. When you know what type of mobility training you want to focus on, then it’s much easier to find a certification that is best suited for you in particular. Use the details we outlined in this post to help you choose a mobility instructor certification that is your most ideal fit.

References

1. https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29609943/
2. https://functionaltraininginstitute.com/
3. https://www.nasm.org/continuing-education/fitness-specializations/corrective-exercise-specialist
4. https://www.acefitness.org/continuing-education/specialist-programs/functional-training/