Digital Course

10 Ways to Support the Adherence of New and Returning Exercisers

An ACE-approved course to help fitness professionals better understand and support new and returning exercisers.

Want to contribute to making the fitness industry a safer, more welcoming place?

This course is for you.

Reshape the fitness industry towards inclusivity, empathy, and lasting engagement.

Supporting new and returning exercisers to maintain their fitness routines requires innovative and empathetic approaches, especially in today’s world where many struggle to adhere to regular physical activity. This course dives into the psychology and practical strategies needed to create welcoming and supportive fitness environments by offering fresh perspectives on how to enhance exercise adherence and foster a sense of belonging among all exercisers.

This course focuses on the critical need for inclusivity and understanding in fitness spaces and provides actionable insights on engaging clients effectively. Learn how behavior change theories can be applied to real-world scenarios to help clients overcome barriers to exercise. Discover techniques for building a supportive community that empowers new and returning exercisers to feel connected and motivated.

Course Details

Takeaways

  1. Review the importance of caring for new & returning exercisers differently.

  2. Utilize behavior change and learning theories to support new & returning exercisers.

  3. Understand how to leverage your community to engage and connect new & returning exercisers.

  4. Identify the appropriate teaching and coaching practices for new and returning exercisers.

Materials

  • Three modules with video presentation and slides, totaling 60 minutes

  • Downloadable PDF of slides

CECs:

  • This course is approved by ACE, NASM, and ACSM for 0.10 and 1, respectively, after course completion and a passing quiz score.

Cost:

  • $35 + tax

Christin Everson kneeling on a red mat smiling at the camera while tightening her pony tail

For over a decade, I have served thousands of new exercisers: college students who entered fitness spaces for the first time with little understanding of gyms other than what they had learned in high school sports or PE. This course is based on how I’ve helped support and create belonging for these folks for over 10 years.

0.10 CECs

1 CEC

This course is for you if…

  • You work with new and returning exercisers and want to provide an experience that facilitates their adherence.

  • You’re interested in utilizing behavior change theory while teaching and training.

  • You want to contribute to creating a fitness industry that’s safer and a more welcoming place for all exercisers.

  • You’re in need of ACE and/or NASM CECs to re-certify.

Support and Retain your Participants

In 2020, the CDC estimated that only 24.5% of US adults aged 18 and over met the physical activity guidelines for both aerobic and muscle strengthening exercise (CDC, 2022). That’s over 70% of Americans who still need support in engaging regularly in physical activity, which clearly demonstrates how much more work the fitness industry has to do.

This requires us to look more critically at the exercise experiences we are providing and make improvements that better support individuals in achieving regular physical activity.

In this course, you’ll learn 10 ways to engage participants with care and intention in your classes and sessions. These strategies will help participants have more successful exercise experiences and positively affect their adherence, and thus, your member retention.

Participant Feeback

  • “This course fills a significant gap in current educational offerings, addressing a critical area of knowledge for health and fitness professionals. Understanding the unique concerns and challenges faced by individuals who are either new to exercise or returning after a break is essential. Too often, these apprehensions and fears are overlooked, yet they play a pivotal role in ensuring a positive and supportive experience for these clients. This course will equip professionals with the necessary tools to effectively cater to a broader range of clients.”

    — Nicole, course participant

  • “This course focuses on an incredibly relevant topic that often only gets attention during the start of the calendar year. Christin is clear, entertaining, and compelling in presenting the many subtleties and nuances of working with new and returning exercisers. I left the course feeling like I had a deeper understanding of the environment of fitness for new exercisers, the conceptual frameworks at play with this population, and immediately actionable strategies that I can implement to have a better impact in my role as a fitness professional. Highly recommend!”

    — Ben, course participant

 FAQs

  • 3 modules, each including a video and downloadable PDF slides, totaling 60 minutes.

    The course can be completed in one sitting or over time and includes closed-captioning.

  • Forever! Or until I retire the course :)

  • ACE and NASM both provide 0.10 continuing education credits and ACSM provides 1 credit upon completion of this course and passing the quiz with a 70% or higher

Created & facilitated by Christin Everson

Headshot of Christin Everson, against a white wall, smiling with arms crossed

  • Fitness industry consultant, educator, and coach with 16 years of experience located in Seattle, WA. Christin holds a BA in psychology and an MS in kinesiology. She is an ACE certified Health Coach, Personal Trainer, Medical Exercise Specialist, Group Fitness Instructor, and Behavior Change Specialist. Christin helps fitness businesses better attract, support, and retain new and returning exercisers, as well as provide care for their fitness staff.

Questions? Let’s chat.