Nutritionists, athletic trainers, personal trainers, life coaches, run coaches, yoga instructors, and dietitians, oh my! This isn’t Oz, just the health world, and it seems like there’s an infinitely long list of professional titles here.
One that is oft-overlooked but could be quite useful for many people is a health coach. And while it might seem like a vague title (especially if you’re not familiar with it), if you find a health coach with the right credential and education, they just might change your life for the better.
So: What is a health coach, what are their responsibilities, and should you hire one? Here’s how to find a legit expert to lead you on your healthy journey.
What Is a Health Coach?
Well, it depends! The definition and role of a health coach varies depending on where and how the credential was earned (more on that soon). You can get a health coach certificate or title from many different organizations—such as the Health Coach program and the American Council on Exercise’s (ACE) Health Coach program—and end up with a different background, expertise, and purpose of practice.
Health Coach vs. Trainer vs. Dietitian
Consider the health coach your generalist for healthy living: A health coach provides overall coaching in multiple areas, whereas a trainer drills down into the specifics of physical fitness and a dietitian gets into the nitty-gritty of personal nutrition and diet.
It’s very possible for a health coach to also hold certifications in personal training or nutrition, but otherwise, “health coaches should be mindful of their scope of practice and always refer clients to a certified exercise professional for physical activity programs or registered dietitians for specific dietary advice,” said Galati.
Dietitian
“An R.D. [registered dietitian] is the absolute highest level of nutrition education you can have,” explains Mastela. “R.D.s are trained to work with patients with any health condition, including in hospitals, outpatient facilities, rehab facilities, and beyond,” she says. This is because of their unique educational background. “They have over three years of advanced nutrition education (with more prerequisite courses than med school), most have master’s degrees, and they’ve all completed an internship year in hospitals,” says Mastela.
On top of that, they’re required to obtain a significant amount of approved continuing education units every five years—meaning, they’re always educated and on top of the newest research and approaches, she says. This is seriously important given how often research develops and health advice changes. Remember the ’90s when everyone said all fat was terrible for you? So if nutrition is what you need to work on most, an R.D. is who you’ll want to turn to. If you need help staying consistent with their recommendations, though, a health coach can help keep you accountable.
Personal Trainer
Your expert in all things fitness—provided they have a legitimate credential. “Most gyms require trainers to pass a certification exam with an organization such as ACE, the (NSCA), etc.—or the gym’s specific program,” said Letchford. “Many personal trainers started their career with a degree in kinesiology and often have a college degree to support their skill set.” A trainer can come up with a workout plan for you, but a health coach can help you stick to it.
Should You Hire a Health Coach?
Do you think you need to get your sh*t together when it comes to health, but aren’t quite sure where to start? This is your time. There’s so much more to living a healthy life than diet and exercise, and essentially, that’s why a health coach exists. They’re like your credentialed best friend with a wealth of healthy-living expertise, ready to point you in the right direction and help you tap into your potential. Not everyone needs a personal trainer and a dietitian; you might just need some better accountability, a fresh mindset, and personalized health tips.
“If you’re looking to make a positive change in your overall mental, physical, and spiritual health, it’s important to find a health coach with whom you have a positive connection,” says Letchford. “To ensure you’re receiving the highest quality care, seek out health coaches who are hungry to always stay up-to-date with the latest research findings and continuing education. Health coaches have a responsibility to take your entire lifestyle, medical history, and personality into consideration when helping you reach your health goals.”
If you’re wondering about cost, a session with a health coach might run you anywhere from $30-$200 per hour depending on their background and education, according to Thumbtack, a service that connects people with local professionals in any industry. Theoretically, if your health coach is also an R.D. and a certified personal trainer, that could be a good deal; but if you’re about to hire multiple professionals to help you keep track of your health, consider what you need most before shelling out tons of $$$.
