Coach young athletes with training that fits their growth and development. In the Youth Fitness Specialist certification, you’ll use growth-aware screening to spot red flags and tailor sessions to readiness—not just age. Build fundamental movement skills (locomotor, object control, balance), then layer speed, agility, coordination, strength, and endurance with safe progressions. Learn how maturation, sleep, and nutrition affect adaptation and how to scale loads around growth spurts to protect joints. You’ll design fun, game-based drills; teach landing, deceleration, and change-of-direction mechanics; and blend strength with bodyweight, bands, and light implements before advancing. Monitor effort with simple field tests and RPE, communicate clearly with parents and coaches, and track meaningful outcomes so kids stay active, confident, and excited to train—season after season.
Youth Fitness Specialist
Course Goals
- Apply growth- and maturation-aware screening to guide safe training.
- Build movement competency before intensity across core patterns and skills.
- Progress speed, agility, coordination, strength, and endurance appropriately.
- Reduce injury risk with landing, deceleration, and balance strategies.
- Keep sessions engaging with game-based design and clear communication.
Learning Objectives
- Describe how growth spurts and maturation influence strength, speed, and recovery.
- Select age/readiness-appropriate assessments and field tests for tracking progress.
- Scale squat, hinge, push, pull, sprint, and jump with safe volumes and tempos.
- Coach landing and cutting mechanics to protect knees, ankles, and hips.
- Plan season-aware progressions and adjust for sport demands and schedules.
Skills Gained
- Create session templates that prioritize skill, then load and intensity.
- Design age-appropriate games and drills that build buy-in and effort.
- Choose safe substitutions and regressions during rapid growth phases.
- Teach movement literacy: posture, footwork, rhythm, and coordination.
- Document progress and communicate next steps to parents and coaches.
Course Essentials & Requirements
Course Package Includes:
- Comprehensive Textbook
- Study Guide
- 100-question multiple-choice, open-book certification exam
- Certificate upon obtaining a passing exam score
Recommended Prerequisites:
- CPR/First Aid Certification are highly recommended although not required.
- Personal Trainer Certification is also encouraged to enhance your learning.
Course & Delivery Options:
E-book and E-course
Your e-book will arrive via email within 48 business hours and you will have immediate access to the Study Guide and exam in your IFPA Account.
Physical Book and E-course
Your physical book will ship within 7 business days, while the Study Guide and exam are ready to access now in your IFPA Account.
Complete Physical Course Package
Your book, study guide, and exam will all ship together within 7 business days. For faster delivery, you can select rush shipping on the Special Services page.
Duration:
This course must be completed within six months from your registration date.
Extensions:
Extensions for an additional three months are available for purchase on the Special Services page.
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