How to Become a Bodybuilding Specialist

There are many trainer roles within the fitness industry. If you enjoy helping clients develop greater muscle mass or a near-perfect physique, bodybuilding specialist is one to consider. 

Here we talk about what a bodybuilding trainer does. Then we dive into the benefits of specializing in this area. We also share how to become a bodybuilding specialist should you decide that it’s a good fit for you.

An Overview of the Bodybuilding Coach or Specialist Role

A bodybuilding specialist performs many important functions. Perhaps the most notable is helping clients prepare for a bodybuilding competition. This often involves creating an exercise plan focused on muscle hypertrophy. Nutrition is an important part of this plan as well.

A bodybuilding coach also aids in injury prevention. Research has found that, when compared to other weight training sports, bodybuilding has the lowest injury rate(1). That’s the good news. Still, these athletes are still at higher risk of certain injuries. 

The most common injuries for bodybuilders are strains, sprains, and tendinitis. Areas of the upper body impacted most include the wrists, elbows, and shoulders. Lower body areas most at risk during strength training are the knees and lower back. A trainer can help clients protect these areas through a well-developed training plan. 

A bodybuilding specialist also helps clients keep going on days they want to give up. Bodybuilding is not an easy sport. It requires a lot of work and dedication. As a coach, you can help lift them up when they need it most.

Why Pursue Specialization in Bodybuilding Training?

There are many benefits of training bodybuilders. One is the satisfaction you feel when they achieve their fitness goals. It can feel rewarding to help any personal training client do what they set out to do. But there’s something extra fulfilling about helping an elite fitness competitor get results.

Another reason to pursue this role is if you have a passion for bodybuilding. You may have even been a bodybuilder or physique competitor yourself. Training others with a similar passion can help you create a career you love. 

How to Become a Bodybuilding Specialist

There is no single path to becoming a bodybuilding coach. Some people work into this role with experience. They may have spent several years bodybuilding themselves. Or they’ve trained several clients who happen to be bodybuilders. They can use their knowledge to also train others.

Education is important as well. Even with experience, there’s always more to learn. Like with athletes in other sports, certain methods are more effective for training bodybuilders. And these methods are changing all the time. A bodybuilding certification program helps you learn and apply the most current training approaches.

Taking a bodybuilding specialist course also provides the skills needed to be a sought-after fitness coach. Training bodybuilders involves more than developing workout routines and giving nutrition advice. You must also know how to motivate your clients. Training programs can help you develop this skill. (This skill can be the difference between being a good and great coach.)  

A teacher training course can enhance your knowledge in other areas too. You can learn:

• How the body responds to heavy lifting

• The best exercises for building muscle in each area of the body

• Various bodybuilding methods and when each one should be used

• Effective fat loss approaches to get clients in top shape before competition

• Importance of stretching and how to add it to the training plan

• Ways to correct muscle asymmetry issues

• Psychological aspects of bodybuilding and how they impact clients

Helpful Soft Skills for Bodybuilding Coaching

If you’re interested in a bodybuilding specialist role, soft skills are important too. Soft skills are personal qualities or traits that can make you better in your job role. When combined with technical skills, they enable you to climb to the top of your field.

The Bureau of Labor Statistics provides several qualities that are beneficial to those in fitness trainer roles (2). They include:

• strong communication skills

• being a good listener

• an ability to motivate others

• knowing how to problem-solve

• a focus on providing a high level of customer service

Since this job is physical, it’s also important to have a certain level of fitness. You must be able to do exercise demonstrations when training clients. This helps ensure that they use proper form. Being fit increases your credibility too. 

A competitive bodybuilder may have a hard time taking your advice if you’re not in good shape. You may know how to create an effective nutrition and exercise plan. But if your body doesn’t reflect this, they could doubt your abilities.

What About a Bodybuilding Certification? Is It Required?

Certification is not legally mandated to work as a bodybuilding specialist. So, you may be able to secure this type of role without it. But there are also advantages to taking this additional step.

If you don’t have a lot of experience with bodybuilding clients, they may be skeptical about working with you. You don’t have a proven track record to back you up. A certification can help fill this gap. 

Being certified tells potential clients that you know how to achieve maximum muscular hypertrophy. It also says that you know how to prepare them for competition. This increases your credibility with a bodybuilding athlete.

Earning your certification also enables you to stand out from other training professionals. Imagine that you are a fitness enthusiast. You want a workout that will help you reach your specific goal. So, you decide to work with a personal trainer.

When doing your research, you find a local personal trainer. You also find a local certified personal trainer. Which one would you be most likely to choose? Probably the trainer with a certification. The same is true for bodybuilding clients. Having your certification puts you a step ahead of trainers without this credential.

Plus, some bodybuilders will only work with certified trainers. Getting your certification now helps you meet their qualification requirements.

Steps to Becoming a Certified Bodybuilding Specialist

To become certified as a bodybuilding specialist, you must complete a certification program. Some certification programs are available online. This provides greater flexibility when earning this credential.

While programs vary, you can often complete a bodybuilding certification course in just a few months. This requires that you schedule time to tend to your studies. It also involves doing homework and quizzes to ensure that you learn the information required.

Once the course is complete, you must take and pass a certification exam. Passing the exam verifies that you understand and can apply effective bodybuilding methods. It also confirms that you’re able to supply proper nutrition and supplement advice to bodybuilding clients.

Before choosing a bodybuilding certification program, look it over in detail so you know what you’re getting. Factors to consider include:

• how long it will take you to earn your certification, and whether this fits your schedule

• your payment options, making it easier to fit certification into your budget

• the level of support you receive during and after certification

• any additional perks, such as a free website or access to experienced fitness professionals

• whether you can earn continuing education credits with the same organization

Are you ready to earn your bodybuilding certification? ISSA offers an online Bodybuilding Certification program. This course teaches you everything you need to know as a bodybuilding coach. You also receive a free professional website and unlimited educational support.

References

1. Keogh, J. W., & Winwood, P. W. (2016). The epidemiology of injuries across the weight-training sports. Sports Medicine, 47(3), 479–501. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40279-016-0575-0 

2. Fitness trainers and instructors : Occupational Outlook Handbook. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. (2023, September 6). https://www.bls.gov/ooh/personal-care-and-service/fitness-trainers-and-instructors.htm#tab-4