The IDEA World Convention in San Diego has yet to officially kick off, yet the announcements are already underway as of yesterday, June 26. FitnessGenes, the DNA testing platform that helps analyze genetic patterns to better inform fitness and nutrition decisions, announced a formal accreditation program for fitness genomics. The program is accredited by the American Council on Exercise (ACE), National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM), and the Athletics and Fitness Association of America (AFAA).
FitnessGenes’s new fitness genomics course, the FitnessGenes PRO Trainer Education Course, is the first one to be accredited for fitness professionals. The first class was held at Gold’s Gym in Glendale, California and graduated a class of trainers and nutritionists. FitnessGenes offers the course online and in-person at some locations. In the course, fitness professionals learn the basic functions of DNA and how genetic variants influence clients’ response to different training and nutrition plans.
The FitnessGenes PRO Certification Course provides trainers and nutritionists with ways to personalize their clients’ exercise and nutrition plans based on their genetics, which can make these plans more efficient and effective. Fitness professionals are able to provide differentiation for their business, as well as take advantage of a wholesale program to increase the value of existing membership packages. FitnessGenes even provides marketing materials to help fitness professionals effectively communicate the value proposition of the fitness genomics testing and customized plans based on DNA.

The fitness genomics approach makes sense. From my own foray into genetic testing with 23andMe and Promethese, I learned my strengths and weaknesses. Depending on the client’s goals, knowing those strengths and weaknesses will definitely help create a more effective training plan. For example, if the client is better suited to endurance athletics and wants to get better at sprints, it’s valuable to know that so the trainer can plan quick-hit workouts. Likewise, nutritionists that know the client is genetically predisposed to allergies or intolerances can plan menus accordingly.
Advertisements