ISSA Launches Menopause Certification for Fitness Coaches

Menopause has become a key part of the conversation as the fitness and wellness industry continues to prioritize women’s health

Women in midlife are becoming one of the most important demographic markets in fitness and wellness, as science continues to uplift the importance of building and maintaining muscle during the key stages of menopause.

To accommodate women’s unique biological needs during menopause — and over one billion women globally in menopause — the International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) has announced the Menopause Coach Certification.

The program is meant to address one of the most underserved phases of life that is quickly becoming the next frontier of fitness and wellness, equipping personal trainers, group fitness instructors, nutrition coaches and other fitness professionals with science-backed expertise to support women through pre-menopause, perimenopause and post-menopause.

“Menopause is not a niche issue, it’s a defining phase of life for half the population, and the industry hasn’t kept pace,” said senior product developer and master trainer at ISSA, Jenny Liebl. “What we’re seeing now is a shift away from short-term fitness outcomes toward long-term health. Coaches need the tools to better understand and evolve with their clients, and that’s exactly what this certification delivers.”

ISSA is hoping its coaches will take on the role of long-term health partners for women who are experiencing complex hormonal, metabolic and psychological changes, as just 20% of women report feeling understood or supported by their medical providers throughout menopause.

The course targets each stage of menopause with a full spectrum of exercise, nutrition and recovery strategies coaches can utilize. Professionals undergo 20-30 hours of self-paced education, including downloadable client handouts, real-world case studies and coaching tools designed for immediate application.

“Women in midlife often experience a disconnect between the clinical advice they’re given and how they actually need to train and fuel day to day,” said program director and lead instructor at ISSA’s Health Coach Institute, Brooke Jeffries. “This course empowers fitness professionals to close that gap, equipping them to adapt to a woman’s changing physiology and become trusted experts their clients rely on for the long term.”

ISSA has opened early access for professionals interested in the Menopause Coach Certification, with the full course set to launch in the coming weeks.

Brands have increasingly taken notice of how crucial it’s becoming to serve women in midlife.

Last year, boutique studios Club Pilates and Pure Barre collaborated with Midi Health to bring live sessions in select locations on hormone health, disease prevention, sexual health beauty and other themes on aging. Connected fitness giant Peloton also got in on the trend, co-launching a study last year on how targeted exercise can improve menopause-related symptoms.