Level 3 pre and postnatal course
Discover how to make your sessions safer and more effective for new and expectant mothers with this pre and postnatal specialist course
Give yourself the knowledge, skills and confidence to safely adapt all modes of exercise for pre and postnatal clients with this specialist exercise and fitness instructor qualification.
Complete all your learning from home with our comprehensive print and digital resources
You decide whether you want to take your final exam online or at one of our test centres
Complete your studies and assessments at your own pace - achieve in as little as 4-6 weeks
If you're planning on working with pregnant women and those that have recently given birth then this Level 3 Pre and Postnatal Fitness Instructor Course will give you all the knowledge, skills and confidence to practice as a specialist pre and postnatal instructor.
The world of exercise and fitness for pre and postnatal women is full of all kinds of myths and misconceptions, so it’s essential that practising fitness professionals, especially those working with women of childbearing age, have the specialist knowledge and expertise in this area.
Traditionally, when a woman became pregnant, the advice usually given was to “take it easy” and “to put your feet up”. Thankfully, the scientific evidence to support the benefits of a physically active pregnancy has moved on somewhat since these days, although sadly, much of this outdated information and advice is still prevalent in the media and industry today. A key part of your role as a pre and postnatal fitness instructors would therefore be to address these misconceptions, providing evidence-based education to your clients.
However, regular exercise, physical activity, and healthy nutritious diet are equally important. This is why pre and postnatal women may need the specialist services of qualified pre and postnatal exercise professionals like you. This qualification promote inclusivity in the health and fitness sector and to ensure that fitness professionals have sufficient levels of knowledge and skill to support this population.
As fitness educators, we see it as our role to empower you to be able to work with new and expectant mothers with absolute confidence that what you are teaching will be safe and beneficial to mother and baby alike. This is precisely why this qualification exists.
In order to enrol onto this training course, you must already possess a Level 2 Certificate in Fitness Instruction – either gym-based or group exercise. Those with a Level 3 Pilates Teacher qualification or a Level 3 Yoga Teacher qualification are also eligible because there are no entry-level (level 2) qualifications in these disciplines.
Everything you need to complete this special populations qualification is included. You'll receive a comprehensive training manual, online eLearning, video lectures presented by a Registered Midwife and an extensive range of mock assessments to prepare you for your theory exam.
You'll also get an easy-to-follow study guide that will help you navigate all the course content and assessments. And of course, you'll also have access to unlimited levels of help and support from our Support Team.
On completion of this level 3 Pre and Postnatal specialism course you'll be eligible to plan and teach exercise and fitness activities to women that are pregnant, or in the postnatal period and who don't have any complex medical needs or comorbidities. Essentially, your clients must have had, or be having a healthy pregnancy.
If you're planning on providing specialist classes or sessions to attract pre and postnatal clients, either as a PT, yoga or Pilates teacher, then this qualification is essential as it's the industry standard to provide such services.
Since we opened our doors in 2007, we've supported over 40,000 exercise professionals to realise their ambitions to become professional fitness instructors and personal trainers. This pre and postnatal instructor course has been a a popular 'add-on' qualification for many of our graduates who recognise they need additional knowledge and skills in this area.
When you train with HFE, you'll have full access to a team of experienced support tutors that will be able to help you with any extra help you need. The most common ways we support students includes:
This is a relatively small qualification in terms of learning hours and assessments but it's literally packed with lots of technically-rich information you'll need to practice in this area. Some of the subjects covered in our pre and postnatal fitness instructor course include:
Stages of pregnancy
Hormonal changes associated with pregnancy
Cardiovascular and respiratory changes associated with pregnancy
Metabolic changes associated with pregnancy
Musculoskeletal changes associated with pregnancy
Physiological changes associated with pregnancy
Healthy food choices during pregnancy
Foods to avoid during pregnancy
Hydration, alcohol and caffeine
Weight management during pregnancy
Pregnancy supplements
Maternal caloric needs
Resistance training considerations during pregnancy
Stability and balance changes
Pelvic floor exercises
Abdominal training
Flexibility and stretching
Cardiovascular considerations
Lower back pain
Carpal tunnel syndrome
Nausea and vomiting during pregnancy
Gestational diabetes
Urinary tract infections and incontinence
Symphysis pubis dysfunction
Premature rupture of membranes
Placenta previa and more
Improving sleep and general mood
Preventative benefits of exercise during pregnancy
Miscarriage
Hyperthermia and overeating
Reduced blood flow and hypoxia
Potential and perceived risks
*Images and videos are for illustration purposes and may not depict specific course materials.
Join our thousands of pre and postnatal fitness graduates working with some of the world's leading health and fitness operators.
This Level 3 Pre and Postnatal Fitness Instructor qualification includes a range of knowledge-based assessments to ensure that you have sufficient understanding to provide specialist exercise and fitness support to clients that are pregnant or postpartum. We've provided a summary of the assessments below, and you can also watch our assessment video to get more detail on how these assessments are conducted.
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