CAREER LONGEVITY
Pre And Postnatal Fitness – One Of Australia’s Most Promising Fitness Specialisations
As a fitness professional in today’s competitive market, finding your niche can make all the difference in your career success. One area that’s showing exceptional promise is pre and postnatal fitness.
01
Tap into a Rapidly Growing Market
The numbers speak for themselves. Australia welcomes around 290,000 new babies each year (AIFS, 2024), and this number is set to grow thanks to advances in reproductive medicine. But here’s what makes this market even bigger: your potential clients aren’t just pregnant women. Many women still deal with pregnancy-related fitness challenges years after giving birth – think core weakness, pelvic floor issues, and postural problems.
This means your client base could include both new mums and women who had children years ago.
02
Command Premium Rates
When you specialise in pre and postnatal fitness, you can charge more for your services. Why? Because clients seeking specialised training during and after pregnancy understand the importance of working with someone who really knows their stuff.
They’re looking for expertise, not the cheapest option. Your specialised certification shows them you’ve invested in understanding their unique needs, which justifies higher rates.
03
Build a Strong Referral Network
Pre and postnatal fitness offers unique networking opportunities. You can build relationships with healthcare providers like midwives, obstetricians, and physiotherapists who regularly work with pregnant and postpartum women.
These connections can become a steady source of client referrals. Plus, new mums love sharing recommendations – one happy client can lead to many more through local mothers’ groups and online communities.
04
Create Long-lasting Client Relationships
Working with pre and postnatal clients often leads to long-term training relationships. Many clients continue training well after their initial postpartum recovery and often return for subsequent pregnancies.
This creates a stable client base and consistent income stream. The bonds you build during this significant life transition often turn clients into loyal, long-term supporters of your business.
05
Target Your Marketing Effectively
Specialising in pre and postnatal fitness makes your marketing much more focused and effective. Instead of trying to reach everyone, you can direct your message specifically to pregnant women and mums.
This focused approach typically gets better results than general fitness marketing, helping you make the most of your marketing budget.
06
Deliver Evidence-based Training
Getting certified in pre and postnatal fitness gives you solid, science-backed knowledge about what works. This isn’t about following social media trends or generic workout plans – it’s about understanding the real physical changes of pregnancy and postpartum recovery.
This knowledge helps you create safe, effective programs that get results, building your reputation as a trusted expert.
07
Make a Lasting Impact
When you work with pre and postnatal clients, you’re not just helping one person – you’re potentially influencing the health of both mother and baby.
Research shows that exercise during pregnancy benefits the growing baby’s health, even into childhood. That’s the kind of impact that makes this work especially rewarding.
Getting Started in Pre and Postnatal Fitness
Ready to explore this specialisation? Here’s what to consider:
- Relevance: Ensure the course aligns with your professional focus, whether it's personal training, group fitness, yoga, Pilates or another discipline.
- Accreditation: Look for programs that are recognised by FITREC.
- Current Curriculum: Opt for courses that offer up-to-date, evidence-based content, reflecting the latest research and guidelines.
- Peer Recommendations: Seek feedback from colleagues or industry forums to identify reputable programs.
- Support Resources: Consider whether the certification provides ongoing support, such as access to professional networks or continuing education opportunities.
The Australian pre and postnatal fitness market offers an exciting opportunity for fitness professionals looking to grow their careers. With a steady stream of potential clients, the ability to charge premium rates, and the chance to make a real difference in people’s lives, this specialisation could be exactly what your fitness career needs.
Ready to take the next step?
Start exploring certification options and think about how you could integrate pre and postnatal training into your current business. The opportunity is there – it’s time to grab it.
References:
Brittany Citron
Brittany is the Founder of ProNatal Fitness, a global leader in evidence-based pre and postnatal fitness education. She is a national presenter and the co-author of 6 ProNatal Fitness courses for health and fitness professionals – including the company’s signature Pre and Postnatal Fitness Specialist Certification, which is now the #1 recommended pre and postnatal fitness certification by the top health clubs and boutique studios in the United States. Having established ProNatal Fitness as a market leader in pre and postnatal fitness education in the US, Brittany is thrilled to bring the company’s education to Australia through its partnership with the Australian Fitness Academy.
