Active agers, or those 55+, looking to live a healthier, more active lifestyle, are not only one of the most available demographics in a gym environment but are also most likely able to afford services like personal training. For personal trainers looking to build a career and grow a client list, specializing in training active agers can be rewarding and a cornerstone of your training schedule. In this episode of the KIPS Podcast, guest Dr. Dan Ritchie of the Functional Aging Institute (FAI) shares the experiences that led to him working with active agers, starting the FAI, and programming insights for personal trainers. Dr. Ritchie is a fitness conference presenter, educator, and entrepreneur. Why specialize in active aging training? One unfortunate truth about the fitness industry is the high turnover rate (80%, according to American Spa, 2019). Growing your client list is much more complex than described in personal training programs, and you need to find your rhythm in selling personal training packages to find yourself looking at other professions. One audience that is most likely looking to purchase personal training to enhance their retirement or improve their desired active lifestyle is the 55+ community. The hobbies and activities for the active aging population could be as grand as hiking steep mountains or as small as spending time with their grandchildren. Education for working with active agers is a growing field within the fitness industry, and organizations like the FAI offer online and live options to help you build and implement better programs. Investing in education for active agers for your second certification can help you, as the fitness professional, be more confident working with this population and implement programs that help your clients reach their goals. Active Aging Programming In this episode, Dr. Ritchie describes an experience where an active aging client wanted to ensure she could get in and out of the boats during her upcoming Caribbean trip. Just like with most approaches to programming, breaking down the specificity of each movement can help program each session. “The universal thought in this theory holds that exercises should replicate a movement as closely as possible in the type of muscle action and contraction forces” (McClenton et al., 2008, pp. 321). So, what movements and exercises in the gym could replicate getting in and out of an unstable environment and can help strengthen each position for this client? This type of thought process should be applied to each client, and in this case, it may include loaded movements with a ViPR Pro, kettlebells, or the assistance of a Bosu ball. These decisions, as long as they are backed by evidence-based research, can help your clients reach their goals and build trust for future training sessions. Importance of Finding a Niche One of the last topics discussed in this episode is the importance of finding a niche. A niche is a specialization or focus that can help you strategize your marketing and programming. As a personal trainer, being able to market to your clients in a way that resonates can help you attract new clients and build stronger relationships with your existing clients. Think about it. Would a client looking to improve balance for daily life be interested in marketing materials about training athletes? Most likely not. Focusing on your niche can also help you invest in future educational materials. When you’re thinking about improving your client's experience and programs, this enables you to search through the vast options in education. Working with a particular niche doesn’t mean you can’t work with other demographics in the gym, but it helps you strategize your efforts to grow your career as a fitness professional. FAI Website - CLICK HERE. FAI Instagram - CLICK HERE. Fitness Builder Conference - CLICK HERE. Follow KIPS on Instagram - CLICK HERE. KIPS Education Courses - CLICK HERE.