How You Can Use It

Functional fitness involves doing exercises that mimic everyday movements, ultimately making these movements easier to perform. For example, squats are similar to the way you move when lifting a heavy item off the floor. So, doing this exercise improves your ability to perform this common daily activity. Plus, research has found that engaging in a functional exercise program 2 to 3 times per week provides many benefits for older adults, some of which include increased upper body strength, improved lower body flexibility, and greater agility balance.

If you want to specialize in training older adults, ISSA’s Functional Aging Specialist Certification course helps prepare you for this role. You can use the knowledge you gain to develop entire fitness programs specific to this population. Or you may decide to simply use its methodology and techniques to safely and effectively train all of your clients who are 55 and older and interested in maintaining or improving their physical function with age.

One major benefit of becoming a Functional Aging Specialist now is that your expertise will be more in demand for years, if not decades, due to the aging population. The number of people aged 60 and up is expected to double by the year 2030 according to the World Health Organization, and will likely triple by 2050. Earning this certification today places you in a good position to help this growing demographic tomorrow when they will need it most.

 1. Expanded Target Market

• Functional Aging Specialist: Prepares you to work with older adults, a rapidly growing population that values maintaining independence, mobility, and quality of life.

• Cancer Exercise Specialist: Enables you to work with cancer patients and survivors across all phases of treatment and recovery—a group increasingly recommended to participate in guided physical activity.

     Result: You can serve a broader audience including aging clients and those undergoing or recovering from cancer treatment.

 2. Increased Value & Credibility

• These certifications show you are highly trained in evidence-based practices for two populations that require extra care and expertise.

• Medical professionals and rehab specialists are more likely to refer clients to you when they know you hold respected credentials in both areas.

     Result: You can become the “go-to” trainer in your community for referrals, partnerships, and collaborations.

 3. Differentiation in a Competitive Market

• Most fitness professionals focus on general populations. By specializing, you stand out in a crowded marketplace.

• Your combined certifications make your services unique—very few trainers hold expertise in both functional aging and cancer recovery.

     Result: Less competition and higher visibility = more clients.

 4. Premium Pricing Potential

• Specialized services can command higher fees. Clients and families are willing to invest more for trainers who understand complex medical or age-related challenges.

• You may also tap into corporate wellness programs, senior living facilities, or cancer centers, where organizations pay for premium services.

     Result: Higher rates per session or package, especially in private or semi-private training formats.

 5. Opportunities for Niche Program Development

• Create branded programs like:

  • “Strong & Steady: Functional Fitness for Aging Adults”

  • “Thrive Again: Movement & Recovery for Cancer Survivors”

• You can offer these as group classes, online coaching, or in-home sessions, giving you multiple streams of income.

     Result: Scalable offerings and recurring revenue models.

 6. Partnerships and Grants

• Facilities such as senior centers, oncology clinics, or nonprofits may be open to partnerships or grant funding to run specialty programs.

• Your dual specialization positions you to write proposals or collaborate with healthcare providers.

     Result: Potential for subsidized or funded fitness programs.

This combination of certifications positions you not just as a trainer, but as a specialist in lifestyle-enhancing, life-extending fitness—someone who helps people live longer, better lives during and after serious life transitions.