Turn your passion for wellness into a coaching career
Accredited, 100% online certifications in nutrition, sleep, stress, longevity, brain health, sports psychology and more. Study at your own pace on any device, and start helping clients with confidence.
Free 2-minute quiz. See your personal match instantly.
- AADP accredited
- Training coaches since 1992
- From $197, payment plans available
- 3-day money-back guarantee
- Since 1992training coaches and trainers
- 65,000+coaches and fitness pros trained with SI and NESTA
- 12specialty coaching certifications
- 7 of 12are lifetime certifications
- 100% onlineself-paced, on any device
What do you want to help people with?
Pick the area you care about most. Each one leads to a certification built for it.
Nutrition & gut health
Whole-food eating, metabolism and the gut microbiome.
Sleep & stress
Better sleep, calmer minds and more resilient clients.
Healthy aging & the brain
Help adults stay strong, sharp and independent for life.
Whole-person wellness
Habits, purpose and balance across mind, body and life.
Athletes & young athletes
Mental game, confidence and long-term athletic development.
Not sure yet?
Answer a few quick questions and we'll match you with the right certification for your goals and budget.
Take the quizWhere most students start
Our three most-chosen certifications. Every course is online, self-paced and includes the Coaching Business Builder.
Longevity Coach Certification
Help adults 40+ stay strong, sharp and active for life.
- Daily habits that support healthy aging
- Brain health, mobility and nutrition for aging
- Recovery tools like sauna, cold and wearables
Coach whole-food nutrition and healthy eating habits that last.
- Whole-food nutrition
- Gut health and digestion
- Eating psychology and lasting habits
Train the focus, motivation and resilience athletes need under pressure.
- Arousal, anxiety and confidence
- Focus, flow and pre-competition routines
- Team dynamics and handling setbacks
Coaching skills plus the science behind them
Most coaching schools teach one general credential. We teach the specialties clients are asking for, grounded in real health science, so you can coach with confidence from day one.
"I love the unique course offerings from the Spencer Institute. For example Brain Fitness Coaching, Holistic Nutrition, and their latest Integrative Health Coach. No one else offers these unique courses that directly impact health outside of the weight room."
Dr. Phil NicolaouPersonal trainer, Philadelphia
Specialties few schools offer
Sleep science, brain fitness, gut health, longevity and sports psychology, so you can stand out in a niche you love.
Science you can use
Courses cover the physiology behind the habits, led by PhD faculty, then show you how to apply it with real clients.
Accredited and CEU approved
Accredited by the AADP Certification and Accreditation Board, and approved by ISSA for 20 CEUs.
Lifetime certifications
7 of our 12 certifications never expire, and every course comes with lifetime access to your training.
Coach and trainer under one roof
As part of NESTA, you can pair coaching with fitness credentials as your career grows.
Real people to help you
Call our student support team at 1-877-348-6692 with questions before and after you enroll.
Everything you need to get certified and get clients
One price covers your training, exam and certificate, plus the tools to launch your practice.
- Lifetime accessKeep your training materials after you graduate.
- Learn on any deviceOur online training site tracks your progress as you go.
- Online exam, instant certificateYour digital certificate is issued the moment you pass.
- Printed certificateMailed free within North America. Additional fees apply for international students.
- Flexible paymentPay in full, use our 6-month plan on most courses, or pay over time with Affirm.
- 3-day money-back guaranteeSubject to our policy guidelines.
Launch your practice with a plan
The Spencer Institute has introduced the Coaching Business Builder, included free with every certification to help you find clients and grow your business.
- 90-Day Career Starter WorkbookYour step-by-step launch plan
- Comprehensive Coach Pricing GuideKnow what to charge with confidence
- Marketing strategiesAttract your first clients
- Growth toolsWith ongoing updates
Built for people who already love helping others
Add a specialty, keep clients longer
Your clients already ask about sleep, stress and food. Coaching skills let you answer, add new services and earn CEUs at the same time.
Popular pick: Holistic Nutrition →Start work with more purpose
No experience needed. Many graduates start coaching on the side, then grow it into a full-time practice.
Popular pick: Master Wellness Coach →Support clients between visits
Nurses, therapists, yoga teachers and massage therapists add coaching to help clients make lasting lifestyle changes.
Popular pick: Integrative Health →Get certified in 3 simple steps
Choose your certification
Take the free 2-minute Course Finder Quiz, or call an advisor at 1-877-348-6692.
Study online, at your pace
Start right after you enroll. Learn on any device, and finish in as little as one month.
Pass your exam and start coaching
Take your exam online, get your certificate instantly, then use the Coaching Business Builder to land your first clients.
Real coaches. Real certificates.
From therapists to entrepreneurs, Spencer graduates use their certifications to grow practices, launch businesses and help more people.
"Since completing my Spencer Institute certification I have launched my life coaching business online and locally. … The month I launched my company, I already had over a handful of clientele and two long-term contracts."
Sabrina D. McGroryCertified Wellness Coach
"Learning life coaching at the Spencer Institute has been a great way for me to increase my business base. I really liked that I could work full time while learning … Not only do I now have coaching clients, but I also attract more psychotherapy clients."
Jeanne AsmaPsychotherapist and life coach
"I knew that I needed professional credentials and certifications to properly launch my career. … The courses are affordable, and the education is priceless. I've been able to implement so many new skills to help my clients be successful."
Christa PepperCertified Coach and Trainer
Frequently asked questions
What does a wellness coach do?
A wellness coach helps people turn good intentions into lasting habits. You guide clients to set their own goals, build routines around sleep, stress, movement and nutrition, and stay accountable. Coaches don't diagnose, treat or prescribe; when a client's needs go beyond coaching, you refer them to a licensed professional. Learn more about coaching.
Which certification should I start with?
Start with what you want to help people with. If you're not sure, take our free 2-minute Course Finder Quiz for a personal recommendation, or call an advisor at 1-877-348-6692. Many students who want a broad foundation start with the Master Wellness Coach Certification.
Are Spencer Institute certifications accredited?
Yes. All Spencer Institute courses are accredited by The Certification and Accreditation Board of the American Association of Drugless Practitioners (AADP), and are approved by ISSA for 20 CEUs. See our accreditations.
Do I need experience or a degree?
No prior coaching experience is needed. Our programs are built for both newcomers and experienced professionals in health, fitness, wellness and medicine.
How long does it take to get certified?
Every course is self-paced and 100% online, so you can study around work and family. Many students finish in as little as one month. Each course page lists its study hours and completion window.
How much does it cost, and can I pay monthly?
Certifications range from $197 to $597. You can pay in full, use our in-house 6-month payment plan, or pay over time with Affirm. The 6-month plan is available on all courses except Mind Body Fitness and Corporate Wellness.
How do the exam and certificate work?
You take your exam online in our training site. Your digital certificate is issued as soon as you pass. Your printed certificate is mailed free within North America; additional fees apply for international students.
Do certifications expire?
7 of our 12 certifications are lifetime certifications. The others last two years and can be renewed. Either way, you keep lifetime access to your training materials. See renewal details.
What if the course isn't right for me?
Every course comes with a 3-day money-back guarantee, subject to our policy guidelines.
How is Spencer Institute related to NESTA?
Spencer Institute is the coaching division of NESTA, the National Exercise & Sports Trainers Association. Both were founded in 1992. NESTA focuses on fitness certifications, and Spencer Institute on coaching.
Find the certification that fits you
Answer a few quick questions about your goals, schedule and budget. You'll get your top match, a runner-up and a bundle option in about 2 minutes.