Top 10 Pre- and Postnatal Fitness Certifications for Trainers
- Maike Mancuso
- Oct 30
- 7 min read
Updated: Nov 5
Hey fitness pros - if you’re coaching moms, you’ll want to consider expanding and becoming a pre- and postnatal fitness coach / trainer. A large portion of your female clients will eventually become pregnant or have had children. The core and pelvic-floor knowledge you’ll gain from these certifications isn’t just for pregnancy/postpartum clients — it also applies to older adults and anyone dealing with core instability or pelvic-health issues. Learning how the core pressure system, breathing mechanics, and load transfer change during and after pregnancy will make you a stronger, smarter coach. Even if you’re not planning to specialise in prenatal/postnatal work, one of these certifications could be a solid continuing-education add-on.
Here are 10 of the best pre- and postnatal fitness certifications available. For each: full name, website link, price (where available), format (online/in-person), continuing-education recognition, hours if available, what the program focuses on and who developed it or how it’s positioned.
Here is a quick overview for Pre & Postnatal Fintess Coach Certs (more details below)
Certification | Price | Format | CEU Recognition | Hours | Focus / Highlights | Best For |
$799 | 100% online, self-paced | ACE 3.6, NASM 1.9, AFAA 1.5, ISSA 20, NSCA 2 | ~30–35 | Deep dive into pregnancy & postpartum training, core + pelvic floor, return-to-impact programming | Comprehensive all-rounder; best overall | |
$799 (varies) | Online self-study | ISSA specialization | ~20–30 (estimate) | Training, nutrition, and safety through all stages | Trainers already ISSA-certified | |
$799 | 100% online | NASM 1.9, ACE 3.6, AFAA 15, ISSA 20, NSCA 2, NCSF 7 | 17 modules (~30 hrs) | Evidence-based, practical programming, full-body recovery | Certified pros seeking CEUs | |
$299 | Online or in-person workshop | 8 NETA CECs, 0.8 ACE | 8-hour workshop | Anatomy, hormones, modifications, diastasis | Coaches who prefer live training | |
$399 (approx.) | Online, self-paced | Not listed | Self-paced | Trimester-specific guidelines, pelvic health, mental wellbeing | Coaches working with moms in groups | |
$585 | Online, self-paced | NASM, AFAA, ACE, PAA, ISSA | 12 modules / 60+ videos | Detailed video lessons, birth-prep focus | Pilates/yoga or group trainers | |
$185 | Online self-guided | ACE 1.0, NASM 0.8, AFAA 8 | Not listed (~6–8 hrs est.) | Safe workouts, postpartum recovery, baby-inclusive formats | Entry-level or budget option | |
$999 (varies) | 100% online | Likely NASM/ACE (CEs vary) | 10 modules | Performance-based training, athlete-focused, bridging rehab + strength | Coaches training athletes or CrossFitters | |
$899 pre-sale / $1,500 regular | Online, cohort-based | NASM, ACE, NSCA, AFAA, ISSA + others | ~2–4 months (3–5 h/week) | Coaching women holistically: mindset, body image, recovery | Trainers wanting a behavioral coaching focus | |
~$400 | Online self-study | NASM specialization | Self-paced (~20 hrs) | Women’s health across lifespan, pregnancy to menopause | NASM trainers wanting internal CEUs |
ProNatal Fitness – Pre & Postnatal Fitness Certification
Website: pronatalfitness.com/fitness-professionals/online-courses/ (ProNatal Fitness)
Price: US $799 (or “as low as US $50/month”). (ProNatal Fitness)
Format: 100% online, self-paced. (ProNatal Fitness)
CE/Credit recognition: Approved for ACE (3.6 CECs), NASM (1.9 CEUs), AFAA (1.5 CECs), ISSA (20 CECs), NSCA (2), etc. (ProNatal Fitness)
Hours: ~30–35 hours across 17 modules. (ProNatal Fitness)
Focus: Safe & effective program design for all pregnancy and postpartum stages, exercise changes through pregnancy and the “return to impact/high-intensity” postnatal. Includes video lessons, templates, birth-prep guide, nutrition for pregnancy. (ProNatal Fitness)
Background: Touted as “#1 recommended pre & postnatal fitness certification in the U.S.” by the company. (ProNatal Fitness)
ISSA – Prenatal & Postnatal Fitness Instructor Course
Website: issaonline.com/certification/prenatal-and-postnatal-fitness-instructor (ISSA)
Price: (Not explicitly listed on the page I accessed)
Format: 100% online self-study. (ISSA)
CE recognition: ISSA is a major cert body; this course is part of their specialization path. (Though I didn’t find exact CEUs listed)
Hours: Not clearly listed in the source I found.
Focus: Training clients before, during and after pregnancy; covers maternal wellness, nutritional changes, exercise modifications, risk management. (ISSA)
Background: Developed by a widely recognized certification body (ISSA) for fitness professionals who want to specialize with prenatal/postnatal clients.
AFPA – Pre & Postnatal Fitness Specialist Certification
Website: afpafitness.com/product/prenatal-postnatal-fitness-specialist-certification/ (AFPA)
Price: US $799 (regular price, as listed). (AFPA)
Format: 100% online self-study. (AFPA)
CE recognition: NASM 1.9, ACE 3.6, AFAA 15, CANFITPRO 4, ISSA 20, NSCA 2.0, NCSF 7. (AFPA)
Hours: Course includes 17 modules and “complete in 6 months or less.” (AFPA)
Focus: Evidence-based curriculum for pregnant and postpartum clients; program design, safe exercises, client resources, full body recovery and return to activity. (AFPA)
Background: AFPA partnered with ProNatal Fitness for curriculum in this certification. (AFPA)
Postpartum Fitness Coach instructing a new client Net A – NETA Pre & Post Natal Specialty Certification
Website: netafit.org/certifications/specialty/pre-post-natal-specialty-certification/ (netafit.org)
Price: US $299 (according to one listing). (netafit.org)
Format: Can be live workshop or online (depending on offering). (netafit.org)
CE recognition: 8 NETA CECs, 0.8 ACE (for virtual workshop example) (netafit.org)
Hours: The live workshop example shows an 8 hour day (8:00 am-5:00 pm) for one offering. (netafit.org)
Focus: Physiological/hormonal changes during pregnancy, safe exercise modifications, postpartum programming including pelvic floor and diastasis recti. (netafit.org)
Background: NETA is a national exercise trainers association offering specialty certifications for fitness professionals.
Fit4Mom – Prenatal & Postpartum Fitness Certification
Website: fit4mom.com/prenatal-postnatal-fitness-foundations-course (fit4mom.com)
Price: Not clearly listed on the page I found.
Format: Online self-paced course. (fit4mom.com)
CE recognition: Was not clearly marked in the snippet I found.
Hours: Not clearly listed in my source.
Focus: Designed to empower fitness professionals to connect with mothers at every age/stage; includes physical/mental changes during pregnancy and postpartum, pelvic floor health, trimester specific guidelines. (fit4mom.com)
Background: Fit4Mom is a known brand in mama fitness space. This certification adds a specialized credential for professionals.
PregActive – Prenatal & Postnatal Training Certification
Website: pregactive.com/Prenatal-Fitness-Course (pregactive.com)
Price: US $585 (as listed on site) (pregactive.com)
Format: Online, self-paced, no prerequisites. (pregactive.com)
CE recognition: CEUs from NASM, AFAA, ACE, PAA, ISSA, AusActive etc. (pregactive.com)
Hours: 12 modules, 200+ lessons, 60+ training videos, over 100 prenatal topics. (pregactive.com)
Focus: Designed by experienced prenatal fitness specialist (Kerryn) for trainers, yoga/pilates instructors, physiotherapists etc; guide expecting/new mothers through safe & effective exercise. (pregactive.com)
Background: PregActive has been around since 2015 and is a global leader in prenatal instructor training according to their website. (pregactive.com)
Women doing a fitness move for postpartum mamas
Oh Baby! Fitness – Pre & Postnatal Fitness Training Certification
Website: ohbabyfitness.com/courses/prenatal-postnatal-fitness-training-certification/ (Oh Baby! Fitness)
Price: US $185 (as listed) (Oh Baby! Fitness)
Format: Online self-guided training manual + online exam. (Oh Baby! Fitness)
CE recognition: Approved provider for ACE (1.0 CECs), AFAA (8 CECs), NASM (0.8 CEUs), ISSA (8 CEUs). (Oh Baby! Fitness)
Hours: Not explicitly stated; course claims to cover entire pregnancy and postpartum; includes videos & materials. (Oh Baby! Fitness)
Focus: Exercise during pregnancy, safe abdominal & pelvic floor exercises, healing abdominal separation (diastasis), return to exercise post-birth, class types with baby. (Oh Baby! Fitness)
Background: Oh Baby! Fitness specialises in pregnancy/postnatal exercise certification and class formats.
Pregnancy & Postpartum Athleticism by Pelvic Global / Everyday Battles
Website: academy.pelvicglobal.com/course/updated-pregnancy-postpartum-athleticism-certification(academy.pelvicglobal.com)
Price: Not clearly listed in my source snippet.
Format: Online certification course (intro-intermediate) for personal trainers, PTs, OT/OTAs, health practitioners. (academy.pelvicglobal.com)
CE recognition: Not specified in my source snippet (but likely exists).
Hours: 10 modules. (academy.pelvicglobal.com)
Focus: Training pregnant/postpartum athletes; core + pelvic health issues; bridging rehab to athletic performance; movement progressions and prescriptions. (academy.pelvicglobal.com)
Background: Developed by Brianna Battles, founder of Pregnancy & Postpartum Athleticism and Everyday Battles LLC. (academy.pelvicglobal.com)
GGS (Girls Gone Strong) – Pre- & Postnatal Coaching Certification
Website: girlsgonestrong.com/pre-and-postnatal-certification/ (Girls Gone Strong)
Price: US $1,500 (general public price) but pre-sale price one-time payment US $899 (or US $89/month). (Girls Gone Strong)
Format: Study at your own pace, online. Enrollment opens in cohorts. (Girls Gone Strong)
CE recognition: CEUs from 17+ global organizations (including NASM, NSCA, ACE, ACSM, AFAA, ISSA, CANFITPRO, etc). (Girls Gone Strong)
Hours: Approx 20 chapters/modules; many students finish in 2-4 months at ~3-5 hours/week. (Girls Gone Strong)
Focus: Coaching women across pregnancy/postpartum stages; diastasis recti, pelvic floor, hormonal change, body image, postpartum recovery, return to exercise, behaviour change psychology. (Girls Gone Strong)
Background: GGS is recognized for evidence-based women’s strength training education; this certification adds pre/postnatal specialisation.
NASM – Women’s Fitness Specialist (WFS) / Women’s Fitness Specialization
Website: nasm.org/continuing-education/fitness-specializations/womens-fitness-specialization (NASM)
Price: Different packages; one listing shows €375 (~US $400) for European version. (Nordic Fitness Education)
Format: Online self-guided. (Nordic Fitness Education)
CE recognition: Since it’s a NASM specialization, it’s recognised by NASM and often counts toward their continuing education.
Hours: Not clearly listed in my sources.
Focus: Covers women’s physiology across the lifespan including pregnancy and postpartum; exercise program modifications, female-specific considerations, nutrition, aging. (Nordic Fitness Education)
Background: From the National Academy of Sports Medicine, a top certification body; this is a specialization rather than solely pre/postnatal but includes those client populations.
My Top Pick & Quick Guidance
If I had to pick one “overall favourite” for someone who wants depth + recognition + flexible online format, I’d go with ProNatal Fitness – Pre & Postnatal Fitness Certification. It offers ~30–35 hours of content, strong CE-recognition (ACE, NASM, ISSA etc), and major emphasis on core, pelvic floor, birth preparation and return to impact. The price (~US $799) is higher than some simple workshops but seems well justified for value.
What to consider when choosing:
Does your primary cert body accept the CEUs (NASM, ACE, etc)?
Online vs in-person: Does the format fit your schedule and learning style?
Hours and depth: Are you getting enough content to feel confident?
Population focus: Some courses lean more “athlete in pregnancy/postpartum” (Pregnancy & Postpartum Athleticism) versus general moms.
Business tools: Does it include templates, programming, workout libraries, marketing support?
Scope of practice clarity: Ensure it aligns with what you legally train (fitness vs rehab/physio).
Price vs value: A basic course at US $185 (Oh Baby!) might be fine for a quick intro; deeper credentials cost more.
Which certification have you already completed? How did it help you in your fitness journey? Share your personal experience to help others choose the right course and grow the community of Pre & Postnatal Fintess and Health Coaches. Mamas deserve the support and help.
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