7 reasons why educating fitness professionals about pelvic health can improve the industry
In September 2025, I created a survey and posted it in Personal Training and fitness industry Facebook groups. This blog summarises the results of that survey and why pelvic health education for fitness professionals is important.
1. Improves client outcomes and satisfaction
Supporting more clients
Respondents often felt unprepared for clients with pelvic floor issues. Educated trainers can offer better, more comprehensive programmes for those with pelvic floor dysfunction, post partum, post surgery or those experiencing perimenopause.
Life changing impact
Several comments highlighted that addressing pelvic floor issues can “change lives for the better” – improving quality of life and exercise participation for clients.
2. Increased trust and referrals
Building trust
Clients are more likely to share sensitive issues with trainers who are knowledgeable and open – a recurring theme in the responses “flattered to be trusted” or “comfortable” or “ready for the conversation”.
Professional Referrals
Trainers equipped with this knowledge can build stronger referral networks with pelvic health physiotherapists and healthcare providers, increasing mutual referrals.
3. Differentiation and Market Leadership
Standing Out in a busy market
With most of the respondents acknowledging a lack of education in this area, those with pelvic health expertise differentiate themselves in a competitive marketplace.
Specialist services
Studios and trainers can offer more niche programmes attracting underserved client groups (or those most likely to drop out of exercise – whether that’s related to pelvic health or not!
4. Long Term Client Retention
Retaining clients and increasing lifetime customer value
Better support during life transitions such as pregnancy, postpartum, peri and post menopause means clients stay active and loyal – versus dropping out to unaddressed issues. I will always recall the marketing director of a large gym chain sharing that the biggest point of member churn was a member having a baby. They just didn’t come back.
5. Professional Confidence and Reduced Liability
Trainers want actionable knowledge and clear pathways for when to refer – “I feel confident but only up to a point”, “I would always refer to physio” or “I need more guidance”. This is often where clients slip through the net and stop exercising. Knowing contra-indications and best practises reduces the risk of inadvertently harming clients.
6. Industry Reputation Inclusivity
Raising standards
Pelvic health is a neglected area (as is many aspects of female health…one for another day!), so addressing this one area elevates the entire industry’s professionalism and care standards.
Inclusivity
We know pelvic health is a barrier to participation (Dakic et al) and that those experiencing pelvic floor issues stop exercising or modify or change exercise. Addressing this, alongside exercise during times where pelvic health is more of an issue (pregnancy, postpartum, perimenopause and in older adults) mean more people exercising and improving health.
7. Addressing known gaps in education
Survey respondents repeatedly cite lack of detail or omission in current courses. Addressing these knowledge gaps with specific information for the fitness and movement professional fills a clear professional need AND raises baseline competence in the industry.
Why learn about pelvic health?
Educating fitness professionals about pelvic health allows the industry to provide safer, more effective and inclusive support for women throughout their life span. It improves client trust and retention, creates business opportunities and helps raise the overall standard of professionalism.
If you’re a personal trainer, coach, sports coach, Pilates or Yoga teacher and you’d like to learn the following:
– how to comfortably and confidently discuss pelvic health issues with your clients
– adapt and adjust your coaching, exercises or programming to help address pelvic floor issues and keep them exercising
– learn when to coach and when to refer and build a stronger referral network
Check out my Pelvic Health for Fitness & Movement Professionals course by clicking the button below
About the author
Beth Davies is a highly experienced personal trainer and coach who has been working in the fitness industry for 13 years. With over a decade of pregnancy and post-natal experience and almost a decade of working with female pelvic health clients, she is now educating fitness and movement professionals with her “Pelvic Health for Fitness & Movement Professionals” course.