Have a question? Comparing a health coach vs wellness coach, health coaches focus on improving physical health, in many cases working with individuals who have a diagnosed health issue to take appropriate steps for managing their conditions. Wellness coaches have a broader focus on mental health and happiness, including lifestyle, stress management, and incorporating regular exercise to improve well-being.
Both health coaching and wellness coaching involve a coach guiding their client through making positive impactful life changes.
A health coach focuses on providing guidance and support in improving physical health, while a wellness coach takes a holistic approach by incorporating knowledge about nutrition, stress management, and overall well-being.
That being said, both careers have a fair amount of overlap, so I’ll explore in more detail the similarities and differences between health coaching versus wellness coaching and why you might choose one over the other.
I write this article using my 12+ years experience in the fitness industry as a health and wellness coach. The PTPioneer team has also contributed their extensive knowledge.
After reading this article you should also have a good idea of whether being either a health or wellness coach is a good fit for you.
Table of Contents
Health vs Wellness Coach: Overview of Each Profession
What does a health coach do?
A health coach assists someone in improving their overall health with a focus physical aspects. Often, a doctor may send someone who has a medical condition to a health coach to help them thrive on their journey to improve their lifestyle.
Health coaches may also address health concerns from a preventative standpoint. Obviously, certain lifestyles have greater hazards than others, and the combination of stress, too much social drinking and a lack of rest can take their toll.
That’s where the health coach steps in to save the day. With their extensive knowledge and skill set in various areas of health, nutrition, and fitness, and fitness, health coaches specialize in helping individuals establish and maintain healthy habits that contribute to overall well-being and lower the risk of health issues.
A health coach might work with a client on:
- Managing a specific health condition
- Creating a plan to make lifestyle changes
- Teaching stress management techniques
- Educating them about healthy habits and ways to implement them
- Helping a client fix an unhealthy physical choice like smoking, overeating and drinking
- Assisting clients with physical fitness
- Weight loss
A health coach will sit down with a client for sessions where they discuss how to improve overall health markers, ways to track progress, and what to do when unexpected pitfalls arise.
This begins with a consultation where the coach looks at a client’s biomarkers and assesses their health status based on the information.
The scope of their practice is crucial, as generally, health coaches are not medical professionals. For example, a doctor might send a client who has diabetes to a health coach to help increase their overall health. However, it’s not up to the health coach to diagnose the person.
Their main task is to help their client improve their health rather than treat different types of disease or illnesses.
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In a 2017 cross comparison study on health coaching intervention methods health coaching was found to have positive impacts on patient blood pressure, cholesterol and calorie reduction.
Many people know that eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep, and avoiding excess drinking and smoking is important, yet find implementing these things challenging. That’s where a health coach can jump in. Health coaches can not only give clients strategies to improve their health, they can monitor their health progress and deal with any setbacks along the journey.
What does a wellness coach do?
A wellness coach works with a client to improve their well-being. Besides physical well-being, a wellness coach often concerns themselves with helping a client’s environmental or occupational wellness and improvements to overall lifestyle that can result in an overall beneficial effect on well-being.
Basically, a wellness coach asks, “Is this person getting their needs met for a happy, sustainable life?” This perspective changes the way a wellness coach improves a client’s health outcomes.
Here is a list of key duties a wellness coach would assist with the following topics:
- Helping clients develop a wellness program to manage physical, mental, and emotional needs
- Help clients progress towards goals
- Making life changes that improve overall well-being
- Improve time management and organization habits
- Providing support to clients going through challenges
- Helping implement a workout routine
Similar to a health coach, a wellness coach meets with their client on a regular basis to assess, implement, and review their progress towards a well-lived life. However, a wellness coach also looks at the individual’s spiritual health alongside their physical health.
A wellness coach looks at the underlying roots of someone’s problems, like a lack of stress management skills or poor work-life balance, and helps them develop strategies to improve overall well-being and achieve their personal goals. Wellness coaches consider lifestyle choices such as stress management, sleep patterns, and social connections in order to promote overall well-being and quality of life.
Similarities Between Wellness and Health Coaching
Both wellness and health coaches often use similar coaching techniques to achieve success with clients, including empathy, motivational interviewing, stages of change, active listening, and goal setting.
Both these professions work alongside their clients in a partnership to accomplish objectives rather than the coach prescribing tasks to their client.
Although health coaches can work in clinical settings, often wellness and health coaches work in a similar location. For example, this may be at a company that values the health and wellness of their employees and wants to provide coaching to their staff.
Health and wellness coaches often get hired at gyms or wellness facilities.
Both wellness and health coaches assist with:
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- Goal setting
- Habit change
- Accountability
- Helping clients make healthier physical choices
Most people need to incorporate movement into their daily routines and lifestyle. Either wellness or health coaches could help with this.
Sometimes the two jobs get used interchangeably, which can add to the confusion. However, being a health coach has some differences when you compare it to the wellness coaching process.
In addition to helping clients with physical exercise, both health coaches and wellness coaches play a vital role in guiding individuals towards making healthier nutrition choices that align with their specific goals and dietary needs.
Wellness Coach vs Health Coach: Key Differences
Both health coaches and wellness coaches specialize in behavior change, but there are subtle differences in their approaches and areas of expertise.
Health choices help clients with physical changes, while wellness coaches are tasked with the overall wellness of their client. Wellness tends to encompass more of a therapeutic outlook, while health is often more of a medical situation. Because of this, health coaches often have college degrees in the field, although this is not always a requirement.
When you compare a health coach vs personal trainer you see that health coaches specifically deal with overall health versus other fitness performance goals.
Both health coaching and wellness coaching look at the root cause of health concerns, but wellness coaches deal a little more with psychological aspects of wellbeing.
Wellness coaches often deal with tasks like helping a client understand their vision for the future and what they want out of it, whereas a health coach is more concerned with a client’s physical health status.
Should I be a health or wellness coach?
If you want to focus on physical health improvements and clients who may have chronic medical conditions, consider becoming a health coach. If overall well-being improvements including mental and physical is more in-line with your interests, then becoming a wellness coach is probably the right move.
In the current state of the health industry, our medical professions are overworked and often a visit to the doctor feels cursory in nature. Patients can feel undervalued and isolated despite receiving care. A doctor may check vitals, but often people quietly suffer.
Hospitals and nursing facilities can only do so much with the resources they have and often focus solely on acute medical crises.
Becoming a health or wellness coach is your chance to be on the front lines in a very personal way, helping hand out help to people who want or need to improve their health and well-being.
A health coach career can be very rewarding.
You can improve someone’s health outlook and decrease their risk of hypertension, depression, and other diseases through private or group coaching sessions.
Becoming a wellness expert can also teach you fundamental skills for the job you currently have if you are currently a healthcare practitioner like a nurse, trying to care for your patients.
Health Coach vs Wellness Coach Certifications
If you want to become a health or wellness coach, you’ll want to consider training.
Getting a certification can provide a quick and easy education, so students can learn the tools of the trade in several months of study versus a full-on degree.
Each of these programs have their own unique benefits which you can read about in my blog post on the best health coach programs.
These are some of the top course options available to you:
- ISSA Health Coach Certification
- NASM Certified Wellness Coach
- ACE Health Coach Certification
- National Society of Health Coaches Certification
- Wellcoaches School of Coaching Certification
- Dr. Sears Wellness Institute Certification
- Duke Health and Well-Being Coach Training
Conclusion
While both health coaches and wellness coaches offer guidance and support in achieving optimal well-being, they differ in their emphasis on different aspects of health, with health coaches focusing primarily on physical health and wellness coaches taking a more holistic approach encompassing all dimensions of well-being.
In recognizing the intricate relationship between physical and mental health, individuals are now turning to health coaches and wellness coaches to guide them towards a balanced way of living.
Addressing physical and mental health behaviors can be a daunting task, but once you can have a deeper understanding of someone’s health and wellness, you can begin to help them build a long, happy life and build your own fantastic career path at the same time.
Wellness vs Health Coach: Frequently Asked Questions
How can I find a reputable health coach or wellness coach in my area?
To find a reputable health coach or wellness coach in your area, there are a few key steps you can take. Firstly, start by conducting thorough research online and looking for coaches who have obtained certifications from recognized organizations such as the International Coach Federation (ICF) or the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC). These certifications ensure that the coach has undergone rigorous training and adheres to professional standards. Additionally, seek recommendations from trusted sources such as friends, family, or healthcare professionals who may have worked with coaches in the past. Finally, consider scheduling initial consultations with potential coaches to discuss their approach, experience, and client success stories. This will help you gauge their expertise and determine if they are the right fit for your needs.
How much does it cost to work with a health coach or wellness coach?
The cost of working with a health coach or wellness coach can vary depending on various factors such as the coach’s experience, qualifications, location, and the specific services offered. On average, the cost can range from $50 to $150 per session. However, it is important to note that some coaches may offer package deals or discounted rates for long-term commitments. Additionally, certain health insurance plans may cover a portion of the cost, so it is advisable to check with your insurance provider for potential reimbursement options. Ultimately, investing in a health coach or wellness coach can be a valuable investment in your overall well-being and long-term health goals.
Do health coaches or wellness coaches mainly work with individuals or groups?
Health coaches and wellness coaches typically work with both individuals and groups, depending on the specific needs and preferences of their clients. While some health coaches may primarily focus on one-on-one sessions to provide personalized guidance and support, others may also offer group coaching programs or workshops to reach a larger audience. The choice between individual or group sessions often depends on factors such as the client’s goals, budget, and preferred learning style. Ultimately, both types of coaches strive to create a supportive and inclusive environment that empowers individuals to make positive lifestyle changes, whether through individualized attention or group dynamics.
References
- Gierisch, J. M. (n.d.). Summary and discussion. The Effectiveness of Health Coaching [Internet]. https://ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK487697/
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Tyler Read
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