Become a Certified
Running Coach

Lose yourself on the track? Improve your own running and coach others to achieve their personal best with the NEW Running Coach Certification from ISSA.
* 20 Credits *
Register now !

Build Your Legacy In Fitness !

International Credits of the Course

All courses are officially approved and accredited by ISSA (International Sports Sciences Association, a USA-based organization), one of the most recognized and respected fitness certification bodies worldwide.

ISSA certifications are internationally recognized and accepted in the United States, Canada, the European Union, Australia, and many other countries, making them a valuable credential for fitness professionals seeking to expand their careers globally.

This globally recognized certification enables fitness professionals to access international job opportunities, work with elite clients, and enhance their expertise in the fitness industry.

With ISSA’s strong reputation in science-based fitness education, graduates of this course will gain the knowledge and credentials needed to work in gyms, personal training studios, rehabilitation centers, and sports teams worldwide.

How It Works

  • Enroll now and get instant access
  • Study at your own pace
  • Take chapter quizzes to see your progress
  • Pass the open-book, untimed Final Exam from anywhere!

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NCCA Accredited

Accepted At Gyms

Highest Reviews

What is a Running Coach?

Imagine yourself waiting for a group of runners at a trail to start a long run. Imagine yourself instructing stretches before starting sprints on a track. Imagine yourself helping someone who is beginning their fitness journey start jogging on a treadmill. Can you see it? That is a running coach. A running coach works alongside runners of all levels to break through their own limits.

ISSA Running Coaches are passionate about getting more miles under their feet AND sharing that passion with others. They are the go-to for expert direction on how to improve form, personal goals, fitness, and distance. As a Running Coach, you will share your passion with other athletes and learn training, injury prevention, motivation, and recovery strategies. You will prepare athletes to achieve their goals, whatever they may be! From 5k’s to marathons – you will help them cross that finish line. This course will provide essential information that can help you train the every day to long-distance runners to their specific goals.

  • Study at your own pace with flexible, online learning to fit your busy schedule.

  • Pass your certification exam online wherever you’re most comfortable.

  • Enjoy unlimited educational support from your team who loves fitness too!

What You'll Learn From This Course

Learn elements of the human stride and adaptations for all body types along with running technique and drills. You’ll master programming with running workouts for all your clients. You’ll also learn what it takes to motivate anyone to reach their fitness goals by attending to their physical, mental and emotional needs to work in service to their bodies. With the ISSA Running Coach course, you'll build result-driven training programs by evaluating each of your client's body structure, nutrition, and movement and learn to program the right workout plan for accurate training. You’ll be the expert on how to assess every BODY at any stage in their fitness journey and build custom training programs to help each runner get stronger without pain or injury.

◼️ Human Anatomy and Terminology

◼️  Programming for Running Training
◼️ Training Adaptations

◼️ Running Training Programs

◼️ Special Running Considerations

◼️ Running Injury Prevention and Management

Plus so much more!

COURSE CONTENTS

1| HUMAN PHYSIOLOGY

• Energy Production 10

• Cardiovascular Factors 13

• Muscular Factors 22

• Metabolic Factors 28

• The 3 Players of Distance Running 32

2| RUNNING TECHNIQUE AND DRILLS

• Basic Human Anatomy and Terminology 41

• Elements of the Running Stride 51

• Running Drills 59

3| CONCEPTS OF RUNNING TRAINING

• Training Adaptation 82

• Components of Training 85

• Periodization 106

• Recovery 116

• Aging 123

4| PROGRAMMING FOR RUNNING TRAINING

• 800-Meter/1,500-Meter/Mile Training 131

• 5K/10K Training 132

• Half-Marathon/Marathon Training 133

• Tapering 136

• Running in the Heat 137

• Running at Altitude 140

• Supplemental Training 146

5| RUNNING WORKOUTS

• Easy and Long Runs 172

• Acidosis Threshold (AT) Workouts 173

• VO2max Workouts 175

• Anaerobic Capacity Workouts 178

• Anaerobic Power Workouts 180

• Hills 180

• Fartleks 181

• Race Prep Workouts 182

• Group Workouts 184

• Treadmill Workouts 186

6| RUNNING INJURIES

• Secrets of Running Injury Prevention 193

• Returning From and Managing Injuries 196

• Common Running Injuries 197

7| SPECIAL RUNNING CONSIDERATIONS 208

• Female Runners 210

• Aging and Running 225

8| RUNNING FOR WEIGHT LOSS

• Running to Burn Calories 231

• Calories and Metabolism: The Principles of Weight Loss 232

• Weight Loss Research 239

• Running Strategies for Burning Calories 240

• Eating to Lose Weight 244

9| RUN TRAINING PROGRAMS

• 5K/10K Training Program (Intermediate) 256

• Half-Marathon Training Program (Beginner) 265

• Half-Marathon Training Program (Advanced) 273

• Marathon Training Program (Beginner) 282

10| COACHING RUNNING

• Leadership 294

• Goal Setting 301

• Coaching Philosophy 306

• Coaching Style 308

• Business 309

• Marketing 311

APPENDIX A: RUNNING SHOES

• Choosing Running Shoes 320

APPENDIX B: SUGGESTED READINGS

• Running Physiology 326

• Women’s Running 331

• Running Biomechanics & Technique 332

• Running Training 335

• Strength Training & Plyometrics 339

• Periodization 340

• Altitude Training 341

• Running Injuries 342

• Recovery Nutrition 343

• Running For Weight Loss 346

“Run to be creative, run to be imaginative, run to be confident, run to be successful, run to be productive, run to be helpful—just run.”
― Jason R Karp, TEDxRexburg

What you will learn in this course

From the concepts of running to returning from injuries and even running shoes, The ISSA Running Coach course has everything a future coach needs to get each athlete to the finish line.

✔️On your journey to advancing in fitness as a Running Coach you’ll learn:

✔️How to Become a Running Coach: A Simple 5-Step Process

✔️Stability Training for Runners: Benefits & Exercises to Do

✔️Top 9 Running Workouts to Build Speed and Endurance

✔️Importance of Mental Training for Runners & How to Build It

COURSE AUDIENCE (for whom this course can be useful)

2

◼️ Aspiring Running Coaches and Fitness Trainers looking to build a career in running, endurance training, and athletic performance.

◼️ Individuals aiming to enhance their expertise in designing, teaching, and supervising structured running programs for various skill levels.

◼️ Those seeking reputable certifications to boost their professional credibility as running coaches.

◼️ Fitness professionals striving to improve coaching techniques, class instruction, and client engagement in running programs.

◼️ Motivated individuals committed to helping clients develop speed, endurance, strength, and overall physical conditioning through running.

Approved by the International Sports Sciences
Association (ISSA), USA.