Many people today are conscious about the lifestyles they lead and are trying to incorporate exercise to help them adopt a healthy routine to curb weight gain and high stress levels.
While regular workouts have their benefits, exercise on its own is simply not enough. As per nutritional biochemist and former director of the University of Utah Nutrition Clinic, Shawn Talbott, weight loss is often 25% exercise and 75% diet.
As such, to fully experience a lasting, positive change, clients are looking to work with fitness experts who use a multidimensional approach that looks at the client’s fitness, lifestyle, and nutrition. One way you can learn more about the human body and what it takes to live a healthy life is by taking an online nutrition certification program.
Enrolling in a nutrition certification program will allow you to broaden your skill set and further advance into a specific niche in the health and wellness space. However, modern advancements in technology have made it possible for people to further their education through online learning without ever attending a physical class.
Convenient, right? Click here to understand more benefits that you can expect from learning online compared to a classroom setting.
1. An Online Class Is Cheaper
In between paying for the course and charges that will increase the program’s overall cost, such as class maintenance costs like rent, parking, and utility costs, the total fees paid in an in-person program are bound to be higher than an online class.
An in-person class may compel you to move towns to complete the certification program, meaning you might have to factor in additional housing costs.
Try and shop around to see how much you can save by taking an online class instead of signing up for an in-person program. You might be surprised at the amount you get to keep in your pocket.
2. An Online Class Is Much More Convenient
Getting into a car or taxi and fighting traffic or struggling to find good parking all to attend an in-person class will end up costing you more time and money, leaving you frustrated when you really don’t have to be.
Modern technology has made online class environments very suitable and accommodating to learners. You can engage with instructors and other students all from the comfort of your house.
3. You Are Free to Take the Course at Your Preferred Institution
Studying online means you can earn your certification from a particular institution since you won’t be constrained to a specific geographic location. Many organizations offering nutrition certification courses are shifting to the online space as an alternative to having students physically on campus.
For example, if you live in a remote area, you’ll still experience the same kind of training as the rest of the learners regardless of where you live or work. Therefore, try and do some research to find out which institutions best fit your career choice and if they will allow you to enroll for your nutrition certification online.
4. Attend Classes As Per Your Schedule
One major attractive feature about online learning is that you get to plan your classes according to your schedule so your education can fit your daily routine.
For instance, you can choose to attend in the evening after a long day at work or early in the morning before you leave the house. This flexibility is not available with an in-person class since you’ll have to attend class at a time set by the institution. So, if the class is at say, 3 PM, you just can’t leave work early every day, or else you might lose your job.
5. Learn at Your Own Pace
An in-person class tends to keep each learner on the same timeline. However, this doesn’t make it ideal for people who can complete the course faster or take their time to absorb as much information as they can.
However, with an online class, you’ll be free from the controlled pace of in-person learning. You will be able to breeze through what you already know or go back over your lessons as much as you need to gain a better understanding of the new concepts you’ll be exposed to.
6. You Can Study Any Subject on Nutrition
Another quite appealing feature about taking your nutrition certification online is that you won’t be restricted to a particular field of nutrition. You can have access to hundreds of institutions that will allow you to complete the program entirely online. However, an in-person institution might not have the specific subject you want to learn.
For instance, you might be interested in studying Sports Dietetics or Obesity and Weight Management only to find that nearby institutions don’t provide your desired courses.
The Bottom Line
A lot of people today are taking online learning more seriously, especially in light of the ongoing pandemic. The rapidly growing trend comes as little surprise when you consider how much information people get right at their fingertips nowadays in a matter of minutes.
Online learning, while hugely appealing, is not without its drawbacks. Make sure you evaluate the pros and cons so you can make a decision that will have a positive impact on your career in nutrition.
