Last updated on February 20, 2024
Health coaching is among the most sought-after coaching niches and has witnessed remarkable growth in recent years. In 2022, the global health coach market surpassed $15.42 billion, and it is expected to reach $25.95 billion by 2030. To immerse yourself in such a viable career path, you need to gain knowledge and skills. The way to do that? Complete a comprehensive certification program.
While numerous programs may claim to certify health coaches, not all certifications hold the same value. Two programs that often emerge as renowned and highly regarded are the Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN) and AFPA. When it comes to choosing between them, which one proves to be superior?
In this comprehensive Institute of Integrative Nutrition (IIN) vs AFPA comparison, we will examine these two highly sought-after health coach certification programs.
Table of Contents
About Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN)
The Institute for Integrative Nutrition (IIN) has been at the forefront of its field since 1992. They were the first organization to introduce accreditation within the health coaching industry. IIN provides a holistic approach to health coaching with an emphasis on the integration of nutrition, lifestyle, and wellness. Recently, INN has partnered with Chopra Global and Dr. Deepak Chopra to expand and diversify their course offerings.
About AFPA
AFPA (American Fitness Professionals & Associates) is a well-established organization founded in 1994 with a range of certifications and education programs in the fitness and wellness industry. They stand out with an incredible diversity of certification programs that allows their students to gain specialty education in the field of their interest. AFPA programs are comprehensive and practical and cover diverse areas, including holistic health coaching, nutrition consulting, personal training, sports nutrition, and weight management. You can learn more about AFPA in our in-depth review.
Accreditation
Accreditation refers to the evaluation of a program or institution by an external organization based on specific criteria. A certification program doesn’t need to be accredited, but accreditation reinforces the credibility and quality of the programs.
IIN Accreditation
When it comes to IIN, the New York State Education Department and the Ohio Board of Education accredited this organization as a vocational school. IIN is also an approved program provider by Qualifi, the National Board for Health and Wellness Coaching (NBHWC), and the International Coaching Federation (ICF).
In addition, IIN is recognized and approved by the Health Coach Alliance (HCA), the International Association of Health Coaches (IAHC), the Health Coaches Australia and New Zealand Association (HCANZA), and the UK International Health Coach Association (UKIHCA).
AFPA Accreditation
AFPA doesn’t uphold the ICF accreditation, but its recognized, approved, and accredited credentials lineup is more extensive than that of IIN. It is accredited by the American Association of Drugless Practitioners (AADP), the American Naturopathic Medical Accreditation Board (ANMAB), and the International Practitioners of Holistic Medicine (IPHM).
Besides these credentials, AFPA is an approved Platinum Training Provider for the International Institute for Complementary Therapists (IICT) and an approved continuing education provider by the National Association of Nutrition Professionals (NANP). You can revise its full list of accreditations and associations here.
Note: If you like what AFPA has to offer but also want the renowned ICF accreditation, you can combine AFPA with a life coach training program, such as our top selection, Coach Training Alliance. Our detailed CTA review will reveal why this program is our top choice.
Health Coaching Certification Program Comparison
The availability of certification programs is often a significant factor when choosing a certification program. Let’s explore the types of programs provided by IIN and AFPA to gain a better understanding of their offerings.
IIN Certification Program
IIN’s signature program is the Health Coach Training Program™. The curriculum covers seven categories, including physical health, nutrition, mental and emotional health, primary food, spirituality, coaching, and business, for an all-encompassing learning experience.
You’ll gain access to their unique IINtegrative Coaching Method, allowing you to apply a distinct technique to your health coaching practice. They’ll also introduce you to their core concepts of Multi-dimensional health, a holistic approach to health and wellness, and bio-individuality, which recognizes that each person has unique needs and preferences regarding their health.
The program is 100% online, so to increase engagement and support, they offer IINtegration Weeks and IINtegration Lab, real-time feedback, community forums, and office hours.
INN has another certification course, the Chopra Coaching Certification, which takes a mind, body, and spirit approach to coaching and is rooted in neuroscience, positive psychology, ancient wisdom traditions, and Dr. Deepak Chopra’s consciousness-based philosophies.
AFPA Certification Program
Holistic Health Coach Certification is AFPA’s highly popular training program that delves into health coaching and holistic nutrition. This program gives you an opportunity to earn two certifications, Holistic Nutritionist Certification and Health and Wellness Coach Certification, as it is a combination of these two individual programs.
You’ll learn about holistic anatomy, psychology, wellness and stress management, disease prevention, healthy relationships, eating and exercising, client assessment and meal planning, and much more. In addition to holistic health topics, the course dives into coaching practices and building a business. For a full overview of the Holistic Health Coach Certification program, head to our review.
AFPA has an impressive portfolio of coach training certifications in nutrition, health coaching, personal training, and fitness, so you can build expertise in the field that interests you the most. You can also save up and earn two certifications with their bundle programs.
IIN and AFPA Cost Comparison
IIN is the more expensive program of the two. The price information is available only upon request, but the Health Coach Training Program reportedly costs around $6,995. To make the course more accessible, IIN allows you to choose between payment plans or paying in full.
AFPA’s various courses’ price tags range from approximately $250 to $2,199. The Holistic Health Coach Certification program is $1,799.
Note: Are these health coaching programs exceeding your budgetary plans? Transformation Academy is the most cost-effective training program, and it includes niche certifications such as Health and Nutrition Coach Certification and Master Wellness Coach bundle. With our links, you can enjoy an 50% discount. Be sure to read our review to find out why TA is our top budget selection.
IIN and AFPA Program Duration Comparison
With IIN’s Health Coach Training Program, you have the option to choose between a 6-month accelerated track or a 12-month track. In the 12-month track, modules are released on a weekly basis, while the accelerated track covers two modules per week. Despite the regular module release, you have the flexibility to go through the content at your own pace. There is no requirement to be online at specific times as long as you complete the program within the designated timeframe and fulfill the graduation requirements.
AFPA’s courses are also self-paced. The Holistic Health Coach Certification needs to be completed within a 12-month timeframe, with approximately 6 months allocated for each certification (Holistic Nutritionist and Health and Wellness Coach). If you require additional time, you can request a six-month extension for an extra fee of $75.
IIN and AFPA Program Reviews
How do students and graduates feel about these two programs? Here’s a small sample of reviews and testimonials that give us an inside scoop about what makes IIN and AFPA worthy investments.
IIN Reviews
IIN website reviews praise the program’s influence on students’ personal lives as well as on their coaching skills and confidence. Here’s an overview:
My IIN education allows me to see the world through an entirely different lens. I have created better habits for myself, and these small but impactful shifts work together to provide me with a better health outcome.
Wendi Cherry, IIN Health Coach, HCTP Resident Coaching Expert, and Producer
IIN’s Health Coach Training Program gave me the tools and confidence to support millions of people with eating more superfoods and powerful plants with my company Your Super and with my published book, Your Super Life. If you are looking to help others along their health journey, this program is for you!
Kristel de Groot, Plant-Based IIN Health Coach & Founder of Your Super
IIN’s training program launched my dream career as a Health Coach! Today, I work in a functional medicine practice that specializes in helping women heal the root causes of their gut, hormone, and mood symptoms. I am so grateful to wake up every day excited to work.
Rachel Sunley, IIN Health Coach at Functional Medicine Practice
AFPA Reviews
AFPA reviewers shared predominantly positive experiences emphasizing the comprehensible and extensive syllabus. Here are a couple of examples:
I’m about three months into the Holistic Health Coach Certification program, and I have been enjoying every step! The readings are easy to understand, and there is a wealth of knowledge to be gained. It’s research-based and provides the latest scientific studies to explain the whys behind the benefits of plant-based foods—not just that it’s healthier. This program offers a new way of looking at nutrition and health. Thank you so much!
Natalie D.
The program is very informative and well-structured. The study materials are easy to follow, and the support from the team is there. I am happy to have made this choice to study with AFPA.
Caroline J.
I have been on a wellness journey for quite a while now, so when I found this course I was so excited to take this approach to become certified. They have made everything so seamless. I cannot wait to see what is next on my journey to help others achieve optimal homeostasis. I am thankful to have AFPA to help guide me in this process. It is definitely worth the investment.
Cynthia S.
Which Program Is a Better Choice for You?
For those seeking a more immersive experience, the Institute for Integrative Nutrition can be an excellent choice. The program provides a robust and engaging curriculum with ample support through peer practice, an online community, and office hours. However, it is important to note that IIN is on the pricier side, so it’s suitable for those with a bigger budget.
What sets AFPA apart from IIN is its incorporation of the fitness aspect in the curriculum. This makes AFPA an attractive option for individuals interested in exploring the fitness field alongside health coaching. AFPA also presents an exceptional opportunity for expansion as it has a wider range of certification specialties at an affordable price.
Assessing your specific needs and interests will help you determine whether the immersive experience of IIN or the fitness integration and diverse certification options of AFPA align better with your goals. If you want to explore or pursue other certification programs, our top recommendations are Coach Training Alliance for ICF-accredited life coaching certification and the extremely affordable Transformation Academy for specialty training.
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