Course Description

PHCI’s Strength Training for Women Specialist Certification dives deep into the differences and challenges that affect how many women optimize health, strength, and muscle-building. Coaches come away with a better understanding of the obstacles, questions, needs, and goals of women looking to get stronger and fitter. 


Course Instructor

Instructor Ashleigh VanHouten

One of the first 50 people to complete the original Primal Health Coach Certification Course, Ashleigh VanHouten also holds a number of other certifications in nutrition, applied women’s physiology, and strength training. In addition to this course, she has developed a range of coaching programs and seminars for women aimed at improving physical strength, overall wellness, and a deeper understanding of our bodies. Ashleigh has a background in swimming, powerlifting, and CrossFit and is a former nationally ranked natural figure competitor. Ashleigh is also the host of the “Muscle Science for Women” podcast, which has more than 1.6 million downloads. She interviews some of the leading minds in exercise and nutrition methodology and overall wellness and has dedicated much of her career to exploring and teaching ancestral-based nutrition practices. She was a writer for Paleo Magazine for ten years, has contributed to MarksDailyApple.com, and wrote one of the only nose-to-tail, organ-meat-centric cookbooks in existence called It Takes Guts. Her second book, Carnivore-ish, highlights the benefits of a whole-foods, protein-centric approach.

Course Curriculum

    1. Welcome, and Why We Created This Course

    2. Meet Your Faculty and Staff

    3. Course Overview

    1. Disclaimer and Copyright Notice

    2. Support

    1. Introduction

    2. Resources

    3. Frequently Asked Questions About Strength Training for Women

    4. Glossary

    1. Introduction

    2. There Is More to Fitness Than Cardio - Interview with Instructor Ashleigh VanHouten

    3. How to Become an Effective Women's Strength Training Expert - Interview with Instructor Ashleigh VanHouten

    1. Introduction

    2. Chapter Overview

    3. Quick Facts

    4. Key Concept 1: Nutrition and Hydration

    5. Key Concept 2: Training

    6. Key Concept 3: Recovery

    7. Key Concept 4: Hormonal Considerations

    8. Key Concept 5: Physiological Considerations

    9. Key Concept 6: Fitness Culture

    10. Chapter Summary and References

    11. Coaching Your Clients

    12. Chapter 1 Curriculum Audio

    13. Chapter 1 Exam

    14. Practicum: Key Concepts

    1. Introduction

    2. Chapter Overview

    3. Quick Facts

    4. Hydration

    5. Monitoring (and Coaching) Hydration

    6. Nutrition

    7. An Overview of Macros (and Why They Matter)

    8. Crafting a Client’s Nutritional Goals

    9. Maximizing Compliance & Success

    10. Co-Creating Your Client’s Eating Strategy

    11. How Does Alcohol Fit Into a Nutrition Plan?

    12. Chapter Summary and References

    13. Coaching Your Clients

    14. Chapter 2 Curriculum Audio

    15. Chapter 2 Exam

    16. Practicum: Nutrition and Hydration

    17. Curriculum Supplement - Strength Training and Fasting

    18. Curriculum Supplement - Does Your Client Need Supplements?

About this course

  • 100 lessons
  • 2.5 hours of video content