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Preparing for Your First 5K

Posted On April 14, 2015

Christina Chapan

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Preparing for your first 5K can be a wonderful experience. First of all, you should be making sure you are physically able to do a 5K walk/race. Going to the doctor for a general check-up and blood work should be the first step. The second step is to make a decision to do a race that is five to eight weeks away and register for it. The next step is to tell family and friends of your intention of running that race. That should start to fuel the motivation it takes to do the race.

The next progression is a clothing inventory of what you already have and what you will need for race day. You should make a decision about what clothing you will need for training and for the day of the race. Layering and avoiding cotton is essential. Going to a running store to buy proper shoes for your race is crucial. The staff can check your gait and foot type. Pick clothes that are loose fitting but comfortable. Avoid tight underwear or slippery clothing that might deter your time during the race. A good hydration belt that does not bounce, such as a spider or I-Fitness belt with pockets, is a good option for carrying water/sports drinks during the race. It is also good during your training runs to carry identification such as a driver’s license, state identification, or a road ID that lists your address, contacts in case of emergency, and blood type in case something happens during your training or during the race.

Developing Gross and Fine Motor Skills in Early Childhood

Posted On March 14, 2015

Christina Chapan

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This is a series about fine and gross motor skills in early childhood. Children of all ability levels should have both structured and unstructured experiences in motor skills. Early interventions and involvements of parent and school can develop positive experiences, which can help students develop at a normal rate. This month’s article is part one of the series and explains what motor skills are.

What are motor skills? They are the large and small movements of the body such as lifting, pushing, pulling, and carrying. In order to develop fine and gross motor skills, an individual must effectively use the mind-body connection and have spatial awareness of their surroundings.

Are You Ignoring Red Flags?

Posted On March 04, 2015

Rhonda Catt

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Maintaining shoulder health is an important part of a hockey player’s career. The risk of injury due to contact such as a body check is high and the fact that the shoulder is a very mobile joint increases the risk of non-contact injuries.

What is very interesting about the human body is how it informs us of dysfunction. Pain or discomfort in an area may actually be a referral from a different part of the body. The mistake many athletes make especially younger teenage athletes is pushing through these warning signs and not getting quality help from a hands-on therapist. In order to play through a healthy, long career in your sport you must take a preventative approach towards your Strength & Conditioning. This means being smart in how and when you train, taking adequate recovery and listening to warning signs.

The Most Inexpensive Way To Acquire New Clients

Posted On March 04, 2015

Lisa Lorraine Taylor

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Hi Fit Pros,

Happy Spring 20215! TrainerLisa here with an important post that absolutely never gets old year after year and can only give you new ideas, new business, new income levels and that is Client Acquisition (woohoo!!)!

Whether you’re new to our wonderful industry or a seasoned pro, Client Acquisition is how you acquire and get clients, for your Personal Training, Group Ex, Pilates or any type of fitness, health or wellness programs that you’re doing.

This month, we will address how to get clients in different areas whether your online, gym, mobile training, in home or outdoor training.

There are various ways to get clients, but being the fitness industry (and often on a limited budget), we’re going to look at some of the most inexpensive way to acquire new clients as well as too retain your current clients and perhaps get back some of your former clients.

Using Group Heart Rate Monitoring to improve results and sales of group HIIT Training

Posted On January 27, 2015

Greg Maurer

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Accurate systems for monitoring heart rate during exercise have been around for many years, but to date have not been widely deployed and used for group athletic training or group personal training. Several systems exist to provide both the coach and participants access to individual and group heart rate data in real time during a workout and afterwards via access to the data which is recorded and stored on the web.

These systems are deployed with flat screen monitors so that the entire group and coach can constantly see their actual heart rate, percentage of maximum heart rate, calorie burn, and current training zone.
Participants wear chest strap or arm/leg band monitors which can accurately monitor heart rate and transmit it to a computer, cell phone, or Ipad which is then wired or wirelessly connected to the flat screens.

New Clients And Keeping Them Engaged

Posted On January 15, 2015

Mike D'Angelo

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Getting clients to take action outside the gym can be one of the hardest parts of being an effective trainer.

When we get certified as trainers we learn a ton about how to train people. What we don’t necessarily learn is how deal with people.

To make a career out of training your clients need to see progress pretty quick or else you’ll lose them.

With 168 hours in a week and the fact that you probably only train a person on average 2 times a week. That is less than 2% of the week your client is with you.

If you are not giving them smart easily do-able strategic steps to work on, they will more than likely go right back into their pre-existing way of life resulting in little lifestyle change.

The question remains: How do we best engaged them?

For someone looking to become a personal trainer, what are the best certifications to get?

Posted On January 14, 2015

Shaun Zetlin

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“For someone looking to become a personal trainer, what are the best certifications to get?”

Foremost, congratulations for making the decision and commitment to become a certified personal trainer! If done correctly, this is a job that is fueled by passion, knowledge, and patience for your craft and your work with each individual client.

However, while knowing that you want to have a career in fitness, it can become incredibly overwhelming in which certification is correct for you and the business you’d wish to obtain.

There are a multitude of specialization certifications to receive that can benefit specific populations such as: pre- and post-natal, seniors, and youths. However, it’s best to become a certified personal trainer first before receiving these other specialization certifications.

Continuing Education

Posted On December 24, 2014

Lisa Lorraine Taylor

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Hi Fit Pros,

TrainerLisa here with a subject that is very near and dear to my heart…Continuing Education! As an AFAA CEU Provider and someone who is very passionate on keeping current with my personal certifications, I’d like to give you my intake on this awesome subject!

What are CEU’s/CEC’s?

CEU’s/CEC’s stand for Continuing Educational Units or Continuing Educational Credits, and this is a MUST upon receiving your certification(s). Every certification regardless of if your certified as a Personal Trainer, Group Ex, Spinning, Yoga, R.I.P.P.E.D, Turbo Kick, Pilates Instructor, or Zumba, Crossfit or any other fitness professional certification or modality, staying current in our industry is not only a smart thing to do, but in most cases it. Is. MANDITORY!

The Cervical Spine – Understanding The Science Behind Both Movement And Dysfunction

Posted On December 10, 2014

Chris Gellert

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The spine is a complex structure, comprised of nerves, connective tissue, bones, discs, muscles and other essential integrative components. Specifically, the cervical spine is a vulnerable area that is commonly injured due to fall, trauma, motor vehicle accident, stress, as well as poor ergonomic setups, which all lead to pain. In this article, we will review the anatomy of the neck, common injuries to the cervical spine, functional assessments and training strategies to work with clients with previous injuries.

The Language of Strength Training Program Design

Posted On December 10, 2014

John Paul Catanzaro

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Much like writing software or music, a universal language of program design is required for strength training. Trainers need to have a consistent prescription format in order for trainees to obtain consistent results. Your program may be exceptional, but a haphazard interpretation will lead to haphazard results. To remove the variability, specific training parameters must be defined. This is the system that I propose to maintain consistency among practitioners.

Strength training programs should be listed in the following manner:

Sequence. Exercise: Sets x Reps @ Tempo, Rest Interval