by Peter Twist, MSc, Dean Shiels, MBA
In our fast-paced, technology-filled lives, spending time outdoors has become a luxury. Ask most clients to reflect on their average day and they say, “Wake up, drive to the gym, drive to work, work all day, drive home, eat dinner, relax, work some more, sleep and start again.” Their greatest outdoor adventure comes from walking to and from their cars. It’s time for a change! Now is a great time for you to start an outdoor training program. Give clients a new challenge, a chance to benefit from fresh air and an opportunity to revitalize their spirit.
by Jason Karp, PhD
Anyone who grew up as a runner in New Jersey, as I did, would tell you that running during the summer in the Northeastern United States is no ordinary challenge. Some days are downright sticky; stepping outside your air-conditioned house can feel like walking into a steam room. Similarly, many places in the country experience harsh summer conditions that carry thermal and cardiovascular challenges. Knowing how to handle these will protect your clients.
by Biray Alsac, MS
We’ve all seen it. A club’s group fitness schedule posted on the facility’s website with former instructors still listed. A personal trainer’s blog with last session’s boot camp dates advertised. Even when your efforts have successfully led people to your schedule or site, outdated class or event information may discourage any further inquiry into your programs.
by Jason Karp, PhD
There has been a lot of commotion lately about interval training. Once the training secret of the world’s best runners, interval training has gained some buzz in the fitness industry.
by Ryan Halvorson
Client: Elizabeth Personal Trainer: Massiel MirandaLocation: Albuquerque, New Mexico, and Miami Time for Change. “For as long as I can remember, I’ve loved sweets,” says Elizabeth, a 32-year-old therapist from Miami. “I’ve always been ‘chubby.’” As a child, she preferred playing with dolls and watching movies over outdoor physical activity.
by Megan Senger
Have you ever dreamed of taking your clients on a fitness retreat to Mexico? Or a weekend of hiking in your local mountains? Maybe you’ve imagined leading an introspective Pilates retreat, a five-star motivational weekend or an energizing boot-camp getaway? newsletter_teaser: Check out this great article from the IDEA Online Library, and learn how to organize moneymaking workout getaways to increase client satisfaction.
by Ryan Halvorson
Client: Leslie Spencer, PhD Personal Trainer: Domenick Salvatore, CSCS Location: Blackwood, New Jersey
by Ryan Halvorson
client: Dana | personal trainer: Michael Piercy, owner, The Lab | location: West Caldwell, New Jersey
Injury. When Michael Piercy, owner of The Lab (Performance & Sports Science), first met Dana in the summer of 2008, she presented with a rare condition described by doctors as “functional movement disorder.” According to The Lancet Neurology (2012; 11 [3], 250–60), functional movement disorders are included in a wide spectrum of neurological disorders and are difficult to both diagnose and treat.
by Ryan Halvorson
What equipment would you include in your dream studio?
You certainly have plenty of choices. The fitness equipment industry sold $4.3 billion worth of gear in 2010—a 4.1% increase from 2009—according to the Sporting Goods Manufacturers Association. While a substantial chunk of that revenue came from high-dollar devices like treadmills and elliptical trainers, a vast variety of specialized pieces of exercise equipment have also made their mark on the fitness industry.
Which ones add the most challenge and variety to customer workouts?
