ACSM Recommendations
on Exercise During Pregnancy
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By April Durrett
A new ACSM Roundtable Consensus Statement strongly endorses the health benefits of activity for pregnant women and their fetuses. The published report is based on findings from a national panel of scientific and clinical experts who evaluated numerous published studies.

"Our panel analyzed the most current research, which clearly suggests long-term benefits from physical activity for both the mother and her baby... >>

By Justin Price, MA
Do your client's knees hurt going up and down stairs? If so, this pain could be indicative of a malalignment, not just at the knee, but elsewhere in the body.

For example, when the knee bends and straightens, the knee cap should glide smoothly over the end of the femur. The knee cap is attached above the knee to the quadriceps muscles and below the knee to the tibia. The quadriceps muscles originate from both the pelvis and the femur. Therefore, a malalignment of the pelvis and the femur affects the function of the knee...>>

By Holly Kouvo, MA
Thinking about starting a fitness business? It's important to first put together a business plan so you have a vision of where you want to go and what you need to prepare before you start. What should you ask yourself when preparing a plan? Holly Kouvo, MA, owner of Fitting Fitness In in Stow, Massachusetts (IDEA member since 2003) suggests answering the following questions:

• What are your goals and objectives? (Goals identify where you want your business to go, and objectives are progress markers you achieve along the way.)
• What products and services will you provide?
• Who will buy your products and services?
• How will you market to your customers?
• How will you differentiate yourself from your competitors?
• How will you price your products and services?
• How will you market to your customers?
• How will you differentiate yourself from your competitors?
• How will you price your products and services?.. >>

By Rosalind Gray Davis
Put together the philosophy and ideas of intuitive teacher, former professional ballet dancer, yogi and wood sculptor Juliu Horvath and you get the Gyrotonic Expansion System® and Gyrokinesis®. This unique system of movement gently works the joints and muscles of the body through rhythmic, undulating motions that embrace key principles also found in swimming, dance, yoga, tai chi and gymnastics.

“The octopus, the monkey and the cat are my basic models because they can move in any direction at any given time with strength and control because they have no restrictions. The human body has restrictions, but I can model the body—within the framework of its restrictions—to move in a similar way, to be free,” Horvath says... >>

• Treat your students equally. Be direct, precise and exact (she notes that most female instructors tend to teach in a more “nurturing” manner).
• Give your attention to individuals, not just to the class as a whole. Demand the best of each person.
• Make sure your workouts are organized, challenging and well thought out.
• Continue to raise the bar or modify exercises to help students achieve desired results...>>