Archive for April 2011
Frequent Sitters Have Health Risks Regardless of Exercise Level
Couch potatoes beware: even regular exercise may not be enough to overcome the adverse affects of prolonged sitting. Getting more than 4 hours a day of leisure “screen” time significantly raises the risk of mortality or coronary problems, say researchers from the department of epidemiology and public health at University College London. The study followed 4,512 participants for a little over 4 years. The participants answered a variety of questions, which addressed physical activity and screen time, among other things.
Read MorePrepaid Packages or Personal Training Memberships?
When it comes to selling personal training services, a common practice is to require payment for a series of sessions at the start of training. According to data from the 2010 IDEA Fitness Programs & Equipment Trends report (IDEA Fitness Manager, July–August 2010), 69% of respondents “ask clients to pay for individual sessions/classes or packages of sessions/classes.” Troy Fontana, CEO of Freedom Fitness Unlimited in Sparks, Nevada, believes this method may soon be history.
Read MoreAustralia Music Licensing Update
On May 17, 2010, the Copyright Tribunal of Australia ruled in favor of significantly increased music licensing fees, as requested by the Phonographic Performance Company of Australia (PPCA). To avoid paying hefty fees, fitness facilities and group fitness instructors could opt to play royalty-free music. However, on appeal from Fitness Australia, the Federal Court recently overturned that ruling. “We are of the opinion that the Tribunal did conduct itself in a way which was procedurally unfair to Fitness Australia,” stated the Federal Court.
Read MoreHeat Injuries Rising
As summer months approach, it’s wise to remind clients and class participants of the dangers of exercising in hot weather. According to a recent study published in the January issue of the American Journal of Preventive Medicine (2011; 40 [1], 54–60), heat-related injury rates are rising. The retrospective analysis used data from the National Electronic Injury Surveillance System of the U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission from 1997 through 2006. During that time, approximately 54,983 of the people treated in emergency rooms were treated for heat-related injuries.
Read MoreHelp for Discouraged Clients
What makes life worth living? Among the answers are work, love and service. A playful attitude brought to bear on any of these adds to enjoyment and ultimately our judgment that life is being lived well. Health and fitness also make life worth living, as ends in their own right as well as means to…
Read Moreenergy drinks could pose serious risk for youth
Think twice before letting your young clients or your own children swig energy drinks.
New research from pediatric researchers at the University of Miami Miller School of Medicine shows that these beverages may pose a risk for “serious adverse health effects in some children, especially those with diabetes, seizures, cardiac abnormalities, or mood and behavior disorders.”
Read MoreNIH plots new course on obesity
Health officials recently announced a new direction in the effort to curb America’s obesity epidemic: science will move from the lab into practice through clinical trials aimed at prevention and treatment. “This plan is a bold blueprint that will encourage the research community to examine the epidemic of obesity from diverse perspectives,” National Institutes of Health (NIH) director Francis Collins, MD, PhD, said in an NIH press release.
Read MoreFacebook and eating disorders in adolescent girls
Eating disorders and disordered eating already comprise very complex sets of thoughts and behaviors. Past studies have shown that women and girls are most vulnerable. Can exposure to media such as Facebook make young girls even more susceptible?
Read Morelarge-scale retailers up the health ante
Two big-name food retailers seem to be paying attention to First Lady Michelle Obama’s Let’s Move! campaign, part of which calls for corporate America to be more responsible about the types of foods they buy and sell to their millions of customers.
Read Morecan dietary fiber enhance longevity?
Most health-minded people are aware that fiber is good for overall digestive health, but until recently, it was unclear just how beneficial it could be. New research in the February 14, 2011, online edition of Archives of Internal Medicine suggests that fiber can actually add years to your life.
Read Moremay picks
Fruit . . . at last! The seal on warmer weather is broken, which means you should start seeing the sweeter gems of spring at your local market. There’s nothing like a basket full of apricots and strawberries to celebrate springtime. After you’ve had your fill of their juicy, fresh taste in just-picked form, consider how to use them in sweet and savory recipes. Also think of ways to stock up and save on these fruits while they are bountiful (drying, canning, freezing), so you can extend their shelf lives.
Read Moreincredible, edible eggs!
Eggs got beat up a while back when the media went cholesterol crazy. Eggs were cast with full-fat cheeses and rich meats as heart-unhealthy villains in our diets (the latter two are still on the B list). Today, eggs are on the culinary—and nutritional—red carpet. In fact, many urban dwellers are now raising their own…
Read MoreBusting Through Training Plateaus
Plateaus are boring. They are flat, unchanging, predictable. Many people who have been exercising for a while reach a plateau, during which their fitness level doesn’t change and they experience a period of stability: they can’t lose more weight, they can’t seem to create a leaner look and they can’t increase the number of reps…
Read MoreBenefits and Discounts for Fitness Industry Workers
While compensation from salary or hourly pay may have decreased in some fitness jobs, benefits and discounts seem to have increased at least for full-time and part-time employees, according to the 2010 IDEA Fitness Industry Compensation Trends Report.
Read MorePersonal Trainer Salary and Compensation Guide
Personal Trainers report they are working more as employees (49%) than as independent contractors (38%), with an average of six trainers per facility, according to data from the 2010 IDEA Fitness Industry Compensation Trends Report.
Read MoreHiring and Promotion in the Fitness Industry
Hiring and promotion decisions are based on many factors. When hiring individuals, the top three criteria in all positions except personal training director are skills and abilities, certification and personality, according to survey respondents in the 2010 IDEA Fitness Industry Compensation Trends Report.
Read MoreHow Inflation Affects Earnings
Inflation is the “overall general upward price movement of goods and services in an economy,” according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Among other measurements of the economy, the BLS reports the Consumer Price Index (CPI), which measures inflation as experienced by consumers in their day-to-day living expenses.
If you are interested in how inflation affects your earnings, the Bureau has an online inflation calculator that uses the average CPI for a given year.
Specialty Instructor and Group Fitness Instructor Salary and Compensation Guide
Group Fitness Instructors teach general classes set to music, such as step and mixed-impact. Specialty Instructors teach classes requiring specialized training (e.g., indoor cycling or martial arts). Group exercise instructors are present at 47% of the facilities surveyed by IDEA, while 25% employ specialty instructors. The average number of group exercise instructors at each facility surveyed is 12, according to data from the 2010 IDEA Fitness Industry Compensation Trends Report.
Read MoreGroup Exercise Coordinator Salary and Compensation Guide
Group Exercise Coordinators have managerial duties—such as hiring, training and supervising group exercise instructors—but they may also teach classes on a regular basis. Group exercise coordinators are employed by 19% of the facilities surveyed in 2010 IDEA Fitness Industry Compensation Trends Report.
Read MoreFitness Program Director Salary and Compensation Guide
Fitness/Program Directors average 43 hours a week when they are salaried, but only 26 hours per week when their jobs are compensated hourly, according to data from the 2010 IDEA Fitness Industry Compensation Trends Report.
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