Archive for September 2012
U.K. Doctors Uneducated About Exercise
Consumers often look to their primary-care physicians for guidance on exercise and nutrition. However, a recent survey suggests that courses on these topics are notably lacking in medical school curricula, at least in the United Kingdom (U.K.).
Read MoreChild Diabetes Rates Higher in China than in the United States
While rising rates of diabetes and prediabetes in U.S. children have been causing alarm in recent years, youth in China appear to be faring far worse.
For Chinese teenagers the rate of diabetes is nearly four times higher than it is for their counterparts in the U.S., say researchers at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, who examined data from the 2009 China Health and Nutrition Survey.
Read MorePreseason Fitness Unrelated to Injury Prevention?
Athletes typically train during the offseason to improve their performance and reduce their injury potential during the regular season. However, the results of a study from Sports Medicine, Arthroscopy, Rehabilitation, Therapy & Technology (2012; doi:10.1186/1758-2555-4-26) suggest that preseason fitness levels may be unrelated to the potential for injury during the regular season.
Read MoreSprints Best for Fat Loss?
Traditionally, exercisers have been told that in order to burn fat, they must exercise in the “fat-burning zone,” or at about 60%–70% of heart rate maximum. However, a recent study in the Journal of Obesity (2012; doi: 10.1155/2012/480467) finds that to optimize fat loss, exercisers must raise their heart rate to levels even higher than that.
Read MoreNew York Plans Adult Playground Expansion
Playgrounds aren’t just for kids. According to a June 29, 2012, article in the New York Times, New York City has plans to provide its citizens with “adult playgrounds” geared toward helping improve grown-ups’ fitness levels. The first park, located at Macombs Dam Park in the Bronx, was built several years ago as a test. The interest in the 15-piece playground has been so great that the city plans to scatter about 24 more of them throughout its five boroughs.
Read MoreEnergy Expenditure Levels: Hunter-Gatherers vs. Westerners
The current rates of overweight and obesity suggest that energy expenditure has fallen below healthy levels in our modern culture. However, researchers recently reported that our ancestors may not have expended any more energy than “Westerners” currently do.
Read MoreIncentivize Wellness
More companies are implementing wellness programs to positively impact employee health and cut healthcare costs. Some of the organizations offer employees incentives to participate in health-promoting activities. If you currently work in corporate wellness, here are some ideas from the Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine (2012; 54 [7], 889–96) to pass along to your wellness liaison:
Read MoreLeg Length Discrepancy and Movement
Leg length discrepancy (LLD), or a difference in length between the lower limbs, is sometimes thought to be associated with inefficient movement patterns or low-back pain. Findings published in Studies in Health Technology and Informatics (2012; 176, 104–107) suggest otherwise.
Read MorePilates May Help Breast Cancer Survivors
With Pilates still enjoying widespread popularity, certain doctors are encouraged that this training method may benefit women during breast cancer recovery and survival. Research shows that physical activity helps breast cancer survivors improve quality of life (QOL), mood, fatigue, body image and fitness. A team of medical doctors and surgeons, a psychologist, physical therapists, nurse educators and Pilates instructors from the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota, conducted a pilot study to evaluate the feasibility of doing Pilates exercises after mastectomy.
Read MoreTai Chi Program Inspires Wheelchair Users
An innovative wheelchair tai chi program is motivating individuals who are wheelchair bound to become active and to feel empowered.
Read MoreDo Meal Replacements Deliver Results?
Exercise professionals inspire clients to adopt lifestyles filled with regular physical activity, positive behaviors and healthy eating plans. When clients want to lose weight, three dietary approaches often enter the conversation:
Read MoreOrganic and Sustainable: At the Heart of a Food Revolution
The words organic and sustainable are increasingly important to the growing numbers of Americans who recognize the health consequences of toxic and persistent pesticides in our food supply.
Read MoreCan This Psoas Be Saved?
It’s no wonder the psoas are so misunderstood. The very process of naming these muscles connecting the top half of the body to the lower half has been a series of errors spanning four centuries.
Read MoreBest Cycling Music for Motivation
Indoor cycling instructors are part DJ and part coach. The best cycling teachers pair rhythmic coaching cues with powerful tunes that transport riders to an inspirational place. Here are several tested and true ways to take your students on a magical, musical ride.
Play Music Before the Ride Begins
Read MoreMaximize Your Online Presence to Reach Clients
You’re already an active blogger, and you’ve got hundreds of Facebook fans and Twitter™ followers. You consistently post relevant, informational updates and messages. You encourage feedback, and you foster conversations among your followers. Your clients are engaged and enthusiastic.
But you feel you’re in a bit of a rut, or you see that your audience isn’t really growing. Now is the time to mix in other social media tools and tactics.
Read MoreBoot Camp Business: Make It Thrive!
Running a successful company is much like being an athlete. You’ve got to attack the task with dedication, commitment, passion, integrity and respect for the road ahead and the people who are part of it. Just as you keep clients by training them to run faster and jump higher, you’ll build a long-lasting boot camp by starting out great and just getting better.
To secure success for your boot camp business in the long term, consider these strategies.
Have the Best Workout in Town
Read MoreSelling Services in a Faltering Economy, Part 1
Let’s face it. This is not the easiest time to operate a personal training business. We are still in the throes of the worst economic recession since the Great Depression. The good news is that there are opportunities for personal trainers to thrive. To increase your chances for success, you just need to be proactive. Over the next two issues of IDEA Trainer Success I will present 10 steps you can take to ensure stability and success during a faltering economy. Here are the first five.
1. Target Your Expertise
Read MoreIncreasing Professionalism In and Out of the Studio, Part 2
As the second installment in our new series on leadership development for fitness professionals, this article will show you the value of truly living the life of a fitness professional—and share some ways to ensure that you send the right message both in and out of the workplace.
Read MoreSmall-Group Secrets: The Start-Up Plan
Three years ago, Hayley Hollander was an in-demand personal trainer with a jam-packed schedule, a waiting list and a problem: Like many experienced trainers, she’d maxed out her hours and hit the wall.
“I was reaching burn-out, training 55–70 hours a week, and making just around $100,000 a year. But I was literally killing myself to make that kind of money,” recalls Hollander, who charged, on average, $57 per one-on-one session.
Read MoreSaving a Sinking Ship, Part 2: Sprucing Up Your Studio’s Aesthetics
Operating a business can be challenging. Success demands innovation and creativity, and business owners must learn to develop strategies that will separate their business from all the others. What will customers appreciate about one personal training studio versus another? You can distinguish your venue in multiple waysunique equipment, greater square footage and desirable amenities are just a few. However, while these accommodations alone may be effective, they don’t guarantee success and they can be quite costly.
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