Archive for June 2013
Women, Hormones, Metabolism & Energy Expenditure
?When it comes to optimal endurance exercise performance, fuel source and utilization play a major role in success. The contribution and expenditure of fats and carbohydrates for the synthesis of ATP (adenosine triphosphate) during exercise are regulated by several factors, including activity, duration and intensity, as well as the person’s age, training status, diet and gender. Proteins contribute a minor 1%–8% of fuel needs during submaximal exercise (Isacco, Duché & Boisseau 2012).
Read More7 Tips for Healthier Eating at Fitness Conventions
You just finished your last session of the day and you are pumped to get home and start implementing all of your new knowledge. As you reminisce about the day’s sessions, a loud rumbling sound comes from your midsection. You look down at your stomach and realize that it has been almost 12 hours since you last ate.
Read MoreUndoing Childhood Obesity
?It is well known that the United States faces a childhood obesity epidemic. In fact, 81% of respondents in a poll on the topic considered childhood obesity a serious concern and two-thirds believed the problem was getting worse (Hassink, Hill & Biddinger 2011). Actually, national surveys show a stabilization of childhood obesity rates and even small declines in some localities (RWJF 2012).
Read MoreHelp Your Clients to Achieve Greatness
?You have been recruited to change a life. A young man is out of shape and headed toward a life of obesity and health complications. But he desperately wants to change. Perhaps you saw him on television during the 2012 Summer Olympics. He appeared on a Nike® commercial shot in a rural area near London, Ohio.
Read MoreHow To: Inspire the World to Fitness
Take a Different Kind of Vacation This Year
Do you get bored lying on the beach sipping mimosas? Would you rather spend your time focusing on reaching your health and fitness goals? If you want a one-of-a-kind experience, check out the selection of fitness-focused vacations available around the world.
Read MoreCool-Down Games for Kids
Since many schools no longer offer physical education, a lot of fitness professionals are volunteering their time before and after school. This is a great (and needed) community service, but unless you have experience working with kids aged 7-11, you may not be fully prepared for the challenge of corralling them for a cool-down. When kids are having fun, they don’t want to stop, listen and be quiet. The transition from a workout to a cool-down can be tough. That’s why you need a plan.
The following activities offer many creative ways to rein in kids.
Read More2013 IDEA Award Recipients Announced!
Every year, IDEA recognizes the outstanding accomplishments and dedication of top professionals in three categories: IDEA Program Director of the Year, IDEA Personal Trainer of the Year and IDEA Fitness Instructor of the Year. Award recipients are fitness pros who positively influence their clients, their fellow fitness pros, the community and even the world at large! This year’s honorees will be celebrated at the IDEA World Fitness Convention™, August 7-11, in Los Angeles.
Carol Espel, MS
2013 IDEA Program Director of the Year
Planning a Health Fair: Step by Step
“Me, plan a health fair? You must be kidding!”
That’s what I said when I was asked to organize our fitness facility’s first health fair. After 8 months of wrong turns, detours and far too much stress and drama, the big day came. Our first health fair was a hit! And we earned $1,000 for our designated charity!
Read MorePilates Reformer: Standing Exercises
Standing work on the reformer offers a perfect way to improve overall balance and posture and is a great complement to any other workout or Pilates routine. In this article, you will learn how to introduce the classic standing work—with a contemporary twist—to clients at any level, and you’ll learn how to progress or regress moves for those who need more or less.
Read MoreSeniors’ Fear of Falling: How You Can Help
With the Baby Boomer population aging, movement professionals have to become more prepared to meet the needs of older adults. And while it may be tempting to think seniors need less when it comes to program development, clients of advanced age actually need more.
Read MoreJuly Food Pick & Healthy Recipe
Did you know that green, sweet bell peppers have twice as much vitamin C as oranges? Red and yellow bell peppers have four times as much. Get your fill of these summer staples now!
Read MoreThe Workout Bucket List: 16 Workouts to Try Before You Die
Let’s face it. Although humans are creatures of habit, if we don’t make exercise fun and mix it up every once in a while we are not going to stick with it. One way to keep workouts fresh and fun is to develop unique programming that cannot be found elsewhere. Freshen up your tool box and get creative class ideas at the IDEA World Fitness Convention™ August 7-11 in Los Angeles. There are loads of orignial sessions from which you can cull class ideas. Here are a few examples:
Read More6 Older Adult Training Trends You Will Find at This Year’s IDEA World Fitness Convention™
The U.S. population is aging, which makes now the perfect time for fitness professionals to learn more about training older adults. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, by 2050, one in every five Americans will be considered a senior. The U.S. Census Bureau also predicts that between now and 2030, the 65 and older population will grow an average of 2.8% annually.
Read MoreStrapped for Time? Try the 7-Minute Workout
Borne out of a combination of necessity—everyone is busy—and a desire to improve effectiveness—research shows it works—short, intense workouts seem all the rage these days. Tabata, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), high-intensity circuit training (HICT), or whatever you want to call it, fitness enthusiasts are clamoring to participate in this next phase in fitness.
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