Archive for September 2017
2018 IDEA World Fitness Awards Application
Did you know that you may apply for an IDEA award yourself or nominate another candidate? Apply yourself or nominate another fitness pro today at www.ideafit.com/awards. The application deadline is March 1, 2018.
These prestigious awards will be given in these categories:
IDEA Personal Trainer of the Year
IDEA Fitness Instructor of the Year
IDEA Fitness Leader the Year
Empowered Entrepreneur Podcast: Rick Mayo
PODCAST!: Rick Mayo, founder and CEO of North Point Fitness and Alloy Personal Training Solutions, found immediate and startling success as a young personal trainer in Atlanta, only to come close to losing it all. Instead of giving up, he learned from his misfortune and changed his strategy, which led to success on a global scale.
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Read MoreWarmup Plan: Targeting the Hips
Eager class participants want to tap into their highest potential, and group fitness instructors have been acknowledging this by offering workouts that are more explosive, more powerful and fuller in range than ever before. However, intense, dynamic workouts demand a warmup that truly prepares the body. Specifically, you must target the hips—hip flexors, piriformis, glutes and hip rotators—to avoid possible tweaks from all those lunges, squats and burpees (not to mention repetitive stress from cycling and running).
Read MoreWhy Introductory Offers Attract New Clients
Early in my career as a personal trainer, I was confused as to why my client base was growing at a glacial speed. After all, I had spent years preparing, applying principles, learning program design and getting certified so that I could have a career that would change people’s lives for the better.
I wanted to be busy. I was prepared to sign as many clients as possible. To accomplish my goal, I attended every social and networking event I could. At these events, I was proud to tell people I was a personal trainer.
Read MoreStrengthening the Ankle After Injury
A sprained ankle has far-reaching effects that personal trainers need to understand to help clients heal and regain mobility. A sprain tears one of the ligaments that stabilize the ankle. It’s one of the most common musculoskeletal injuries (Doherty et al. 2014), causing pain and other problems that can restrain mobility for up to 2 years (Anandacoomarasamy┬á& Barnsley 2005). As the body compensates to protect the injured ankle, musculoskeletal imbalances can arise that pile on more pain and dysfunction throughout the body (Price & Bratcher 2010).
Read MoreFoam-Rolling Techniques: A 4-Step Formula
It seems as though the best way to foam-roll is in the name: Roll, and rolling back and forth has merit and support from the scientific community. In a recently published foam-rolling review, Kalichman and David (2017) examined 42 studies that revealed that there are only a few different rolling techniques. The most common is to roll the length of a chosen muscle for a set time (1–2 minutes is the most common). Another common technique is to “knead” the muscle with small back-and-forth motions along the length of the muscle.
Read MoreStaby & io-ball: Challenge Your Core; Train Smarter
The Staby and io-ball are two of the most versatile fitness tools on the market today. The Staby is a vibrational rod developed and manufactured in Germany, using innovative materials that are also used in the aerospace industry. Because vibrational training strengthens even the small, intrinsic muscles surrounding the joints and postural muscles, it has proven to be an extremely successful addition to a regular exercise program. Employing this tool for 10–15 minutes within a regular exercise program enhances the overall benefits of an hour of exercise.
Read MoreNeed a Reason to Make a Change?
This fall, the top priority of club owners and operators is to prepare their facilities and staff for the January rush. As they re-evaluate their offerings, instructors and overall business, they ask themselves: Are we ready to give new members the best experience possible and keep them coming back, even after the initial motivation wears off?
Read MoreExercise Helps Obese Older Adults Retain Independence
Research has shown that obesity can limit mobility in older adults. According to a new study published in Obesity (2017; 25 [7], 1199–1205), moderate-intensity exercise may help.
As part of the Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders (LIFE) Study, 1,635 sedentary individuals aged 70–89 completed an exercise- or education-based intervention. The subjects ranged from nonobese (BMI?
Are Yoga Postures Power Poses?
Next time you’re feeling down, you may want to try a yogic raised-hands pose, also known as the upward salute that is part of the sun salutation. You may recall research conducted by Amy J.C. Cuddy, PhD, MA, associate professor at Harvard Business School in Cambridge, Massachusetts, that suggested “power poses” can increase people’s sense of competence and power. Now, research suggests that open, expansive yoga postures held for 2 minutes may
increase self-esteem.
Happiness Is Found on the Hiking Trail
The next time someone tells you to take a hike, why not heed the suggestion! A new report says outdoor mountain hiking has many significant benefits.
Read MoreMindful Movement, Meditation and High Blood Pressure
Qigong, yoga and tai chi may all be useful practices for reducing high blood pressure. And qigong, in particular, may have the most significant impact on reducing diastolic blood pressure [DBP], according to a review of studies published in Evidence-Based Complementary and Alternative Medicine (2017; article ID 9784271).
Read MoreDoes Strength Training Offer Protection Against Metabolic Syndrome?
Previous research has determined a link between metabolic syndrome and reduced muscular strength and resistance training levels. A new study aimed to determine if resistance exercise—with or without aerobic exercise—could offer protection against developing the disease.
Read MoreCycling to Work Could Ease Workday Stress
A new study from Concordia University in Montreal finds that people who commute to work on a bike arrive at the office less stressed.
Read MoreLifetime Physical Activity Trends
What does a 19-year-old have in common with a 60-year-old? Both achieve about the same amount of weekly activity, according to new research.
This information comes from a study of 12,529 individuals aged 6–85 who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The researchers’ primary goal was to analyze lifetime physical activity (PA) changes via accelerometer data—and their conclusions are disheartening. Here are some key points from the report:
A Weigh-In a Day Keeps the Pounds Away?
Stepping on the scale daily may help women lose weight, according to a
new study. For 2 years, at intervals, 294 college-age women provided information on their self-weighing practices and underwent body mass index and body fat testing. According to the data, women who weighed themselves daily saw significant decreases in BMI and body fat percentage over time.
A Fine Balance
No training program is complete without at least some focus on balance, an ability many people take for granted. We monitor the environment and our relationship to gravity quite automatically, thanks to the vestibular system, which helps us maintain our center of mass over a base of support. A properly functioning balance system allows us to see properly while in motion;
helps us orient ourselves to gravity;
determines direction and speed; and
makes automatic postural adjustments (Vestibular Disorders Association).
Spread The Love
Almond butter was the first to challenge the decades-long dominance of creamy and crunchy peanut butter. Now, seed butters represent a hot new trend in spreads, each offering a unique flavor and nutritional profile. This trio of no-nut spreads is worthy of pantry space: Sesame Seed Butter Often labeled as tahini, this spread of ground sesame seeds has a rich, smoky flavor and velvety texture. As a good source of mono- and polyunsaturated fats, it can help keep your heart strong.
Read MoreEat Chocolate, Save Your Heart
Most Coffee Drinkers Can Sip Their Brew Worry-Free
Here is some buzz-worthy news: Scientists seem to have pinpointed how many cups of coffee we can safely drink each day. A large 2017 review of studies published in Food and Chemical Toxicology determined that consuming up to 400 milligrams of caffeine per day—which would include sources like tea and chocolate, too—has no detrimental impact on health measures such as bone strength or cardiovascular well-being. That amount represents about 4 cups of coffee.
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