College Requires Fitbit: Thumbs Up!

I was intrigued and impressed by the news item by Ryan Halvorson on Oral Roberts University’s requirement that incoming freshman use a Fitbit (“College Requires Fitbit,” Making News, May 2016). I applaud this initiative. I am a college educator and an NSCA-certified personal trainer, and I find myself continually astounded by the poor health of our youth. My organization has tried, several times, to remove our wellness and activity courses from the general education requirements. My heart sinks each time that topic comes up for discussion—it’s counterintuitive and shortsighted. I’m inspired to know that an area of higher education “gets it.” I’m not alone in the “battle.”

Erin M. Nitschke, EdD
Director of Health & Human Performance, Sheridan College
Sheridan, Wyoming

More Cheers for Fitness Trackers

Amanda Vogel’s Fitness Technology column, “What’s the Best Activity Tracker for Your Clients?” (April 2016) was timely and informative. I hope it inspires more trainers to use trackers with their clients. I especially like that the article broke down what is tracked and who can benefit from different data as well as different devices. Thanks for putting this together!

Pat Jak
Director of Metabolic Training, Fitness Quest 10
San Diego

Editor’s note: In the Question of the Month section of our March Food for Thought column, we asked readers for their feedback on the newly released 2015–2020 Dietary Guidelines for Americans. Here is one reader’s take:

I believe the CDC should be developing the Guidelines—not the USDA.

My recommendation [to clients] is to consume a more plant-based diet and get some exercise daily. The DGs are not strong enough. Avoid food and drinks with added sugars? We should really eliminate soda and diet sodas. Desserts are not bad if eaten after a meal as a treat, or as dessert (like desserts used to be). The glycemic index of the dessert would be considerably less after a meal. Where does saturated fat come from? It comes from animal products. Why do the DGs not say that? Basically, I think the new dietary guidelines are vague and not strong enough or specific enough.

Dorothy Disrud
Health and Wellness Coach, Yellow Brick Wellness
Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Sick Clients, Sick Trainers

I read the Tricks of the Trade question about how to handle it when clients come in sick (March 2016). I’d like to turn that around. How do you handle the situation when the personal trainer is sick?

Everyone seems to have a policy about sick clients. So what do [fitness professionals] do when they are the ones who are sick? Most responses [in the article] implied colds or flu. The flu will knock anybody down. But what about a cold? And what about other members, who are not clients, when they come in sick? They touch everything, too!

Frank Federico
Personal Fitness Trainer, Jewish Community Center
West Bloomfield, Michigan