Behavior Change/Health Coaching
Lifestyle Transformation Strategies That Work
These real-world clients reveal the secret ingredients that led to success.
Health News: Fact or Fiction?
A flood of faulty health news information online has surged in the past few years, experts say. Fitness pros are hardly immune.
Physical Literacy Is a Journey, Not a Destination
Steve Boyle is the CEO of the National Association of Physical Literacy (NAPL) and principal/founder of 2-4-1 Sports, a national organization that teaches children physical literacy using sports sampling through camps, clinics and school-based programming. Recently recognized by the Aspen Institute’s Sports & Society Program as one of eight model programs in the United States in the original Project Play report, 2-4-1 Sports embodies its motto, Life’s 2 Short 4 Just 1 Sport
9 Ways to Elevate the Group Fitness Experience
Think about all the feel-good experiences that compete with your group fitness classes: a fun night out on the town, quality time with family, a favorite Netflix series cued up after a stressful day at work. It’s no wonder half the beginners who start exercising drop out within the first 6 months (Wilson & Brookfield 2009)!
Weight Loss and the Resistant Client
client: Paul | personal trainer: Joe Carson, Wellness Coordinator, Spann Wellness Center | location: Tulsa, Oklahoma
The power of fear. It was early morning, and personal trainer Joe Carson had instructed his client, Paul, to complete a progressive-load “up-down” circuit that included a lat pull-down. The two had worked together for some time, so Carson knew that Paul was strong enough to finish.
6 Reasons Why Nature May Be the Best Gym
Across the country, trainers are increasingly taking their clients outside.
From the trailheads of the San Francisco Bay Area to the boulders of Manhattan’s Central Park, more trainers and clients are lunging up hills, playing bear-crawl tag in the grass and soaking up the experience of exercising under open skies.
The 6-Step Approach for Creating New Habits
Following these six steps can help clients establish new daily habits to achieve a desired outcome.
A Team Approach to Wellness
Lisa Dougherty is the founder of the Medical Fitness Network (MFN). This mostly volunteer‐driven project is supported by more than 100 national businesses. Dougherty's vision is to improve the quality of lives of many millions of people by connecting them with fitness and allied health professionals who have a background in the prevention, treatment and rehabilitation of chronic diseases, medical conditions and disabilities, as well as in the management of women's health issues, including prenatal and postpartum care.
The Joy of Movement Rings True
There's nothing like post–knee surgery downtime to catch up on my IDEA Fitness Journal reading. The February 2017 issue is just chock‐a‐block full of delectable goodness. In particular, I enjoyed Ryan Halvorson's article "Embracing the Joy of Movement" and Kelly McGonigal's "Ready to Love Your Stress?" Even after 38 years as a fitness pro, I learn something every issue to help me improve as a group fitness leader and baby boomer specialist. Both articles made their points logically, succinctly and persuasively.
Embracing a Fitness Lifestyle
client: Rafaela | personal trainer: Jessica Sanchez, fitness director and head trainer, Total Woman FitZone | location: Bakersfield, California
Learning, Growing and Thriving for 35 Years
For nearly a decade, Robyn Krueger, MS, owner of Core Synergy Fitness in Kaukauna, Wisconsin, has traveled to the IDEA World Convention in pursuit of personal and professional advancement.
What’s Hot in Equipment: Fitness Pro Favorites
Fitness professionals like their equipment—from "tried-and-true" to "oh, so new." And equipment companies like to fill convention halls with fresh gear to help trainers and clients hit their goals. Of course, fitness pros also enjoy new gadgets for the pure thrill of them—and will sometimes go for equipment that targets a fun goal over a hypertrophy goal, for example.
Overcoming the Fear of Change
client: Erin | personal trainer: Don Bahneman, MS, CSCS, general manager, fitness director and master personal trainer, The Energy Club | location: Arlington, Virginia
Fear of change. Erin, a member of The Energy Club, was searching for a new personal trainer in 2014. The one she had been working with was leaving for medical school, and Erin still had sessions remaining. After observing the trainers in the gym, she zeroed in on general manager and master personal trainer Don Bahneman.
The Foundation of a Fulfilling Future
Las Vegas has a reputation for secrets. As they say, "What happens in Vegas stays in Vegas." This July, more than 10,000 professionals will break that cardinal rule because what happens at the 2017 IDEA World Convention will be shared with millions of people worldwide. With more than 335 workshops, lectures and workouts, plus tons of special events planned to celebrate IDEA's 35th anniversary, it will be impossible to keep quiet about the career-changing experiences and top-level knowledge offered at this year's event.
Getting the Facts on Fatigue
Fatigue is a crucial concept for exercisers because it represents the point where they fail to complete a set or feel too exhausted to continue a long-distance run or other endeavor. Fatigue fascinates researchers because it reflects mental, chemical and mechanical processes that affect muscle performance. Indeed, the physiology of fatigue recently inspired the journal Medicine & Science in Sports & Exercise to devote a special section to the topic.
I'll review highlights from the journal's special section in a question-and-answer format:
The Big Payoff to Better Posture
When I was a kid, my dad was a stickler for posture. "Sit up straight," he'd say as I slouched over a plate of pasta. Other times, he'd try a tactile approach. I'd be standing in line at the market or sitting in the bleachers watching my oldest brother play baseball, and out of nowhere I'd feel two thumbs dig gently into my upper trapezius muscles while the remaining fingers of each hand gripped my shoulders and pulled them back. All these years later, I'm the one cuing people to mind their posture.
Sports Participation and Longevity
What’s the best type of physical activity to help your clients reach their golden years? Researchers from the UKK Institute in Finland delved into that question in a recent report.
The Power of Mindset
Alexis Batrakoulis, MS, CSCS, RCPT*E, ACSM–CPT, EP–C and ACE Certified Health Coach, has been involved in the fitness industry since 1995 and currently works as an educator, speaker, author, technical expert and exercise for health specialist throughout Greece and worldwide. He is the personal training education director at the Greek Athletic & Fitness Training School (GRAFTS), which is an accredited vocational training provider and the national leader in fitness certifications in Greece.
IDEA Food and Nutrition Tips Hits the Mark on Plant Power
The latest issue of IDEA Food and Nutrition Tips (November—December 2016) is one many of us have been waiting for! The recognition of plant–based nutrition is revolutionary for the fitness industry. The past couple of decades have led us to the world of animal protein—and lots of it. The message has been that athletes and very active people need "quality" protein, meaning "animal products."
Shari Greenberg
Health Coach
Chicago
Why Older Exercisers Should Try Nordic Walking
Nordic pole walking is a highly enjoyable, easy–to–learn way for exercisers of all ages to get outdoors and get moving. If you're unfamiliar with Nordic pole walking, this primer will provide key reasons why it can be such a good fit for your older–adult clients, in particular.
