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IDEA's popular articles in 2021
5 Most Popular Articles in 2021

What piqued reader interest this past year? Here we recap our top 5 popular articles that received the most reads in 2021!

Exercise upgrades immunity?
Immunity: A Trend Worth Supporting

While it may not be getting the same COVID-19 notoriety as the word “pivot,” “immunity” has a spine—and it’s much more than just a keyword.

Hiking Group
Hiking: It’s For Everyone!

Telling a person to “take a hike,” used to be a bit of an insult, but sending someone on a trek is really more of a favor. Besides having physical benefits, hiking improves mental health by fostering a relationship with nature. Research shows that spending time among trees and the great outdoors reduces blood pressure, lowers cortisol and adrenaline levels, and amps up the immune system (Mitten 2016).

2022 Personal Trainer Institute
The Synergy of Togetherness

We’ve all had to pivot these last 2 years—and not just while leading clients through multiple planes of motion). We’ve also learned that virtual training can add valuable dimensions to…

Fitness class
Creating a Fitness Class Family

As group exercise instructors, we can get wrapped up in creating
choreography, choosing music, cuing effectively and teaching proper
technique. While all these aspects are important, we sometimes lose
sight of the overall picture and miss the opportunity to connect with
participants.

Learning Theories and Personal Training
Applying Learning Theories to Personal Training

Updated on November 2, 2021 Successful personal trainers are effective teachers and know how to apply learning theories. While personal training in part involves changing the body, teaching is the…

Running Program Design
Running Programs for Clients

Having a running program offers advantages for both you and your clients. And the very idea of running is gaining steam. A RunRepeat.com report recently showed that 28.76% of current runners began running during the pandemic. More than 7o% of these new runners run primarily to improve physical health. That’s up 18.03% from runners who began running before the pandemic.

Exercise equipment for Parkinson's disease clients.
Parkinson’s Disease and Exercise

Is there a positive relationship between Parkinson’s disease and exercise? Yes!  And personal trainers can make a real difference.

green exercise
Health Benefits of Green Exercise

the proliferation of “green exercise” programming resulting from mandated gym closures during COVID-19 has been striking and, by many, welcomed. Like so many of the adaptations that have evolved during this era of pivots, exercising outside is likely here to stay and will give gym owners, fitness entrepreneurs and clients alike more options for creative programming moving forward. Fit pros can use these ideas to keep green exercise sessions fun, safe and productive.

An older woman power training for muscle strength
Power Training for Older Clients

Power training for your active agers can be a vital part of programming. By helping your clients maintain speed, you will do them the service of training them for the sport of life.

Exercising with Hearing Loss
Training Clients with Hearing Loss

Effectively training clients requires us to listen to their needs, but equally important is the knowledge that they can hear you clearly. And then consider those whose hearing loss may make them feel excluded from the fitness world.

Taking Small Steps
Moving More Every Day

As you help your clients understand the benefits of moving more, it’s important to remind them that all movement doesn’t need to be done in the gym.