Career Personal Training

Now more then ever it’s time to be bold and break away from the rest of your competitors in order to capture and keep more business. The honey moon is over. As personal trainers and fitness professionals we have to work much harder to attract new business and bedazzle the clients we already have. Most fitness businesses haven’t taken the time to discover what sets them apart from the rest and suffer because of it. They end up looking, sounding and feeling like everyone else. In the midst of all this sameness, the customer has no choice but to evaluate service on price alone. This is a dangerous road to travel because the consumer will likely choose based on lower cost.

So do your customers a favour and make it easy for them to get a clear understanding of how you differ from everyone else. To start, think about what is special and unique about you. Now before you answer, really take the time to think about it. What is different about what you do or the service you provide that would make a customer notice and want to spend their hard earned money with you? What could you shout from the roof tops to let customers know you are unique? Your first step is to uncover what this is. To assist you in this task finish the statement below. It’s not an easy activity and it may take some time to figure it out but when you do you will know what sets you apart from the rest.

I am the only one that…

Here’s an example to help you along.

At On The Edge Fitness we are the only fitness education provider that can take students from earning their personal training certification right into business start-up.

If you position yourself uniquely in the marketplace you will be able to carve out a special place in the customer’s mind so that loyalty is not only created but also has a long life. As one of only a handful of fitness businesses coaches in Canada I can attest to the value of being different and how it’s helped me grow my own business. When you clearly know where you are positioned in the market, and what unique talents you have to offer, it makes it easy for customers to make the decision to do business with you. That’s the power of differentiation.

As a personal trainer one way to differentiate yourself is to be clear about what target market you serve. Being a generalist doesn’t have the D-factor needed to stand-out. Decide what market you want to go after and then become the expert in serving that market.

Discover as much as you can about the people within that market by becoming a market detective. Get to know every intimate detail of the wants, needs and desires of the customer. Then and only then can you start to create some strategies around serving these customers. How do you find out their needs? It’s simple. Talk to your customers. Take every opportunity to learn as much as you can about them and what they value.

Here’s an example of how a trainer talked to me about a client named Bob.

Bob is a 35 year old account executive. He is married with two children, a dog, a cat and a bird. Bob spends ninety minutes a day commuting to work everyday. He travels a few times a month for business and on weekends and plays hockey with the boys. He enjoys the camaraderie of the boys as they drink beer and eat fried foods. He often talks to this trainer about his games during the session. He complains of being tired from his multitude of responsibilities. The trainer has been with Bob for six months.

Based on the case study above, does it sound like this trainer knows a lot about the client? If you answered yes, then you are incorrect. There is so much more the trainer could know about Bob after six months of training. What is his wife’s name, how about the names of the children and pets? What does he do while he drives to work? What kind of beer does he drink? What does he like to eat? Why is he so tired? What type of house does Bob live in? What kind of car does he drive?

Now you might be thinking, "Do I really need to know all this to train him?" No, but if you want to differentiate yourself you may want to use customer service as a way of standing out from the crowd. How can you use the information you learn about Bob to do that? Since his commute is so long maybe you can make him a mixed CD of his favourite music or suggest he listen to podcasts while he drives. You could offer a package of pet grooming services with training so he can get his workout done while the pets get cleaned up saving him time in his day. There are many mobile pet spaws available. You could create a workout for the family where everyone gets to play together. I’m sure he doesn’t have a lot of time to spend with his family so this would be a bonus to him and his wife. Be creative and step outside of what is traditionally done into the unconventional.

In order to be different you have to think differently. If you go down the same road where everyone else travels you have less chance of getting noticed. The secret to differentiate or die is to grab people’s attention, be different and take a risk. Otherwise you are just the same.

In the movie Madagascar 2, Escape from Africa the eclectic group of New York zoo animals find themselves crash landed in Africa. They roam the plains of Africa and soon stumble upon herds of other animals just like them. Marty, the zebra sees hundreds of other zebras. He discovers that once he was among the crowd he was no different from everyone else. Even his best friend Alex the Lion couldn’t pick him out from the other zebras. Obviously, Marty was extremely distraught by this because he thought he was special and unlike everyone else. However, as the movie progresses we learn that Marty really is special because he was willing to do something the others in the herd wouldn’t do which was take a risk, break away from the herd in order to be brave and help others. The other zebras were content to remain where they were.

Which zebra do you want to be, the one that steps out, takes a risk and dares to be different or just another member of the herd?

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Becoming a personal trainer is fairly easy, but becoming the best personal trainer takes time, efforts, dedication and most important of all, to think out of the box, about how you can be different from the others and attract more clients.

Become a Personal Trainer in 1-2-3

The Fitness Industry is booming y’all. No longer is being a trainer a part-time job for a college student…it’s become a $40k-$80k+ for many, many people.

If you are interested in becoming a trainer then it really is as simple as 1-2-3.

1: Decide that you want to become a trainer

2: Talk to the fitness manager of your gym

3: Complete the minimum requirements

AND Then get started!

When I first became a personal trainer, I didn’t know ANYTHING about weight training. I took the random weight training class and sometimes performed crunches on the gym floor, but I never knew ‘what it took’ to become a personal trainer. In my case, the fitness manager approached me (after I won a push up contest amongst friends) and asked if I had ever thought about entering the fitness industry. The next day I interviewed with him and proved that I not only had a passion to help people, but I had a minimum amount of fitness knowledge and ability to learn. He then gave me a book to study so I can pass the prerequisite fitness test in 2 weeks. (I passed it in one!) Soon after, I became hired despite having no experience and no education.

I took a 5 day course provided by the company and coupled that education with my personal studies and daily workouts with my manager. In as little as one month I became a personal trainer and started training clients for $50+ /per session. (of course, I only received a cut of that)

My 1-2-3 approach sounds too simple, but it really, really is. Keep in mind that if you want to get hired at exclusive health clubs, then having a degree or a national certification is required. Of course, I highly recommend having a national certification like NASM, ACE, AFAA and ACSM, but I encourage you to first talk to your potential fitness manager to see what their minimal requirements are first. For me, I received my NASM certification many years after first becoming a personal trainer.

The 1-2-3 lesson is good life lesson for all y’all because what I’m really saying is that you: Have to embody passion then direct it towards the person in charge (not someone on a website who can give you advice but not real direction) and then follow through by taking the first, simple steps to get started. Of course, you won’t be a superstar trainer in your first few months, but you have to start somewhere so do whatever you can to get started and push!

Here’s some extra tips:

- Research local gyms

- Befriend your gym’s fitness manager

- Research when a national fitness certification will be hosting workshops in your area

- Talk to your favorite group instructor

- Learn the basics of anatomy and physiology

- Create a plan and follow through

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For information about personal trainers and about becoming a personal trainer, please visit our website.

One of the biggest obstacles to staying on track for fitness is losing motivation. People are just starting an exercise program can find themselves quickly tired of the same routine. Keeping exercise appealing and maintaining a good fitness perspective is key to long-term success.

If you have to watch the exact same episode of your favorite television show every day for the rest of your life, you would probably be banging your head against the wall by the end of the week. You would change the channel, pick up a book, or do anything you could to avoid something you once enjoyed.

Yet, many people starting on a fitness program feel compelled to follow the same routine, day after day after day, and consequently fall off the exercise wagon due to sheer boredom.

That is why, most people would want the services of a fitness trainer in order to provide them the different portions of the fitness program in a more livelier style.

Fitness trainers are actually those who are expert in analyzing and creating a fitness program that is right for you. They are the ones who will calculate your appropriateness to a certain program with regards to your fitness level, create the program according to your specific needs, and keep you stimulated and inspired by giving you activities that will not bore you.

But then again, as with other entities included in the fitness world, not all fitness trainers are created equal. They may vary from the different trainings that they have, the health education they have acquired, and the skills that they have learned.

Hence, it is important to consider some factors that will determine if a certain fitness trainer is right for you. Here is how:

1. Certification

Like any item or product, the quality is sometimes measured and determined through the certification that goes with it. Hence, before you choose your fitness trainer, it is important to verify if the trainer is duly certified by a highly regarded fitness association.

It is also best to choose a trainer that has a CPR certification or first aid qualifications.

2. Education/Trainings

Be sure to choose a fitness trainer who had acquired an adequate training and education as far as health and physical fitness is concerned.

Even though it is not necessary, trainers who have acquired education connected with health or any other related field will definitely have an edge over the others.

3. Knows how to give the right attention

A good fitness trainer should know how to provide his or her client an undivided attention whenever their session is going on. In this way, the trainer will be able to focus more on the details that needs attention and immediate considerations.

4. Knows how to track development

It is best to choose a fitness trainer that knows how to track his or her clients progress as far as fitness is concerned.

In this way, the trainer will be able to generate new activities and trainings designated for a particular result of the client.

5. Good Personality

Since you will be dealing most with your fitness trainer, it is best if you will look for somebody with a pleasing personality, somebody whom you can be comfortable. It is best to hire the services of somebody whom you can easily get along with.

Boiled down, the services of a fitness center and the contributions it can give you while working out on those belly fats, are, indeed, one of the best help that you can get from a professional person who knows what he is doing.

Hence, it is best to choose the best person who can give you the best services that you need so that you will never get bored again.

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Considering a career in personal training? Need more information about personal trainer school? Please, visit our website.

Exercise Bike: Ideal Way to Keep Fit

The hugely popular exercise bike evolved from the traditional bicycle which was invented centuries ago. Bicycles were not merely a means of transport but also offered ample scope for physical fitness. Their resourcefulness has been carried through generations and their basic principle finds relevance in the present day exercise cycle.

An exercise bike is today one of the most affordable forms of fitness equipments. The easy construction of exercise bikes have made it less expensive than other gym equipments like treadmills, ab-rollers or elliptical exercisers.

Exercise cycle for distinct body type:
Exercise cycle is distinctively used by people with specific body types. The human body type based on the build can be categorized as hourglass, pear, apple and ruler shaped. The apple and pear shaped personalities require most of the exercising.

‘Pear’ personalities have a heavier hip therefore an upright exercise cycle is ideal. They need to work on the heavy thighs and limbs. On the other hand, ‘apple’ personalities are at a higher risk of heart diseases due to the accumulation of fat in the chest region. An exercise cycle which is upright or recumbent and equipped with higher resistance is apt. The higher resistance ensures more mechanical energy spent, thereby ensuring that cardiovascular workout is optimum. Specific exercise bikes have the handle and pedal attached to one another which enables vigorous exercising of the upper and lower body part.

Exercise bike in therapy:
In addition to catering to a particular type of physical appearance, the exercise bikes are also known to have therapeutic value. Exercise cycle has been used in physiotherapy as they do not have an adverse impact on the body and are safer. The low-impact motion, involved while operating an exercise bike, puts less stress on joints and does not involve sporadic motions seen in other gym equipments. This ensures toning of muscles without adversely affecting the joints.

Disorders like Spinal Stenosis can be treated, with regular workouts on an upright bike rather than the recumbent exercise cycle. For patients suffering from Osteoarthritis, the stationary exercise cycle is the best choice, as it keeps the joints flexed and the muscles strengthened.

Exercise bike for weight loss:
If weight loss is on your mind, rest assured that stationary bikes are the ideal choice. Stationary bikes have innumerable advantages and few of them are as follows:

Does Weight Loss Without Exercise Make Sense

Of all the articles and ads about weight loss and weight loss products, you will notice that many of them seem to be saying that weight loss without exercise is what they have to offer. They will tell you about some diet pill, or perhaps a diet, which is going to take the weight off without you lifting a finger…other than to unscrew the cap.

So here’s the question: Can somone really lose weight simply by adjusting their diet? So many people feel that they do not have the time to exercise, or feel they lack the energy to exercise, or just plain don’t want to. It would be great if all they had to do was take some pill or eat some specific diet and the weight would go away, right?

Now, my problem is that when I think of, or advise someone on, weight loss, I automatically throw in adjectives like “healthy” and “permanent”. I’m not really in touch with the concept of using a diet to lose a few pounds to get back into last year’s clothes or to look good at the high school reunion. I tend to think of losing weight as a step to the point where you achieve your weight loss goal and enter the realm of weight management. At this point, you are living a healthy lifestyle of combined physical activity and proper nutrition and are able to enjoy life to the max…for a good many years to come!

“Yeah, Don, that’s great, but I’m one of the first group of people you talked about. I just want to lose weight and don’t want to mess with exercise. Heck, man, I’m so overweight and pooped all the time that just thinking about exercise scares me. Just tell me what diet pill to take or diet to follow so that I can get my weight down, look good, feel good about myself, and enjoy life like you say!”

Well, there are people who want to be rich but who don’t want to “mess with” saving, or making wise purchasing decisions, or working hard, either. Whatever we really want in life usually has some sort of price tag attached, and, as the saying goes, we usually, “get what we paid for”.

To throw in another old saying, anything worth doing is worth doing well.

To get back to the weight loss without exercise issue, let’s look at a couple of facts.

1. Diets do not work as far as permanent or healthy weight loss is concerned.

2. Permanent, healthy weight loss is commonly achieved through a combination of exercise and proper nutrition.

3. While there are diet products and supplements which can enhance the effects of any weight loss program, they very seldom do the trick by themselves for most people.

Let’s start with that last one.

Start by reading the labels or advertising literature of most diet pills and other weight loss supplements. Somewhere you will usually find a statement that will say something like “when used with regular exercise and a sensible nutrition program”. In other words, taking that diet pill or supplement “might” help you lose weight IF it is taken as part of some other weight loss program.

Even the manufacturers of the Alli fat loss pill, which at the moment is the only federally approved weight loss pill, will let you know that you really need to be doing other things as well as taking their pill to experience effective weight loss. Testing of that pill, one of the most effective available, show that weight loss with the pill alone will be minimal unless it is used with a program of regular exercise and proper nutrition.

Let’s face it. If there WAS one diet pill that you could take and then sit around watching TV, eating ice cream, and drinking beer…AND still lose weight and be healthy, there would not be so many different diet pills claiming to do the trick!

Okay, I started with the last fact, so let’s jump around and deal with the first fact next.

Diets per se do not work for permanent, healthy weight loss.

When you suddenly decrease the calories you regularly have been feeding your body, it senses a starvation situation (built in survival trait) and lowers its basic metabolic rate. In other words, it adjusts itself to function with fewer calories. This might not be too bad, but, if you go back to your old eating habits, the same amount of calories will now produce more fat to be stored on your body.

This is the reason that going on and off diets is very likely to cause weight gain, rather than weight loss! It’s called yo-yo dieting.

Additionally, extreme reductions in nutrition can also mean extreme reductions in the vitamins, minerals, protein, carbohydrates, fats (needed for life), phytonutrients, and other nutritional factors required for health, energy, and long life. You might lose weight but actually endanger your health and lack the energy necessary to live your life with pleasure.

Just to throw in another monkey wrench, once your body has adapted to its new diet and adjusted its basic metaolism, the weight loss will cease. This usually occurs after only a few pounds have been lost. To lose more weight, you will have to cut your nutritional intake even more, or simply decide to take a look at the second fact I listed.

Test after test and study after study has demonstrated beyond a doubt that the most effective weight loss program is one that includes regular, moderate exercise and healthy eating and living habits. The exercise does NOT have to be extreme, although overall results will usually be directly related to the amount of effort expended.

Most of us are NOT going to wind up looking like Arnold Schwarzenegger or Cory Everson unless we exercise and eat like they do!

However; regular, moderate exercise can burn calories and build lean muscle tissue which will continue to use up excess calories and burn fat even when we are not exercising. It will raise energy levels, make daily life easier, help elevate mood and fight depression, and will help protect us against a host of degenerative diseases. It has been shown to delay and mitigate the effects of aging, and has been shown a potent protector against many conditions including heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, arthritis, and many forms of cancer.

Healthy eating does not necessarily mean “dieting”. Healthy eating involves such things as proper selection of foods, paying attention to portion sizes, and changing a few eating habits…including that great American pastime…snacking!

I used the term “healthy eating and living” because such things as getting the proper amount of sleep, having fun, and having friends can also contribute to health in general and weight loss in particular.

Is weight loss without exercise possible?

Sure! Millions of people throughout history have gotten very thin before they starved to death!

Millions more have simply combined exercise with healthy eating and living habits to experience permanent, healthy weight loss and have enjoyed a long and happy life as a result.

Your choice?

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For more weight loss training programs conducted at the personal trainer school please visit our website.

Tips for Become a Personal Trainer

Personal Training is a highly sought-after career option today. Despite the current economic slowdown, the health and fitness industry has been stable and many people are taking up a career as a Personal Trainer. The U.S. Department of Labor has forecasted a 50% growth in this industry in the next decade.

If you wish to become a personal trainer you must first determine if personal training is the right career option for you. Do you like helping people especially with their health and fitness needs? Would you mind working on weekends or long hours with clients? Are you patient and a good listener? These are some of the aspects that go into making a good personal trainer. Another important part of being a personal trainer is you can have your own personal training business, which would require much more dedication and efforts. A good personal trainer is also a good motivator.

Certification plays an important role in the success of a personal trainer. People trust trainers who are certified and know their job well. A certification speaks a lot about the trainer’s ability to deliver fitness training in a manner in which it produces the right results. Choose the right certification depending upon your interest and requirement in your area.

Having a specialty helps grow your client base. You could choose to work with senior citizen, athletes, children or people with injuries. Working with these special groups requires you to handle each individual with special care, understand these requirements while doing so.

Once you become a personal trainer, get a job. It helps to gain experience as well as develop rapport with clients. One important aspect of having a job as a personal trainer is that you get a steady paycheck to be able to take care of your financial requirements.

One of the best parts of being a personal trainer is that you can start your own personal training business. That’s where all the money is.

So if you are all set to take up this great career option, visit our website to find out about the necessary personal trainer education required for you to get started.