Tuesday, November 10, 2009

How to become an APFA certified personal fitness trainer

If you’re here, it’s probably because you have decided to pursue a career in personal training. Congratulations! Personal training can be a very rewarding career. Here are some initial steps to get started in your new career.

Determine whether you have what it takes
Answer yes or no to each of these questions:

1. I’m a self-starter
2. I’m detail-oriented
3. I can work any time of day
4. I am a people person
5. I enjoy living a fast-paced life
6. I love learning
7. I love helping people
8. I am organized

If you answered yes to at least 7 of those questions, you might have the personality it takes to be a successful trainer.

Decide which certification you want to pursue
There are many organizations which certify personal trainers. Each has their own specialty and areas of emphasis, Learn about each one and decide which one to go for.

1. American College of Sports Medicine
2. National Strength and Conditioning Association
3. National Academy of Sports Medicine
4. International Sports Sciences Association
5. Aerobics and Fitness Association of America

Ask other fitness professionals for their advice on which certification might be right for you.

Intern and apprentice to learn the art
The best way to break into the industry is to shadow a more experienced trainer in their day to day jobs. What do you stand to gain from this? Here are some of the key benefits:

1. You can get a taste before taking on this career full time
2. You can’t get field experience from reading a book
3. You can earn credit towards a certification by interning
4. You will meet lots of great people, and many potential future clients

Decide whether to be independent or join a company
Working as an independent professional can be rewarding, personally and financially. However, here are some risks to consider before doing so:

1. No health or retirement plan
2. You will pay higher taxes as an independent business
3. No regular paycheck
4. No paid sick days
5. No support network. It can get lonely as an independent professional.

Market yourself
Some ideas for marketing your new practice:

1. Give away free seminars. Talk about health issues, weight loss, or any topic you think will be of interest to your audience. You can usually get space at a local college or hospital for free or low fee for this type of event.
2. Issue a press release. Announce yourself to the world
3. Get referrals. Medical professionals, like physical therapists, plastic surgeons, or many other types of doctors can be great sources of referrals. Spas and local health clubs are other great ideas.
4. Create collateral. Brochures, flyers, and newsletters can be great ways to promote yourself locally.

Use these steps to get started. I’d love to hear about how your progress is going, leave a comment on this post to let me know how you’re doing, or if you have any questions!

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For more information about personal trainer education, please visit our website.

 

Posted by careerpersonaltraining at 17:19:14 | Permalink | No Comments »

Monday, November 9, 2009

Fitness Trainer - Five Questions to Ask

The main obstacle to staying on track with a fitness program 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.

Most people would want the services of a fitness trainer in order to provide them the different portions of the fitness program in a livelier style.

Fitness trainers are actually experts 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.

It is important to consider some factors that will determine if a certain fitness trainer is right for you. Here is how to find the fitness trainer that fits you:

1. The Fitness Trainers Certification. Like any item or product, the quality is sometimes measured and determined through the certification. 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 fitness trainer that has a CPR certification or first aid qualifications.

2. The Fitness Trainers 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, fitness trainers who have acquired education connected to physical fitness or any other related field will definitely have an edge over the others.

3. The Fitness Trainer should know 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 need attention and offer immediate considerations.

4. The Fitness Trainer should know how to track development It is best to choose a fitness trainer that knows how to track his or her client’s 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. Does your Fitness Trainer have a Good Personality? Since you will be dealing most with your fitness trainer, it is best if you will look for somebody with a compatible personality, somebody whom you can be comfortable with.

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

It is best to choose the best fitness trainer who can give you the best fitness program services that you need so that you will never get bored again.

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For information about personal trainer certification, please visit our website.

 

Posted by careerpersonaltraining at 17:39:33 | Permalink | No Comments »

Tuesday, November 3, 2009

Working Out At Home: Exercise Videos Or Personal Trainer?

Working Out At Home: Exercise Videos Or Personal Trainer?

We all know we should be doing some form of exercise don’t we? But, most of us really don’t want to leave our home and go to a gym.

No matter which way you go, you are going to need exercise equipment and a room in your home to put them. Here are a few choices for the kinds of equipment that you might want to get:

The most popular workout equipment that is sold today is a treadmill. If the weather is cold, or if it’s raining or snowing you don’t have to worry about freezing. Just go into your exercise room (or space) and walk on your treadmill. Treadmills aren’t the heavy, clunky machines that they used to be. Most can now be folded up and stowed away in a closet or behind a screen.

A universal weight set is the next thing that you should think about getting. Universal weight sets can be set up so that you can exercise a wide range of muscles in the body. Pumping iron isn’t like it used to be in the old days. This type of exercise equipment can be set up to exercise just about any part of your body, from your legs, to your arms to you back…you name it.

Using just these two pieces of exercise equipment, you can improve both your cardio and your body’s strength.

The least expensive choice as to learning the correct ways to exercise is by purchasing a fitness video. You don’t even have to use special equipment with some of these videos. Some will be for yoga and others just for dancing and aerobic exercise. Here are some things to be aware of when looking for a fitness video:

1. Decide on what kind of fitness that you want to start with and buy a video for that one kind. Don’t try to start out with twenty different kinds of exercises. You’ll just give up overwhelmed and frustrated.

2. Start slowly by following the video examples one step at a time. Maybe you’ve decided to do an aerobics dance video first. Begin the routine and then stop when you get overly tired. Take a day off and then start again, going as far as you can without overtaxing yourself. Build up your workout routine time gradually.

3. Only when you can easily do the exercise routine in the aerobics video that you purchased, then go for another type of exercise such as Tai Bo.

Fitness videos are great for those who are shy or think that they are to fat to be seen at the gym. (Why is that? That’s what gyms are for!) Once you get a few routines down, you’ll start feeling healthier and have more stamina.

Some people may do better with a personal trainer. After all, you can’t "cheat" on your exercises if you have someone telling you exactly what, how and why you should do your exercising. A personal trainer will create an exercise routine that matches your fitness level. They are there to push you a bit but not to make you do more than your body will tolerate.

Here are some tips on hiring a personal trainer:

You should be able to find a personal trainer at your local gym. You can hire one of them or ask them for a referral for one for you to use in your home.

This could get a bit expensive. You might just decide that it would be less expensive for you to work out at the gym just to get you started. You could join for just a short time. Some gyms even have a "trial period" so you can test them out. The trainer would show you how to use the exercise equipment and you’ll go and apply the same methods at home.

It would probably be better to splurge on a personal trainer to begin with so that he (or she) can start you on the routine that will be best for you level of physical fitness. They are the experts and will guide you in the right direction.

Which ever way you decide to go, fitness video or personal trainer, you must get started. The longer you wait, the more difficult it will be. Just do it!

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To know more about personal trainer education, please visit our website.

 

Posted by careerpersonaltraining at 17:01:03 | Permalink | No Comments »

Monday, November 2, 2009

What is The Best Personal Trainer Certification?

Our industry, much like our world, is transforming at an accelerated pace.

The unthinkable and impossible soon becomes the inevitable and forgotten.

The fitness industry, as you know, is relatively unregulated, which is an advantage and a disadvantage. There are so many certifications out there, so many experts, so many things we can learn to help transform our clients’ bodies and minds, but how does one go about choosing the best educational path?

Is there even a thing such as the one best personal training certification, or is it possible that some certifications excel at teaching one specific area, while some excel at teaching a different area, while others only excel at building their own business and following?

We all know how important education
is for our industries credibility, our client’s success, and our career stability. Our client’s come to us looking for leadership; we wield great power over them, and with great power comes the need for responsibility. Of course, they are ultimately responsible for their own success, but we are responsible for providing them with the best shot at realizing their full potential, while also being responsible for their safety and joint integrity.

And in order to give our client’s the best shot possible, we must be passionate about learning and dedicate ourselves to the study of many topics.

“Those who love wisdom must investigate many things.” Heraclitus

I have personally, in 9 years of being a trainer, been to numerous courses and conferences across the country, including Florida, California, and Oklahoma, taken 8 certifications, several all day workshops, 2 internships, and read numerous books, textbooks, and research studies.

If I could point to one thing, it is my passion for knowledge that has allowed me to create a very successful career in the fitness industry.

A wise man once said “A better question will lead to a better answer?” This is absolutely true. Think about it. If you ask “Why am I so fat?” you may come up with the answer “Because I am lazy or stupid”. But if you ask yourself “How can I lose weight while having fun” you will come up with a much better answer. Right?

So how does this idea apply to the question at hand? What is the best personal trainer certification?

Honestly, I have learned important things from each and every certification. I think a much better question is “What area am I passionate about learning about?” If it is biomechanics, RTS is the best certification. If it is the heart and cardiac rehab, ACSM is the best. If it is about sports performance, you may want to go with an Athlete’s Performance Internship or get you C.S.C.S from the NSCA or look into the Charles Poliquin certification program. Want to teach Olympic lifts? No one does it better than USAW.

So ask yourself, what are you excited to learn about? Just as importantly, what kinds of people do you want to train? If you are focused on the elderly and post rehab, MES makes a lot more sense than USAW.

One very cool certification that I just learned about is PTA Global. They are unifying some of the best teachers and trainers in our industry under one certification system.

Asking yourself “What knowledge and clients am I excited about” is an important first step in laying the foundation for a successful fitness business. Based on your answers, you can begin to identify a career path that will allow you to realize the business and lifestyle you deserve, while enjoying what your life’s work and client’s successes.

I encourage you to continue learning about all the different certifications out there, and pursuing the ones that make the most sense for your market and passion. It is very important to not only continue learning, as you already know, but learning from multiple sources. Our job as elite fitness professionals is to empower our clients and provide them with real world practical solutions to their health and fitness needs; having the ability to shift perspective is incredibly important for us in this capacity.

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Find out more about personal trainer certification from our website.

 

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Tuesday, October 27, 2009

PERSONAL TRAINING FITNESS EDUCATION - WHAT TO EXPECT?

If you are a kind of person who is more passionate towards balanced diet, managing the body and loves to guide others, then you should for sure enroll your self in one of the personal training fitness education and it will prove to be beneficial for you. You will not only shape your body but also achieve greater concentration and become more knowledgeable in teaching others about the healthy and fit way of living one’s life.

A person can become a trained and certified personal fitness trainer through comprehensive education including anatomy and physiology, basic first aid and CPR, nutritional education (i.e., macro/micro nutrients, diet, nutritional consulting), fitness assessment, exercise
programming, exercise machinery, and how to track client progress.

The personal training education gives you the knowledge about both muscle testing method which is popularly known as “kinesiology” and necessary skills in marketing field, business and directives.

There are many courses in personal training like diplomas and certifications which are of six months duration or up to one year. If you want to study the depth then you have to enroll your self in bachelors and masters degree in the personal training fitness education to become national certified fitness trainer.

After your studies and education you can work in the health clubs, fitness centers, health retreats, spas and salons, as well as vacation resorts and alongside major sports teams. The income level varies depending on one’s expertise level and reputation. A personal training expert can earn from $25,000 to well over $50,000 annually.

PERSONAL TRAINING FITNESS PROGRAMS TODAY:

Nowadays you can choose from a variety of personal training fitness programs because they are becoming popular swiftly due to their initials and proficient education degree.

Distinctive subject knowledge that is provided through personal training fitness programs includes sports training and advanced training. These programs also teach you mind and body therapies, as well as nutrition and weight management.

The personal training fitness programs that are deep and more educative includes studies in exercise physiology, kinesiology, personal training, functional anatomy, biomechanics, flexibility and strength training, nutrition assessments and program development, exercise applications and other physical regimens. Moreover, they also organize seminars and comprehensive classes to make their students more practical and trained in this field.

The majority of the fitness trainers are the proud holders of typical diploma or certificate of completion in personal training fitness programs. Those candidates who want to be nationally recognized and registered, they need to take the NSCA Personal Trainer Certification exam; including training in both CPR, and AED.

It is very genuine and is assured that the graduates of personal training fitness programs have a bright future and career in the fitness world. They will achieve remunerative careers as a personal trainer or expert, fitness gurus, exercise instructors at health clubs and health resorts, fitness clubs, aerobic clinics, physical therapy centers, and other wellness and health-related facilities. Their job profile is respectable and reliable as daily the population of people who are becoming more conscious about their body looks is increasing.

EXPLORE THE INTERNET FOR MORE EDUCATION AND DETAILS ON PAERSONAL TRAINING

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For more information about personal trainer education please visit our website.

 

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Monday, October 26, 2009

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR)

Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR) is an emergency medical procedure for a victim of cardiac arrest or, in some circumstances, respiratory arrest. CPR is performed in hospitals, or in the community by laypersons or by emergency response professionals.

CPR involves physical interventions to create artificial circulation through rhythmic pressing on the patient’s chest to manually pump blood through the heart, called chest compressions, and usually also involves the rescuer exhaling into the patient (or using a device to simulate this) to inflate the lungs and pass oxygen in to the blood, called artificial respiration. Some protocols now downplay the importance of the artificial respirations, and focus on the chest compressions only.

CPR is unlikely to restart the heart; its main purpose is to maintain a flow of oxygenated blood to the brain and the heart, thereby delaying tissue death and extending the brief window of opportunity for a successful resuscitation without permanent brain damage. Advanced life support and defibrillation, the administration of an electric shock to the heart, is usually needed for the heart to restart, and this only works for patients in certain heart rhythms, namely ventricular fibrillation or ventricular tachycardia, rather than the ‘flat line’ asystolic patient although CPR can help bring a patient in to a shockable rhythm.

CPR is generally continued, usually in the presence of advanced life support (such as from a medical team or paramedics), until the patient regains a heart beat (called "return of spontaneous circulation" or "ROSC") or is declared dead.

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For those who wish to take up a career in personal fitness training it is important to be CPR certified. To know more about personal trainer certification, please visit our website.

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Tuesday, October 20, 2009

Developing Your Anti-aging Workout Routine

It’s now time to design your sample weekly fitness program. Decide on which days you’ll exercise and on which you’ll rest. Decide which activities you’ll do on each day and for how long.

Remember, you need three to five cardio workouts of varying intensity and duration. You should ensure you include a bit of interval, agility and balance training within your routine. You also need two muscle­conditioning workouts that will involve exercises for your lower body, upper body and torso. Ensure you save lots of time to stretch and relax. Oh, yeah, and don’t forget your Kegels and you-know-what once a week.

When designing your program, it is imperative that you set an ideal and a maintenance goal. For example, your ideal cardiovascular goal may be five workouts per week, but your minimal goal will take into consideration weeks when you are really busy at work, not feeling so hot or away on holiday. This will prevent you from getting off track and backsliding. This maintenance goal will be the minimal exercise you will commit to, even if life is rough. This will ensure that you maintain your level of fitness. Generally, if you manage to do one good, high­intensity cardio- and muscle-conditioning workout in a week when things are crazy you will maintain your fitness, provided you maintain your program during weeks in which events cut you more slack. Take the time now to record your ideal exercise goal and your maintenance exercise goal.

Ideal Goal

Maintenance Goal

I suggest you review your program design every four to eight weeks. Make some changes. Introduce a new activity. Learn some new exercises. Change the order and sequencing of your workout days; this is where the investment in seeing a personal fitness trainer for a couple sessions will payoff. Don’t make the mistake of designing one program and relying on it for improved health and fitness for years to come. Regular change, a minimum of every two months, is fundamental to ongoing progress.

Should You Work Out if You’re Not Feeling Well?

Whether to work out while unwell concerns many exercisers. Although more research is needed, the general guideline is that if you have symptoms of a common cold, with no fever and all symptoms above the neck, moderate exercise such as walking should be okay. However, if your symptoms include fever, extreme tiredness, muscle aches or swollen lymph glands you should refrain from exercise until you get better. When you do start exercising again, progress slowly and gently. Even if you do have to take a week or two off because you’re feeling under the weather, it really won’t make that much difference to your ocerall fitness level if you’re consistent with your program of the rest of the time.

If you get sick often, why? Is there something you can do about it? Once you’ve getting exposed to a virus, the likelihood of your getting sick depends on a number of factors, including advanture age, whether you smoke, high levels of stress, poor nutrition and lack of sleep.

Exercisers frequently report that they experience less sickness than their sedentary peers. (The American Council on Exercise reports that 61 per cent of 700 recreational runners studied had fewer colds after they began running, while only four per cent reported the frequency had increased.) During moderate exercise, various immune cells circulate through the body more quickly and are better able to kill bacteria and viruses. So every time you go for a brisk walk your immune system receives a boost that could increase your chances of fighting off respiratory infections.

Exercise won’t guarantee that you won’t get sick. In fact, sometimes too much exercise can put you at greater risk of developing a virus. A high per centage of marathoners and triathletes get sick immediately after a big event. The theory is that too much exercise may suppress the immune system and make you more susceptible to catching viruses.

Here are some general tips to reduce your odds of getting sick.

Eat well: The immune system depends on many vitamins, minerals and sufficient caloric intake for optimal functioning. Make sure you consume plenty of fruits, vegetables and grain products and drink a minimum of eight glasses of water per day.

Get lots of sleep: The American Council on Exercise reports that major sleep disruption (three hours less than normal) has been linked to immune system suppression.

Exercise: Include moderate levels of exercise in your weekly schedule to ensure your immune system receives a regular boost.

Avoid overtraining: Space vigorous workouts and race events as far apart as possible. Allow for adequate recovery periods and rest days.

Your View from Here

When a fit and healthy 19-year-old throws a ball, then sprints across the lawn to retrieve it, she is the picture of a perfectly tuned machine. Neurons fire rapidly, telling muscles to contract and release; lungs take in oxygen almost without effort, while a -strong heart pumps oxygen-rich blood through supple arteries.

What happens to that 19-year-old’s body 10 years later, 20 years later, 30 years and more, later if she, like so many of us, gives up chasing balls and begins leading a largely sedentary life? She loses muscle. She loses strength. She is not able to walk up stairs, let alone sprint across the lawn. Her lungs become less adept at taking in oxygen. Her heart weakens. Her bones thin. Her body fat increases, and she tires at the least exertion. She becomes the picture of frail old age.

Is this inevitable? We now know that it’s not. Sure, there’s not much you can do to stop the graying hair and the wrinkles, but scientists have found the true fountain of youth. It’s called exercise, and it can stave off many of the physical changes commonly attributed to aging. A little bit of cardiovascular conditioning, muscle training and good nutrition can preserve muscle tissue, strength, bone density, heart health, energy levels and functional performance. There is no magic pill or drug that can do this for you. Putting one foot in front of the other, making your muscles and heart and lungs work is the key. If you don’t use it, you lose it. So start using it and not only will you not lose it, you may be surprised at how much you actually gain!

Good luck and stay fit - physically, mentally and spiritually!

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For all thouse of you who have a passion for personal fitness training and need more information about personal trainer education, please visit our website.

Posted by careerpersonaltraining at 20:55:57 | Permalink | No Comments »

Monday, October 19, 2009

Physical Fitness Trainers - Need Of The Hour

Not only stars can afford them, these days. No, we are not talking about the designer shoes and clothes. We are talking about the personal trainers of fitness who were afforded only by millionaires and movie stars. But that’s not the situation now. These days, people who are members of gym can get a trainer of personal fitness who will make a procedure of workout especially for them.

Most of them who are serious with their fitness plans will insist upon the service of the trainer on the basis that a personal trainer will provide, proper guidance will advice the person, of his/her needs in their exercises. She/He will create a set of work outs that you may do in gymnasium or even in home. With a tutor, the individual will be more focused in his exercise aims. There will be someone who might encourage her/him and help them figure out the regions of their body which needs toning and workouts.

Of course, there’s the main matter is money. They may be from hundred to thousand bucks, which depends on the services which will be given by the trainer. When others might charge a particular fee for a particular number of exercises, others may charge for individual periods.

The markets for trainers for personal fitness have expanded significantly with the increase in number of health enthusiasts and fitness buffs. Being a trainer of physical fitness, the market for you would be athletes, people and professionals who may want to stay in shape and get fit. There is also an able market for people under therapy, having diabetics and high blood pressure who need a fit body to maintain themselves healthy. There are also people who need a coach or trainer for unique sports related skills as karate and aerobics.

Those think about having a career as physical fitness trainer must equip themselves with basics of physiology, anatomy, nutrition, implementation and design of fitness plans, first aid and health safety - topics which are being taught in training schools of fitness. Training schools like these also provide specialists’ in various types of physically demanding activities like strength training, running and yoga etc. Also, there are lessons taught on designing schedules for those with unique health issues and needs - the heart disease patients, diabetics and patients having injuries in back.

Trainers may earn as less as $16,000 to even $80,000, depending upon their skills and experience. Of course, trainers to striking personalities like movie stars and athletes earn more than this.

If you are thinking about of having this as a career, don’t forget that a fitness trainer gives more than just work-out plans and exercises. The physical fitness trainer will be sensitive to the conditions and needs of his clients. They are awesome motivators who may encourage effectively and advance healthy lifestyle and fitness to all his clients. A reason why most of the solitary fitness buffs become a failure in their work-out is due to the void of motivation from their friends. The fitness trainer fits in the role of a motivator - one who keeps them going even while they think that their workouts aren’t working.

Having a career as that of a trainer in physical fitness, you will get much more than only a fit and healthy body. You may even share a good rapport with the stars!

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Starting a cereer in personal fitness training? Need information about personal trainer certification? Please visit our website.

Posted by careerpersonaltraining at 15:56:49 | Permalink | No Comments »

Thursday, October 15, 2009

Home fitness equipment: Is it a waste of money?

There are a hundred lots of home fitness equipment nowadays that are sold in the market. Do not make the mistake in buying something and then regretting why you bought it after a day or two. Home fitness equipments vary and you should always have one good reason to buy it. Don’t believe on everything commercials tell you about the equipment. Some equipment may seem easy to use on television but in fact will not really work for you. Try to ask yourself first of these questions before you grab your wallet and buy that equipment.

Do you need it? The equipment should suit your interests and needs. The activities that you will do with that equipment should be challenging and something to enjoy on. Buying equipment is never a guarantee that you will use it especially if it is something new that makes it harder to use. Make sure that you already know the equipment and that it is something that you already tried in a fitness club. Start from buying small equipments that are aligned to your interests.

Can you afford it? Don’t be fooled with the thought that you will be forced to use something because you spent too much money for it. Expensive equipments are never an assurance that you will use them or that they are effective for you. Always consider how much are you willing to pay for certain equipment. Also ask yourself if it is worth it. Always check on the quality before you buy equipment. The price may be too low but consider that the quality can also be low. Or it may be expensive but then the quality is not that good. You can try choosing on cheaper alternatives but not sacrificing the quality of the equipment.

You may also want to check out for some used equipments. Most of the time, this is where you find a better deal. You can even find equipments that do not seem to have been used at a very low rate. Or you can find the equipment 3 months old but the price is almost half the original.

Do you have enough space for it? This is often what buyers forget to consider. Try to consider first where to place a treadmill before buying it. Before you buy something, make sure you know where you will place it. Your place may not accommodate the equipment. Plan ahead and make sure that the equipment can be placed in your home without causing any hassle.

Is it safe for you? If you have existing conditions, be sure to check with your doctor to make sure that the equipment will be safe for you. Some equipment may be painful to use and might cause harm to your body. So make sure to try it first be fore you buy it.

It also suggested that you first consider if a gym near you already has that equipment. You can save money by just registering to that gym and use that equipment compared the price you will spend if you will buy that product.

Buying fitness equipments should be bought with consideration. Do not buy by impulse. Always ask the opinion of a professional gym instructor before you buy something.

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For a career in personal training and information about personal trainer education, please visit our website.

Posted by careerpersonaltraining at 15:45:24 | Permalink | No Comments »

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Kettlebell Training Certification

Kettlebells are a relatively new addition to many exercise classes. They look like a ball with a handle and are used for building strength. They can be used with a variety of exercises and can provide yet one more way to shake up your routine and add variety to your workout. Learning to use them properly is important, and there are certifications to help you do so.

History

While they are new to the fitness world, Kettlebells were originally used by Greek athletes thousands of years ago. The early bodybuilders of the 1900’s preferred them for their strength training workouts. By the mid 1900’s dumbbells were sold with handle attachments to turn them into Kettlebells. At this time they were used in Europe, Canada as well as America. The first Kettlebell competition took place in Russia in 1948, and soon after it became the national sport. Today personal trainers use them in their sessions and many health clubs offer classes with Kettlebells and to help add variety to their class schedule.

Time Frame

The actual certification process is quick. Getting certified in using Kettlebells level-I involves taking a weekend course. There is also a level-II course with more advanced exercises, which runs over weekend as well. If you want to take your training even further, there is a Functional Movement Specialist certification. This program teaches you to assess your client’s movement patterns and the teach exercises that will help to correct any abnormalities or weakness. This course runs over weekend time frame as well.

While the certification process is quick, you must be physically strong enough and adapt at the actual exercises first. Depending on your current fitness level this could take some time.

Features

In a level-I Kettlebell certification course you will start by learning how to lift the kettlebell correctly, the functional movements used in a Kettlebell class, learn to monitor your clients and correct their form and technique, and receive instruction on incorporating Kettlebells into other workout routines. In a level-II certification course you learn more advanced exercises and how to test your clients strength. To pass you must be able to demonstrate your ability to do demonstrate exercises like the pull up, pistol, windmill, bent press Viking push press, and the clean and jerk.

Considerations

Since these courses are only a weekend long they assume you have some knowledge of anatomy and physiology. It is an investment as the basic level one course could cost over $2,000. If you do not pass the test the first time, you may have to pay an additional $500 to retest. Level two certification is approximate $2,700. The Functional Movement Specialist certification cost close to three thousand dollars.

Warning

If you are going to start training with Kettlebells in preparation for certification, make sure you train in person with an instructor. The Kettlebells weigh anywhere from eight pounds to close to two hundred pounds, and many of the movements involve swinging the Kettlebell into position. You need to have a properly trained instructor watch your form as this type of exercise can have a high risk of injury. Once you know how to monitor your own form and lift the Kettlebell correctly, you can then train at home with DVD’s.

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For more information about personal trainer education, please visit our website.

Posted by careerpersonaltraining at 15:15:00 | Permalink | No Comments »