It’s Time Personal Trainers are Required to Have Proper Accredidation
This year’s attention to nationwide health care reform has cemented the health and fitness industry’s emphasis on the need for proper accreditation and certification, according to an American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) survey of fitness trends published in the November/December issue of ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal®. The growing demand for educated and experienced fitness professionals claimed the top spot in the survey for the fourth consecutive year.
“As the market in this sluggish economy becomes even more crowded and competitive, the need for regulation, either from within the industry or from external sources, is growing,” said the lead author of the survey, Walter R. Thompson, Ph.D., FACSM. “For example, a number of states and the District of Columbia are considering legislation to regulate personal trainers just as it does physicians, lawyers and pharmacists.” Thompson, an exercise physiologist at Georgia State University and a Fellow of ACSM, is also spokesperson for the ACSM American Fitness IndexTM.
The survey, now in its fifth year, was distributed to ACSM-certified health and fitness professionals worldwide and was designed to reveal trends in various fitness environments. Respondents around the world returned more than 2,200 completed surveys. Thirty-one potential trends were given as choices, and the top 20 were ranked and published by ACSM.
The most surprising findings, experts say, are the trends that have fallen off the list for 2011 – balance training, stability balls and Pilates. Pilates suffered the worst fall, disappearing after a ninth place ranking in 2010.
“It appears from this survey that Pilates may not have been a trend at all but may be considered a fad in the health and fitness industry,” said Thompson. “Next year’s survey will either embrace Pilates as a trend or will answer this question.”
New trends to the list include worker incentive programs, clinical integration and reaching new markets. These additions directly reflect some of the work ACSM is doing to globalize the Exercise is Medicine® initiative.
“Interest in medical fitness, worker incentive programs, and worksite wellness programs may be a direct result of health care reform measures and Exercise is Medicine,” said Thompson. “With an estimated 80 percent of Americans not having a regular exercise program or a place to exercise, health and fitness professionals must search for news ways to deliver their services to people who need them.”
The top ten fitness trends predicted for 2011 are:
1. Educated and experienced fitness professionals. Due to increases in the number of organizations offering health and fitness certifications, it’s important that consumers choose professionals certified through programs that are accredited by the National Commission for Certifying Agencies, such as those offered by ACSM.
2. Fitness programs for older adults. As the baby boom generation ages into retirement, some of these people have more discretionary money than their younger counterparts. Therefore, many health and fitness professionals are taking the time to create age-appropriate fitness programs to keep older adults healthy and active.
3. Strength training. Strength training remains a central emphasis for many health clubs. Incorporating strength training is an essential part of a complete physical activity program for all physical activity levels and genders.
4. Children and obesity. With childhood obesity growing at an alarming rate, health and fitness professionals see the epidemic as an opportunity to create programs tailored to overweight and obese children. Solving the problem of childhood obesity will have an impact on the health care industry today and for years to come.
5. Personal training. More and more students are majoring in kinesiology, which indicates that students are preparing themselves for careers in allied health fields such as personal training. Education, training and proper credentialing for personal trainers have become increasingly important to the health and fitness facilities that employ them.
6. Core training. Distinct from strength training, core training specifically emphasizes conditioning of the middle-body muscles, including the pelvis, lower back, hips and abdomen – all of which provide needed support for the spine.
7. Exercise and weight loss. In addition to nutrition, exercise is a key component of a proper weight loss program. Health and fitness professionals who provide weight loss programs are increasingly incorporating regular exercise and caloric restriction for better weight control in their clients.
8. Boot camp. Boot camp is a high-intensity structured activity program modeled after military style training and led by an instructor. Boot camp incorporates cardiovascular, strength, endurance and flexibility drills in both indoor and outdoor settings.
9. Functional fitness. This is a trend toward using strength training to improve balance and ease of daily living. Functional fitness and special fitness programs for older adults are closely related.
10. Physician referrals. Physician referrals, a key component of the Exercise is Medicine initiative, partner medical professionals with heath and fitness professionals to seamlessly integrate exercise into their patients’ lives.
The full list of top 20 trends is available online in the article “Worldwide Survey of Fitness Trends for 2011.”
Tips for Staying Motivated
It can be hard to get motivated to exercise, but it can be even harder to stay motivated to continue exercising on a regular basis. This is true for those who worked out all through high school and college but took a five or ten year break, and it is true for those just starting to exercise. When I was in high school, I had a structured workout schedule and it was required of me to complete it. Once I started college I found it hard to find time to fit in exercise, even though I had enough time in my day to do so, despite believing I did not. Here are a couple of things that helped me get back on a regular exercise routine:
1. Make an overall goal. Before you start your exercise routine make an overall goal of what you want to accomplish, whether it be running a marathon, biking a century, lose 30 lbs, bench press 150 lbs, or to work out 5 days a week for 30 minutes. Once you make your goal, set up a time frame for that goal. Make sure this is a reasonable goal/time frame! Don’t set yourself up for failure by making a goal that is impossible to accomplish, or impossible to accomplish in a short period of time.
2. Break your goal up into several small goals. If your goal is to work out 5 times a week for 30 minutes in 3 months, then make smaller goals to help you start of slowly. For example, I will work out 1 time for 30 minutes during the first week, and work out twice a week for at least 30 minutes during the following three weeks. During the next few weeks I will work out 3 times a week for 30 minutes. Meeting the little goals helps to give you confidence that you can meet your overall goal, and works as a plan to help you reach that goal.
3. Identify and plan for your obstacles. Before you start to work toward your goal, think of things that may become a road block on the path to your goal. Some common obstacles are time, being too tired, not enjoying working out alone, and forgetting something necessary for the workout such as a water bottle. Once you identify potential pitfalls, come up with a solution for each one. For example, time may seem like a problem but if you make a schedule and include an hour for exercise and a shower, you will find that as long as you manage your time well, you should be able to fit it in. If you don’t like to work out alone, find a work out buddy so that you have someone to work out with and have someone who can keep you motivated and focused. Another time saving trick is to gather all of the workout necessities the night before so you don’t have to worry about forgetting something in the morning.
4. Tell someone your goals. Find someone who is supportive and let he or she know what your goals are. That way they can help you find ways past obstacles that come up and help to keep you motivated. Also it helps keep you accountable if you check in with them weekly to see if you met your goals or not.
5. Reward yourself! If you meet your goals but don’t reward yourself, then it will be harder to stay motivated and reach your goals. Yes it feels good to reach your goals, but buying yourself that new movie or book, or going on a vacation is much more motivating.
6. Do something you like. If you like the exercise you are doing, you are more likely to continue doing it. For example, if you extremely dislike running, don’t make your goal to run a marathon. Make sure what you are doing will be enjoyable to you, because you are making time out of your day to do it.
Keeping a regular workout schedule can be hard, especially at first. Remember to make sure you enjoy what you are doing and your goals are reasonable. Also remember to stay flexible, things happen and life gets busy. If for some reason you cannot work out on Wednesday like you usually do, then fit it on Thursday. Don’t get discouraged if you miss one of your goals. Just move on and focus on your next goal. Don’t give up!
Written by: Brittnay Deroche (Spring Intern)
Save Money on Personal Training by Slot Sharing!
Great results can be achieved through personal training, however sometimes budget dictates what we can and can’t afford. To help take away financial stress and allow our customers to afford being able to take care of their health and fitness we are rolling out a Slot Sharing program at our Polaris location.
Here is how Slot Sharing works:
Available Time Slots to train during the week are:
6am 10am 2pm 6pm
7am 11am 3pm 7pm
8am 12pm 4pm 8pm
9am 1pm 5pm
Each time slot will be dedicated to two people to train together at the same time with a personal trainer.
Therefore, allowing the two people to share the cost!
Package Costs
For one month: 8, 45 minute sessions
(2 sessions per week)
1st Month: $99 per person
2nd Month: $149 per person
3rd Month: $149 per person
4th Month: $199 per person
Every month thereafter: $199 per person
This is an excellent option for a person on a budget. Do the math, only $13 a session starting out!!!!
Now there is no reason for you not to be in the best shape of your life.
For questions or to sign-up:
Call 614.888.2994 or email Margaret at mar_gl3@hotmail.com
What Does it Take to be a Trainer?
What do you look for? Certifications? Degrees? Experience? Muscle heads? Or just the title “Personal trainer”?
To get the title personal trainer most people will take a test from a book they bought and they are golden. Most don’t have even a college degree! These are not the qualified personal trainers. Make sure you look for more.
To become a “qualified” personal trainer you first have to complete a bachelor’s degree in exercise physiology/science. To complete this degree one has to complete courses in anatomy, physiology, kinesiology, biomechanics, etc. This is just the ticket to the dance. Obtaining a certification or courses specific to personal training is next. At Columbus Fitness Consultants the trainers complete an internship with Jerry Greenspan, the owner of the company. Jerry has degrees in mechanics of human movement, human nutrition, and physical therapy as well as an extensive background in exercise physiology and is trained in muscle activation therapy. He also holds dual undergraduate degrees in engineering and pre-medical sciences. Jerry ensures the trainers are knowledgeable and capable of demonstrating the exercises correctly, understand how the muscles work during each exercise and how to change the exercise according to each individuals needs.
This hands-on course/internship is just the beginning. Experience is the next thing to look at. Like everything in life we get better the more experience we have. Columbus Fitness Consultants offers Junior, Senior, and Premier trainers. To be promoted to Senior or Premier level the trainers have to take the internship written and oral test on anatomy and biomechanics again… and pass 
So next time you are looking for a trainer make sure they are educated and experienced. (Also fun wouldn’t hurt either
“Buff Brides” Columbus Fitness Consultants featured in Columbusbride.com
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A personal trainer works with a client at Columbus Fitness Consultants. (Photo courtesy of Columbus Fitness Consultants)
Posted: Wednesday, November 17, 2010 9:27 am | Updated: 12:35 pm, Wed Nov 17, 2010.
By: Emma Frankart |
It’s every bride’s nightmare. Three days before the wedding and the dress won’t zip up. Trying all those cake flavors and menu options has taken its toll, and you’re left praying that the last-minute seamstress you find in the Yellow Pages has enough experience working with tulle and silk to keep your gorgeous dress intact.
It doesn’t have to be this way.
More and more, brides are turning to personal trainers and bridal “boot camps” to help lose those extra pounds or tone up problem areas before the big day. These days, there are plenty of options available to suit every woman’s workout style.
Though their methods are different, the goals of the following three programs are the same: lose weight, get in shape and feel confident as you walk down the aisle. Read on to find out more about the different styles of Columbus Fitness Consultants, the Rock Hard Girls Club and Forever Fit’s Bridal Boot Camp.
Columbus Fitness Consultants
The most personalized of the three programs, Columbus Fitness offers one-on-one personal training for each of its clients. New clients meet with personal training manager Margaret Lipp, who assesses their goals and matches them with a trainer accordingly. While Columbus Fitness doesn’t offer a bridal regimen, the trainers there do acknowledge that brides often have specific goals and are able to accommodate them.
“Usually with the bride, because she has a certain date in mind to reach her goals by, we’ll emphasize making sure we get baseline measurements,” says Lipp. “We assess what weight she wants to lose and measure what she wants measured, and that way we have something to track.” Lipp stresses that the trainer’s approach to the workout itself won’t differ between brides and regular clients; each client has his or her needs assessed individually, with a program that fits those needs.
Columbus Fitness’s trainers also help clients focus on proper nutrition. “You could work out two hours a day, six or seven days a week, but if you’re not paying attention to what you eat it could be for nothing,” explains Lipp. Clients are educated on how to change the formula and combination of the foods they like, so they can enjoy eating well. “With dessert, for example, the owner — who is a nutritionist — has a brownie recipe,” Lipp says. “These brownies taste amazing. They don’t look or taste like a low-fat brownie, but they are.” Eating well also means recognizing that all “healthy” foods aren’t always healthy. Lipp uses salad as an example: “You can make a salad 1,000 calories once you add the cheese and the bacon and all that.” As an added nutrition aid, clients are given sample grocery lists with foods that can be found at their everyday grocery stores.
First-time clients get an introductory rate of $99 to $149 for six 45-minute sessions, depending on the trainer’s level (junior, senior or premier), with additional sessions ranging from $31.95 to $65.66, depending on duration (30, 45 or 60 minutes) and trainer’s level. To schedule an initial consultation, call Lipp at 537-2992.
The Rock Hard Girls Club
Personal trainer Jen Borman works one-on-one with women at her home gym in Canal Winchester. While at a Cocktails and Couture party at Big Rock Little Rooster in the Short North, she started wondering if the boutique ever referred clients to a particular trainer. This train of thought led to an inspiration. “I thought to myself, ‘Wow, what a unique partnership that would be — a wedding boutique paired up with a personal trainer who specializes in training women.’ ” Knowing that both she and the boutique offered highly personal services to their clients, Borman approached Big Rock Little Rooster store manager Kristin Cooke, and together the two came up with the Rock Hard Girls Club.
Starting in January, the club will consist of weekly workout “parties” held right in the store (surrounded by gowns, to provide inspiration) every Wednesday from 6 to 7 pm. The group is open to all women, not just brides, but the focus will be on preparing for the wedding day.
“No two workout classes will be alike,” says Borman. “By progressively switching up the routines and utilizing various training methods, the clients will be in a constant state of improvement, rather than maintenance.” Borman will use circuit training to focus on exercises like strength training, plyometrics, core work and “Glide” or “Towel Training,” which uses a towel as a workout tool.
Borman’s experience in working with women adds to the helpfulness of the class, as does her experience with being a bride: She got married just two years ago. “During all of the crazy planning, exercise was the only thing that made me feel better,” she says. “Exercising really helped me deal with the stress of the wedding . . . and now I want to offer that service to others in a fun, fully supported, group environment.”
Each class is $15, or $50 for the month, and space is reserved on a first-come, first-serve basis. To sign up for classes, contact Borman at jen@personaltrainingbyjen.com or 920-0441.
Bridal Boot Camp
If you prefer the comfort and support of a group class, but also want the customized help of a personal trainer, then Forever Fit’s Bridal Boot Camp is the program for you. Led by Forever Fit owner Nancy Eisenman, this training program combines the best of both worlds for a unique workout.
Eisenman works with each Boot Camp participant individually to set goals and find ways to reach them. She gives each participant a food journal, which everyone goes over together in class, and helps with ideas for healthy eating. “We talk a lot about food and what we should eat, and when we should eat,” Eisenman explains. “You should eat something every three to four hours so you don’t get real hungry. . . . A lot of people skip meals and then they don’t lose weight, because your body thinks you might be starving.”
She also provides workout ideas for off days or for participants who have to miss a workout. The workouts themselves focus on “a little bit of everything,” Eisenman says. “We just try to work hard. It’s all about the intensity.” She says that in a class, women will often burn 600 to 800 calories. Each class is different, but they always utilize bursts of cardio, mixed with strength training and core work, as well as extra arm and shoulder work, because so many brides are going strapless. Eisenman also invites non-brides to sign up for a session or two.
Each session is one month long and can consist of either two or three workouts per week. Classes are Mondays and Wednesdays from 6 to 7 pm, with the extra workout thrown in on Saturdays from 10 to 11 am. One month of twice-weekly classes is $108, while a month of three-times-a-week classes is $144. Register online by going to foreverfitbynancy.com and clicking the Bridal Boot Camp tab.
Getting started and sticking with it
Both Eisenman and Lipp stress the importance of starting early. The Columbus Fitness blog post, Fitness Tips for Brides, says it takes eight to 10 weeks for a body to respond to a consistent strength training program, though Lipp suggests starting a workout regimen as early as six months prior to the wedding for drastic results. Eisenman suggests a similar timeline, cautioning that waiting until just two months before the wedding is “just setting yourself up for failure.”
Both women also stress the importance of continuing an exercise regimen at home after the wedding. Eisenman says her Boot Camp classes focus not just on the wedding day, but on teaching that “This is how you should be working out three to four times a week for the rest of your life, whether you’re 25 or 62.” Lipp also laments brides who cut exercise out of their lives post-wedding. “For me as a personal trainer . . . it’s hard to watch all that hard work go down the tube,” Lipp says. “This is your chance to embrace [working out] not only for the big day, but as a new, healthy habit.”
Of course, working out isn’t just about looking good; it’s about feeling great, too. All three women say that their programs are meant to help instill confidence in brides-to-be. “I am all about empowering women and making them feel good about themselves,” says Borman, echoing a mentality shared by Lipp and Eisenman.
To see the original article go to www.columbusbride.com, “Buff Brides”
What’s So Great About Bootcamp?!
The temperatures are rising, the sun comes up earlier, and it’s time to dust off the old workout gear. But wait! You’re are not sure what to even do! You are bored with running, when you go to the gym you do the same 5 exercises because your not sure how to use the rest of the equipment and it’s not in your budget to be able to hire a personal trainer. Yikes, what do you do now?
Bootcamp provides you a solution to overcome all those previously mentioned hurdles. It is inexpensive, you have a personal trainer leading the exercises so it takes the guess work right out, and there is enough variety to constantly keep your muscles guessing.
Think Bootcamp will be too tough for you? Are you picturing a drill sergeant of a trainer barking at you to go faster and nothing but already buff and athletic participants in class with you being the only one sucking wind? Not at all! Our bootcamp participants are of all ages and fitness levels and the trainer makes sure that everyone is doing exercises that are realistic for each participant.
We guarantee you’ll leave fatigued!
Bootcamp is a one hour calorie burning machine. The outdoor class combines strength training and cardio to get you into the best shape of your life. A professional personal trainer designs a new class every week that incorporates everything from dumbbells, balls, boxing, and calisthenics to keep the program fun and your body guessing. Not only that, it is a great way to add some diversity to your workout routine and meet some great people.
The Bootcamp program* is offered at 1640 West Lane Ave behind the training studio building parking lot every Saturday at 9am starting May 1st-September 30th*
*no class May 29th, July 3rd, September 4th
Package Options:
New to Bootcamp? First session is FREE!
Single Sessions – $12
10 sessions – $108 (10 sessions for the price of 9!)
19 sessions – $190 (just $10 per session)
To sign-up either call at 614.488.3308 visit our website:
http://www.columbusfitness.com/group-training.html
Excerice Can Help Quit Smoking!
If you’re a smoker, exercise may be your gateway to a healthier, smoke free life. Exercise is an excellent way to manage your cravings while you are quitting as well as prevent the weight gain that some people experience after they quit.
Exercise
Exercise is beneficial in numerous ways, and for smokers it may not just mean fitness, it may mean quitting. Whenever you feel that urge to light one up, consider doing some little exercises instead. Triceps dips in a sturdy chair, side bends while sitting in a chair, or shoulder raises using a full water bottle all are great ways to fight through a craving as well as get a little bit of exercise in the office.
Quitting
Quitting takes strength and time. Most people don’t fully quit on their first attempt, rather it takes multiple attempts to kick the habit. Here are some helpful tips to get started on the path towards a smoke free existence.
- Pick a quitting day and stick to it.
- Get rid of all of the tobacco products in your home, car and workplace.
- List the times and places that you most likely want to smoke and avoid them.
- Reward yourself for successful milestones such as a week or a month without smoking with things like a dinner out or a movie.
Weight Control
Some people experience weight gain when they quit, but this is something that can be curbed with a healthy diet and smart choices. No matter what, quitting should be your number one priority. Don’t give up on the fight just because you have gained a few pounds since you quit. Weight can be lost at any time so it is important to stay focused on the goal. Also, exercising daily will help to keep you fit while you quit. Monitor your weight and know what you are eating, it may help to consult a nutritionist for a healthy eating plan. Avoid sweets and alcohol as these are fattening and be sure to keep to your diet even when you are dining out.
Quitting can be tough but with these tips, focus, and a strong will you are well on your way to being much healthier and tobacco free.
How Old Are Your Running Shoes?
Spring is here and many people have started to head outside and begin or continue their running program. Have you recently begun running? Are you tracking your miles each week? As you are tracking your miles each week, are you also keeping track of the miles on your shoes? It is very common to keep track of how many miles you are running each week, but the amount of miles put on your shoes is an important thing many of us overlook. Wearing shoes that are worn and no longer provide support can cause a lot of problems that we all want to avoid.
Why is proper foot support in our shoes important?
If your shoes are not providing proper support, it could result in an injury that could have been avoided with a new pair of shoes. In fact, exercising in shoes that have too many miles on them is one of the leading causes of injuries to the lower extremity. Some of the injuries that could result from unsupportive footwear are shin splints, plantar fasciitis, stress fractures, and patellarfemoral syndrome (knee pain).
How often should my shoes be replaced?
It is very important to replace your shoes because they lose shock absorption. Running shoes should be replaced every 400 miles. At 400 miles, shoes can lose up to 80% of their shock absorption. You may have a pair of shoes that are brand new, but have been sitting in your closet for a year. These shoes need to be replaced as well. After a year of just sitting on a shelf, shoes lose up to 50% of their shock absorption. If you notice that your knees or feet are beginning to hurt, it may also be a sign that it is time to invest in a new pair of shoes.
Where should I go to get running shoes?
A good place to go to get new running shoes is a specialty running store. Some examples of these stores are Front Runner, Fleet Feet, etc. In some stores, they have trained their employees to watch you walk and suggest shoes based upon the kind of support your foot needs. Then they may allow you to take the shoes outside and run in them to get an idea of how they will feel when you are exercising. Avoid buying shoes off the internet. When you buy online you have no idea how long a shoe has been sitting on the shelf, versus in a store the turnover in stock is likely to be more often. Remember, a shoe can lose 50% of it’s shock absorption sitting on a shelf for a year.
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