Personal Fitness Professional Spring 2018

TAKE THE LEAP: FROM FITNESS TRAINER TO BUSINESS OWNER PAGE 11!

SPRING 2018 | WWW.PERSONALFITNESSPROFESSIONAL.COM

PROGRAMMING: THE

PRECURSOR OF PROGRESS SAFELY TRAIN CLIENTS WITH OSTEOPOROSIS THE OVERLOOKED EFFECTS OF PRESCRIPTION MEDICATIONS

JOURNEY TO SUCCESS LAURA BENDER: A WOMAN OF FIRSTS

APPLY TODAY TO BE A 2018 TRAINER OF THE MONTH!

2019 [ In Partnership With ]

The 2019 PFP Trainer of the Year will be selected from the 2018 Trainer of the Month winners. Visit www.personalfitnessprofessional.com/toty to apply. Currently the winner will win over $7,500 in prizes and each Trainer of the Month will also win some great prizes. 1-Year Lease of the BodyMetrix Professional System Ultrasound Body Composition ($1,895 Value) $1,000.00 Power Systems gift certificate PowerBlock U50 Club Set ($795.00 value) 3-night hotel stay at the Hilton Chicago by Sports & Fitness Insurance ($750.00 value) Lifetime membership to The Academy online resource and community for fitness business owners by Fitness Revolution ($599.00 value) Choice of any NSCA Certification and associated textbook by NSCA ($500.00 value)

Premium Certification Package by NFPT ($400.00 value) 1-year membership to FiTOUR Total Access: receive access to complete each of the FiTOUR in-home certifications with online study materials ($300.00 value) FiTOUR will gift each TOTY applicant one in-home certification of their choosing. Select from 19 certifications ($99.00 value) A complimentary full conference registration to any 2019 Medical Fitness Tour event courtesy of the MedFit Education Foundation ($299.00 value) TRX Education Gift Card to any live, one-day TRX course ($295.00 value) Domestic flight to O'Hare airport and travel to and from the airport to the Club Industry Show (max $700.00 value) Featured profile in the 2019 Winter issue of Personal Fitness Professional magazine Announced on stage at Club Industry Show 2018 in October and will receive an engraved award Each Trainer of the Month will receive: $100.00 Power Systems gift certificate 1-year membership for each Trainer of the Month to The Academy online resource and community for fitness business owners by Fitness Revolution ($399.00 value) MedFit Education Foundation one-year professional membership ($169.00 value)

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Collaborating for success Opportunities in medical fitness.

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LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

FOLLOW TOTY

Lindsay Vastola

Josh Bowen www.aspirefitnessky.com

lindsay@rbpub.com

If you don’t track it, you can’t change it

E

arlier this year I came across a quote, “If you don’t track it, you can’t change it.” The timing was serendipitous since I was in the middle of making significant changes in my business. It was a reminder that even though I had a plan, in order for me to determine whether the plan was succeeding, I needed to track the right data and information so I could see progress, spot trends, and adjust as needed.

Tracking is a standard component of effective fitness programming; we track performance to make informed decisions about whether to increase or decrease weight or reps or to change intensity or frequency. Many track their food to create better eating habits.

Athletes track statistics to improve their game. Doctors track health markers to assess and diagnose. People track their daily steps to motivate them to move more. The reality is, if you aren’t tracking, you can’t effectively change the factors that influence the outcome.

Tracking is not only important to ensure we’re accountable to a plan or program, but also because it makes progress visible. When we experience progress, we are more likely to continue positive actions or make the necessary adjustments to redirect the trajectory.

For many of our clients, progress is defined as the number of pounds lost or a smaller pant size. When those things don’t change, they give up. However, by communicating the plan and tracking relevant information, you can show your clients progress beyond the scale. More importantly, they are more likely to continue the positive actions that lead to long-term success. But if you don’t track it, you can’t change it.

Likewise, for many business owners, progress is defined by cash in the bank or total revenue. But it’s Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that are the more important numbers to track to assess a business’s health. If you’re not tracking and assessing KPIs, you could be missing money leaks, opportunities for greater profit or better ways to serve your clients. But if you don’t track it, you can’t change it.

Tracking takes out the guesswork; it keeps us from obsessing about the unknown.

Tracking gives us a sense of control and peace of mind. Peace of mind helps us make confident, informed decisions.

In this issue of Personal Fitness Professional, our industry experts are focused on strategies of planning, programming, and progress both in fitness and in business. I hope this issue inspires you to reflect on how you plan, program, track, and assess so that progress becomes the driving force behind continued success for you, your business, and your clients.

Be better today Our 2018 PFP Trainer of the Year, Josh Bowen, shares inspiring words about competition, staying relevant, and looking ahead at never-ending opportunity.

What would you consider the factors that differentiate Aspire Fitness from your competition?

I honestly never think about other businesses, I only think about how we can be better, so I guess that may be the differentiating factor.

Most businesses play on a finite scale, meaning they play as if the game will end so they look at their competition and try to out-do them. We play on an infinite scale, where business never ends, and we are just trying to be better today than we were yesterday.

How do you continue to keep your services and programming unique and relevant to your clients?

We listen to our clients, who tell us what they want. We will in turn provide them with what they need. You don't need to reinvent the wheel, you just need to work continually on your customer service and experience.

Are there any trends in the industry that you find particularly exciting?

I don't subscribe to trends, but I am interested in mobility and recovery. I believe we do an injustice to our bodies and we need to do a better job of helping our bodies recover so we can live a healthy and happy life.

Committed to your success, Are there any fun projects you’re currently working on?

I am currently helping a group open a new boxing/fitness in club in Lexington, Kentucky — Every Body Fights.

P.S. If you’re thinking about going out on your own to start a fitness business or are considering opening your own studio, we’re hosting a one-day intensive you’ll want to consider attending, “Taking the Leap: From Fitness Professional to Business Owner” on Wednesday, October 24 in Chicago. Find more details on page 11 and at www.clubindustryshow.com/TakeTheLeap. I’d love to see you there!

2018

CONTENTS

Volume 20 | Issue 2

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18

JOURNEY TO SUCCESS

EXPAND YOUR BUSINESS WITH ONLINE TRAINING

Laura Bender A woman of firsts: An unexpected journey of firsts that has inspired lasting change Lindsay Vastola

5 simple ways to get started Kourtney Thomas

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20

MORE THAN THE PROPER DOSE

A BRITTLE EPIDEMIC

Effects of prescription medications on your client’s health and wellness goals Brandi Binkley and Dr. Tracy Hagemann

Safe programming for clients with osteoporosis Carol Michaels

DEPARTMENTS

05

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

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THE MESSAGE

If you don’t track it, you can’t change it

Look beyond your programming

Dustin Maher

Lindsay Vastola

Shannon Fable

07

10

PROFILE

PROFILE

We’re Here to Power Your Potential

Power Systems

08

MINDSET & MOTIVATION

Relationships, retention and revenue

Brian Grasso

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09

LEADERSHIP

BEST PRACTICES

The dreaded chargeback

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Protection found in passionate training partner

Melissa Knowles

Philadelphia Insurance Companies

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24

UP-LEVEL YOUR CAREER

Tracking all components of progress

Greg Vaughn

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EDUCATION TRENDS

Training 10 years, or 1-year, 10 times?

Rick Howard

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EXERCISE SPOTLIGHT PowerWave™

Power Systems

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NEW ON THE MARKET

The latest trends in fitness equipment

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BE BETTER

Your greatest investment

Lisa Druxman

PROFILE: POWER SYSTEMS www.power-systems.com

800.321.6975

sales@power-systems.com

We’re Here to Power Your Potential

P

otential (noun) — a latent excellence or ability that may or may not be developed / something that can develop or become actual Potential is in us all — but there will come a time when you need someone or something to motivate you, to check and push you, to make sure you are always moving forward toward the goal. As physically and mentally tough as we all are – there are times when it is difficult to hold yourself accountable. That is why it is important to share your goals with someone. Someone, in the toughest times, who will remind you why you started.

Someone who will encourage you to keep going when it seems out of reach.

That is why we are sharing our 2018 goals with you.

We understand that just as your clients rely on you, you rely on us.

We’ve spent decades developing the most extensive line of products in the industry. We deliver quickly and accurately so you can start training right away. We serve you with a passion to adapt and evolve with the rapid dynamics of the fitness industry. Providing the tools is only part of the equation. We also take time to listen to you — to understand your business and recommend the right products for you and your clients so you can provide results.

As you support your clients, we are here to support you, your business, and your goals.

As fitness professionals you push yourself, your business, and your clients toward their potential every day. You inspire each other to push the boundaries of potential further and further — moving the mark forward with every goal accomplished. But even the most successful among us have a fitness community providing support. It’s your community - the team - that keeps your clients coming back. We believe the team we’ve built over the past 30 years is the reason you continue to trust us as a partner. We’re in this together.

As you support your clients, we are here to support you, your business, and your goals. In other words, we are here to empower you to become. Become what? Whatever you want to be. Whatever you want your business to be.

OUR PROMISE is to always give you the support you need, to help you inspire your clients, and to work together.

In 2018, Power Systems is here to Power Your Potential.

We provide the tools, so you can provide the results. Every Space. Every Client. Every Goal.

To learn more about our new products for 2018, including new storage options, kettlebells, slam balls, and stability balls, visit us at www.power-systems.com/shop/category/new-products.

MINDSET AND MOTIVATION Brian J. Grasso

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www.BrianandCarrie.live

Relationships, retention and revenue

E

ight years ago, my relationship with my wife, Carrie, started with honest and expressive emails. It evolved into blissful phone calls that extended to the wee hours of every morning. Living more than 700 miles apart, we fell in love with each other’s voices, the vulnerability of real connection and a sobering purity that can only be found when physical touch isn’t possible.

But to this day, communication remains our most cherished form of intimacy. We talk for an hour every morning. Teaching each other what we learned during our own respective morning study. Reviewing our individual and collective goals. Sharing the truest parts of our emotions on any given day.

Our evenings end in virtually the exact same manner. Discussing our triumphs and joys over the past 12 hours and reminding each other how much the love that brought us together against unlikely odds still pulses deeply.

No. You’re not reading the wrong column. This isn’t a cheap or half-cooked version of some kind of cheesy romance novel. But it is a reminder. And one that I often feel fitness professionals need more than they may realize they need. The heart and foundation of every great relationship is communication. The worth of your fitness business, your clients’ successes and even your revenue is directly tied to the worth of your conversations. Likely, so much more than you realize.

Falling in love with the idea of having a thriving fitness business is very, very easy. Searching high and low for the loudest or most convincing sales and marketing experts who promise you massive revenue boosts with a super-secret-retention-system is also easy.

But putting in the day-to-day effort of cultivating world-class relationships by increasing the importance you hold for the quality of your conversations is the undeniable key (and certainly less easy than looking for the single-serving-solution).

Don’t count reps or stick to the program. Talk to people with more care. It is perhaps the single greatest client-retention tool you’ll ever read about.

For 20 years, Brian J. Grasso has been considered a revolutionary force within the fitness industry. In 2002, he founded the International Youth Conditioning Association and Athletic Revolution. In 2011, he created the Mindset Performance Institute. Brian has traveled the world as a guest lecturer and Performance Coach for elite level athletes of various sports.

LEADERSHIP Shannon Fable

www.shannonfable.com

Look beyond your programming

T

he fitness landscape is changing; the way you program as a fitness professional may be in need of a refresh if you want to keep up. But, right now, the way you package and deliver your training must quickly adapt to meet a new audience while simultaneously taking care of your current clients.

Here are few things to consider: Timing – is 60 minutes essential? Have you considered that this timeframe may be limiting to your clients? Consider the concerns of finding one hour of time for the person that is just starting out, the busy professional that travels, or the mom that has limited childcare. You may think hour sessions are the only way to go. But, this may be an antiquated way of thinking. Consider 30- and 45-minute sessions as options to meet the needs of potential clients who find time as a barrier.

Scheduling – are you still scheduling clients face-to-face, via text or phone calls? Not only is this time consuming and tough to do when you’re juggling a full client load, but it may be a barrier. Consider that most massage therapists, estheticians, dog groomers, nail techs, and even dentists allow clients to schedule at their convenience via apps and websites. Why not you? You do not need to spend a ton of money on a fancy system to interface with clients. There are affordable services like Scheduleonce and Acuity. Both read your current calendar, allow you to customize your availability, and even make it easy to approve or reschedule appointments. With a small investment, you can have a private URL to send to new and current clients to book consultations, sessions, or even phone call check-ins.

Offerings – is one-on-one, private training all you are offering? Today, information about working out is ubiquitous and training is affordable.

Many folks still want someone to tell them what to do, but they don’t necessarily need the workout customized or delivered privately. Group training is more popular, and the power of the group is real. Whether it’s the accountability someone is after, the push that comes from watching others workout beside you, or the fun factor that comes from being ‘in it’ together, large and small group training is more than just a way to save money for clients. Beyond group training, you should also consider ways to meet clients outside of the club via virtual mediums.

Shannon Fable, 2013 IDEA and 2006 ACE Instructor of the Year, is VP of Fitness Programming for the FIT4MOM® franchise. For more than two decades, she has consulted for impressive brands including Anytime Fitness, Schwinn, Power Systems, and BOSU®. An experienced educator, writer, and certified Book Yourself Solid® Business Coach, she helps fitness pros navigate the industry and make more money. She is Vice Chair of the ACE Board of Directors and owner of GroupEx PRO®, a cloud-based management tool.

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BEST PRACTICES

CAREER ACCELERATOR

Melissa Knowles

Greg Vaughn

www.gymhq.club

The dreaded chargeback

Tracking all components of progress

Y

I

ou’re happily growing your business—signing up new members and growing your draft—when, bam, you see a negative amount show on your merchant statement. You didn’t provide this member with a refund, so what could this be? Meet the dreaded, and largely misunderstood, chargeback.

The process begins when your member “files a chargeback” – this means the cardholder notifies his or her bank of a transaction alleged to be in error. The cardholder’s bank usually has its own internal process for pre-screening a disputed charge, and if the issuing bank finds the charge to be valid, the cardholder will be charged. If, however, the issuing bank finds sufficient evidence to support the cardholder’s claim, it will open a file, notify the merchant’s bank of its findings, and temporarily re-credit any disputed funds to the cardholder’s account pending the outcome of the dispute. The merchant bank will then do its own investigation. If the issuing bank approves the merchant bank’s findings, the cardholder loses, and he or she will be liable for the charges and any associated fees. If the issuing bank disagrees with the merchant bank’s findings, then the cardholder wins, and the recredited amounts will stick – the cardholder will not be liable for the charges.

What you need, more than anything, is documentation which tends to prove the legitimacy of a charge. This could include: 1) a signed and dated membership agreement showing the cardholder as the “buyer,” 2) a written notice of cancellation signed detailing the reasons for cancellation, 3) a checklist signed and dated by the cardholder showing receipt of legal agreements, 4) email correspondence between you and the cardholder regarding the substance of the disputed transaction, 5) the cardholder’s check-in history, 6) any notes in your club management system.

The more you can resolve through customer service channels, the less likely it will be that you get hit with chargebacks. Be thorough and complete in your approach to getting agreements signed.

Chargebacks aren’t always fair, and the decisions made by the member’s issuing bank may not be just, either. Remember, even when you do everything right, there is always a chance a member will chargeback a payment and win. The goal is to limit the number of chargebacks you have to fight and if you do, to have a full arsenal of facts and documents at your disposal.

Melissa Knowles is Vice President of GYM HQ, providing corporate services including accounting, payroll, HR and customer service for the fitness industry.

In more than 17 years of industry experience her expertise includes strategic operations, staff training, cost savings analysis, reporting development and implementation, fitness department overhaul, client retention systems and corporate management. mknowles@clubready.com

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www.redefiningfitness.libsyn.com

| WWW.PERSONALFITNESSPROFESSIONAL.COM | SPRING 2018

feel like I’m going backwards…”

Eventually, nearly every client says something like this, and it can be tough for coaches to hear. Often, it can be a lack of communication or tracking that has them feeling stuck.

With so many components that make up a person’s fitness level, results are sometimes difficult to measure -- especially from a client’s perspective. They may be focused on increasing their deadlift, while you may be focused on increasing mobility, endurance, and technique.

It is imperative to have systems in place to communicate the program to your clients, as well as helping them understand what “progress” means. Ask what their expectations are and help them set long-term goals. From there, help explain the checkpoints along the way, and the different components of progress that can be tracked.

Body composition, internal health, endurance, strength, and mobility are all components which can be tracked throughout the year. Track the number of pushups they can do, the weight they are using for a squat or hinge, the amount of time it takes to run a mile, etc. Adjust their tracking program in a way that aligns with each of their goals.

Talk with clients about the expectations of their current program or phase. Let them know what they can expect to see improve over the next few months.

Here is an example: Client goal: Lose weight, walk up the stairs more easily, and go hiking again with friends.

Client needs: Improve endurance, mobility, and overall strength.

Tracking progress: Month 1: Improve 1-mile time and learn how to squat, hinge and lunge.

Month 2-3: Improve squat, hinge, and lunge 10-12 rep max.

Month 4: Improve squat 1- or 5-rep max.

Somewhere along the way, your client will also have lost a few pounds, all while focusing on the process. The example is a little generic, but the key is to stay on track with the client, evaluate progress, and focus on the process it takes to help them achieve the goals that matter most. When clients begin to realize the process, they will stay much more engaged and motivated while working toward their long-term goals.

Greg Vaughn is the CEO of Premier Fitness and host of The Redefining Fitness Podcast. Greg started in the industry in 2009, and has grown multiple successful fitness businesses. He is an author, speaker and strength coach for the general public. To learn more about his mission of "Redefining Fitness," visit: www.redefiningfitness.libsyn.com

TAKE THE LEAP: FROM FITNESS TRAINER TO BUSINESS OWNER

Hosted by:

WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER 24, CHICAGO, IL

Whether it’s starting your own business or opening a studio — discover the first steps to doing it on your own, doing it successfully, and doing it for life.

LINDSAY VASTOLA

Editor, Personal Fitness Professional (PFP); Founder & Owner, Body Project Your First Step: create a sound business plan

MELISSA KNOWLES

Vice President, Gym HQ Business Best Practices: understand the most critical do's and don'ts

ONE-DAY INTENSIVE FOR FITNESS PROFESSIONALS

RYAN KETCHUM

Executive Director, VP of Sales & Marketing, Fitness Revolution Marketing: build and maintain your ideal client base

MARK NUTTING

Owner, Jiva Fitness Sales: strategically price and sell your services

INTERACTIVE HOT SEATS Our speakers help you with your next steps

Part of Club Industry Show October 24-26

The Take the Leap one-day intensive is hosted by Personal Fitness Professional (PFP) as part of Club Industry Show. With an All-Access Pass you get this one-day intensive and the following: } Access to all Club Industry Show sessions October 24th - 26th (including the Personal Training track October 25th - 26th) } Conference networking events including Networking Nightcap and Club Community Breakfast

} Welcome reception with open bar and hors d'oeuvres } Admittance to the 2019 PFP Trainer of the Year award ceremony } Free exhibit hall access } Participation in early morning workouts

Register for the Take the Leap one-day intensive by purchasing the Club Industry Show All-Access Pass for $295 (through May 31)! Seats are limited!

Register Today at www.ClubIndustryShow.com/TakeTheLeap

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Journey to Success

A WOMAN OF FIRSTS

LAURA BENDER TITLE: Owner, Mind/Body Fitness Trainer BUSINESS: Bodies and Soul by Bender CERTIFICATIONS: Cooper Institute for Aerobics Research; Yoga instructor and PSM Meditation teacher through Chopra Center for Wellbeing AFAA Group Fitness instructor, David Ji Master Meditation teacher, IFPA Functional Reconditioning Specialist FAVORITE QUOTES: “There is nothing you can’t do if you put your mind to it.” (Reminder from her mother) “Set your intention in meditation, water it with your attention and watch your dream grow.”

(Dr. Deepak Chopra)

Laura

By Lindsay Vastola

F

An unexpected journey of firsts that has inspired lasting change

or more than 36 years, Laura Bender of Missoula, Montana has been active in nearly every corner of the fitness industry. As the industry evolved, she wisely did so as well. But when you learn about her story in greater detail, it becomes apparent that she has done more than just take advantage of opportunities in a growing industry. Rather, there is one theme that has been front-and-center since the beginning of her journey to success: Laura Bender is a woman of firsts.

A first in an industry, a first in her town In 1982, Laura started as an aerobics instructor at a local spa. She didn’t have a certification until 1985, because, well, certifications were just on the horizon at the time and not easily accessible. She made up her workout routines from role models like Jane Fonda and Jackie Sheppard. She continued to evolve as the industry grew and had ambitions of being the best instructor in Missoula so began teaching in more health clubs, schools and at any event or opportunity she had to share her passion.

Laura organized local fitness demonstrations, fundraisers and warmups for charity walks and events. Through the early 90s, Laura successfully participated in aerobics competitions both locally and nationally. She was also a fitness model and marketer for several popular companies like Nike, Eurotard and Spenco.

Laura attributes much of her growth initially as driven largely by finances. She had several degrees, one in Special Education.

Her intention was to teach aerobics as a hobby, however, in 1989, she couldn’t find a teaching job. One day she was reading about this “new thing” called personal training in Shape magazine. She figured if she could bring it to her town, she could use her teaching skills in a one-on-one setting, make money and help more people.

Laura’s biggest challenge was educating people in a small town about something they had never heard of. But she was no stranger to hard work. She refers to this as her first expansion — to bring something as new as personal training to a small town.

Cold calling, talking to service clubs, television, going door-to-door… you name it, she did whatever it took to pursue her vision.

BENDER

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What started with in-home personal training, then expanded with the opening of Bodies by Bender in 1992. Laura had one employee, 15 clients, and no certification.

Six years later, she received her personal training certification from Cooper Institute for Aerobics Research. By continually educating herself, she knew she could help

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more people, build her business and charge more than $15 an hour.

Being first is where she thrives Laura seems to be one that never settles. She is always seeking ways to create an impact where it is needed most. This often means treading in unchartered territory and doing

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things never done before. It is here where she seems to thrive best.

Laura was the first to bring personal training to a town unfamiliar with the concept and is responsible for cultivating a market where it didn’t exist. In 1986, she started Special Aerobics, a precursor in Missoula to the Special Olympics. In 2013, Laura started the first yoga/meditation program for incarcerated youth in the state of Montana. She has even recently brought meditation to her community by doing a “flash mob” meditation at the local mall. She now is the first in Missoula to introduce mind-body fitness training by integrating yoga and meditation into all of her personal training programs.

In addition to the holistic training programs that are unique to her business, Laura has also become a respected and influential leader outside the walls of her studio. She is a sought-after keynote speaker, success coach and offers workplace wellness programs for businesses, corporations, professional organizations and events. Her gift of communication allows her to educate, connect and inspire her audience whether the topic is on success and leadership or battling and over-

and 2013 and Best Yoga Teacher in 2017. Perhaps some of the most powerful praise — and presumably of which she is most proud — comes from the individuals and organizations who have worked directly with Laura. The stories and testimonials from her clients speak volumes to Laura’s integrity, professionalism, and commitment to helping others in a way that they cannot find elsewhere.

coming adversity as she knows first-hand as a breast cancer survivor.

Not only a first, but a favorite It’s obvious that Laura Bender is not only a visionary but is an action-taker… and her clients and community love her for it. She’s been referred to as one of the most influential

“movers-and-shakers” in Missoula. Bodies by Bender was named Best of Missoula by a local newspaper reader poll from 1998 to 2017 and has been featured by the Missoulian newspaper as one of Missoula’s top businesses, including numerous features and cover page highlights. Laura has been named Missoula’s Choice as Best Personal Trainer in 2008, 2010

A first, and certainly not the last What she thought over 35 years ago would just be a hobby has turned into a meaningful career that continues to change the lives of her clients, directly impact her community, and raise the bar in our industry. She probably doesn’t realize that had she not taken that first step, that first risk, that first jump into the unknown, there would be a void in the countless lives she’s touched. Laura Bender can be described as many things: teacher, communicator, wife and mother, innovator, giver, mover-and-shaker, inspirer, visionary, pioneer, risk-taker, leader, and survivor. But there is no doubt that the one thing that separates her from the rest is that Laura Bender is a woman of firsts.

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FEATURE ARTICLE Carol Michaels

www.carolmichaelsfitness.com

A BRITTLE EPIDEMIC

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Safe programming for clients with osteoporosis

steoporosis is at epidemic proportions. Fifty percent of women over the age of 50 and 25 percent of men will break a bone due to osteoporosis during their lives.

This is not just an old person’s disease. We are seeing more individuals under 50 receiving this diagnosis and while this is often thought to be a concern for women, men can also have brittle bones. Personal trainers and group fitness instructors at some point in their career will most likely have clients and class participants

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who have this disease. It is imperative to learn about osteoporosis and how to create a safe exercise program for your clients.

INITIAL ASSESSMENT AND RISK AWARENESS An initial assessment includes strength testing, coordination, posture, frailty, proprioception and balance testing. Fitness professionals must ask their clients if they have osteoporosis and learn their fracture history.

Determine if your clients over age 50 have

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taken a bone density test and evaluate their risk for bone loss. You should be aware that several common medications increase the risk of osteoporosis. Females are more prone to osteoporosis as well as those with a small frame, have a family history of osteoporosis, subject to early menopause, and those who are sedentary. It may be necessary to educate your client. Osteoporosis is a silent disease and sadly it is not uncommon for individuals to realize that they have low bone mass only after they break a bone.

For trainers working with children or young adults, you should know that peak bone mass occurs in the mid-20s. Think about bone density as savings in a bank. By saving or building bone density when young, bones will have more density as we age, decreasing the risk of osteoporosis. Ensure that younger clients are creating dense bones by participating in high-impact activities. It is also important to keep an eye on clients who are exercising too much, causing exercise-induced amenorrhea. This will create the same issues as postmenopausal women — an incidence of low estrogen — one of the major factors in the loss of bone mass.

PROGRAM SAFE, EFFECTIVE EXERCISES The most effective exercises for preventing osteoporosis and working with those already diagnosed with this disease are weight-bearing, resistance training, balance, posture, stress-reducing exercise, and impact exercise. It will only be after your client’s fitness assessment that you will be able to determine which exercises should by emphasized and which should be avoided.

Before working with someone with osteoporosis make sure they have provided you with medical clearance from their physician. As with all your clients with chronic conditions, you should be in communication with their healthcare team.

A safe osteoporosis exercise program consists of weight-bearing exercise for 150 minutes per week, but determine the amount of training time as appropriate. By adding strength training, using body weight or hand weight, it will stimulate bone-building cells, improve proprioception, and improve balance, coordination and agility. Strength training increases bone density because when the muscle contracts it pulls on bone. Slowly increasing the weight used will increase the muscle mass, which increases the pull on the bone.

Falls cause fractures, so fall prevention exercise (balance exercise and muscle strengthening) is crucial. Kyphosis affects balance so posture exercise, concentrating on alignment, is an important component of a safe program.

Start with a balance assessment. Have clients try to balance on one leg for 10 seconds. If this cannot be performed, they are level A. They

should perform all standing exercises while holding a chair or barre. They can start with leg raises after a gentle warm-up. Leg raises can be performed by raising a straight leg upward, to the back, and to the side for 10 repetitions.

Add calf raises and a gentle foot stomp, and walking. Tai Chi, Qigong, and extremely modified yoga and Pilates can also be added for posture, balance, and stress reduction.

Level A clients should practice getting up and down from a chair in squat form with various assistance devices if necessary (if that move is painful, continue with a straight leg exercise).

It is interesting to note that there is less osteoporosis in cultures where squats are a fundamental part of performing daily activities. Your client should progress gradually. They should listen to their body, not strain, use good form, and stop if in pain.

KNOW WHAT IS UNSAFE Fitness professionals need to know what exercises are considered unsafe. Forward bending is unsafe. Teach your clients to use a hip hinge (neutral spine using legs) to protect their spine. Any exercise such as an abdominal crunch is contraindicated. Extreme twisting is unsafe. Therefore, many yoga and pilates exercises must be modified. Pushing heavy weight upward creates too much force on a fragile spine, as does plopping down on a chair or floor.

Group fitness instructors should ask if their students have osteoporosis and always provide modifications. Swimming and biking, while excellent for cardiovascular health and are easy on the joints, are not helpful for building bones. They are not weight-bearing exercises. If training on a bicycle, the back should not be rounded.

For clients who like to exercise in a gym, you should observe their routine to make sure that their technique is correct. We often see individuals on the chest press and chest fly machines, sitting in a forward bend posture, which is unsafe.

This forward bend posture can also be observed on knee extension and seated row machines.

Since your client is not with you 24 hours a day, they need to understand how to perform their activities of daily living in a safe manner. Driving, taking groceries out of the car, brushing teeth, and making the bed must be done in good spine alignment, using the legs and avoid forward bending.

As a fitness professional, you can add great value to your clients’ quality of life beyond your training sessions by educating your clients on how to prevent fractures during their daily activities and manage living a strong, healthy life even with osteoporosis.

A SAFE OSTEOPOROSIS EXERCISE PROGRAM CONSISTS OF WEIGHT-BEARING EXERCISE FOR 150 MINUTES PER WEEK, BUT DETERMINE THE AMOUNT OF TRAINING TIME AS APPROPRIATE. If a client can balance on one leg for 20 seconds, they can perform leg lifts while holding onto a chair with two fingers, progress to one finger and eventually adding leg weights or a resistance band. They can jump with toes on the ground, do a modified lunge (strength and balance) and start walking up hills.

For clients who can balance easily on one leg, they can perform leg lifts without holding on to the chair, eventually adding leg weights, and eventually adding another set and balance trainers can be introduced. The intensity of their aerobic exercise of choice can start to increase according to their history of fracture, orthopedic issues and general health.

Running is not considered safe for those who experienced fracture without trauma.

Full body strength training is part of a safe program for all fitness levels with the appropriate modifications. Start with light weights and progress slowly, emphasizing the common fracture sites of the hip, spine and wrist. For those with hand arthritis, use wrist weights.

Carol Michaels is an author, consultant, national presenter, founder of Recovery Fitness® and on the boards of numerous health organizations. She is the author of Exercises for Cancer Survivors and created the Cancer Recovery course in partnership with the National Federation of Professional Trainers. Carol was the 2012 PFP Trainer of the Year and the 2016 IDEA Fitness Personal Trainer of the Year. www.carolmichaelsfitness.com

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FEATURE ARTICLE Kourtney Thomas

www.kourtneythomas.com

EXPAND YOUR BUSINESS WITH ONLINE TRAINING

5 simple ways to get started

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here is a certain perception of online personal training in the current market, and it’s not always a positive one. The visual of “the Instagram Trainer” is prominent – a well-muscled physique and a link for personalized training plans. It can be frustrating for credentialed professionals to see this likely unqualified group mucking up the industry and confusing consumers.

Yes, the online space can be a bit of the Wild West, but it’s also ripe with opportunity for qualified coaches and trainers looking for ways to grow outside the traditional in-person training space. It’s a great way to reach a wider market with something unique, or to expand your current business to a broader audience.

The best way to think about online training is simply as an extension of what you already

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do in-person, or in your facility. You have a business model, you have a philosophy, you have a training style and clientele. All of those things can translate into the online space.

You can do almost exactly what you do in person online. One-on-one, group, athletic training, lifestyle coaching – all of it has a place virtually, too. Developing an online version of your service offerings provides flexibility and accountability for clients, with structure, but not too much structure. It offers enough freedom for them to succeed with your targeted support.

It can be intimidating to think about how to start this endeavor, but in reality it comes down to thinking about it in a similar way to how you started your in-person business.

Sure, there are tweaks and unique challenges, but the number one thing is to start.

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It’s likely that you have some level of infrastructure set up already for your in-person business. With a few adjustments, you can easily leverage your existing platforms for use in online training.

START WITH YOUR WEBSITE There was a day when this wasn’t important, but the fact is, most people will Google first these days. When they do, you want to be there. When they click, you want them to be impressed so they click more.

A website is the best way to get SEO rankings and show up on that first search page. A website is the best way to create a comprehensive digital presence. Yes, you want social media, but it’s not enough.

For your best chances at acquisition in a crowded field, a website is a critical part of your

you’re a personal trainer specializing in functional fitness in-person, there’s no reason to start putting out content about pre-natal fitness, meal planning, and athletic drills online. Stick to your core service offerings and modify as necessary for virtual delivery.

It might take a bit for the traffic to build, but the people you’re resonating with will become your people, and then, they’ll become your customers and clients. The people who aren’t into what you do aren’t your clients, and that’s OK. Don’t stretch for it.

overall strategy. Make sure that you add your online offerings to your services page. Make it easy to contact you, and you’re off and running.

LEAN INTO YOUR STRONG SUITS AS AN IN-PERSON TRAINER This is a combination of your qualifications and experience professionally, and your distinct personality as a service provider. What sets you apart in your local market? What do your clients love most about you? How can you play that up on your website and social media? The online marketplace is noisy, and you want to break through with not only your high-quality service offerings, but also your unique personality. Skillset and expertise are important but letting yourself shine through is going to be the difference-maker in attracting new clients online.

SHARE YOUR EXPERTISE Piggybacking on the above, you know what you’re good at. Find a way to share that with the world. Maybe it’s quick social media tutorials. Maybe it’s longer-form blog posts or YouTube videos. It doesn’t matter exactly what format your content takes, but it does matter that you have content out there, and consistently — the majority of it for free.

Consider crafting a specific calendar and strategy, but at the very least use your website blog to release new content each week.

It helps your SEO rankings, and it helps build your credibility.

STAY IN YOUR WHEELHOUSE Again, you know what you’re good at. The temptation to do a little bit of everything can be very strong, but it’s important to resist. If

BE YOU The most important thing is to stay true to your mission and values. Make sure to keep that theme rolling throughout your content and your platforms. People like a story – they also like a give – but they like it to be relatable, and they want to know what you’re about before they spend their money with you. Just as you must build trust in your community before people will walk through the doors of your gym, you have to build trust with a virtual audience before they will decide to sign on with you instead of someone else.

In the end, think about bringing your business to the internet and branding online like exercise. At first it is hard and feels weird and you’re not totally sure what you’re doing and it’s very tempting to quit. But as you do it, you get better, you start seeing baby results, you find a few people who will cheerlead you on. Before you know it, it feels like second nature, you’re raking in the sales, you’re hitting your stride and people are asking you how you do it. It’s ever-evolving, and it will look very different over time. But you have to start!

Kourtney Thomas, CSCS, has been a personal trainer and endurance running coach for six years. After a mostly inactive life, she discovered a passion for running and turned it into her profession. Kourtney spent two years training clients and athletes of all ages at a facility before starting her own business.

She now coaches clients online, empowering them through strength training, smart cardio, and mindset shifts. She enjoys bicep curls fueled by cake and riding her Harley-Davidson Softail Deluxe. Her motto is “Big Arms, Big Life,” and she lives that daily alongside her husband, dog and cat, outside of St. Louis, Missouri. www.kourtneythomas.com

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FEATURE ARTICLE Brandi Binkley

www.getphysiofit.com | Dr. Tracy Hagemann

MORE THAN THE PROPER DOSE Effects of prescription medications on your client’s health and wellness goals

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s our country continues to struggle with the growing epidemic of obesity, trainers need to be vigilant and open with their clients about topics that can worsen this condition. Without knowing it, many of the medications our clients take for the treatment of a variety of chronic disease states have the potential to cause weight gain as a side effect. After determining this as a roadblock to their successful weight loss, there are appropriate ways to handle the situation and get the client back on track to their health and wellness goals.

According to the CDC, 36.5% of U.S. adults have clinically defined obesity. Overweight individuals are defined as those with a BMI 25 to 30 and obese if the individual has a BMI of greater than 30. Let’s put this into perspective. A sedentary and unhealthy lifestyle leads to obesity, which then lends to many other co-morbid conditions including heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, heart attack and stroke. Because of these newly added diseases brought on by being obese, the patient has come full circle and is now on other potential medications that can lead to even more weight gain.

During the first meeting with the client, it is important to learn their overall goals for the sessions as well as to take a thorough

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health and medication history to tailor their workouts to fit their needs. This can be done in several ways. A standardized form can be utilized with checkmark boxes next to the condition and a space to write corresponding medications used to treat the condition or just a general questionnaire with enough space to write out the condition along with medications they are taking. But be sure to let them know that it is imperative you have this information to make their workouts effective and keep them safe.

There are many medications that the World Health Organization terms “obesogenic,” but for our purposes, we are going to focus on those that treat the four most common conditions: diabetes, high blood pressure, depression and inflammation.

In 2012, the American Diabetes Association estimated that 9.3% of the American population had a diagnosis and were being treated for diabetes. One of the recommendations for diabetic patients is to lose weight and to increase physical activity; chances are, you have clients that fall into this category. Three of the classes of medications commonly used to treat diabetic patients, including insulin, sulfonylureas, and thiazolidinediones, can cause a weight gain of anywhere from 2.2 to 13.2 pounds. That is a lot of weight to add on to someone who already needs to get some weight off.

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The most commonly diagnosed chronic disease state in the U.S. is high blood pressure. According to the American Heart Association, 85 million Americans over the age of 20, roughly 33% of adults, have high blood pressure. Though there are several classes of drugs used to treat high blood pressure, there is currently only evidence that one class contributes to overall weight gain. Beta-blockers, used for the treatment of many diseases related to the heart, only lead to a mild amount of weight gain of about 2 to 4 pounds. This minimal weight gain can easily be overcome with your help.

Depression is another commonly diagnosed and treated medical condition, though many clients might not be as forthcoming with this information as they would be with a diagnosis of high blood pressure. Within the antidepressant category, there are four classes of drugs that have a known side effect of weight gain, ranging from mild gain of 1.1 pounds to moderate gain of 11 pounds.

The class of medications most commonly prescribed by physicians is the SSRIs. Overall, this class has been shown to cause less weight gain of all the antidepressants, except for paroxetine, which can cause a patient to gain as much as 3.6% of their baseline weight during treatment. That might not sound like a lot of weight to gain, but if the patient starts

ACCORDING TO THE AMERICAN HEART ASSOCIATION, 85 MILLION AMERICANS OVER THE AGE OF 20, ROUGHLY 33% OF ADULTS, HAVE HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE.

out obese and adds this medication on top of that, it is a recipe for disaster.

The fourth and final condition we will touch on is inflammation. For the treatment of inflammation, many times patients are prescribed a corticosteroid. Long-term use of steroids can cause us to be hungry as well as to retain water and be bloated, leading to weight gain. This class of medications is known to cause the most weight gain out of all of them, ranging from 6.6 to 24.2 pounds. Some clients will have to be on this drug long-term due to a condition they are treating that causes a lot of inflammation. Such conditions can include autoimmune disorders, asthma, and COPD. With some of these clients, the underlying disease states can potentially be corrected back to baseline or close to baseline with your assistance and expertise. All said our jobs as coaches is to aid in correcting the problem with lifestyle modifications and increased overall health and wellness, which can lead to less medication for most clients.

There are many ways in which you, as a practitioner, can help clients who struggle with one or multiple chronic disease states, but still have a desire to reach their health and fitness goals. These include teaching therapeutic lifestyle choices, specifically nutrition counseling, workout routine modification, ways to help the client overcome cravings and increase mindset, and even how to talk to the client about a medication that could potentially be hindering their weight loss goals and how they can speak with their doctor or pharmacist about an alternative option.

In addition to prescribed medications, it is also important to take note of the client’s overthe-counter weight loss supplements. According to the Mayo Clinic, many of these products interact with prescription medications and have unwanted side effects like dehydration, increased heart rate and blood pressure, and dizziness. Not only are these side effects dangerous when the client comes to the workout, but they can also worsen the condition we are

trying to treat with the prescription medication.

Don’t forget that the client is there because you are the fitness expert -- they trust you. It is your job to keep them safe as well as to help them reach the goals they set at your very first meeting. As a practitioner, it is of the utmost importance that you know as much as possible about the overall health of your client for them to gain the most out of every session. There might be roadblocks along the way but with the right knowledge and some clever modifications, anything can be overcome.

Brandi Binkley M.S. NSCA-CPT is founder of PhysioFit in Nashville, Tennessee. She is an awardee of the NSCA Trainer of the Year Award. She is also partner in ErgoVicis.

Dr. Tracy M. Hagemann, PharmD., FCCP, FPPAG, is Professor and Associate Dean at the University of Tennessee College of Pharmacy in Nashville, Tennessee.

She is a client of Physiofit, and a partner in ErgoVicis.

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THE MESSAGE: DUSTIN MAHER www.dustinmaher.com | www.tcmadison.com | www.fitmomsforlife.com

www.facebook.com/dustinmmaher

@DustinMaher

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here is nothing that Dustin Maher does that isn’t propelled by ambition, purpose and impact. Dustin is the founder of the Fit Moms for Life (FM4L) movement, owns and operates 10 fitness locations, has created 30 home workout DVDs and has appeared on television more than 100 times.

While his success in fitness is obvious, Dustin’s success is in large part the result of his unwavering commitment to helping moms not only get in the best shape of their lives, but to change the trajectory of their families’ lives and ultimately the next generation. Dustin has a gift for building community and he does this by sharing his message of hope and inspiration.

Here is how Dustin Maher is sharing his message…

My ideal client is a person who is ready to take action, is coachable, and will make the commitment and sacrifice to do what it takes to reach their potential. It is a person who is looking to join a fitness family/community and not someone looking for a quick-fix.

My message is that in order to make health a lifestyle, a person must address my four key pillars: nutrition, exercise, mindset and environment. If even one of these pillars is left out, lasting change is very hard to achieve.

If I had only one way to share my message it would be speaking to large and small groups in person, since I believe magic happens when people come together in person.

Successful messaging is being as real as possible and as human as possible. Write or speak like you are talking with a friend. Keep it simple and don’t try to sound overly smart.

People follow me because I strive to be authentic and am obsessed with building a community of like-minded people, all looking to become the best version of themselves. I share about my struggles, failures, and challenges as much as possible.

DUSTIN

MAHER

PROFILE: PHILADELPHIA INSURANCE COMPANIES www.PHLY.com/HF

800.873.4552

phlysales@phly.com

Protection found in passionate training partner

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raining partners motivate, support and help you perform your best. There’s a training partner who can also help protect you.

Health and wellness is ingrained in both the culture and business at Philadelphia Insurance Companies (PHLY). The company has been offering insurance to personal trainers, fitness studios, and health clubs for more than 20 years. PHLY also supports its employees through several wellness programs, provides incentives for participation in athletic events, and every employee receives an extra 15 minutes at lunch to exercise. Their headquarters includes a state-of-the-art fitness center where employees can workout, receive personal training or nutrition counseling, take yoga, spin, and other fitness classes.

“Throughout the years, I have watched PHLY create a strong and supportive healthy and fit community.

Not only does PHLY support the health and wellness of its employees, but it’s also something the employees truly embrace and have fun with,” Megan Anderson Gregory, EXOS Program Manager and degreed and certified personal trainer.

“Many employees have made fitness part of their lifestyle, whether it’s leaving busy desks to workout during their lunch break or using their weekends to train for and participate in walks, runs, and other challenging fitness events.”

PHLY’s passion for fitness makes them an ideal training partner for fitness instructors. They offer insurance coverage that helps protect trainers of all types. Personal trainers and instructors — specializing in spin, dance, yoga, martial arts, group fitness, and more — recognize the convenience and value in PHLY’s coverages. Trainers can apply online or on a mobile device and receive coverage in minutes. Customers have the ability to renew coverage, pay online, and generate certificates of insurance with PHLY’s easy to navigate, mobile-friendly platform.

The company’s Fitness and Wellness Insurance for Personal Trainers is specifically designed to meet the unique insurance needs of many categories of fitness instruction. You don’t need any special subscriptions with an association to access PHLY’s program.

PHLY offers comprehensive general and professional liability insurance coverage. Every PHLY policy also includes abuse and molestation protection. If you’re counseling clients on nutrition and diet in addition to providing training, PHLY provides full coverage at no additional cost. There’s also no added charge for working in multiple gyms, instructing classes in parks, or training at clients’ homes — coverage is provided on and off premises.

Learn more about why PHLY is the best training partner for fitness and wellness instructors. Visit them online at PHLY.com/HF.

EDUCATION TRENDS Rick Howard

www.youthsportfitnesscoach.com

Training 10 years, or 1-year, 10 times?

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s a personal trainer, do you fail to update your knowledge and skills, being content to train the same way year-in and year-out (1 year, 10 times)? Or do you constantly strive to improve your knowledge and skills to be sure you are doing what works best for your clients (training for 10 years)?

The key difference is your commitment to increasing your knowledge of training principles and methodologies and honing your skills in coaching movements for motivation and understanding. There are several theories for mastering the learning process. It is believed that there are four phases of learning (mastery), which are most often represented in a hierarchy.1,2

THE FOUR PHASES OF LEARNING In the first phase, unconscious incompetence, you are not yet aware there is a skill to be learned and no realization of the mastery of it.

For example, there is a new technique that would work well for your client, but you do not know it exists. This happens often for the trainer who trains the same way year-in, year-out. They are always at the unconscious incompetence phase as they remain in their silo and do not seek out learning opportunities. It usually takes an external event to trigger the realization that change is needed. Perhaps the trainer sees another trainer using an exercise with which s/he is unfamiliar, or a client asks him/her about a certain type of training.

To be the best trainer you can be, continued learning to transition from incompetence to competence is necessary.

In the second phase, conscious incompetence, you become aware that you need to learn the skill or program, yet do not have mastery of it. You begin looking for solutions to learn the skill, such as workshops, online learning and mentoring. In continuing education, the learner needs to be engaged in the learning. This is very much like when you are working with a client — unless the client is an active participant in learning and doing the exercise program, benefits are unlikely. Find the method that works best for you.

As your awareness leads you into action, you enter the third phase, conscious competence. In this phase you practice what you have learned so that you become competent, but you still need to think about it consciously to make it happen. After learning and practicing,

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doing and coaching an exercise as part of your professional development, you share your knowledge of a program with a trusted client and build your confidence to share it with another.

The final phase in unconscious competence, where you have practiced it so much that your competence has become automatic — you no longer need to think about it. The exercise you learned is now second nature to you and you share the exercise with clients with whom you know will benefit from performing the exercise. You may even consider sharing it with other professionals at clinics and workshops.

To be the best trainer you can be, continued learning to transition from incompetence to competence is necessary. There are many learning formats from which to choose. Select the format that best matches the way you learn. Once you have reached unconscious competence, share with your clients with whom there is a benefit and consider sharing your mastery with other trainers who could improve their consciousness from the information.

Rick Howard, M.Ed., CSCS, *D is completing his doctorate in Health Promotion and Wellness at Rocky Mountain University of Health Professions. He has been training athletes of all ages and abilities for more than 30 years. He currently is the Director of Fitness at the Wilmington (DE) Country Club and a college professor at West Chester (PA) University and Rowan (NJ) University.

References 1. Camm, Barbara. The four phases of training. Retrieved from https://www.dashe.com/blog/ instructional-design/four-phases-of-learning/ January 17, 2018.

2. Richens, Melanie. The conscious competence ladder. Retrieved from http://mbscoaching. co.uk/2017/01/12/conscious-competence-ladder/ January 16, 2018.

EXERCISE SPOTLIGHT Power Systems

www.power-systems.com

@powersystemsinc

@powersystemsinc

@powersystems

@powersystemsinc

PowerWave™ features:

PowerWave™ Only at Power Systems The PowerWave™ is a revolutionary multifunctional training device that delivers a total body workout that will improve core strength and physical endurance. Paired with the free PowerWave™ Fitness App — now available on iTunes and Google Play — you will have access to goal-specific 20-minute workouts, anywhere you want to go, on your own schedule.

Side-to-Side Squats Begin with feet together and the PowerWave across shoulders, holding on to straps. Take a hip-width or wider step to the right while dropping into a squat. Then stand back up with feet together. Repeat to your left.

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} Weight options available for any fitness level Super, Spartan and Beast } Weighted keystone engages core muscles } Double-stitched, removable straps and handles allow for hundreds of exercise options } Thermo-gel pad and grip tracks increase catabolic rate of energy release } New free PowerWave™ App provides free programming in many different styles and concentrations } 20-minute total body metabolic workout allows for double the classes in the same amount of time. } Certified instructor program maximizes facility potential by teaching specific curriculum designed to motivate, engage and keep members coming back for more.

Deadlift to Upright Row Begin with feet hip-width apart holding on to the top handles of the PowerWave. Hinge at the hips and lower into a deadlift.

Return to standing and as the PowerWave passes your hips, continue pulling the PowerWave up to chest height to complete an upright row.

Exercises designed by Power Systems

Bent Over Row Sky Press Begin in a split stance while holding the PowerWave by the top handles at chest height. Push the PowerWave up and out at a 45-degree angle. Return to starting position.

Anchor the PowerWave on the wrists by reaching through the cushioned grip track and then grip the nylon strap. Begin hinged at the waist with a flat back and soft knees. Perform the row with the PowerWave by driving the elbows back by your sides and squeezing the shoulder blades together. Keep a flat back for all reps.

Long Lever Bicycle Crunch Begin lying on the ground and holding the PowerWave grip tracks - this provides a grip challenge also. Extend your arms over the head at an approximate 45-degree angle while lifting your head and shoulders off the ground in an isometric hold. As you perform the bicycle movements with your legs, the PowerWave will begin to swing, creating more of a core challenge. To decrease the difficulty level, keep shoulders and head on the floor while performing the movement.

Overhead Log Press Tuck the PowerWave grip tracks into the slots of the top handles. Begin standing with feet hip-width apart and holding the PowerWave on either side of the center. Begin with the PowerWave on the right shoulder, then press overhead and switch the PowerWave to the left shoulder. Repeat for as many reps as desired.

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NEW ON THE MARKET The latest trends in fitness equipment

SOFTBELL STRENGTH TRAINING SYSTEM

When ab wheel meets gliding disc meets pushup assistant you get this fantastic hybrid, multi-use equipment called the Flex Disc. The Flex Disc has several small wheels on the underside of the disc platform that allows smooth movement in all directions; it comes as a set of two 10-inch diameter discs or a larger 14-inch diameter disc and has a handle option that simply locks in the platform. I tried the Flex Discs with a few of my clients to add variety to movements including a gliding split squat, ab rollouts, lateral lunges, push-ups, and plank variations. Not only could we easily transition between exercises, but the ease with which the discs move allow the user to have enough stability so movements feel safe and controlled on all surface types. I love adding versatile equipment to my collection and the Flex Disc certainly is a great addition! www.flexdiscfit.com

The SoftBell is a 4-in-1 total body resistance training system that combines the safety of soft sand-filled weight plates with the versatility of a kettlebell, dumbbell and barbell. The neoprene weight plates range from 1.5 to 10 pounds and can attach to plastic-reinforced kettlebell handles, dumbbell handles and barbell bars. Amp up your workout routine with fast-paced dynamic movements using the SoftBell dumbbells. Transition from exercise to exercise quickly and even drop your weights on the floor with no damage. www.hyperwear.com

THE TREAD

PROELITE SLAM BALL

CORE-TEX DUAL

The Tread is a fun and challenging way to build strength and power and can be flipped, carried and jumped on. It is constructed of durable foam and heavy-duty vinyl with reinforced top handles, making it easy to perform farmer carries as well. There are three weight options, making these perfect for anyone to use. The Tread can be used on both rubber and turf. www.performbetter.com

Bigger, heavier, and tougher — the ProElite Slam Ball will take your training to the next level! The proprietary blend construction of rubber and urethane gives this dead ball the durability to stand up to the toughest workouts, indoor and outdoor. Marked by a rugged, textured surface for grip and use with chalk.

Consistent 14-inch diameter makes it easy to train up to the heaviest weights — available in eight weight options, from 40 to 150 pounds. www.powersystems.com

The new Core-Tex Dual adds a second handrail to provide added stability when needed for seniors and rehab populations.

Easily remove one or both handrails at any time. The Core-Tex reactive training environment challenges the muscles, joints and nervous system to work more efficiently and functionally with every movement. The patented design creates a three-dimensional, variable experience that is versatile for seniors, kids and your most fit members. www.coretexfitness.com

LINDSAY'S REVIEW: FLEX DISC

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EVENTS CALENDAR April - July

APRIL 2018 FitnessFest Conference and Expo April 26-29, Phoenix, AZ www.fitnessfest.org

Boutique Fitness Summit 2018 April 27, New York, NY www.bfs2018.com

MAY 2018 Merrithew Mindful Movement Symposium

May 4-6, New York City, NY www.merrithew.com/events/new-york-symposium-2018

SCW Florida MANIA May 4-6, Orlando, FL www.scwfit.com/mania

International Aquatic Fitness Conference (IAFC) May 14-19, Palm Harbor, FL www.aeawave.com/IAFC.aspx

JUNE 2018 One World Fitness Certification & Education Conference June 1-3, Atlantic City, NJ www.aaai-ismafitness.com

FitnessFest at TheFitExpo: A fitness conference for professionals June 9-10, Chicago, IL July 21-22, San Jose, CA www.fitnessfest.org

IDEA World Convention

June 27 – July 1, San Diego, CA www.ideafit.com/world

IDEA World Club & Studio Summit June 28 – July 1, San Diego, CA www.ideafit.com/clubstudio

JULY 2018 NSCA National Conference July 11-14, Indianapolis, IN www.nsca.com/nscaconference

SCW Atlanta MANIA

July 27-29, Atlanta, GA www.scwfit.com/mania

For a complete listing, or to submit your event, see our online Events Calendar at www.fit-pro.com/events.

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YOUR IDEAL BUSINESS Lisa Druxman

www.fit4mom.com

Your greatest investment

R

emember the phrase in the movie Glengarry Glen Ross, “Always be closing?” Well, I think we should “Always be learning.” How I wish I had this mindset while I was still in school. But in truth, it wasn’t until well into my career that I realized the benefits of continuing my education. It is now so important to me that I make it a daily task to learn something new every single day.

Ben Franklin once said: “An investment in knowledge pays the best interest.”

Successful people invest in learning. In fact, the more successful, the more they commit to learn. Billionaire Mark Cuban is reported to read three hours per day. Warren Buffett claims that he spends 80% of his time reading and thinking. Brendon Burchard, author of High Performance Habits, reported that the most successful people he studied set aside time every week for learning. Books and studies show that high performers study and practice their craft at an intensity much higher than others.

So why do you want to always be learning? Here are five reasons why we should put such a great value on learning: 1. Continued learning may lead to new opportunities. Jobs and our industry are changing rapidly. You may have trained to be a fitness professional, but that role is changing. We are seeing trainers step into life coaching, and group exercise instructors becoming online fitness providers. If nothing else, you want to continue to learn so that you can stay on top of new trends and stay relevant in your industry.

2. Continued education may make you more marketable and may increase your income. Your new knowledge base may give you a unique skill that sets you apart from the rest. Your learning may directly teach you how to make more money or may indirectly make you more valuable to an employer.

3. Learning will make you humble and happy. We are humbled when we realize all that we don’t know. In fact, there is always more to

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learn. But we don’t need to know it all to be happy. Learning in itself makes us happier because it raises confidence and a sense of self-efficacy.

4.Continued learning will make you smarter. I know this sounds obvious but let me take it a step deeper. When you learn something new, you create new connections in your brain. I’m not going into the science, but it’s a process called myelation. This improved brain wiring will improve your brain function and help you in all aspects of memory.

5. Focus on continued learning of a subject, and you can become a master. Think good-to-great and great-to-mastery! In our industry, we have great opportunity for mastery. In order to become a master, you must teach. Consider teaching what you’ve learned and bring it into your work.

Consider learning about leadership, online marketing, social media, accounting. Figure out what skills may help round out your expertise.

We live in such an incredible time where it is so easy to access continuing education. Read, read, read. Listen to podcasts or audio books. Go to conferences. Check out online courses. Consider going beyond your niche. Consider learning about leadership, online marketing, social media, accounting. Figure out what skills may help round out your expertise.

There’s just one more thing not to forget — the critical step of application. Apply your new knowledge as this is a key part of mastery.

Lisa Druxman is the founder of FIT4MOM and the author of the Empowered Mama. She has worked for over two decades in the fitness industry focusing on women’s wellness. She has been featured on The Today Show, Good Morning America and more. Lisa is a speaker, writer and thought leader with a passion for teaching entrepreneurship and self-care. www.fit4mom.com

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