OPS CORE MAGAZINE AUTUMN 2016

THE FUTURE OF

PERSONAL TRAINING 4 STEPS TO

GAINING NEW CLIENTS

EMOTIONS AND MASSAGE A

FASCIAL CONNECTION

www.opstudiohk.com

CONTENTS Topic

Page 4

Trainer Spotlight

6

Contributors

7

Autumn Recipes

Small Group Training

Featured Articles

Facebook

Gift Cards

Sports SOHO EXPO &

10 12 -

13 19 -

20 21 22 25 -

ARNOLD CLASSIC recap

GFIT

Close

26 27

HONGÂ KONG'S

BEST BURGERS

TRAINER SPOTLIGHT

IAN NAM

IAN NAM STRONG MAN

A Director / Trainer, at Strength Culture Limited.

Ian has increasingly become diversified as a Personal Trainer, pushing new boundaries in his own training and his profession as a personal trainer, along with taking on the role of Group Fitness Instructor here at Optimum Performance Studio Recently competing in the Inaugural Arnold Classic Strongman Competition, August 20-21, 2016 in the Under 90kg category, amongst some pretty strong competitors, he still managed to take first Place.

From his success in this competition has been asked to compete in the Arnold Classic Worldwide event later in the year in the United States.

Constantly challenging himself both physically and mentally with ongoing education and training. He is in a constant state of renewal and it is this ongoing initiative and passion, that he shares with his personal training and small group clients.

Known around OPS as Tiny...there is nothing tiny about this guys heart or enthusiasm and willingness to help others.

With his roots originating in Ireland, Ian based in Hong Kong, is a trainer destined for great things.

If you would like to get in contact with Ian, for any Personal Training or group training, he is contactable at the following email address.

ian.nam@strengthculturehk.com

CONTRIBUTORS Ian Nam Jonathan Ross Ryan Halvorson Greg Vaughn Wayne Clark

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FEATURED ARTICLES The Future of Personal Training Looks Like This

By Jonathan Ross One-on-one training will increasingly be focused on educating clients about their bodies and how to keep them fit independently of the trainer. (This is an “education.”)

Small group training is where clients will go to get a workout. (This is an “experience.”)

“Big enough to be fun, but small enough to still be quality.” This is how I describe small group training.

Small group training has been gaining popularity because it’s an affordable, fun way for clients to take advantage of a trainer’s expertise at a lower financial investment — all while keeping the fun and competitiveness of a group dynamic.

In order to gain the benefits of this popular training model in your career, here are some essential guidelines to follow. Understanding what exactly small group training is — and how it differs from oneon-one training — along with learning effective program design will ensure your small group training is a profitable enterprise for your training business, and a positive experience for your clients.

DEFINITION: SMALL GROUP TRAINING VS. ONE-ON-ONE TRAINING In time, one-on-one training will require more sophisticated skills in identifying an individual’s postural and movement quality concerns on the path to reaching their larger goals. It will increasingly become about zeroing in on the very specific movement needs of the individual. If someone wants a workout, one-on-one training is most likely too expensive, and the frequency will only make the expense greater. Small group training presents the opportunity for people to experience the benefits of the creativity and motivation of a trainer while lowering the financial entry point and/or spending more time with the trainer for the available funds.

Some clients may potentially do both — pursue one-on-one training so they can work on their individual concerns relating specifically to their bodies, and at the same time enjoy the experience of small group training. But they serve different purposes, so it’s important to understand the distinction.

BASIC FRAMEWORK: CLASS SIZE & PROGRAM LENGTH Size of Small Group Programs: In general, an effective small group training program has fewer than 10 participants and the instructor does not work out with the clients (in contrast with traditional group exercise).

The current trend is to have large boot camps with instructors using high energy to “put on a show” and use high-intensity exercises to justify the expense with sweat. This often draws instructors with less-refined skills in movement and teaching since the large number of participants does not provide the opportunity to correct movement quality. So in effect, it allows the instructor to “hide” their lack of movement knowledge in a larger group dynamic. This may provide a “hard” workout, but so what? If it isn’t part of something larger and more meaningful to the client, we have not provided any real and lasting change. With a small group limited to 10 participants or less, it will be fun, but still small enough to retain high quality.

You will still have the ability to correctly supervise movement and make little corrections along the way — the mark of a true professional. I have long been opposed to the “intensity without intelligence” that often passes for workout instruction today.

As instructors, we are to instruct. And this means we convey useful information along with our motivation. We are more than cheerleaders shouting “Great job!” after every single exercise.

Small Group Training Program Length The typical time-frame for most small group training programs would ideally be around four to six weeks. This is short enough for numerous people to commit without schedule conflicts, but is still long enough to see measurable progress.

In some cases, it may be better to run a longer session. For example, if you were creating a small group marathon training program, the timeline could be eight to 10 weeks because the lead time to prepare for this goal is typically longer.

MARKETING YOUR SMALL GROUP TRAINING PROGRAM How you sell your small group training program is an essential component of your program — perhaps even more important than the exercises you would use. You want to have something compelling about your program that gets people excited and motivated about participating. Putting the time into creating a compelling title, description, and solid pricing will pay off down the line.

No one will know how great your small group program is if they don’t join it. In clear and compelling terms, while steering clear of hype, you will want to get people excited about what they will experience and the results they will gain. The trainers who will find success in the future are the ones who will know how to deliver a quality fitness experience that delivers results while also helping people move more effectively, effortlessly and efficiently in their bodies. This quality is difficult, if not impossible, to maintain with larger, boot camp-style workouts. Small group training is the “sweet spot” of keeping the fitness experience large enough to be a fun, interactive experience while small enough to maintain focus on quality. Clients will quit a workout, but they will not quit seeking a coach or mentor.

Be more than a cheerleader; be a leader.

Emotions and Massage: A Fascial Connection?

by Ryan Halvorson Myofascial release pioneer John F. Barnes, PT, has trained more than 100,000 therapists and physicians in the Myofascial Release Approach since the 1970s. “In the normal healthy state, the fascia is relaxed and wavy in configuration. It has the ability to stretch and move without restriction,” Barnes explains. “When one experiences physical trauma, emotional trauma, scarring, or inflammation, however, the fascia loses its pliability” (Barnes 2015). In addition to helping with many physical ailments, Barnes says, “MFR provides a safe, non-judgmental environment in which suppressed feelings can be expressed and released” (Myofascial Release Treatment Centres & Seminars 2015).

Andrew Weil, MD, a leader in integrative medicine, is among those who acknowledge this connection between work on fascia and emotional release (Weil 2015).

Carole Osborne, who has practiced and taught bodywork since the 1970s and was named the American Massage Therapy Association’s 2008 Jerome Perlinski National Teacher of the Year, describes her work as “facilitating somato-emotional and neuromuscular integration.” In her view, Candace Pert’s research in psychoneuroimmunology demonstrated “beyond any doubt that the human is itself an interconnected holistic entity” (Osborne-Sheets 2002).

In a paper published in the Journal of Bodywork and Movement Therapies in 2013, Paolo Tozzi, MSc, vice principal of the School of Osteopathy CROMON in Rome, concluded, “Fascial treatment may access [stored] memories and obtain therapeutic effects. Possibly during bodywork, the interaction of vibrational, biomagnetic and bioelectric fields between therapist and client may allow an exchange of information about the history and the present status of the living matrix” (Tozzi 2014).

4

Step Process For Gaining New Clients

by Greg Vaughn Selling a service ethically and backing up that sale with value are critical to the long-term success of any fitness business. Lately, sales systems have flooded the market, claiming to offer the “secrets” to success—all of which can be summed up as “understanding the process that leads to the action of buying.”

By understanding why people buy, you will be able to communicate your personal training service more effectively and gain more clients.

What Makes People Buy What leads to the action of buying? For that matter, what leads to any conscious action or decision? For a thought to turn into action, it must first be paired with a strong desire to lessen some sort of emotional discomfort and/or add some sort of emotional comfort. People do not make decisions or take action for logical reasons alone. They know, for example, that they need to exercise, eat better or save more money. However, simply knowing what needs to be done will never create enough desire to cause people to take action.

The Thought-to-Action Process It helps to understand that no action is necessarily free. Anything you do costs some amount of time, money or energy, and any action you take must be worth all the costs.

The following breakdown of the thought-to-action process will help you develop a more comprehensive approach to turning prospects into paying clients: Realize there’s a problem.

Analyze the importance of the problem.

Determine a solution.

Justify the costs of the solution.

The end action is determined by how the process is interpreted and how it can be influenced. Most potential clients are at the “Determine a solution” step.

They have a health- or fitness-related problem, and they’ve likely concluded that solving it requires action.

Your goal is to help them understand that your service is the best solution to their problem. You must also prove that the value or comfort your service adds to their life outweighs the costs.

To do this successfully, you must dig a bit deeper into prospective clients’ problems from the start. Here’s an example of how to put the four-step process into action: Step 1: Realize There’s a Problem This is perhaps the simplest step, because it involves your initial interaction with prospective clients and their explanation for the problems they face.

As an example, let’s say your new prospect, Bob, wants to lose 20 pounds.

Step 2: Analyze the Importance of the Problem It is always easier to accept a set of circumstances or problems than it is to work toward fixing them. As soon as there’s a desire to fix something, the subconscious mind produces reasons to abort that desire.

The subconscious mind is the part of the brain that’s on autopilot. It gives people instant feedback about what they should or shouldn’t do, based on their habits. In short, this is where the excuses for not acting come from.

So, when you’re speaking with prospects, use questions and conversation to help them realize that now is the time to change. Take your time to learn everything you can about their fitness problems.

Bob: I really need to lose 20 pounds.

You: I’m sure I can help you with that. Why do you want to lose 20 pounds?

Bob: That’s where I was a few years ago, and I was happy.

You: In what ways was life different?

Bob: I felt stronger and had more energy.

You: What finally got you in with me today? Why now?

Bob: I can’t do as much as I used to. My grandkids are getting bigger and my yard keeps growing.

You: What kind of things are you noticing? What are you doing with your grandkids, or in the yard, that is more difficult now?

Bob: Riding on the mower, pulling weeds, and just having enough energy to throw a football or walk through the mall.

You: How long have you felt this way? What seems to be holding you back?

Bob: I’ve been slowing down for a few years. My back starts killing me after I do anything for more than a few minutes at a time. I’m just getting old.

You: What is the main thing you need from me?

Bob: Some sort of routine so I’ll know what to do to get back in shape.

You: I would love to help you do much more than that. The things you’ve told me about—wanting to have more energy, stopping your back pain, just feeling better—I believe I can help you accomplish all of those if you’re up for it.

Bob: I can’t do as much as I used to. My grandkids are getting bigger and my yard keeps growing.

The goal throughout this conversation was to bring up specific questions about how Bob’s life will be affected, both by fixing the problem and by ignoring it.

You want to connect him to the discomfort he feels now, and begin to provide him with a vision of how much better life will be once the discomfort is no longer present.

RECAP 2016 EXPO

Sports EXPO Well another Sports EXPO is over, and no sooner do we end one event, we start to get ready for the following weekend with the Arnold Classic, coming to HK for the first time.

OPS was at the Sports SOHO Expo in full force this year, with a very unique play centre which managed to draw big crowds and interests.

Our MARPO challenge was, as always, super popular this year with people signing up then lining up to get the chance to win some big prizes, during the four days. Of course none of the excitement would be possible without the help of our awesome team of volunteers, for without whom we couldn't make such a big impact.

Sports SOHO is very much targeting the local market with workshops and other activities to get people moving, and it does work, with so many people experiencing exercise, some for the very first time. There are many experiences to be had at this event, from Rock Climbing to Human Foose Ball which seemed to be super popular for the kids, and the kids at heart this year. OPS hosted a series of workshops and training seminars that were also very well received.

If you missed us this year don't worry just add the dates to your calendar for next year, August 2017.

We look forward to seeing you there.

RECAP ARNOLD CLASSIC HK 2016

Arnold Classic HK Being part of the Inaugural Arnold Classic Asia, was in a word quite stimulating, so many things to see and do and so many mixed emotions, it was like I said quite an event.

As it is with most Fitness Conventions or Trade Shows there is always an element of excitement, but to be honest having done my fair share of trade shows and exhibitions over the last 30 odd years I can honestly say that this one was a little more special.

Of course that had a lot to do with our guest visitor at our OPS booth on Sunday the one and only mister Arnold Schwarzenegger himself. Like I said this was the first of its kind in Hong Kong and I think that the overall feel was quite positive.

This is set to be an annual event, and I have heard that next year will be even bigger apparently twice the size it was this year.

Having international competitions running over the course of the weekend, Strongman competitions (with the strongest man in the world being present) along with the Body Building and Body Shaping competitions both male and female competitors, and the Pole Dancing Competition, made for a very fun and exciting Trade Show.

Like Arnold says... He'll Be Back! and so will we.

GFIT...provides tailor made personal and small group training programmes fusing a mixture of Cardio, Conditioning, Endurance and Strength Training.

All the benefits of personal training without the high cost.

GFIT specialise in Rehabilitation­Sports Performance Training­Youth Fitness and Sport­Pre and Post Natal Fitness as well as Adults and Special Populations.

The company is run by George Sung / Director Originally from Brisbane, Australia, George has been a fitness instructor and sports coach for 7 years. His expertise extends from fitness training across all ages from children to older adults as well as rehabilitative fitness services. George is passionate about fitness and sports, his vision was to start a business providing outstanding fitness services to people in Hong Kong.

Hong Kong Island

Tel: 6388 2312 Email: info.gfit@gmail.com

CLOSE Thank you for reading, and I hope that you found something of interest in this issue.

So far this year has been so awesome with much new education and events throughout the year. With still four months remaining till the end of the year you would think that things would start to slow down, but that doesn't seem to be the case, with AFC convention in Thailand just around the corner and still much education to take us out to the end of the year, rest assured we will be very busy.

Stay tuned for new courses coming in 2017 and lots of exciting changes ahead.

Before I finish I wanted to make another mention of our volunteers who created such an amazing experience for every one that dropped by our booths at both the Sports SOHO Expo and the Inaugural Arnold Classic, we appreciate your heart felt efforts and work ethic.

Yours in Fitness Education Wayne

TRAIN THE WAY YOU PLAY

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