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Personal Training: 3 Keys To Training Clients In Their Homes Author: Aaron Potts When considering your options as a personal trainer, one of the very first things to decide is WHERE you are going to train your clients. The most obvious answer for most trainers is to get a job at a local fitness facility and train clients there. This is certainly an option, and one that is recommended especially in the beginning of your career. The structure and experience that you will get by working at a successful gym or fitness center is invaluable for a new personal trainer. However, there are drawbacks to working with your clients at a gym, and some clients will be unwilling or unable to workout at a local facility. Don't lose those clients by not having other options!Working out with your clients in their homes is an option for any trainer, and by offering this option to your clients you can increase your potential client base by a dramatic number, and you may even decide to exclusively offer home personal training. In order to decide if this type of business model is for you, there are several points to consider, and they include time management, exercise modalities to be used, and business resources that are available.Time ManagementManaging your time and your schedule is a critical consideration when deciding whether or not to work with clients in their homes. Unlike working at a facility, the amount of time that you need to dedicate to each client is increased, sometimes to the point of even doubling the time spent for each client session. For example, let's use a standard one-hour training session as our business model for this discussion. Although many trainers are utilizing different training times with their clients these days, one hour is still a good time frame to use for your scheduling reference. You want to remember that as a home personal trainer, you can be on a tight deadline to get from one place to the next, so you don't want to schedule your sessions back-to-back like you can when you are working at a fitness facility. You must also factor in your travel time to get to your client's home, as well as to get to the home of the following client, the client after that, and so on. If you live in an even reasonably populated area, you will have to allow at least 15 minutes of driving time to and from every client's home, and sometimes as much as 30 minutes per client, depending on the size of the geographic area that you train in. Using our one-hour training session as an example, just one training session can cost you as much as 2 hours of your time. A standard 8-hour workday will now only allow you to train between 4 and 6 clients, depending on where they live in relation to your starting point, as well as in relation to each other. Your best bet whenever possible is to set up your clients in a roughly straight line, or possibly a circle that brings you back to your starting point at the end of the day. The last thing that you want to do is set up a client who lives 30 minutes north of your starting point followed immediately by a client who lives 30 minutes south of your starting point. Not only will you eat up massive amounts of time driving to and from your client's homes, but you will put serious mileage on both your car as well as your wallet at the gas station! More on that in the Business Resources section below.Exercise ModalitiesThe next thing to consider is the type of training that you will be doing with your clients in their homes. Unless they have a full fitness facility set up - which is rare - it is very likely that you will have to come up with ways to put them through a vigorous workout without the massive amount of equipment that is available at a full-size fitness facility. In order to put together these home workouts, you need to address the two different energy pathways that your clients will need to use during their workouts: aerobic and anaerobic.Anaerobic WorkoutsAlthough many trainers are used to the massive resources available at a local gym, getting your clients a variety-filled and intense anaerobic workout in their home is actually easier than most would think. With nothing more than an exercise ball and a portable set of dumbbells, you can take your clients through the full range of motion and exertion on almost the same scale that is afforded those clients training at a gym. If you are just starting out in the industry, or are simply used to working your clients out at a fitness facility, you should do some research on the Internet for dumbbell workouts, bodyweight workouts, functional training, and sport-specific training. Those 4 keyword combinations alone will net you hundreds of websites with free or low-cost resources that will teach you thousands of exercises that can be done with little or no equipment. The key to getting your clients a good anaerobic workout at home is not the type of equipment that is used, or the actual amount of weight that is moved, but rather the INTENSITY of the workout. A bit of trial and error will teach you how to take a client through their paces in a safe but intense manner that will leave most people ready to call it quits in 30 minutes or less!Aerobic WorkoutsTaking your clients through appropriate and effective aerobic workouts can happen on many levels. The 2 obvious differences are going to be whether they get their aerobic activity during their session, or if you assign them activities to do after you leave. You could also do a combination of both, depending on the needs and the fitness level of the client.If you are going to take your clients through an aerobic workout during their session, you can either incorporate "heart rate maintenance" exercises into the workout itself, or you can get the anaerobic exercises out of the way, and then move into an aerobic workout for the second half of the session. Just remember that if your goal is to keep your clients inside their target heart rate zone, there will be very little rest time in between exercises.However, before you blindly go forcing all of your clients to stay inside their target heart rate zone for the entire session, consider the fitness goal of the client, and the metabolically intense benefits of structured strength training compared to a session when you just make sure they are sweating the whole time!Another option for your client's cardio is to have them do it on their own after the end of the training session. Obviously they still need your guidance on what to do, how to track their heart rate, and how long they should perform the activity, but not all clients will actually need you to stay there and guide them during the activity. Also, it is not uncommon for people to own a piece of cardiovascular training equipment such as a treadmill, elliptical trainer, stair-stepper, etc. Nonetheless, most clients will still need some specific guidance on how to maximize the benefits from the type of equipment that they have access to. Things like interval training, cross training, and training at different heart rate levels are all things that you should educate your clients on, especially if they are going to be doing cardio on their own.Business ResourcesYou must also consider the business resources that you will need access to when training clients in their homes. The time factor has already been discussed, and you should also consider the daily expenses involved in this type of training model. These include equipment expenses, "on the road" expenses, and auto expenses.Equipment expenses should be minimal. You may have an initial cost, but after your initial purchases, all of those assets are reusable. Basic items for home training include an adjustable set of dumbbells and an exercise ball at a bare minimum. It would also be a good idea to have a roll-up exercise mat, a jump rope, and any other items needed for the type of activities that your clients will be engaging in. A great cardio idea for clients training at home is boxing drills. If you were to utilize that type of training, then a decent set of protective gloves for the clients would be in order, as well as target mats that you hold for them to strike during their drills.In all cases, the items that you own stay with you, and they are simply taken from one client's house to the next. It is a great idea to have your clients eventually buy their own gear, however, which keeps you from having to tote arm loads of equipment into and out of their houses day after day. Also, depending on the type of program you put them on, they may use some of their own equipment in between training sessions. "On the Road" expenses include food and drinks while you are traveling. Depending on your schedule, you will be on the road anywhere from 2 to 12 hours at a time! In those cases, you will obviously need to plan healthy places to eat along the way, or keep portable meals in your vehicle each day. In any event, make sure that you consider the cost of eating away from home as part of your business expenses.Auto expenses are potentially the biggest expense that you will have to face in order to train people at home. The wear and tear on your vehicle - although accountable on your taxes - can still be a drain on your financial resources. You have to keep your vehicle insured, fueled up, and in good working order at all times. The last thing that you want to do is be late for a client session because your car broke down, or you ran out of gas! Also, at anywhere from $1.50 to $2.50 per gallon, gas can get expensive if you put in a lot of miles every day. ConclusionAs you can see, there are many considerations when deciding whether or not to train clients in their homes, and you must weigh those considerations against the benefit of being "free" from the gym trainer's normal boundaries, and instead being in charge of your own day to day business. In return, you can command higher per session fees for home training. Since you are saving your clients a lot of driving time and gym expenses, as well as giving them an opportunity to get healthy in the privacy of their own homes, it is not unheard of for a home trainer to charge $75 to $100 or more per session. Figure in scheduling issues, the exercise program that you will have your clients on, and the resources needed, and decide for yourself if this type of training program will work for your business!About the AuthorAaron Potts is the author and creator of The Ultimate Complete Personal Training Business Kit, a quick-start kit and business guide for new as well as seasoned fitness professionals. Find out more about Aaron's programs at http://www.completepersonaltrainingbusiness.com or his personal training site at http://www.aaronspersonaltraining.com ... pilates - joseph pilatespilates - history on joseph pilates

Personal fitness goals and keeping them. Author: Kevin Doberstein CFT TitlePersonal fitness goals and keeping them.KeywordsPersonal fitness goalsDescriptionAn article discussing keeping the bodybuilding diet and fat loss New Year resolutions that you promised at the beginning of the year.Feel free to use this article for your web site or e-zine as long you include the author bio and make sure all links are live and working. Please don’t change anything in the article. You do not have to notify me if you use the article but it would nice if you did. 25 years of blood, sweat and tears literally go into my articles, please be courteous back. If you can’t abide by the guidelines, don’t use my article! I wish you the best success if you use my article. This article is copyright protected by ©Nature Boy Bodybuilding 2005. Thanks so much! Kevin the Nature Boy.ArticleFall of last year you figured a donut once in an awhile or some other fat and sugar laden nasty food wouldn’t hurt. Your excuse it is the” muscle-bulking season” or you will ”work it off”. The next thing you know your waist measurement is almost the same size of your chest. You look in the mirror and you see your v-taper look like a square block. You say to your self “what the heck happen to all my hard work in the gym?” Well all of your hard work is still there if you have been training hard, but it is covered in fat. My better half, my wife once asked me when I was expecting? At that moment, I knew it was time to shed the fat.Well the first thing to do is to make a final personal goal. For example, the abdominal muscles showing by May. But to start you need to start with other goals to build to the main final goal. These could include;Physical Well Goals. This could be working up to 30 minutes of physical activity daily to start. Light stretching to make the muscles feel good. Maybe adding some sit ups to strengthen the core. Physique goals. After achieving your physical well goals you can start adding more demanding goals such as reducing your fat percentage. Add aerobic fitness of 30 minutes to your workout schedule. Or maybe start a weight resistance program. Performance accomplishment goals. This could include small goals in your weight resistance program such as benching a certain amount. Or running the mile in a certain time. This is where you place the goal of seeing your abdominal muscles by May.Each goal that you set and reach is a stepping stone to your final targeted goal. You could keep a personal diary of your fitness progress and see how far you have come in your health and strength pursuit. I used to put pictures of ab shots on my refrigerator to help keep me focused. Now I also keep a watchful eye in the mirror.When I drop an inch or two off my waist I reward myself. And not with eating a whole pie or chocolate cake. Usually I buy some kind of hiking gear, camera equipment or clothing. Make sure you keep a supply of healthy foods around you to help prevent eating some junk food when you do get hungry. Fresh fruit, nuts, non-fat cottage cheese, you get the idea.When you start your diet don’t go crazy eating little to nothing. If you follow this practice you will lose all the muscle you worked so hard to build. I cycle my carbohydrates and protein around my workout days. I eat the carbs during my bodybuilding workout days and carb deplete on non-bodybuilding workout days. I will increase the protein on the nonworkout days.Here is a summary of the topics above:Establish small goals to achieve your main personal fitness goal.Use pictures to keep focused on your main goal.Reward yourself when you meet your in-between goals.Drink plenty of water.Always keep plenty of healthy foods around to snack on.Don’t go crazy dieting.Make sure that you keep on the right path and you will see your goal of abdominal muscles showing when the warm weather returns. Otherwise your spouse may do like mine and start taking measurements for maternity clothes. Perseverance and focus will help keep you on track of your personal fitness goal.Author Bio;Kevin Doberstein is a Certified Fitness Trainer and has been a natural bodybuilder for the past 25 years. 15 years as a gym owner. For more articles about bodybuilding, bodyshaping and nutrition you can visit his site and join his at www.nature-boy-bodybuilding.com. You can join the Nature Boy bodybuilding Newsletter for the latest information about bodybuilding fitness at this site.You can contact him at natureboy_bodybuilding@hotmail.com.About the AuthorKevin Doberstein is a Certified Fitness Trainer and has been a natural bodybuilder for the past 25 years. 15 years as a gym owner. For more articles about bodybuilding, bodyshaping and nutrition you can visit his site and join his at www.nature-boy-bodybuilding.com. You can join the Nature Boy bodybuilding Newsletter for the latest information about bodybuilding fitness at this site.You can contact him at natureboy_bodybuilding@hotmail.com. ... pilates - ifit pilates reformerpilates - joseph pilates

Weight Loss Program: Small Changes For Big Results Author: Dr. Edward F. Group III, DC, Ph.D, ND, DACBN Losing weight is the hardest thing that many people will ever do. And regardless of what the TV commercials and magazine articles would have you believe, there is no shortcut. That’s the bad news. But here’s the good news, losing weight can be fun and fulfilling. You can enjoy your life to the fullest by making a few simple changes that will not only help you lose weight, they will strengthen the immune system, reduce fatigue, lessen the side effects of certain medications, prevent constipation and other digestive disorders, and maintain the chemical balance within the body. It’s as simple as eating delicious wholesome foods and making exercise an enjoyable part of your day! Are you ready to make a few small changes that will lead to big results? Read on to learn about the only weight loss program you will ever need for permanent weight loss. We do recommend taking the product “Slimirex” with all weight management programs.Eat and Chew!!Improving your diet does not mean starving yourself or eating tasteless, boring foods. It just means that you need to be smarter about the food choices you make. You don't need tricks and gimmicks to help you lose weight. You need to learn the basics of nutrition and put what you learn into action on your dinner plate. That can be the hardest part of a weight loss program: translating words into meals! But the most important thing to remember about a healthy diet is that YOU SHOULD NOT BE HUNGRY. If you feel truly hungry (and not just bored) it is your body's way of telling you that it needs food to keep going. If you are hungry, EAT and Chew! Regular meals throughout the day help you stay full and in control of the foods you eat. Aim for five or six small meals to keep you going throughout the day. And when you have time, eat slowly and chew each bite of food 25x before you swallow. This gives you more time to enjoy your meal and allows you brain to signal your tummy when it's full. If you want to lose weight and keep it off for good, follow a nutritious eating plan that keeps you feeling full and in control. Make It Delicious!The best way to ensure you stick with a healthy diet is to plan your meals and snacks so that they include foods you actually want to eat. You will never stick with a plan that forces you to eat tasteless, boring food. What’s the point of living if you can’t enjoy your food? If you want to lose weight you just need to be more selective about the foods you are choosing to satisfy your hunger. There are thousands of recipes in books and online that can offer delicious organic nutritious meals that fit well with a weight loss program. The key is to plan ahead to make sure that you have the time, energy, and ingredients to prepare these meals. It’s not always easy. And there will be days when you simply cannot make it happen. But if you make the effort 95% of the time, you will still be able to achieve the goals of your weight loss program.Make your Weight Loss Program Interesting!They say variety is the spice of life. It is certainly the key to a good diet and a successful weight loss program. Keep your meal plan interesting by trying to eat a range of different selections. Remember, your body needs over forty different vitamins, minerals, and nutrients on a daily basis just to grow and function. Adding variety to your diet will help you meet these goals. I recommend the diet in the book “Weight Loss Secrets Revealed” available at http://www.weightlossobesity.com.Make Exercise A Part Of Your Day!Is it possible to look forward to a day that you know will include exercise? The answer is yes. Exercise does not and should not be boring or painful, but it should be a part of your day. If you hate to exercise, don’t be discouraged. There are plenty of ways to make exercise fun withy your new weight loss program. Enlist the help of a friend to exercise with; this will keep you motivated and help you look forward to your workout. If you're busy and find too difficult to work exercise into your day, try breaking into fifteen-minute blocks. Research shows that three 15-minute workouts throughout the day can be just as effective as one 45-minute workout. Remember: Weight loss programs are not easy. If it were, we would all weigh our ideal weight and runway models would seem passé. But following a simple and easy to follow weight loss program can help you stay committed to your health and accomplish your weight loss goals. Stay connected with family and friends who can support you in you program and help you stay on track.To order Slimirex visit http://www.slimirex.com.About the AuthorDr. Group, the founder/CEO and clinical director for the Global Healing Center, heads a research and development team producing advanced, new, natural health protocols and products. To learn more visit http://www.ghchealth.com. ... pilates - joseph h pilatespilates - free power pilates

Types of Exercise Equipment Author: Susan Daniel Depending on the kind of exercise you want to do, there are many types of exercise equipment from which to choose. You no longer have to join a gym because many types of equipment can fit right in your own home. You can do aerobic exercise, weight lifting, or core strengthening. Just choose the right machine or video, and you can get quickly in shape.Video/DVD – Videos and DVD's are good for aerobic workouts, boxing routines and core strengthening using yoga and pilates.Treadmill – A treadmill is a good way to walk or run no matter what the weather is doing outside.Stationary Bike – With a stationary bike, you can watch your favorite TV show while peddling away the pounds. Styles available include the upright and the incumbent positioning.Elliptical – An elliptical machine combines stair climbing and walking into one workout.Stair Climber – A stair climber is a great machine to use to strengthen your leg muscles and burn calories.Glider – A glider allows you to work your arms, legs, and rear all at the same time.Weight Lifting – Building muscle and toning through lifing weights is a great way to burn more calories.Just pick the type of exercise you want to do and then find the right equipment to help you burn calories and get the shape you want.Copyright © 2005 Susan Daniel and Debbie OverstreetAbout Susan and Debbie: Susan and Debbie are internet marketers. You can review more articles and Web sites on exercise equipment by visiting http://www.myexerciseequipment.com. ... pilates - golf pilatespilates - free power pilates

Tips and Motivational Advice for Keeping Fit One Day at a Time Author: Beverley Brooke Let's face it...Losing weight and feeling great isn't easy.BUT the journey is well worth it!Many people commit to their health and well being via a New Years resolution. Why not? The New Year is a great time to make a fresh start and commitment to your health.How do you remain motivated however for an entire year?The single most important piece of advice I can offer you is this:Don't give up, and pick yourself back up when you stumble or fall.Everyone slips here and there. Just because you had one cheat day doesn't mean your entire fitness and exercise program needs to be ruined.On the contrary. Everyone slips now and again.The key to sticking with a program is to make the slips MUCH less frequent than the days you are firmly committed to your program.So have that piece of chocolate on occasion and don't beat yourself up for it.Here are some additional great ideas for staying motivated throughout the year:Tip 1Don't make a habit of skipping breakfast.You should never skip breakfast. It is the most important meal of the day, and revs your metabolism to burn calories each and every day.When you skip breakfast, you are more likely to overeat and then feel guilty later in the day.Tip 2Don't weigh yourself every day. In fact, you should weigh yourself only once a week, and when you do you should do it at the same time wearing nothing.Why? Your weight actually fluctuates a good 2-5 pounds from day to day.Much of this is associated with fluid retention, thus has nothing to do with your actual fat gain or loss. Weighing yourself too often can be discouraging rather than encouraging.Tip 3Grab a partner in crime.Find someone that can be your partner in fitness. Call them when you are feeling unmotivated, and have them do the same.You are more likely to stay motivated if you have someone to lean on when times get tough.Tip 4Don't skip a workout because you are tired.Did you know that working out will actually help invigorate you? If you are truly exhausted, consider toning down your workout, but never give it up completely!Tip 5Reward yourself on occasion.All work and no play is not the way to go when it comes to your overall health and well being.Consider booking yourself for a massage or other pampering treat each month to keep you feeling great mentally and physically.Last but not least, remember to take small steps.Don't set outrageous goals. You won't lose 10 pounds in one week, but you might lose up to 2.Over inflated goals will only serve to defeat you in the long run. Set reasonable goals and you will find yourself much more motivated throughout the year!About the AuthorBeverley Brooke, Editor of Health & Finesse - Free health, diet and fitness articles and weekly newsletterhttp://www.healthandfinesse.com ... pilates - history on joseph pilatespilates - ifit pilates reformer