Lack of time is consistently one of the major barriers to clients committing to or maintaining a fitness program. For this reason, creating efficient workouts while still helping clients achieve results is hugely important. When you consider the typical upper-body training routine, however, a split routine (isolating body parts) is often the standard approach. But…
Getting clients to train their glutes is pretty easy—after all, everyone wants their butt to look good. But as trainers and instructors, we have an underlying agenda. We know that teaching clients to “recruit the glute” will not only help them produce more power, but will also improve how they move. In fact, strong glutes…
As health and fitness professionals, the words we use in our communication strategies not only help convey our message of health, fitness and wellness to the public, they also show how current we are as fitness role models. Here are 10 key terms that have changed over the past few years: 1. Aerobics  Within…
Balance is a vital component of health and physical performance and is essential for activities of daily living like climbing stairs or carrying heavy loads. Balance also improves athletic performance, allowing athletes to move and transfer energy more efficiently. Balance is especially important for older adults hoping to reduce the risk of falls and injuries….
Summertime is the perfect opportunity to get out on the open water for a fun fitness experience that will strengthen your body and challenge your balance—no instructor needed. Soak up some sun and try out this total-body workout, which combines the research-supported benefits of standup paddleboarding (SUP) with a few easy-to-follow bodyweight exercises. Paddle Squat…
The fitness industry is forever changing. Walk into any storage closet in a gym, or even your home, and you’ll surely find a piece of equipment or DVD that is no longer considered an effective tool in the training world. As we evolve in the industry and become more knowledgeable about current scientific studies and…
While balance has not traditionally been included in the four major components of health-related fitness—aerobic fitness, muscular fitness, flexibility and body composition—research confirms that both static and dynamic balance play a critical role in keeping us active and injury-free. Static balance is the ability to stand in place on one leg without creating undo biomechanical…
The functional training cable machine is an incredibly versatile piece of equipment because the adjustable cable pulley allows the user to move in a variety of directions with resistance. Unfortunately, it’s often used for only a few exercises: triceps press-downs, chest flyes and some variation of standing or kneeling crunches. That means most people aren’t…
Pilates is well known for its ability to improve postural alignment and strengthen the core, but you may not realize that a regular Pilates practice can help you develop long lean muscles throughout your body. If you don’t have time to sign up for a Pilates class, try these simple, effective Pilates moves for strong…
Your legs can do amazing things, including run, jump, kick, dodge, step, pivot, accelerate, leap, balance and turn, just to name a few. Plus, the lower body needs to move in every possible direction at slow, medium and explosive speeds. That’s why you need to make sure your clients are training their legs in a…