Personal Trainers and National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month
As a certified personal trainer, maybe you know someone with Alzheimer’s disease. If not, it’s probable that several of your clients do and that they are impacted by the symptoms deeply. It may be time to ask around so that you can create a ripple effect outside of your regular personal training sessions. Spread the […]
The Effects of Alcohol on Exercise and Performance
Is it ethical to recommend alcohol to our clients? An important aspect of professional personal training includes reminding clients of how important clean eating and appropriate hydration are in achieving a healthy body. We often field questions regarding the value of water versus electrolyte replacements, the proper quantity of fluid to consume prior to a […]
The Big Reveal: What a Client Wants
Those who spend a considerable amount of time and money on our services hold the keys to the most valuable knowledge we can absorb as personal trainers. What qualities might a consumer seek in a personal trainer that might not necessarily occur to us? In The 4 C’s of Personal Training I discussed ways in which we […]
Tweaking the Training Tempo to Get Results
When the desired or expected results aren’t happening it’s time to try something different. Especially if someone is working maximally. More is not always the answer. For any seasoned weightlifter, there is going to come a time when falling prey to a “comfort zone” leads to a halt in one’s progress. For our clients, even […]
Does Exercise Improve Sleep Apnea?
We all know that exercise, sleep, and health are interconnected. Exercise can certainly improve sleep apnea, but to what extent and under what circumstances? Knowing about the sleep habits and health conditions of your clients becomes increasingly important when lack of sleep could be threatening beyond the usual consequences of not getting enough. Each of […]
Physical Activity in Low-Income Communities
What happens when certified personal trainers provide exercise possibilities are brought to marginalized and underserved communities? According to the US Census Bureau, the number of citizens falling within the Bureau’s definition of “poor” increased by 3.7 million between 2008 and 2009, with one-third of those individuals being children. While paying close attention to the fact […]
Does Exercise Help Restless Leg Syndrome?
The right exercise at the right time can make a difference for clients suffering from RLS. “Purposeful movement” is typically seen as a healthy endeavor, but erratic restless movement can be less than desirable. Restless Leg Syndrome, or RLS, is considered to be a sleep disorder, although its discomfort and outright pain make sleep nearly […]
Exercise and Your Immune System
Your “healthy” exercise program might be ruining your immune system. If you or your clients have been consistently feeling exhausted and drained after workouts or suffering too many colds this season, consider this. Exercise has often been touted as the best medicine for a multitude of ailments. In the correct amount, it can be beneficial; […]
How to Break Client’s Momentum in Strength Training
“Cheating” with momentum while strength training may feel appropriate in the moment, but ultimately you are only cheating yourself out of long-term gains. As personal trainers, we have the opportunity to bear witness to any number of inappropriate and potentially dangerous weightlifting practices during a typical day at the gym. Consider for a moment the frequency […]
Women and Weightlifting: The Good, The Bad, and the Truth
Knowing how to approach women and weightlifting can be viewed as a niche skillset in the fitness industry. Many women still fear building “muscle” when discussing goals with their personal trainer. While perceptions do seem to be changing for the better, many women are still terrified by the common misconception that lifting weights will make […]