Proper Form for a Lat Pulldown

Exercise Name & Target Muscle Group The Lat Pulldown is a surprisingly complex exercise that involves far more than the latissimus dorsi muscle. The predominant muscle groups involved also include the teres major, middle and lower trapezius, rhomboids, posterior deltoid, brachialis, biceps brachii, and brachioradialis. That’s a lot of muscles for an exercise named for […]

Assessing Cardiovascular Risk with Fitness Clients

Prioritizing and investigating clients’ health history according to recent research and recommendations to minimize risk and identify potential unknown risk factors is part of the role of a personal trainer. Properly assessing cardiovascular risk becomes a priority when so much of what you do with your clients can impact the cardiovascular system. As with any […]

Fitness Programming – A 5D Approach

Most personal trainers cover 4 of the 5 dimensions of fitness programming – muscular strength, endurance, cardiorespiratory fitness, and flexibility. But, are rest days part of your fitness formula? Rest is Crucial to Progress The tough work, the “tearing down”, occurs during a tough workout. A client’s physical systems are challenged in new and progressive ways. […]

7 Healthy Holiday Habits to Initiate with Fitness Clients

There’s nothing wrong with an indulgence here and there. The holidays are a time for feast and celebration. Clients need tips to stay on track so that they avoid a relapse during the hectic and food-filled time. This year, help your clients create stay-on-track habits. Here are 7 habits to encourage. 1. Self Care. As much […]

The Female Athlete Triad

Energy Imbalance. Amenorrhea. Osteoporosis and risk of fractures. Together, these symptoms make up a condition called the female athlete triad. Typically, this condition is seen in young female athletes. While personal trainers are not qualified or trained to diagnose such a condition, they do have a responsibility to know and understand the symptoms so that […]

Proper Form for a One-Arm Dumbbell Row

The one-arm dumbbell row is a unilateral exercise that targets the lats, teres major, middle, and lower trapezius, rhomboids, posterior deltoid, brachialis, biceps, and brachioradialis. These muscles are also used while performing a lat pull-down, albeit from a different angle and resistance source. Here’s what personal trainers need to know about performing this exercise. Why […]

Stress Busting Foods

One of the most beneficial ways to reduce stress and nourish the soul is by consuming stress-busting foods. Yes, there is such a thing as foods that contain stress fighting properties. Encourage your clients to consume more of these nutrients to boost their mood, reduce stress, and fuel the body and mind. Dark Cocoa (greater […]

Teaching Fitness Clients about the Health Halo

Smart marketing crowds the aisles of a grocery store. “Healthy food” messages can be deceiving and reveal more of a health halo than a healthy option. Help your clients identify these common halos. What is the health halo? The “Health Halo” is a term given to those subtle, but persuasive words or phrases listed on […]

What is Clean Eating?

To some, “clean eating” it means eating nothing but raw foods. To others, it means eating only organic. This phrase is bantered around in the health and fitness industry. Its definition varies between authorities and professionals, so it can mean different things to different entities. Perhaps the best way to define clean eating is in the […]

Creative Ways to Use Your Personal Trainer Certificate

You can do more than train fitness clients if you’re a certified personal trainer. Build your brand and expand the profession by finding new and creative ways to capitalize on your certified status. Here are 5 ways to leverage your certified personal trainer status in creative, out-of-the-gym ways. 1. Blog. Even if you don’t have a business […]