What to do when you see an unprofessional personal trainer?

by Kathryn Weihen | Monday, November 14, 2011

As fitness professionals, where do we draw the line in pulling up our colleagues when using incorrect techniques whilst training their clients?
 
During my own training sessions I often see clients performing exercises incorrectly while under the supervision of their personal trainer. All too often I see lunges performed incorrectly, free weights being lifted with poor technique and clients being instructed to do exercises that are too advanced for them. This unprofessional approach to training could stem from a lack of experience on the part of the personal trainer, lack of competence, or simply a poorly designed program.  ...read more

Tweet

MyFitnessPal nutrition and fitness tracking app - a review

by Kathryn Weihen | Monday, October 10, 2011

Recently I became aware of a new fitness and nutrition website called MyFitnessPal.com. The site is basically a free tool that allows people to track their fitness activities and nutritional intake. The idea behind it is that by holding people accountable to what they do and don't do it will make it easier for them to achieve their fitness and health goals.  ...read more

Tweet

Global Fitness Report 2 - Mexico

by Ryan Hogan | Tuesday, May 03, 2011

The second report of the fitness industry at large comes from hot and sunny Mexico! Long considered to be behind the times in comparison to its big northern neighbour, there is still a lot going on fitness wise in this amazing country.

By Australian or NZ standards, the fitness industry in Mexico is still young. However, being a country of more than 100 million in population (and growing!) all anecdotal evidence points to huge growth in the medium term. One of the major limitations of growth is of course economy. With a GDP well below that of many developed countries, there is a large proportion of Mexicans who cannot afford the basics of life, let alone a health club membership.  ...read more

Tweet

Global Fitness Report 1 - USA

by Ryan Hogan | Monday, March 14, 2011

The first in a series of reports on the fitness industry around the globe brings us to the good ole US of A. Considered to be the birth place of many past and current trends, there is certainly a lot going on fitness-wise in America!

The current market in the US is clearly dominated by a number of large chains of well established health clubs. Big chains like 24 Hour Fitness and Bally Total Fitness have been in the market for a long time and continue to operate very large centres with lots of equipment and ample group exercise schedules. They are all over the country in most states and boast membership numbers in the tens and sometimes hundreds of thousands of members.  ...read more

Tweet

Is this your dream job? PT on a Criuse Ship?

by Rebecca Myers | Wednesday, March 02, 2011

Imagine waking up in a different port every morning and working in a gym that has constantly changing views from its windows.   ...read more

Tweet

Are these fitness trends happening in your club?

by Oliver Kitchingman | Tuesday, February 22, 2011

A recent survey conducted by the American Council on Exercise (ACE) has revealed what are purported to be the world’s top fitness trends for 2011.

ACE surveyed 2,700 fitness industry professionals to gauge what’s hot for the year ahead. Although these respondents were from a ‘worldwide network’, it is not clear whether a higher percentage were US-based (a possibility considering the local of the Council).  ...read more

Tweet

Hugh Jackman and Jennifer Aniston have one.

by Rebecca Myers | Sunday, February 06, 2011

Have you ever dreamed of being a trainer to the stars?

  ...read more

Tweet

Are You an Ethical Personal Trainer?

by Lisa Champion | Saturday, November 27, 2010

Today on the Sydney Morning Herald website a news article caught my eye which was titled ‘Fitness group rescued off NSW beach’. It was purely an informational piece reporting on a trainer’s decision to take his boot camp clients into the ocean after an apparently hard training session on the beach.

The article stirred up some strong feelings in me. What was the personal trainer thinking? Was jumping into the sea after a hard training session on the beach wise? Did he/she take time to think about the greater implications of that decision?  ...read more

Tweet

Zumba Fitness – Temporary Fad or Here to Stay?

by Ryan Hogan | Thursday, November 25, 2010

For those of us that have been in the fitness industry for a while, we are sure to have seen fads and trends come and go. From personal experience it’s also been quite interesting to see those that have stuck around for the long run.

The Reebok Slide, stair climbers and Tae Bo are good examples of trends that seemed to take hold of the industry in a flash – but then just as quickly disappeared. Others like Les Mills pre-choreographed classes, balance training and indoor cycling are great examples of so called “trends” that ended up sticking around for good.  ...read more

Tweet

Marketing - A Trickle or a Flood?

by Ryan Hogan | Wednesday, November 17, 2010

The following post was written by author and educator Kym Wimbis. It was originally posted on his blog, Access Fit, on 25 October 2010.

When it comes to marketing, advertising, lead generation, sales, and retention we almost always want more… more leads… more sales…and more retention.

When it comes to more members we don’t want a trickle we want a flood.

Makes sense… right? More members means more money… right?

Who in their right mind would want a trickle of members when they could have a flood?

Well it depends on the members.  ...read more

Tweet