Fitness Professional Online

SPOTLIGHT

BEST ARTICLES OF 2014

AMAZING ARTICLES WRITTEN BY INCREDIBLE FITNESS

PROFESSIONALS IN THE INDUSTRY

BEST ARTICLES OF 2014

Although the year still has a good few monthsleft in it, the end of summer is always a greattime to reflect on the good and prepare forthe next few months! This year at FPO hasbeen filled with some really amazing articleswritten by incredible Fitness Professionals inthe industry. At FPO, we understand howtough it can be to find quality informationfrom credible sources who have been in theindustry and have experienced what ourreaders are experiencing. For this reason, wewanted to highlight the best articles of 2014.These articles are not only a reflection of oureditors' favourites but also those that havegotten the most response from all of YOU! Sotake some time to read the top articles fromthe top in the industry.

Darcy CurryOperations ManagerFitness Professional Online

Offers insight on 3 main concerns that arise with anystart up business. One ultimate piece of advice: begingrowing your business by first asking for help. Discussingthe concerns and interests for your business with otherprofessionals will open many avenues for creativity andlearning. The 3 most important elements for any start-upbusiness are space, programming, and member service.

Read Full Article...

“Your business represents you so you should

be prepared to represent what you stand for.

- RHONDA CATT

STARTING YOUR OWN BUSINESS

“Creating a safe workout regime is necessary for

working with older clients…

- SHAUN ZETLIN

ASK AN EXPERT:For my older clients, what questions should I ask before I train them to ensure I do not push them too far?

Creating a safe workout regime is necessary for workingwith older clients, according to expert personaltrainer, Shaun Zetlin. In this article, he outlines 4categories to consider when training older adults: Injuries,Past Health, Current Health and Goals. Read Full Article…

Expert personal trainer and nutritional coach, LisaLorraine Taylor, discusses what you need to know abouthow to train clients from a remote location, things you'llneed to buy, and environmental factors to consider.Things you'll need? A computer, webcam, head phones, apay-pal account and your own website. In order to launchthe training, you'll also need contracts, fitnessassessments, appointment setting skills, consultations,and supplement/nutritional programs. Read Full Article:

“It’s such an exciting way to train and do what

you love.

- LISA LORRAINE TAYLOR

Training Clients Remotely

SIGN UP

“Strength-training can also benefit those who

suffer from certain forms of arthritis,

osteoporosis as well many diseases that are

due to aging and inactivity.

- LISA LORRAINE TAYLOR

Ask an Expert: For older clients, what should the workouts be more focused on: strength

training or aerobics training?

In this article, expert Lisa Lorraine Taylor, a personaltrainer and nutritional coach, offers insight on trainingolder clients safely and effectively. She discusses theimportance of balance and strength training due to anincreasing loss of lean muscle mass as people age.Read Full Article…

“Do you wish that WAY more people would just

open up your emails because you KNOW that

what's inside is going to help make a

difference in their life?! – VITO LA FATA

How to Improve Your Email Open Rate at 200 percent

Business coach and Fitness Entrepreneur, Vito La Fata,shares 4 steps to creating effective email marketing. Hestresses the importance of learning how to email marketefficiently, so that your fitness business can reach its fullpotential. One of the most effective means for marketingis your email list, so take advantage of his advice! ReadFull Article

“There are several known methods for producingimprovements in eccentric function, but in orderto employ them effectively a trainer mustunderstand the unique physiology of eccentricloading along with the considerations for trainingspecific populations… - GREG MAURER

FUNCTIONAL ECCENTRIC TRAINING PART 1

With over 27 years of experience in the commercialfitness industry, fitness expert Greg Maurer is theperfect person to discuss where to begin withfunctional eccentric training, which muscle groupsshould be targeted and why, and the characteristicsand benefits of functional eccentric training. Read FullArticle:

“It also fits their busy schedules! While I amNOT saying there is no place for lowerintensity steady state exercise there areclearly advantages to higher intensity intervaltraining. – GREG MAURER

FUNCTIONAL ECCENTRIC TRAINING PART 1

A REVIEW OF ANAEROBIC VERSUS AEROBIC CONDITIONING

There are two key types of metabolic/energetic pathwaysused for generation of energy in all our cells: Aerobic andAnaerobic. Aerobic means with oxygen and requires thepresence of oxygen in the cell producing energy.Anaerobic means without oxygen and cells can produceenergy without the presence of oxygen using thesepathways. Read Full Article

“Creating an online automated program that bringsin an additional $500, $1000 or $10,000 permonth is completely possible for you even if youaren't technologically savvy. – LORRI KENNEDY

7 Steps To Creating an Online Automated Revenue System

Many fitness trainers want regular streams of revenue sothat taking vacations doesn't result in complete loss ofprofits. Luckily, this article offers 7 steps that anyone cantake in order to automate a revenue stream from online.Even if you aren't technologically savvy, switching yourbusiness over to partially online will save you time andearn you extra money. Read Full Article

“If you want your business to be anything beyonda hobby, participating in local networking eventsis a great marketing channel to build yournetwork of new prospects. - CHRIS LUTZ

NETWORKING FOR FITNESS PROFESSIONALS: ONE OF YOUR MOST VALUABLE MARKETING CHANNELS

If you want your business to be anything beyond a hobby,participating in local networking events is a great marketingchannel to build your network of new prospects. Make someroom in your budget and dedicate time in your schedule toconsistently participate in these events. Being a fitnessprofessional, you'll likely be the only one, or one of the veryfew, in attendance. You'll have a monopoly on where the otherparticipants send their referrals for health and fitness needs.Read Full Article

“If it's for your business, it's in your business's best interest to be proactive in your business.

- LISA LORRAINE TAYLOR

What are some of the best ways to promote myself to new clients?

Personal trainer and nutritional coach, Lisa LorraineTaylor, offers 3 tips to help you promote yourself to newclients. Her three tips include 1) using social media topromote yourself, 2) asking clients who compliment youfor referrals and testimonies, and 3) asking your clients torecommend 5 of their friends or family to you during thelast 5 minutes of your training session. Read Full Article

“A website for your fitness business is no smallendeavor, and there are a seemingly endless numberof factors to consider.

- MICHAEL PIERMONT

3 ESSENTIALS TO CREATING WEBSITES THAT WILL GROW YOUR HEALTH FITNESS BUSINESS

Creating a website for your fitness business is a big venturethat needs to be executed with precision. With a number offactors and possibilities to consider it's important to have ahelpful hand to guide you through the process. As the CEOof a technology company rooted in helping fitnessprofessionals grow their business, Michael Piermont canprovide you with his three essential keys to creating a greatwebsite. Read Full Article

“The fear of making mistakes never goes away even with continued education & years of experience.

- RHONDA CATT

Continuing Education in the Health and Fitness Industry

Continuing education in the Health & Fitness industry can attimes be overwhelming when you're trying to learn how to besuccessful and respected in your career. Don't be thwarted byfear and anxiety over making mistakes, as making mistakes isnormal and is part of the ongoing learning process. In order togrow your industry, continuing education is a must. RhondaCatt explains how the level of continuing education in the"fitness industry" is different from the "strength andconditioning industry". Read Full Article

“Come to think about it, out of all of my personaltrainer peers over the years, I do believe that I wasthe first one of the bunch to have his own website.

- MATT WIENCEK

9 FEATURES EVERY FITNESS WEBSITE MUST HAVE

Websites are an essential tool for growing and promotingyour business. Having a strong online presence, provides a24-hour communication hub for your audience, futureprospects and your clients to communicate with you andyour business, while also acting as a great tool todemonstrate your expertise and skill in the fitness industry.Matt Wiencek navigates through the many features availableand lists some of the universal features that every fitnessbusiness website should have. Read Full Article

“A more effective and elegant solution is to have a program that by its structure accommodates to the clients daily readiness.

- KARSTEN JENSEN

Cypernetic Periodization: How to program for clients with irregular schedules?

As a trainer it's important to know how to deal with trainingclients who are unable to maintain a regular schedule in thegym. Workouts may be unpredictable when working aroundan irregular exercise schedule. One productive solution is tohave a program that accommodates the client’s dailyschedule through means of a formulated structure. KarstenJensen discusses several types of programs that meet thisrequirement including pyramid training, cluster training andladders. Read Full Article

“In fact, I hear fitness professionals constantly assertthat increasing muscle mass increases caloricexpenditure. The question is how much? And howmeaningful is this statement to our clients in the shortand long term? – GREG MAURER

HOW MUCH DOES A 1lb OF MUSCLE REALLY INCREASE RESTING METABOLIC RATE

Greg Maurer investigates the commonly trusted statementthat, "1 lb of muscle increases resting metabolic rate by 50calories per day", among fitness professionals. Breakingdown the assertion that increasing muscle mass increasescaloric expenditure, Maurer examines such questions, ashow much metabolic rate increase, and how meaningful thisis to clients of fitness professionals in the short and longterm. Read Full Article

“What I learned over my years in the fitness industry is that if you don't truly care about your clients, it will be hard for you to connect with them. When you care about people, you'll naturally want to do your absolute best to help them out. – MATT WIENCEK

How To Increase Referrals by 300%

Increasing referral rates for fitness professionals is thefastest and easiest way to grow a fitness business. MattWiencek references a website with a wonderful businessmodel to sell their product, as a means to guide fitnessprofessionals who are trying to grow their referral rates.These philosophies of a good business model, reveal howto productively communicate with customers and increaseyour chances of growing your fitness business. Read FullArticle

“I'm not going to tell you the right program for yourclients, but I am going to give you a process todetermine it. A structured thinking process will helpyou decide the specific methods that you'll ultimatelyuse to work with a variety of individuals. – CHRIS LUTZ

A PHILOSOPHY FOR DETERMINING YOUR METHODS

Chris Lutz provides a structured thinking process fordetermining the right program for the clients of fitnessprofessionals. Aimed at helping you decide the specificmethods to use with a variety of individuals, Lutz presents ahierarchical approach when coming up with your ownspecific fitness methods. The hierarchy consist of seven mainareas of focus, all of which Lutz describes in detail, rangingfrom scientific laws to technique. Read Full Article

“Be sure to assess potential supplements for yourclients by asking every open-minded question youcan, and engage in free-speaking conversations withthem before providing your recommendations.- SHAUN ZETLIN

Should I recommend Supplements To My Clients?

Recommending supplements to clients can be a tricky issueas it is a skill that requires extensive knowledge.Supplements should only be taken when your client isn'tobtaining the correct fuel in their daily lives (i.e. due to lackof a well-balanced diet, nutrient deficiencies as a result ofcertain illnesses, etc.) causing their fitness goals to possiblysuffer. Shaun Zetlin gives three useful tips to help guide youwhen recommending supplements to your clients, consistingof: becoming certified, keeping your clients goals in mind,and playing it safe. Read Full Article

“Before potential consumers meet you, they are likelyto check out your website to learn more about you. Ifyour website is not functioning properly or looksunprofessional, they may overlook your businessbefore you even get a chance to personallycommunicate with them. - MATT WIENCEK

HOW TO GET CLIENTS FROM YOUR WEBSITE

A well functional and professional website, gives you theopportunity to personally communicate with clients. Firstimpressions are important, as prospective clients will judgeyou and your business based upon the appearance of yourwebsite. Matt Wiencek provides some helpful approachesfor getting a better response from your online visitors andpotential clients that you can try implementing in yourbusiness. Read Full Article

“By providing education, you will help your clientsunderstand the importance and value of stretching,while displaying proper protocol to the stretchingprocess. - SHAUN ZETLIN

Is it recommended to "stretch out" clients once they are done working out? Is there a certain protocol when doing so?

Stretching your client can be a very helpful and productiveservice to provide in your fitness program. Stretching yourclient can have a multitude of positive effects on theirworkouts in regards to the prevention of the injuries,increased range of motion (flexibility), enhanced coordination,and improved blood flow. Shaun Zetlin provides someimportant tips to remember on the correct protocol ofstretching out your clients, surrounding communication,knowing your clients and education. Read Full Article