Health Habits

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Online Personal Training

February 16th, 2010

A little over a month ago, I introduced my Health Habits online personal training service….

…and I can’t believe how successful it’s been.

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Each new client has achieved noticeable results (weight loss, strength gains, improved endurance, lower heart rate and blood pressure) after just a few weeks.

I couldn’t be happier….or more relieved.

Because, if I am being completely honest, I have to admit that I was a little bit worried about doing online training.

I was worried that because my online clients wouldn’t be getting the same “hands on” type of attention that my face to face clients get, they might not get the same quality of results.

And, my (slightly overinflated) ego wouldn’t be happy with half-assed training results. I built my training business solely on word of mouth and a mild case of OCD when it comes to designing and implementing training programs.

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Now I am kicking myself for not doing this sooner.

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So, as a thank you to all of the people who already signed up, and because I am unbelievably happy about how things have gone so far, for the remainder of the month, I am offering 3 months of online training for the price of 2 months.

Unfortunately, because I design all of the training programs by hand, I can only take on another 8 clients…sorry.

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3 Months of Online Personal Training – $500….Save $250

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Posted in Exercise, I Wanna Look Great, fitness, health, personal trainer, toronto, working out

Tags: bodybuilding diet Exercise fat fitness health muscle obesity personal trainer personal trainer toronto personal training personal training toronto power speed strength weight loss workout

What you DON’T want in a personal trainer

January 12th, 2010

Here’s a little story for anyone out there thinking of hiring a personal trainer….

Earlier today, I was meeting with a potential new client.

For the last six months, she had been working out on her own and was less than pleased with the results. Previous to that, she had worked with a personal trainer for four months.

She was even less pleased with that experience.

Here’s why:

Over the four months, she spent $4800 ($100 per session x 3 sessions per week x 16 weeks)
Her weight yo-yo’d during this experience – eventually settling at 11 lbs lost
Her initial goal was 40 lbs

When her initial personal training package expired (48 sessions), she was asked to renew for another 48 sessions at the same rate.

At this time, she expressed her concerns about her lack of progress. She thought she should have lost more weight and was hesitant to renew based upon her results after 16 weeks.

This is what her trainer said:

He was also disappointed with her results
He was surprised that she didn’t do better, because all of his clients that follow his program achieve their goals.
The clients that don’t achieve their goals are unsuccessful because they don’t follow his program.
They cheat on their diet or they don’t do their self-directed cardio sessions.

and here’s my favorite…

He’s only with her 3 hours per week. That leaves 165 hours (24 x 7 – 3) in the week for her to sabotage his plan.
His responsibility is to design & deliver the program.
Her responsibility is to follow his direction.

And, you know what, he’s right.

He can’t follow her around and make sure she doesn’t follow the prescribed diet or do her “self-directed” cardio sessions.

But, for $4800, doesn’t she deserve more than a training program and 48 hours of counting reps and stretching her hamstrings?

(BTW, I saw the program, and I was unimpressed to say the least)

This is what she should have got for $4800

They should have spent time during every session discussion discussing what happened to her in between sessions.
He should have known if she was having trouble sticking to the plan
They should have discussed motivational techniques
He should have asked questions to find her triggers for poor eating.
He should have taught her how to look inside herself and identify the thoughts and emotions attached to her poor eating habits
He should have known she wasn’t doing as well as she should have
He should have worked harder to find the buttons that needed pushing

For $4800, he should have mustered up some personal & professional pride and made change happen.

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But enough about her ex-trainer douche-bag. Here’s what happened during our meeting

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After some initial pleasantries, we go down to the question & answer period of our meeting. I asked her all of the questions that I typically ask potential clients.

And after 30 minutes or so, I was pretty sure that her eating problems are tied up in her emotions.

We talked about her life. We talked about her eating patterns. We talked about some of the tricks I have picked up through the years. I watched her get agitated while talking about certain topics. I watched her body relax and her mood lift when she talked about her kids. When we talked about her friend’s weight loss success (a former client of mine), I could see the combination of hope and doubt in her eyes.

And this is just the beginning.

I barely know the woman.

Hopefully that changes. Hopefully, she gives me the chance to help her make her life a little bit better.

And yes, I know this sounds all new-agey and sensitive.

But, if I want her to achieve lasting results and not just a short term (Biggest Loser) change, we’ve got to identify the emotions behind the obesity. When we do that, the workout & nutrition plan will work as advertised.

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BTW, if anyone wants a kick-butt weight loss fitness program, check out the Health Habits Facebook Page. Become a fan and have free access to a workout plan designed to burn fat fast.

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Posted in Attractiveness / Sexuality, Diet/Nutrition, Exercise, I Wanna Be Healthy, I Wanna Look Great, fat, fat loss, fitness, health, nutrition, obesity, personal trainer, toronto, weight loss, working out

Tags: diet fat fitness food health nutrition obesity personal trainer personal trainer toronto weight loss

Economy will drive fitness habits in 2010

January 4th, 2010

As reported by Reuters, “cost-conscious workouts at home and at the gym topped the list of fitness trends for this year in a survey, followed by shorter, more time-efficient regimens, such as boot camp and circuit training“.

“People are looking for ways to accomplish as much as possible with as little time and money as necessary,” said Cedric X. Bryant, chief science officer of the American Council on Exercise (ACE), which conducted the online poll of fitness professionals.

“Last year ‘budget-conscious’ was on the list but this year the majority of the respondents put it as one of the top,” he added.

Other money-saving measures, such as the shift from personal training sessions to small group training classes and in-home workouts using smaller, more portable equipment, also made the list.

“Personal trainers are seeing they’ve got to respond to market needs. Working with two to four clients at a time they can charge less but still get their hourly fee,” Bryant said.

Boot-camp workouts and circuit training, both of which burn calories while building strength and endurance, will be among the most popular trends in 2010, as time-constrained consumers seek shorter, more intense regimens.

“We’re living in a time-pressured society where people are working longer because of staff reductions or trying to pick up extra income,” Bryant explained.

But, it’s not just the economy that is driving future fitness trends.

The aging of the baby boomers and the growing obesity problem will also impact the direction of the fitness industry

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So, here’s my question…

Considering that personal training has been the biggest money maker for health clubs in the past decade, how are they going to adapt to a lingering recession, high unemployment levels and reduced disposable income?

Can they adapt?

Or maybe, just maybe, something better will emerge out of this economic mess.

Perhaps, instead of driving to the gym and paying someone to tell us how to exercise, we can adopt a DIY attitude towards our health & fitness.

Perhaps we can pool our knowledge (see internet, social media, facebook, twitter…)
Perhaps we can support each other (see not paying $80 per hour for support)
Perhaps we can exercise outside of a socially approved health club facility (see outdoors, rec room, garage)

So, what do you think?

Is the recession going to kill the corporate health club?
Can they adapt in time?
Is the recession impacting your fitness routine?
If so, how?

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Toronto By-Law Nazi Accosts Senior Citizens for Exercising in a Public Park

October 12th, 2009

Most days, I love living in Toronto.

It’s a great city. All the culture you could want and you can still walk down the street at night.

But, yesterday, as I was reading my morning newspapers over a cup of coffee, I came upon this story….

Watch more Videos at Vodpod.

…and it pissed me off.

Why in the world would a city bylaw officer harass senior citizens for exercising in a public park?

Why harass anyone for exercising in a public park?

As a nation, Canada is getting fatter year after year.

Our provincial health care systems are being bankrupted by chronic diseases brought on by the same lifestyle choices that cause obesity.

So, why would the city discourage physical activity by ticketing citizens to exercise in public parks that they already support with their tax dollars?

Especially when you consider that way back in 2005, Toronto city council created Get Your Move On…

an initiative formed between public, voluntary and private sector organizations to address the current epidemic of physical inactivity by achieving increased physical activity levels in Toronto by raising public awareness, creating more opportunities and reducing barriers to enable all residents to be physically active where they live, work and play.

This commitment was stated again in 2008 when Mayor David Miller once again joined with those same members of the private, public and voluntary sectors to re-brand Get Your Move On as Get Active Toronto.

At this time, the mayor et al signed a Declaration of Commitment to a physically active Toronto.

Partnership Commitment Statement
As members of the Get your move on partnership, we commit to working together with individuals, community groups, agencies, institutions, businesses and all levels of government to achieve increased physical activity among all residents.

To accomplish this Get your move on partners will:

Promote healthy active living for all Toronto residents, beginning with children, youth, their families and other influencers. Champion the right of residents to have the opportunity for daily physical activity.

Seek innovative, creative solutions to reduce systemic barriers to physical activity.

Lead by example, undertaking initiatives within our organizations and communities to foster significant increases in physical activity and health. Develop and promote a civic culture where active living is part of everyday life.

Involve and support individuals, groups and organizations across sectors to build a movement that promotes physical activity for all Toronto residents.

Our commitment will increase opportunities and access for physical activity and contribute to lasting change for the people of Toronto.

Arrrggghhhh!!!!!

I am mad as hell and I’m not going to take it anymore.

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Thanks to Toronto Sun columnist Sue-Ann Levy for breaking this shameful story.

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The "I don't have time to workout" Workout

September 3rd, 2009

No more excuses.

You do have time to exercise.

workout

If you only have 5 minutes to spare, do 1 of these workouts.

10 minutes = 2 workouts

15 minutes = 3 workouts….

…You don’t even have to go to the gym.

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The Rules

Each workout lasts 5 minutes (the set/rep combinations are suggestions based upon my experience with clients)
If you get to 5 minutes before you get to the end of the workout…STOP. 5 minutes max means 5 minutes max.
Each workout involves 2 or 3 different exercises
Perform 1 set of exercise A, then move on to exercise B
No rest between sets – the workouts are designed to be performed with no rest
If your form gets sloppy…slow down. Catch your breath. Good form is more important that getting one extra rep. Injuries suck.

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5 Minute Workout # 1

1. Air Squats - bodyweight only – 5 sets of 30 reps