Have you ever heard of T. Colin Campbell? He is the author of the book the China Study and has dedicated the better part of his life to understanding the relationship between nutrition and health. If you’re interested in health and nutrition, you’ve probably heard of his work.

Campbell is well respected in the medical and nutritional fields. If you want to learn more about his work, I’d suggest you take his online classes at Cornell University. The certificate program allows anyone the opportunity to learn about plant-based nutrition from the best possible sources (Campbell and Cornell).

The program is based on the kind of logic that was first introduced by the father of medicine Hippocrates. You’ve probably heard the quote “Let food be thy medicine and medicine thy food.” Yeah, that Hippocrates. In this course, you’ll learn about how many diseases can be prevented by eating more of the right foods and avoiding all of the wrong foods. According to Campbell’s research, the wrong foods include meat, dairy and processed foods.

This is a three-course certificate program that was designed to introduce Campbell’s research to the general public as well as the medical profession. It includes an in-depth look at the research you may have been introduced to in the China Study and it also includes research that has been introduced since the book’s publication date. In other words, in this study, you’ll get the latest information about how to prevent and possibly reverse disease through nutrition.

The first course explores the true causes of degenerative diseases (hint: it has to do with what you put on your fork). The second course offers solutions to the health care crisis that America is now faced with. The last course gives you the tools and the know-how to make changes in your own life – and hwo to help others make changes in their lives. 

The best part of the course, in my opinion, is that it's completely online, so it doesn't matter what you do with your time otherwise. You can be a paralegal or a gym teacher and learn at your own pace. 

If there’s one thing people overlook before deciding to embark on a personal training career, it’s the schedule. Most personal trainers are entrepreneurs who must work in order to get paid, so vacations are seriously tough. You worry about whether your die-hard fitness clients will find another trainer or if the ones who err on the lazy side will give up. When you go on vacation, you’re left feeling uncertain about whether you’ll have all your clients when you return. But, that doesn’t have to be the case.

If you form a relationship with a like-minded trainer (friend), you can ask him or her to step in for you while you’re away. This way, your clients won’t skip a beat. It’ll be like you were never gone.

Here are a few tips for getting it done:

1.       Find someone you trust and propose a partnership. You take her clients when she’s on vacation and she’ll take yours when you’re not around. It’ll be extra work during a week when you have to double up (handle your own clients and hers), but the extra work can pay off when you have a happy and loyal client base.

2.       Sign an informal contract. The important part is to get everything in writing, so there is no confusion or hard feelings later. You don’t need a lawyer. Just write out how many days each of you will get for vacation on this exchange and whether you’ll get paid for your time. Oh, and you may want to include something that says neither of you can take on any of the others’ clients for a period of six months or a year (whatever you think is fair). It may seem a little unnecessary between friends, but it’s better safe than sorry.

3.       Give him some instructions to go on, and make sure he doesn’t go too easy on your clients while you’re gone. That would defeat the purpose of having them stick to their routine. Although these are great ideas for personal trainers, they work well for any entrepreneur in the service business. It doesn't matter whether you're a beautician or a tattoo artist, you can take advantage of these tips

 

When you first start training others, you have to get into a groove. Actually, you really have to find your groove. Every trainer has their own twist on things and uses their own methods of motivation. Here are some tips to help you find your groove (and keep your clients coming back for more.

1.       Stay Passionate – Remind yourself why you’re in this game in the first place, so you don’t end up looking at it as just another job. Your passion and energy are what make you, well, you. Not only will your clients get to know you better if you show more of your true self, but they’ll also feed off of your passion and energy and get more out of their workouts.

2.       Design a Killer Program – Tailor each workout to your specific client’s personality. Each client should have their own unique exercise plan designed for their body type, interests and goals.

3.       Reach out Outside of the Gym – While your clients are training, you have their undivided attention. That’s great, but what about the other 23 hours out of the day? Okay, some of that time is reserved for sleep, but you should at least remind them that you’re in this for the long haul. One way to do that is to offer a personal training newsletter via email. Offer fitness and nutrition tips to complement their workouts. The newsletters can be general in nature, so they apply to more people, but the important part is that they add value. Don’t sell yourself or your services here – just offer information that your clients might actually want to read.

4.       Create a Journal – Here’s another way you can show your clients that you care while putting your own personal stamp on things. Take a picture of each client when you first start training. Ask a few interview questions (as you normally would) and input the info in a journal or scrapbook. Do this at regular intervals and you’ll have a nice keepsake for them after a year (or three or six months). 

These are just a few of many things you can do to stand out and make an impression on your clients (and prospective clients). You don't have to do these things specifically (although they might help), but if you aren't willing to put in any effort, you may as well just throw in the towel. Become an office manager or pharmacy tech because you just don't have what it takes to be a successful personal trainer. 

 

Whether you first got your personal training certificate last week or ten years ago, there’s one thing you learn pretty quickly: fitness trends change. No, they don’t change as quickly as fashion, but they do make small shifts every year. Then there are new “crazes” that take the country by storm. Usually, these don’t last long (think Tae Bo), but you have to deal with them nonetheless. Here are a few recent trends that show no signs of stopping in 2012:

1.    Zumba – This is actually a fun way to get fit, so I’d love to see it stick around, but I’m not sure it will. Usually, these things are extremely trendy and will be bumped out of favor by the next “best thing.” What’s great about Zumba is that it reaches out to those people who typically aren’t active (as well as those who are) and it gets them off the couch and moving their rumps.

2.    Pilates – Pilates saw its popularity spike in the past two years, but it’s kind of on a downswing now. Still, pilates is here for the long haul. Although it may not be the latest craze any longer, it still has a strong following (myself included. Nothing shapes your body like pilates. Hey; that almost rhymed).

3.    Boot Camps – As we see personal trainers becoming reality stars, people are yearning for that same sort of boot camp experience they see on television. Luckily, many personal trainers offer “boot camp” programs, which are extreme fitness regemens that are designed to produce results.

4.  Spinning – Much like pilates, spinning has already seen its peak, but those machines in the gym aren’t going anywhere just yet. This isn’t personally my favorite way to get fit, but I have friends who swear by it. My medical assistant friend takes spinning classes at all hours of the night. I know she’s got a nutty schedule, but that’s some commitment. Anyway, people say its tons of fun. Either way, I know it’s a great cardio workout.    

 

When you first get your personal training certificate, you are probably left with a lot of questions. Although your training program probably dealt with how to handle clients, you might be a little unclear about where to begin and what should definitely be covered. After you formulate a personalized exercise plan for each of your new clients, have a sit-down conversation to talk through the following points. As your clients have a better understanding of your approach, they’ll feel more comfortable trusting you with their health, fitness and overall wellbeing.

1.       It’s not wise to do the same workout over and over. Your muscles get used to the same old routine, so they won’t work as hard if you don’t switch things up all the time.

2.       Cardio is important, but it isn’t everything. Although most weight loss routines will start with a good cardio program, adding some weights or resistance training will boost your weight loss efforts and help you lose those pounds quicker.

3.       No time for complacency. In order to build muscle, if that’s what you want to do, you have to keep challenging yourself. It’s great to set goals, but once you reach them, it’s time to set another goal. If you find something easy, it’s probably time to step up your game.

4.       Crunches are cool, but they aren’t the only (or even the best) way to build ab muscles. Explain to clients that they’ll get more bang for their buck by doing exercises that will work their entire core. And, of course, you’ll walk them through the entire process step-by-step.

Once your clients understand what they’ll be doing, and they know what to expect from you, they’ll worry a little less about the future of their program. They’ll know that you’ve thoroughly planned each exercise so that they can just get to work and start seeing results.

It’s important that your clients feel that level of trust. They need to know that although they may call the shots at work, you’re the boss of their fitness goals. They should consider themselves as your administrative assistant. You plan the workout and they do the legwork to get it done. Only, the benefit to this arrangement is that they get the major payout (a rockin bod), instead of the boss, at the end of the day.

Ayurveda is an ancient practice that is often referred to as a type of holistic medicine. It’s a practice that dates back over five thousand years, so there are plenty of case studies to fall back on. But, up until very recently, there weren’t really any scientific studies. So, many people in the Western world don’t trust Ayurveda. They’d rather go to a medical doctor because his methods are based in science. Although there is definitely a place fore science, the problem with modern medicine is that it relies so heavily on chemical treatments. Got cancer? Here are some chemicals. Got a headache? More chemicals. Ayurveda, on the other hand, relies on completely natural methods of treatment. Practitioners treat patients based on the needs of their body types, referred to as Doshas. You’ll learn that doshas are more than just body types, but that’s probably the best way to describe it for now.

If this sounds like something you’d like to pursue as a career, the best place for you to study is India. This is where it all began (five thousand years ago), so it’s kind of like getting your information straight from the source. Many practitioners, especially those in the West, will first get their M.D. license, and then go on to study Ayurveda. There are two reasons for this. For one, you’ll have a good medical foundation and understanding of how the body functions. The other reason to get your M.D. first is because you’re more likely to gain respect and get more customers, if you plan to practice in North America.

If you want to get involved in this practice, but don’t have the time or means to travel to India, check out Ayurvedic schools state side by going to the Natural Healers website. Look for a school that’s in your local area or search for a reputable college that offers online degrees. This way, you can study without having to leave your home. 

I’ve covered the major personal trainer certification programs on this blog at great length. There is ACE, ISSA, NASM, and ACSM: All great programs. I wanted to cover the majors first because I know it can be confusing to weed through the scams and find a fitness certification program that is right for you. But, in-between the scams and the major certifiers are some legitimate programs that may even offer some unique advantages. One of those programs is offered by PTA Global. No, they aren’t run by the Parent Teacher Association. This group is dedicated to training fitness professionals. In this case, PTA stands for Personal Training Academy.

The programs offered by PTA are designed by personal trainers for personal trainers. With one of their programs, you’ll learn to use the PDQ (Program Design Questionnaire) to help determine which set of exercises will best suit each individual client. No one-size fits-all approach here. This system is designed to help you stand out from the rest of the personal trainers out there and be among the best.

Once you have worked with a client on her PDQ, you can come up with your own exercises to suit her needs, or you can choose from PTA’s database of over 840 exercises that have been matched up with a PDQ result.

After you start working with a client, you’ll have even more tools in your arsenal. PTA teaches a technique that they call “Dr. O,” which stands for Daily Readiness Observation. This is a system that teaches you how to track your clients’ physical and emotional state throughout his training. This is invaluable for keeping clients motivated and wanting to come back for more. Because, let's face it: If you can’t tell when your clients are being pushed too far (or not far enough), you aren’t really doing your job very well.

PTA goes above and beyond the basics of personal training and uses techniques that are designed to make you the best personal trainer you can possibly be. 

When you’re first starting out as a personal trainer, interacting with clients might seem a little foreign to you. Of course, you know how to talk to people, but now that these people are your “bread and butter,” the stakes are a little higher. You have to be careful not to ask them to do anything that may harm them, and you have to always be on your best behavior.

Here are a few things that you should never ask of your clients as a personal trainer:

1.     Stand on an exercise ball – You and your friends may do it when you’re goofing around at the gym or as an exercise in balance, but it’s not safe. Your client could end up getting hurt and you could end up with a lawsuit.

2.     Continue doing the same routine – Even if a client requests the same routine over and over, you should try to persuade her to do something different. This way, she’ll be working different muscles and getting more out of her training sessions; two things that’ll keep her coming back for more.

3.     Try my “one-size-fits-all” training routine – There is no such thing. Each workout needs to be tailored to your individual client. It’s okay to give similar clients similar workout routines, but never try to force a workout on a client because it’s less work for you. If they find out you give everyone the same instructions, they won’t be coming back. Even better: tailor the workout to the client’s interests. If he’s learning how to become a cop, fireman or FBI agent, incorporate some workouts from their standard PT.

4.     Always focus on abs – Unless your clients are body builders, they shouldn’t be focusing on one body part alone. They might have an area that they want to see more results in, and that’s fine, but you need to give them a total body workout. It’s better for their health, and it’ll produce a better visual result too.

If you’re fitness professional trying to make a name for yourself (whether you’re a personal trainer, yoga teacher or dance instructor), one group you might want to consider joining is the IDEA Health & Fitness Association. This group is the largest association for fitness and wellness workers in the world, and being a member has many benefits.

One major benefit of being an IDEA member is access to research and reference materials. IDEA has a library of more than 6,000 health and fitness articles and nearly 300 short fitness videos, all of which members have access to. IDEA members also receive a subscription to a service that provides access to the newest fitness videos from top industry professionals. IDEA also offers its members a free monthly newsletter, a blog with posts from people in the industry, and a live Q&A on its website where you can ask questions of fitness pros.

Another plus that comes from belonging to IDEA is that it offers courses and tests that you can access online to stay current on certifications (or you can work to get new certifications). Many of the quizzes and tests offered on the website offer credit for more than one certification, and if you pass, you can simply print out your certificate online.

A huge advantage of joining IDEA is its networking opportunities. IDEA offers several conferences every year for members, including the IDEA World Fitness Convention, which is the world's largest international fitness convention. IDEA also offers IDEA FitnessConnect, the largest national directory of fitness professionals, clubs or studios and fitness and wellness classes.

Another reason so many fitness members join IDEA is to gain access to its discounted insurance programs. You can get liability insurance for yourself or your whole club, if you own one.

I don’t have any ties to this organization, but I do know it’s helpful for many, especially those who are just starting out. I think they even offer a trial membership, so it’s worth checking out.

Wow. After weeks or months of studying, you’ve finally got it: your personal training certificate. Now, you’re officially certified to help others meet or exceed their fitness goals. It’s an exciting time. You’re embarking on a brand new career. But, where do you start? That’s a great question, and one I get from many new personal trainers. Here are a few ideas to get you going:

1.       Head to the local gyms to see if they have any need for personal trainers. A gym is a great place for you to get experience and start building your reputation in the community. It’s always hard to go out and start a new business from scratch, but it’s even harder if no one knows who you are. Start by making a good impression at your first job, and go from there. If you have a day job, you can look for part-time or weekend work. This way, you can head to the gym after working all day as a paralegal or office manager to get your blood flowing and meet some new people.

2.       Join IDEA. IDEA offers many benefits to its members including continuing education courses, networking opportunities, seminars and discounted rates on business and health insurance. It’s a really great way to become acquainted with the industry in a short period of time. You might even be able to find a good mentor to guide you through your early days as a personal trainer.

3.       Get insured. If you are employed by a gym or fitness center, check to see if you’re covered under their liability insurance. If not, or if you’re working as an independent contractor, you’ll need to get your own liability insurance. You can get it through IDEA (as mentioned above), or you can check out rates on your own. If you skip this step, you could end up being sued for everything you’ve got. Don’t be stupid. Get insured.

4.       Market yourself on the major social networking sites. You might already have personal pages setup, but you should also setup a professional page for your training clients. In the early days, it may just be your friends, but you should still keep posting relevant and interesting information. Remember, this is a place to meet potential clients.