Do I Frighten You? A Fitness Professional’s Concern

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I’m sure most people who know me would agree that I love to exercise and work up a good a sweat doing something active. I enjoy the physical challenge of movement, the way it makes me feel and the results of working hard to attain a certain fitness or health-related goal. It is the ultimate pat on the back when you accomplish something you’ve set out to do.

I also love to teach, train and educate others on what I know as an 18- year, professional,  fitness veteran. I’ve worked in clubs, Y’s, yoga studios, corporate wellness centers, private homes, schools and now in my own  beautiful studio.  I’ve had the opportunity to work with different layers of clientele, other fitness professionals, mind-body teachers, PE teachers, coaches, athletes, parents and their children. Every experience has made me the person I am today, BUT that’s what has me a little worried!

I get this feeling that I scare some people away because of my enthusiasm for my work. I hear things like, “Oh, I can’t come to your class until I get in shape!” or “I always hear about how sore their butts are from those exercises that you have them doing.”  The other impression I get from listening and talking to people is they worry I may be too aggressive or hard on them during their workout sessions. GASP!!! Me? Really- do I make people feel this way? Do I frighten you?

It is never my intention to make anyone feel uncomfortable or afraid to try something new. Especially when it comes to exercise and movement. On the contrary, I work to avoid injuries in classes, sessions and training seminars. Modification, acceptance of all levels of fitness and encouraging individuals to achieve their personal best is what I set out to do.

Ask any of my class attendees how much I walk class and educate on form, encourage different levels of performance, but also give an appropriate amount of challenge to those who want it. Each of my clients gets the same, individual treatment. I want them to be excited to see what they can do next, and learn how to get the most safe, effective and well-rounded workout they can.

I’m not alone in my thoughts because there are thousands of  fitness professionals who share my wisdom, compassion and love for movement. Generally, we are cut from the same cloth and have our students and clients best interest at heart with whatever we do.

With all that said, I hope that this encourages interaction with me rather than discourages it. If not, then at least know these 5 things about me as a fitness pro and fitness geek:

1. My classes, camps, seminars and workshops are always built-in layers so that any level can participate and feel accomplished with whatever they can do. However, the individual’s ego can sometimes get in the way and alter performance in a less than pleasurable manner..you know who you are

2. I explain the reasoning for performing movements and why they are beneficial and assume each individual will make that choice to do or not do it based off of that information.

3. Details, details, details. I love them and like to share them, not to be a know-it-all, but to pass along great information so others may benefit from it. Little things can make a big difference

4. My personal fitness philosophy is “You get what you give!” Your efforts will produce results, but those results will vary based on personal motivation, physical abilities and the understanding that sometimes our worst enemy is the “I can’t” monster.

5. You can talk to me about other things besides fitness. I’m a free spirit, who adores and surrounds herself  in music, loves theater, photography, fashion, culture, traveling and listening to other people’s amazing stories about their lives. People are cool! Especially when they are considerate, passionate, adventurous and live life to the fullest.

Less frightened? I hope so! It may be what I do, what I say or even the way I describe the classes I teach that keeps you from getting to know the professional me. Don’t be afraid, I don’t bite. I encourage, support and will lead you down the path of success if you give me a chance

Come to the light..all are welcome!

Amy

PS – check out the latest camps, workshops and events at  http://www.fitnessgatherings.com/bootcamp.htm

Fat Tuesday Challenge- Changing Your Life for the Next 46 Days

Fat Tuesday is notorious for gluttonous eating, drinking and sometimes hedonistic behavior, but also serves as a reflective time for many who are looking at changing a behavior and letting  go of certain things for an allotted time. It’s a last chance to let go, unwind and unload for some, but a reflective time for others who are honestly looking to make a change in their lives and let go of some not so healthy behaviors.

I figured this was the perfect time to offer up a challenge! Fat Tuesday is the precursor to Ash Wednesday, which is 46 days away from Easter Sunday. The day of going back to whatever it is you decided to give up for 46 days. I believe it is the perfect amount of time (a little over 6 weeks)  to change a habit, let go of poor attitude and behavior and make a positive change in your life.

By the end of this challenge my goal is to see that all of you have made positive steps in taking better care of your health and fitness and that you just plain see, feel and enjoy the fruits of your labor. Are you up for it? Of course, you are!!

I am a firm believer in health AND fitness and know that it takes more than physical action to make a person healthy. So, to represent all of you I’ve created a challenge in the five categories that I know represent everyone in the categories of health and total wellness.

Pick one or more of the following “Fat Tuesday Challenges” or create your own. In either case, you must commit to making this behavior change for the next 46 days:

1. CARDIOVASCULAR HEALTH- walk or do something that gets your heart to pump above its normal level at least 30 minutes 5-6 days per week. Cardiovascular health not only makes the ticker a stronger pump, but also assists with burning extra calories and will contribute to weight loss by the end of the 46 days. Especially, if you are not an already active person.

2. STRENGTH CONDITIONING- perform a strength conditioning workout that fatigues all your major muscle groups withing 30-60 seconds,  3 days per week on non-consecutive days. Muscle is very active tissue, and is responsible for more than 25% of our calorie use while we sleep. The more we have, the more we burn at rest. It’s a VERY good thing. Don’t be afraid of heavy weights and/or strength training (women, I’m talking to you).  It’s the secret to staying lean!!!!!

3. EMBRACE YOUR STRETCHINESS- practice yoga and/or stretch out all your major muscle groups at least 2-3 days per week. This is the forgotten element in many of the aging fitness enthusiasts and contributes to many of their common issues such as low back pain, shoulder and neck tightness. Maintaining normal, healthy range of motion in your joints is only enhanced by being a regular stretcher!

4. TAKE CONTROL OF YOUR EATING- for once and for all..please listen to me here. You can sabotage every intention by not eating enough, or eating too much. The body is a scale and needs to be balanced! Good intake supports good effort. Visit dietgrader.com and get your optimal nutrition and stop the habit of poor nutrition.

5. MIND/BODY AWARENESS- just like poor nutrition, a poor attitude can influence everything you do when it comes to taking care of yourself. Take the opportunity to write down your thoughts on a daily basis and let go of the negative, flip your thoughts (make the negative a positive) and enjoy every moment. Journal your thoughts daily and let go of everything that makes you feel or act negatively. Honestly this is one of the key factors to changing your behavior!

My hope is that by the end of this 46 day challenge, you are a new person who appreciates their health, fitness, mind, body and understands that being healthy takes more than being physically active. Do you embrace all 5 of the categories to health and wellness?

You should! If you don’t then take the 46 day challenge. After all, we can all use a little improvement when it comes to taking care of ourselves.

Amy

PS- I will be joining you many of you in this challenge and will be sorting my thoughts out on the FIT Launch, Facebook, Fan page…beginning tomorrow, look for weekly posts on my own Fat Tuesday Challenge.

PPS- Become a fan of FIT Launch on Facebook at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Everett-WA/FIT-Launch/86524801158?v=app_4619579915&ref=ts copy and paste this really, long address

Top Ten Gym Pet Peeves

I’ve worked in the fitness industry for over 18 years, and playing gym junkie for just as long if not longer than that. In all my years of teaching, training, coaching and partaking I’ve collected some keen observations and pretty strong opinions- SURPRISE on the opinion part

I value all of my training, certifications, college education and knowledge I’ve gathered through the years and believe it makes me the opinionated, passionate, creative and honest fitness professional that you’ve grown to love (or hate). Needless to say, I will share my thoughts at the drop of a hat, be blunt when I need to, but always have my heart and soul behind the message.

My message today is inspired by my fellow gym goers and people I’ve interacted with over the years as a fit pro. Hang on for a large dose of sarcasm, brutal honesty and of course this trainer’s educated opinion- it’s RIGHT by the way

My Top Ten Gym Pet Peeves:

1. People who wear sunglasses while they workout inside- I tweeted about this a few days back,  but it deserves another mention. Nobody is that cool!! Famous or not, you look like a freaking idiot and it is rude and disrespectful. Unless your blind or coming from the eye doctor spare us your ego!

2. Not wiping down your sweat off of equipment- I think this speaks for itself. Nobody wants to sit on a piece of equipment covered in another person’s bodily fluids. Unfortunately, there are still people who think it’s cool to leave their mark and not wipe it up. Don’t be gross- wipe it off!

3. Machine hoggers- if somebody is waiting to use the machine you’re on, then please be respectful and let them work in instead of doing all 5 of your sets while they wait. Didn’t your mother teach you any manners and how to share?  Be considerate and use proper gym etiquitte..get your butt up and let them do a set.

4. Ridiculous diet talk- This is really what turns my stomach. Listen to me- CARBS are not the enemy, your serving sizes and lack of nutritional info are. We need a balanced eating plan that is nutrient dense, and supports each of our individual needs and activity levels. Everything outside of this is CRAP, garbage and useless jargon meant to push individuals into buying their products, services, pills and potions. It’s a temporary solution to a much bigger issue- lack of control. Get with the program and find out what your individual nutritional needs are by visiting our website, diet grader, to get your perfect eating plan.

5. 8 minute ab fanatics- I see them laying on the mats doing hundreds of crunches in different directions, longing for the infamous six-pack and I just laugh.  This is not a method advised by any certified and educated professional. Muscle conditioning for a specific body part will develop muscle, not dissolve fat from that area. You need a well-rounded fitness program that encompasses proper conditioning protocols to help with that.  Besides that 100′s of crunches don’t develop a well conditioned spine or core. The spine needs to extend backwards, rotate side to side, bend laterally and brace correctly to keep the torso in tip-top shape. Trust me, some of the exercises my clients do create more awareness of their six-pack muscles than any crunch has. Get off the mat and come see me!

6. Telling me how to do my job- Seriously, if I could smack somebody upside the head and get away with it this would be the time I’d do it. When I’m working with a client, teaching, coaching, training or just discussing something with a member and an individual chimes in with their personal advice or invalidates my comments with their non-professional education it’s full on war!!! Mind your own damn business!  The person I’m working with has individual goals, abilities and motivation factors that I am privy to because I’ve assessed them, know what they are able to do and have developed their own unique program. So get out of my face or risk getting a nice dose of my unfiltered commentary

7. The shadow mongers- This is just creepy! Everywhere you go they are right behind you or watching you. They mimic your moves, follow your steps and try to listen in on your conversations to hear what you’re saying to people. They never say a word to you, they just follow like an unwelcome shadow. I’m not sure if it’s just trying to get free advice from the trainer or they are stalking. In either situation it’s weird. Speak up and say something will ya?

8. The free advice fans- I appreciate people asking me questions and getting more info on exercises, or better details on some of the things I’ve discussed, but it becomes a bit rude when you try to sit me down for an hour and gather up the free advice others pay money for. I offer free advice all the time in my blogs, handouts, classes and training sessions. If you’re looking for intimate details for you personally, then book an appointment with me. My time is valuable, so please respect that.

9. People who talk to you when your I-Pod’s on- I love my workout time, and love my music even more and really don’t get people who come up to you when your obviously “working out” and start talking to you. If I’m sweating, breathing heavy, pushing weights, or just plain wearing my I-Pod that means I’m working out and don’t want to talk. Wave hello, smile and make eye contact, but let me do my thing. Like I say to my kids- unless it’s an emergency don’t bother me. If I want to work out with you and talk, I will let you know and won’t wear my I-Pod. Nobody should interrupt the perfectly timed sprint on the treadmill to Metallica’s Judas Kiss. Let me get my sweat on.

10. Creatures of Habit- 18 years in the same place, same exercises, same weight, same routine from start to finish. How can you do that? I’m happy they are there doing their thing, as it’s better than nothing, but it kills me to see the lack of progression and enthusiasm during their workouts. Many of them have developed poor posture from only working certain muscle groups (Hello, my 8 minute ab friends), lack of joint mobility and decreased performance. I understand it’s the social thing, but put some punch back into your routine will ya? Give me a call let me see what I can hook up for you. After all, I like to be entertained by member activities, too.

So there you have it, my Top Ten Gym Pet Peeves. Do you do any of them? Make an effort to show a little consideration and wipe it off, leave the shades in the car, stop stalking, interrupting and put a little more gusto into those 18-year-old workouts.

I love, respect and admire everyone who’s ever given me a thought to write about. Thank you!

Enjoying life- Amy