Fitness, Business, Fitness Business, & Achieving Life Goals

Personal Trainers, how many of you give public presentations? One of the best ways to reach your target audience is to present your ideas to them. If you are not getting your message out to them, how do you expect to be able to influence their lives in a positive way? Not everyone is going to knock on your door seeking your wisdom.

If you’re never presented in the past, how do you get started?
First determine what the message is you want to get out to people? What do feel strongly about? Let’s face it, we should all be health and wellness evangelists and get out to spread the gospel of fitness and activity. But what aspect in particular do you feel is your mission?

Next, who are the people that would most benefit from this message? Kids? Seniors? Families? Athletes? Where do they gather? Look in the yellow pages, in print and online. I can find churches, PTOs, Sports Booster clubs, Alumni Associations, Rotary Clubs, Elks Clubs, Chamber of Commerce, Public Library groups, etc. Anywhere people gather is a possible venue and this includes online social networks. Look up (often online) who the leader is and contact them either by phone or email and explain what it is you feel passionately about and why speaking to their group would be beneficial to them. Many will be happy to have you come speak to their group. Then what?

Ask how much time you will be allowed to present (shorter is better for your first presentations, i.e. 10-15min.). Arrange a mutually agreeable time/date that gives you plenty of time to prepare. And PREPARE!

This talk doesn’t have to have PowerPoint, projectors, laser pointers, or anything else other than your passion for the topic.

Script it! I don’t want you to get hung up on reading it or sounding like you’re reading it. But writing it all out helps you to think it though and remember the high points. Write it out numerous times.
It should:
State/give an example of a problem by telling stories about it that touch an emotional chord
State/give an example of a solution (even better if it’s a continuation of the initial stories)
Summarize problem and solution and how helping people achieve those results is what you do.
Finish with a call to action, the thing they need to do now. i.e. “Don’t wait until…Take that step now”. This can often be tagged with “I would be happy to talk to anyone further about this…. and can be contacted by…”
Now practice it, practice, practice, practice, to yourself, to your friends, to your dog.
Make sure you keep it to the allotted time. Show respect for their time.

Call to confirm your time/date as deadline gets closer.
Dress appropriately. (This is usually a slightly dressier version of what the group will wear. If you under or over dress they won’t feel you can relate to them.)
Get there early. Again, show respect for their time.
Don’t get nervous. Focus on how wonderful it is to be able to share your passion with those that can be helped by it and enjoy yourself.
Thank the group/organization for allowing you to speak.
Leave them topic information bullet sheet (not promotional material) with your contact information included.

Good luck, and ahem… as a business coach for Personal Trainers, I help trainers learn to reach their emotional and financial goals through helping others. If I can be of any help in getting you out there and in touch with your audience, please contact me at: mark@marknutting.com ;-)

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In April, I’ll be presenting a webinar “Reaching Out to the Non-Exerciser” and this idea just struck me. First, it’s known that change requires two beliefs: “I CAN do it” and “It’s WORTH doing”. Most people know that getting in better shape would be a good thing. One problem lies in the perception of it being enormously difficult “I could never do what they do on the Biggest Loser.” and “Oh, that’s too much. It’s not worth it.” And there you have it. Certainly a big reason non-exercisers continuing to not engage in physical activity.

Now, how do we show them otherwise? PDA: Public Displays of Activity. Organize venues to show non-exercisers that they can do it. Hold PDA events in parks, malls, any large public place. Dance, move, play. Why do you think that Richard Simmons was able to get so many overweight people to get up and “Sweatin’ to the Oldies”? He made exercise safe, “do-able”, and fun. Don’t forget the fun.

Good luck. Please let me know if you hold one. I’ll help spread the word.

Oh, and get the press/media involved. You could even set it up like a flashmob.

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I recently gave my first webinar. I’ve wanted to do a webinar for quite a while, but always found excuses for not getting around to it. (See… procrastination happens to all of us.) I gave this presentation to a select group of industry friends that wanted to know more about how to use social media to promote their business, organization, or cause.

The webinar site, gotowebinar.com allowed me to record it for future use. It’s this recording, with minor edits, that I now offer as a gift to help you and your businesses in 2010. Go to Social Media Marketing Basics and use the password: SMMBasics

I’d love to get your feedback on it to help me improve future webinars as I will be offering a 12 month “Business of Personal Training” webinar series.

May you and yours have a happy new year.

Mark

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I attended the Maine Harvard Prevention Research Center workshop on Nov. 12th titled “Your Brain on Exercise! Change The Way You Think About Exercise and For That Matter The Way You Think”. While Dr. John Ratey (author of Spark) did present on brain fitness, the majority of the day was spent on the importance of youth fitness and strategies to increase physical education in schools. After hearing how “there is no money” as an excuse not to proceed with initiatives, I’m reminded of our current economic recession. It takes investing money (even if it drives the country further into debt, temporarily) into economic stimulus programs to produce an environment in which old businesses can be saved, new businesses can be started, and new jobs will be created. That’s what will pull us out of this recession sooner and better than if we sat back “until we have the money”. (Now I know some will want to debate what I just said. Please, let it go. I don’t want to debate that here and now. Let’s just go on to the real point I want to make.)

As for physical education and, frankly, fitness in general, we are losing the battle. A recent study at Temple University showed that 20% of 4-Year-Olds In Ohio State are obese. That is just unbelievable and absurd and, especially at that age, is the parents’ fault. It’s child abuse even if the parents don’t believe it is.

So that’s where it can begin. What does it lead to? According to the CDC “In 2005-2006, 34% of U.S. adults and 16% of U.S. children and adolescents were obese. In 2000, obesity-related health care costs totaled an estimated $117 billion.  Between 1987 and 2001, diseases associated with obesity accounted for 27% of the increases in medical costs. Medical expenditures for obese workers, depending on severity of obesity and sex, are between 29%–117% greater than expenditures for workers with normal weight.”

In this time of fitness recession, levels so low that overweight and obesity related health care costs account for 9.1% of total U.S. medical expenditures in 1998 and $78.5 billion. Can we afford to notspend money on programs to change the direction of this country’s health? Spend on additional physical education? ABSOLUTELY!But not just that. We have to change adults as well. Teach the importance and the how to’s. Businesses have to step forward to incorporate fitness programs as part of employee benefits, which, incidentally, will save them money in the long run. The CDC also has a resource for work sites called LEAN Works.

Talk to you legislature, your school boards, your local businesses… everyone about the need to change to become a healthier, more physically fit society and the economic and life benefits that come with it.

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Someone was talking about “paying it forward” this week and I started thinking about how much I enjoy mentoring others to become better, more successful Personal Trainers and/or business people.

A mentor, according to Merriam-Webster, is “a trusted counselor, tutor, or coach.” For me it means a sensei or teacher that seeks to share his/her wisdom, knowledge, and experience with someone eager to learn. 

My career has now spanned 30 years. I have had many mentors over the years from Dr. Joseph Pechinski, when I worked in the human performance center at the University of Maine, to Rich Brooks, Lynnelle Wilson, Carl Natale, and Mike Freeman(the gang at mainebusiness.com) who helped me to understand social media marketing for your business. Thank you all. You have enriched both my professional and my personal life.

As has been the case for most of my life, I try to pay forward the lessons/gifts that I have received. It is one of the most gratifying things I have done and will continue to do.

What about you? Are mentoring someone? Do you have a mentor?(you should. I’m looking to see who I can learn from next) I’ll be creating a structured mentorship program for Personal Trainers soon, but in the meantime, if I can be of any help to you, please ask. 

Best wishes all and do the mentor BOGO.

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(A little School House Rock flashback.)

Functional training has been a buzz phrase for over a decade now. For many, it has meant using stability balls, medicine balls, balance devices, tubing, etc. And, while using them can aid us in our efforts to increase functional abilities, they are not functional in and of themselves.

What is function? Function is your ability to do a particular task or activity. If you haven’t thought out precisely what activity you want to improve, than all of the bells and whistles exercises are meaningless. What is functional for one person may not be for someone else.

First, define what activities need to be improved. Determine what is limiting it. Is it a lack in stability, mobility, strength, balance, or something else?

In example, say someone has difficulty climbing stairs without pulling themselves by the railing using the upper body. The issue may be strength. The most functional exercise might be, well… climbing stairs. As is often the case, people tend to do less of those things that are difficult. That only makes it more difficult. Depending on how difficult climbing stairs is, you may want to start stepping up on something that only half the height of the normal stair, or a quarter. Step up and try to maintain balance on that one leg for a moment. As you get stronger, raise the height of the step until it is full, normal step height. Then practice doing your staircase.

Another example is if you want to get better at carrying your suitcase through the airport, you may want to hold a weight in one hand and walk for a set distance (1 handed farmers walk).

So, as you think about doing functional training, remember that it’s not just about the tool you’re using, in order for it to be functional, it has to relate directly a particular activity that you want to get better at.

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Ah yes, it’s time for Mark’s Halloween cautionary tale. I wrote a version of this for the club newsletter, but you’re going to get the full deal.

We’re all susceptible to the temptations of treats hanging around the house. For me its candy corn and Tootsie Rolls (Don’t ask me why I like the trashiest candy out there. Who knows?) The real trick here is to really plan out ahead of time how to handle the treats so they don’t get out of hand.

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Well, the fact is, we’re all cultured. The more important question would be what is your culture? What is the culture of your business? Are you a nose to the grindstone, top down management or a lax ruled, “whatever”, kind of business? What do your employees say about their experience working in your company? The culture that is your business should not happen accidently. It should be well thought out and well fostered.

I just finished reading Lessons in Loyalty: How Southwest Airlines Does It – An Insider’s View by Lorraine Grubbs-West that tells the story of Southwest Airlines’ business and the work culture that they became famous for. The loyalty they are discussing is employee (which will lead to customer loyalty). This post is about the 1st three of nine lessons that the book offers.

Lesson #1- Hire Attitude, Train Skills

I couldn’t agree with this more. Many times early in my management career, I hired the skills/the resume, only to be disappointed with the attitude or personality. I know now that you need to hire the right interpersonal abilities, the right desire, and be prepared to train the technical skills to do the job.

Lesson #2- Immerse Everyone in the Culture Immediately

Make sure that your people understand from the start what is expected of them and what they can expect from your company. New employees should eat, sleep, breathe the culture of your organization. Sounds a bit much, though, doesn’t it. In actuality, the right people should be so excited that they will want to immerse themselves in it.

Lesson #3- Keep ‘Em Learning
Personal lifelong learning is something I completely believe in. You stop learning and your brain gets stuck in a rut. Your employee’s life in your organization should be filled with education and professional development opportunities as well, to keep them excited, ready for problem solving, and always growing. Take them to conferences and/or workshops, pass good books onto them, team teach new skills and ideas. 

To hire and grow your people to be the culture of your organization that you want will pay off in greater satisfaction and longevity with the company and they will project this to your customers.

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Obviously one of the greatest challenges in getting fit is getting to the club. When you are someone who attempts to work out on your own, you have additional battles to fight. You may be missing out on the most effective program, guidance, motivation, accountability, and even fun when you try to go it solo.

Consider Personal Training, Small Group Training, and Group Exercise. The people that achieve the greatest success, reach their goals safer and faster, are those that are involved in these programs. That, of course, is not to say you can’t do it on your own. It’s just that more people need that direction and connection.

While Personal Training is the ultimate in personal attention and programming, training in small groups (usually 2-6 people) can still offer individual attention and correction.

Group Exercise is a whole other animal. While individual attention may not be as readily available, there are other benefits. When exercise is choreographed to music it makes the experience, dare I say, even more enjoyable. Actually. research has shown that people push themselves harder when listening to music. A well designed class should accommodate all levels making even the novice feel comfortable in getting started. There also is a big social component to the class setting.

This brings me to the camaraderie and friendships that occur in working out with others. Just this morning one of my class members was asking me where another class member has been. She was worried and hoping that everything was alright. How cool is it to have this person, that you only know through taking Group Exercise together, be concerned for your well being when you’re not in class? (the other member is fine, by the way) Knowing that you’re not alone in this journey is a great motivator and helps keep you accountable.

So, if you are not someone that is highly self motivated or if you feel unsure about what you should be doing, try these options: Personal Training, Small Group Training, and/or Group Exercise. They can make the difference of you reaching your goals or not.

FYI: If you can sit through the commercial, here’s a news piece on one of the Group Exercise classes that I teach. Click here to view. I love my job.

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Kettlebells, if you were to believe the hype, this is the only equipment you would need in your club.  Everyone thinks they should be using kettlebells. They are the flavor of the day. Yet another retro training device that gets all the press. In example, http://www.kettlebells.com.au/touts “Kettlebells: The ultimate hand held fitness tool for strength, weight loss and well being” WHATTA CROCK!

There, I’ve said it. Now I’ll get tons of people telling how wrong I am. I don’t care. Kettlebells are a nice piece of equipment. They offer some variety. But truthfully, there’s very little of real value that you do with a kettlebell that you couldn’t do just as effectively with a dumbbell. There are a couple of differences that I think have merit, but not enough to buy a whole set of kettlebells to appease the masses. 1) Because of the weight being below the handle, two-handed grabs are more comfortable and 2) an overhead lift is slightly easier and KBs may promote more shoulder flexibility because the weight sits on the back of the forearm. That’s about it in my eyes. Add to it that the techniques involved in flipping the KB are an extra curricular layer that is unnecessary for functional or sports performance and the religion that is kettlebell training seems all the more pointless.

Let it be said that I love my toys. I love having a wide array of training equipment even just to offer some mental variety for my clients. Know what and why you use the things that you do. Don’t get caught up in hype. No one training methodology or implement is THE WAY or THE THING. It’s all just tools.

Mark

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