By Topic: Career Development

Long ago in Italy, it was an unusually hot summer's day. It was so hot, in fact, that it caused all the citizens of Florencegreat suffering, yet there were two men that seemed to suffer more... View More

In 1986, I opened AYC Health & Fitness, the first personal fitness training center in theKansas City area. During the past 22 years, I've built my business by establishing long-term relationships... View More

In our hurry to solve problems, we forget that the key to solving them lies at the root. This is my major lament with the poorly named youth obesity problem. We are not treating the cause. As I have often... View More

Few topics get me riled up like that of exercise gimmicks and the outlandish claims made by their promoters that saturate the fitness industry. Spend a few sleepless hours watching infomercials this weekend,... View More

A client arrives for a consultation, nervous, apprehensive and, most of all, optimistic. She's been convinced that you as an experienced personal trainer really have the ability to get her to the body... View More

In the increasingly competitive fitness industry today, an emerging client is the injured athlete. Whether discussing an adolescent soccer player recovering from a knee injury or the middle-aged adult... View More

There has been a lot of skepticism around magnetism over the last decade. Many of you have probably heard many claims, and maybe some of these you couldn't even explain, except by ascribing them to the... View More

There has been a lot of skepticism around magnetism over the last decade. Many of you have probably heard many claims, and maybe some of these you couldnt even explain, except by ascribing them to the... View More

Let's imagine you begin your first day at a new health club, and you're the personal trainer hired to do the "intake" interviews with all new members. "Hello," you appropriately begin with your first appointment.... View More

Most fitness professionals not only want to grow but also excel in their chosen fitness field and be recognized for their accomplishments. Being provided with opportunities to develop both professionally... View More

Whenever I come into contact with a coach or trainer who preaches the virtues of machine-based strength training for young athletes, the same argument is typically offered: machines are safer for kids... View More

Nearly 80 million US adults have cardiovascular disease (CVD), resulting in a 314 billion dollar price tag. So it is no wonder that those in the fitness industry are on a constant mission to improve those... View More

It takes passion, knowledge and salesmanship to make it as a personal trainer. Now it's time to use these same competencies to achieve a new personal best in your income, the factor that allows you to... View More

Well before you became a trainer, you probably noticed people who descended upon the gym in droves every January. By March, they were long gone. Looking back with the knowledge I've gained, I wonder how... View More

After five years as Club Manager, you are promoted to Vice President. Your first task is to fill your position and find someone to manage the club. Do you: · Promote... View More

When new clients hand fitness professionals their credit card, they are ready to change. But too often, our clients do not have the necessary tools for behavior change, resulting in these clients becoming... View More

The personal training industry has more than doubled in recent years. New gyms, studios, franchise business models and countless other opportunities are available to personal trainers today. With so many... View More

The fitness industry is an industry of deception and broken promises. It is filled with companies creating products that do not work. There are dozens of so-called "fitness marketing professionals" that... View More

PFP is proud and honored to present our first-ever Lifetime Achievement Award to Phil Kaplan, who we consider to be the Father of Personal Training. Because of his lifetime commitment to elevating the... View More

Kim's Notables: I am the owner of Xtreme Transformations, a 2,400 square foot fitness center in Buford, Georgia, where I serve as a personal trainer to clients aging from 10 to 75 years of age, putting... View More