Virtual personal training has become fitness revolution. It's convenience-based fitness for clients to access a trainer or instructor online instead of commuting to a facility. The potential is limitless. The advent of the internet and social media has connected the...
Erin Nitschke
Dr. Erin Nitschke, NFPT-CPT, NSCA-CPT, ACE Health Coach, Fitness Nutrition Specialist, Therapeutic Exercise Specialist, and Pn1 is a health and human performance college professor, fitness blogger, mother, and passionate fitness professional. She has over 15 years of experience in the fitness industry and college instruction. Erin believes in the power of a holistic approach to healthy living. She loves encouraging her clients and students to develop body harmony by teaching focused skill development and lifestyle balance. Erin is also the Director of Educational Partnerships & Programs for the NFPT. Erin is an editorial author for ACE, IDEA, The Sheridan Press, and the Casper Star Tribune. Visit her personal blog at belivestaywell.com
Does Chronic Inflammation Prevent Weight Loss?
Chronic low-grade inflammation can impede weight loss. If you have a client who is struggling to achieve a fitness or performance goal, inflammation may be interfering with that achievement. Inflammation. Sounds scary and undesirable. Depending on what you read (and...
Talking to Your Clients About: Protein
Protein is often misperceived as the “hero” of the macronutrients. Following a high-protein diet has been marketed and practiced to ad nauseam. High protein diets have been and continue to be touted as the secret to shedding the pounds and shredding muscle – all in a...
Coaching the Low Compliance Client
If you’re in the fitness business, you know that clients' traits, personalities, and abilities vary as much as the styles and philosophies of personal training. That being said, a common (perhaps the most common) type of client we see is the low compliance, low...
How to Start a Gym from Scratch
Starting a business from the ground up can be scary and overwhelming. With high energy, a clear vision, and a solid work commitment it's doable. Here are 5 indispensable steps for starting a gym from scratch and realizing your unique vision. Taking Basic Steps Step 1:...
Talking to Personal Training Clients About Dietary Fats: Fat Doesn’t Make you Fat
Dietary fats and its attention in the media (especial social) world have gone to two extremes, causing a conundrum for how personal trainers should counsel their clients. First, dietary fats have been vilified for causing weight gain, heart disease, and several other...
Can You Be Too Health Obsessed?
Health is important, right? I don’t know anyone who would challenge that assertion. If we are healthy, we are more likely to be productive, active, engaged, and experience a better quality (and quantity) of life. Many of our clients come to us to achieve just that – a...
Intermittent Fasting – Is it the right approach?
Intermittent fasting is growing in popularity for its purported benefits including improved insulin sensitivity, weight loss, managing hunger cues, and increased fat burning (and this is just the shortlist). But is it for everyone? Is it safe? Is it effective over the...
What’s the Difference Between a Wellness Coach, Health Coach, and Personal Trainer?
Ever look at the job titles of each of these and wonder how they differ? Don’t all of these individuals do the same things and have the same scope? Well, the short answer - it depends. There’s great variability between job titles – even if the scope is the same or has...
2018 Nutrition Trends – What to Watch For
Some trends and popular practices from 2017 will continue their presence in the New Year (perhaps with greater emphasis than the year before). But, we will likely see new patterns emerge. Here’s what you can watch for in 2018. What we saw in 2017 We saw many an...
What is a Ketogenic Diet?
Atkins Diet, South Beach, the Whole 30, Paleo and now Keto? What’s this all about? What does it mean and how can you educate your clients about the potential benefits and barriers? First, let’s take a look at the keywords and their definitions. Ketogenic “Related to...
Why Client Screening and Assessment is Necessary
There are several processes and/or approaches for client screening and assessment that ideally takes place at the very beginning of the client-trainer relationship to clear the client to participate in physical activity. Depending on the certifying agency’s protocols...
How to Get In-Home Personal Training Clients
Every personal trainer has a niche market. Some cater to the recreational gym-goer, while others travel to their clients. Becoming an in-home personal trainer is a great way to target a market of individuals who prefer to exercise in the comfort of their homes, away...
5 Statements Personal Trainers Should Never Say to their Clients
Personal trainers, like every other person on the planet, have their moments of making silly remarks or insensitive comments to their clients. We are human, which means we are fallible. That’s ok! But, in the world of fitness, there are certain comments or...
The Stability Ball Crunch
What is a Stability Ball Crunch? The stability ball crunch is an abdominal exercise which predominantly targets the abdominal muscles. It's a progression from doing crunches on the floor, on a mat because additional core strength and stability is required to balance...
Using the CRAAP Test to Evaluate Fitness Web Resources
The number of times a student or client has shared an article with me and asked “is this true?” is far beyond my ability to keep track. Fortunately, a friend and former colleague shared with me a useful test to help students determine if what they find is actually...
Get More Personal Training Clients – Communicate Better!
Effective communication goes beyond talking and listening. It takes into account the situation and the specific person you are in conversation with. Personalized communication can build business and customer loyalty or break it down. Poor service or lack of results...
Using Social Media to Keep Fitness Clients Accountable During the Holidays
There’s nothing like a few holiday buffets and travel plans to threaten clients’ progress towards their fitness goals. But what if we started using the most available and immediate tool we have to support and encourage better accountability through the holiday season?...