Programming serves both your members and your bottom line-but in order to effectively maximize your programming potential, clubs need to consider both the ability level and limitations of each and every member of their clientele. Clients with special needs and health concerns are common in every facility, but programs at health clubs across the globe generally target the average healthy adult. In order to attract and attend to the needs of every ability level, learn to modify your marketing, identifying common risks for special clients and how they can be addressed. Certain programs are able to target multiple needs with one specific discipline-weight loss classes can appeal to a variety of clients, sports-specific training may work for young athletes and prenatal courses can often assist post-rehab clientele. [Read More] As you peek into your Group Exercise studio, your instructors should be preparing for each class with a specific music design: music should suit their workout and be specifically aimed at their clientele. Today's technological environment provides plenty of provisions for choosing the newest tunes-but to stay on the cutting edge of class design, your club should have top instructors choosing the right music with transitions to suit their class. Dynamix now offers the ability to customize your professional or personal music compilations with a custom mix. It's easy to search for your favorite songs by title, by original artist (who made a song popular), and by the beats per minute. You can even search by music style/genre, or the suggested workout activity! [Read More] With the overwhelming success of Mixed Martial Arts, more competitive athletes and fighters are taking to their local health club to train for the ring. Though athletic training and strength training may be enough to satisfy a member training for MMA, functional training takes MMA training to another level. Functional training fits perfectly with the rigors of MMA. Not only will it aid in reducing potential injuries, but it will assist in rehabbing current injuries. From my perspective, the marriage between mixed martial arts (MMA) and functional strength training is an easy one. Many of these athletes train like bodybuilders instead of fighters. The MMA industry has simply been unable to... [Read More] Why train with a heart rate monitor? Getting the most out of training doesn't always mean working faster or harder. The best way to see results is to train at the right intensity. A heart rate monitor makes sure your members are never over- or under-training, making each session count. Use Polar as a training partner and your members will have evidence of their progress - motivating them each and every time the train. What is a Polar training computer? A Polar training computer consists of unit worn on your wrist, and a transmitter worn around your chest. The transmitter picks up the heart rate signal, and sends it wirelessly to the wrist unit, displaying heart rate, calories burned and the effectiveness of the workout... [Read More] In order to better service your club members, modification in both Group Exercise and Personal Training programs offers members a chance to continue to build strength while working within their unique means. Encourage instructors and trainers to use safely modified, primal movements that enhance function for many, but can also offer options to strengthen and empower members who are looking for a greater challenge. Use the tips below to encourage trainers in your club to work across ability level, providing ways for all members to get fit, stay healthy, and stay safe. Understanding the lunge is essential for anyone interested in fitness, sports or just staying active in life! The lunge is one of the seven Primal PatternŽ movements, a term I created to describe the most important movement patterns that are the keys to optimal human function. (As a reminder, the other six Primal PatternŽ movements are the squat, pull, push, twist, bend and gait.) By combining two or more patterns... [Read More]