John Hanc

While the last thing you want to do is to stereotype or overgeneralize about groups of people, it’s not unreasonable to consider that what might appeal to a twenty-something may not work for an older client. Educating yourself about the shared experiences, attitudes, motivations and challenges of different generations can help you design more effective and enjoyable workouts for each of your clients.

The pandemic took a heavy toll on the fitness industry over the past couple of years, but there are numerous reasons for health and exercise professionals to be hopeful. Read on to learn how to position yourself to meet the challenges and opportunities of the emerging fitness industry and ensure that you’re a part of the resurgence.

Neurobics are mental exercises that help create new neural pathways in the brain by using the senses in unconventional ways. Health and exercise professionals have taken that concept and applied it to physical movement, creating a combination of physical and brain-stimulating activities that challenges both the body and the brain. Learn more about this innovative approach to exercise that offers benefits beyond traditional fitness goals.

In a profession synonymous with youth, it’s important to remember that age is often an asset, not a liability—particularly for the increasing number of older exercisers who may be looking for a coach or trainer who understands the unique joys and challenges that come with each passing decade.

Over the past decade, the role of non-staff personal trainers and specialty coaches in college athletics has grown, particularly as more athletes and athletic departments recognize the value of their contributions. Here, we highlight the efforts of several top college exercise professionals, what they do to help their athletes on and off the field, and what steps to take to expand into this training specialty.

Neurobics are mental exercises that help create new neural pathways in the brain by using the senses in unconventional ways. Health and exercise professionals have taken that concept and applied it to physical movement, creating a combination of physical and brain-stimulating activities that challenges both the body and the brain. Learn more about this innovative approach to exercise that offers benefits beyond traditional fitness goals.

Are you ready to take your career to the next level? Whether that means making more money, having more influence, working with more clients or simply having more time to choose to do what you’d like to do, you have to learn to shift from the mindset of a freelancer to that of a business owner. Learn from the experts how to grow your career beyond trading time for money and achieve your professional goals.

As a health and exercise professional, you offer your clients something even more fundamental than your knowledge of exercise—something that was in short supply for many during the pandemic: human connection. In fact, research suggests that socialization or human connection has a more critical role in overall health than previously thought. Learn more about this often-overlooked component of health and wellness—and how you can help your clients rediscover or enhance those essential connections.

You’ve probably heard you need to create your own “brand” to succeed, but exactly what does personal branding mean, particularly for a personal trainer, health coach or group fitness instructor? Learn how to tell your story and define your personal brand in a way that attracts your ideal clients.

A new generation of physicians and healthcare providers are recognizing the benefits of exercise, for both themselves and their patients. Learn what you can do today to start building bridges to physicians and healthcare providers in your area.

You’ve probably heard you need to create your own “brand” to succeed, but exactly what does personal branding mean, particularly for a personal trainer, health coach or group fitness instructor? Learn how to tell your story and define your personal brand in a way that attracts your ideal clients.

While some might argue that the pandemic has rendered gyms and health clubs obsolete, others take a more upbeat of the future, particularly for those who are willing to pivot and adjust to the changing expectations and needs of consumers. Learn what might make the difference between success and failure as a health and exercise professional in a post-pandemic world.

How can you improve your communication skills as we begin to emerge from the pandemic? Learn what questions you need to ask, the messages you need to disseminate and the initiatives you might want to take—individually or in concert with your fitness facility—to maintain contact with your clients and participants and, importantly, to help them meet their health and wellness goals.

A new generation of physicians and healthcare providers are recognizing the benefits of exercise, for both themselves and their patients. Learn what you can do today to start building bridges to physicians and healthcare providers in your area.

Like many other health and exercise professionals, in the wake of COVID-19 you may be wondering: How do I rebuild my business? This article examines how to support clients as they return to training and, importantly, keep them engaged and committed to training with you, whether virtually or in person.

Your clients likely turn to you for advice on everything from losing weight to getting fit, but what happens when they start treating you like their therapist? Here are some suggestions for defining that fine line, that boundary, between being the safe harbor of supportive friend and sounding board, and venturing into a realm that you, as a health and fitness pro, have no business being in, even if your intentions are good.

As a trainer, your clients come first. And those peak times when you used to train—first thing in the morning, lunchtime, early evening—are usually when your clients want you to be training them. So how do you find the time for your own workouts? How do you readjust yourself to a new training schedule—and maybe a new regimen? Learn the secrets of several top trainers, who have figured out how to meet their clients’ needs without sacrificing their own.

As a health and exercise professional who regularly helps people live healthier, happier lives, you arguably have one of the best jobs in the world. And part of your job is keeping your clients and participants motivated and excited to work out. But what do you do on those days when you’re just not feeling it? Learn the tips and techniques top pros use to keep the positive energy going, even on your toughest days.

Your clients likely turn to you for advice on everything from losing weight to getting fit, but what happens when they start treating you like their therapist? Here are some suggestions for defining that fine line, that boundary, between being the safe harbor of supportive friend and sounding board, and venturing into a realm that you, as a health and fitness pro, have no business being in, even if your intentions are good.

Look around your gym and you’ll likely find no shortage of bad form and etiquette, but as a health and fitness professional what is your responsibility to correct poor technique or to set inconsiderate exercisers straight? Learn about the legal and ethical roles and responsibilities you have for keeping the gyms where you work and train safe.

Every successful trainer has had a few bad clients along the way—clients that stress you out or that never seem to be happy with their programs, for example. Fortunately, most bad client situations can be remedied, or at least improved. To help you, we’ve organized these bad—make that “challenging”—clients into common types, with some suggestions on how to scope out the problem and solve it, to your mutual benefit.

Look around your gym and you’ll likely find no shortage of bad form and etiquette, but as a health and fitness professional what is your responsibility to correct poor technique or to set inconsiderate exercisers straight? Learn about the legal and ethical roles and responsibilities you have for keeping the gyms where you work and train safe.

Running long-distance races—particularly half and full marathons—has never been more popular. People who never thought of themselves as runners are now training hard to compete in bucket list experiences like the Boston Marathon. This represents a huge opportunity for health and fitness professionals to help guide the training of countless runners who have made it their goal to finish strong in these events.

Whether they’re held weekly, monthly or annually, fitness challenges are a great way to motivate clients and get them working toward specific health and fitness goals. After all, these challenges can help provide shape and focus to your clients’ programs, particularly during the winter months when most training moves indoors. Here are some tips on how to organize various challenges that will get your clients’ competitive juices flowing.

The health-club business is booming and there’s never been a better time to be a health and fitness professional. But what do you do if the gym where you work starts to show signs that it might be going out of business? Do you jump ship or wait it out? Here’s what you need to know to take the appropriate steps to protect both yourself and your clients.