Back to the Future! A return to the "GYM" Business

THE TRIALS AND TRIBULATIONS OF THE "GYM BUSINESS" 
PART 1 A True Story! 

In December 2015 I threw my hat back into the arena of the “gym” business. The reason I am writing about this 4 years later is because of the immense emotional toll this took on my family and I. 

 For those of you that know me I’ve been out of the “gym” business for some time. My focus has been on primary and continuing education and event planning.  

I was approached by relatives who were interested in purchasing a new business and found a medium size facility in a fairly exclusive upscale area on the north shore of Long Island. 

On goes my consultant hat along with the idea I may have a home and place to build as “I see fit” (pun intended).  My relatives had owned other businesses in the past but they had no experience in the “gym/fitness” industry. Without tooting my own “horn” my expertise was the reason they approached me in October about this endeavor or so I thought.

I was both flattered and excited to be a part of this whole process.

What happened over the next 5 months floored me. I have had many experiences in the gym, fitness, education, training and consulting side of our industry and what looked too good to be true became just that.

My personal training business has been steady since hurricane Sandy but to be honest I have not been focused on growing that aspect of my business. I was maintaining a steady clientele, many of which had survived the storm (quite literally). I had just finished the FEI Eclipse 2015 event and was already focusing on the upcoming year. 

The timing was perfect and the ideas of combining a facility with everything I had been working on appealed to me on many levels. One which of course was a steady income and of course the idea that I could helm and rebuild this brand along with my "others". Kettlebell Spec Ops, Reality Personal Training and those with whom I was working and consulting with at the time.

In the beginning of November the homework began. I took every detail of the potential sale and started the evaluation process.I threw myself into this thinking I had the full support of my "partners/family".

In part 2 of this blog I will take you through that step by step process and the vision I had.

Adding Bulk to Your Fitness Business IQ

Posted by: ROBERT BARCIA

Pros know what it takes to develop their own unique shape. But when it comes to the shape of a healthy career, there is often little meat on the bone

Given recent news, it’s not due to a dying industry. Recent reports from the Bureau of Labor Statistics and IHRSA reflect 44% growth over the past ten years with anticipation for even higher number coming over the next few years.

Industry growth aside, it appears there may be a hole in how we train, maintain and promote our own.

[GUEST OP-ED] Reaction to NYT Article: A Jobs Boom Built on Sweat

SOLVING FOR "EX"  
CHRIS COOPER NSCA-CPT LMT

[ The State of Personal Training: Personal Reaction to the New York Times Article, "A Jobs Boom Built on Sweat in an Age of Belt-Tightening" (June 30, 2012) ]

Last year, the New York Times published a story which argued that the career of personal training as being the job of the future. It highlighted the fact that there is recent boom in the amount of personal trainers in the industry citing statistical growth (link) of close to 44% occurring between 2001 to 2011 (to a total of 231,500).

On the whole these numbers make for a great statistic given the current unemployment rates (link) of today's economy. But while these numbers demonstrate raw growth, they say nothing about the quality of personal trainers that are coming into the industry.

What's more - the fact that this article emphasizes that anyone can jump into being a trainer by taking a simple test online (link) without an education background that shows that there is still this stigma that anyone can be a personal trainer. Retired, or just lose your job? No big deal, go be a personal trainer. It’s super easy and there are little to no educational requirements. I’m sorry but that will not fly with me.

Admirable as it may be, to say that “many Americans are trying to transform a passion for fitness into a new career;” statements like these are a slap in the face to fitness professionals who have invested time, money to earn a proper education in kinesiology, or exercise science, or related degrees.

Moving Fitness Forward: 5 Fan-Favorite Posts

MOVING FITNESS FORWARD 
Post By: Robert Barcia Editor

5 FAN FAVORITES TO KEEP YOU MOVING ALL YEAR LONG  

Feeling suddenly stumped about how to curb your business cravings? 

Looking for a healthy snack to take your exercise entrepreneurship up a notch?   

To keep your saiety and your sanity, we've put together these five motivational posts containing a selection of training tips, spring-loaded exercise variations, power-packed career insights, rocking research, and inspiring videos designed to help you get your business back on track as the year marches on.

Happy reading!

FEI: FITNESS PRO NEWS 11/14

NEWS: FIT TO PRINT
Post By: Robert Barcia Editor

"News for Fitness Pros.  Our weekly round-up of fitness stories that are fit to print."  

source: bigstockphoto.com

5 Exercises (For Older Adults)

EXERCISES FOR OLDER ADULTS
Guest Post By: Cody Sipe, PhD

"I’m often asked what the best exercises are for older adults. I always reply “best for what?”  

I’ve researched, studied and tested more exercises than I care to remember to try and figure out which ones are the best for improving physical function.  

It is difficult to make an absolute list because the best exercise for an older adult is determined by their current needs and abilities.  

However, after two decades of training older adults there are several that have risen to the top of my list because they offer a multitude of benefits for clients, can be easily modified or varied, and can be used with a wide range of functional levels.  Here are a few that you’ve just got to try.

[VIDEO] Fitness Film Friday (10/26)

FITNESS & FILMS  
Fit-films inspire fitness professionals in more ways than one.

It's easy to see why we love films of an athletic nature. Celebrating the same spirit, we've selected a few favorite mini-movie marvels. If you're a fit-pro or a fit fan, you'll fall in love with these fit-films, starting with AMBITION.  TWEET THIS

FEI: FITNESS PRO NEWS

Posted by FEI EDITORIAL 

SPOTLIGHT: Childhood Obesity

• Most childhood-obesity programs target parents, review finds
  An analysis in Obesity Reviews revealed that most family- and home-based childhood-obesity programs targeted parents as primary agents of lifestyle change and focused educational efforts on them. Researchers said that although several studies showed the efficacy of such approaches in preventing childhood obesity, recruiting parents can be challenging and alternative options such as online learning should be considered. DoctorsLounge.com/HealthDay News
  
  
• Subset of Obese Are More Fit
  Longitudinal Study director Steven Blair shares findings of research which included more than 43K participants from 1979 to 2003.  Findings revealed that among the clinically obese there is a subset of people who are metabolically healthy and fit and have no greater risk of heart disease or cancer, researchers in Spain say.  The study, published in the European Heart Journal, said this group of people didn't suffer from conditions such as insulin resistance, diabetes and high cholesterol or blood pressure -- defined as metabolic syndrome -- and had a higher level of fitness, as measured by how well the heart and lungs perform, than other obese people. UPI.COM

• Junk Food Not Responisble For Weight Gain 
  
  
  An analysis in Obesity Reviews revealed that most family- and home-based childhood-obesity programs targeted parents as primary agents of lifestyle change and focused educational efforts on them. Researchers said that although several studies showed the efficacy of such approaches in preventing childhood obesity, recruiting parents can be challenging and alternative options such as online learning should be considered.  DoctorsLounge.com/HealthDay News

VIDEO: TOOLS FOR TEACHERS

Calculate your Body Mass Index (BMI) - Explania

 

RELATED LINK: Childhood Obesity Facts

[VIDEO] Fitness Film Friday

A League of Their Own 
(1992), Madonna

FITNESS & FILMS

Fit films inspire fitness fans and pros in more ways than one.  

It's easy to see why we love films of an athletic nature.  Rocky made us cheer. We will always recall Remember the Titans (how could ever forget?) Another movie etched as deeply in our memories, A League of Their Own, made us pause when Madonna went all the way...around all the bases. (Yes, actual bases, not the naughty kind!)   

Celebrating the same spirit, we've selected a few favorite mini-movie marvels. If you're a fit pro or a fit fan, you'll fall in love with these fit-films, starting with PUSH PULL.  (Sigh)  >    TWEET THIS

PUSH PULL: LANDIS VS LANDIS

Tapping into the battle of human vs. machine, this video shows the intensity of the road and the power of the body to win. NOTE: It's a slow starter, but explodes at 0:32. >    TWEET THIS

ABOUT:  PUSH PULL (via VIMEO), Landis Fields

MOVIE MOMS: MOMMY-VATION 

Fit-Mom Fitness: baby bodies be damned as these fit female heros work-it-out!  Here's why professionals need to understand niche demographics, and the power behind groups possessing jam packed at-home time and discretionary income.  Also, the power of family and the role of Mom on keeping families happy and healthy.  >    TWEET THIS

ALWAYS READY: WOUNDED WARRIORS

Homefront Heroes at The Military Sports Camp Exercising right is a right, and thanks to these heroes, it's a right we can all freely exercise. Check out these wounded warriors who share spirit that wins over all who watch.  >    TWEET THIS

Support Wounded Warriors Today: Homefront Heroes, Wounded Warrior Project.

READERS SHARE

DO YOU USE MEDIA FOR TRAINING CLIENTS?    (share in the comments below)