AFPA Health and Fitness Blog

Between high-intensity training, balancing multiple clients and the holidays in full-swing, you might need to take extra precautions to avoid burning out. Not only are you feeling the whiplash of adjusting to your clients' busy holiday schedule, but you're trying to adjust to your own as well; think holiday staff parties, tempting cocktail hours, and of course, gathering with family and friends. Fortunately, there are ways to offset fatigue and prepare yourself for any stressful or surfacing situations. Enter yoga for tension relief.

When in the market for a new career path, one of the most appealing and desirable aspects of working in the fitness industry is the constant variety: new clients, new workout routines and numerous employment opportunities in different environments and locales. Another benefit to a personal training career is the ability to focus each day on helping clients meet their health and fitness goals. It's also an opportunity to help inspire others to adopt a positive lifestyle and encourage them to shape an overall happier and healthier outlook on life. Ready to see what a career in personal training can do for you, and how you can get started?

A new year brings new resolutions and of course, new health and fitness trends - are you curious about what's new on the scene this year and what's here to stay? We have the latest for 2015!

For many, January 1st marks an imperative date for new beginnings and possibilities for the coming year. At the top of that resolution list are often health and fitness aspirations, like shedding those last ten pounds or finally running in the city marathon. However, one of the biggest mistakes we are all guilty of making is setting unattainable goals in a short amount of time (think January 1st to Valentines Day). "Setting goals is a great idea, but make sure they are realistic and feasible," says Tryone Holmes a writer for Active. "For example, a goal to lose 12 lbs by Easter is both reasonable and achievable." If your clients are starting to think of those inevitable new years resolutions, here are the tips you need to create realistic nutritional goals for your clients in the new year. 

Tis the season for dinner parties, holiday-inspired dishes and...(sigh) cold and flu season. While your diet alone isn't enough to keep 100% healthy and virus free, researchers are continuing to find positive links between our immune function and nutrient-dense superfoods. If your patients continue to lose the annual battle to the insidious cold and flu, it's time to start filling up on the immunity-boosting foods that may already be stocked in their kitchen!

Ah the holidays, they're officially here! Tis the season of joy, celebrations, loved ones, giving, and of course, indulging—because let's face it, it wouldn't be the holidays without office parties, cocktail hours and feasting! While you should never discourage your client from treating themselves once in a while, it's important that they keep their goals in the back of their mind when they go for seconds. To avoid weight-gain and that sluggish feeling during the holiday season, (and into January), use these helpful tips to keep your clients on track and motivated all season long.

With the holiday season in full-swing, your patients are not only in the midst of celebrating with family, friends and their colleagues, but they're also busy filling up on holiday comfort food and indulging in holiday-inspiring cocktails. While the holiday's are notorious for being accompanied with temptations, your patients don't have to completely derail their goals and good habits to get their fill. 

The key to becoming a successful personal trainer is having a passion for what you do. When you're passionate about the industry you're in, the people you encounter will feel inspired to emulate that feeling; especially during a one-on-one training session. Before you can officially give yourself the title of a personal trainer, you need to have the right education and a certification - and that's just the foundation. Successful trainers will need to have attention to detail in order to know when to correct their client's form or if they're training multiple clients at once, as well as a knowledge of different workout programs and the ability to tailor plans to client goals.

A certified health and fitness specialist (HFS) performs pre-participation health screenings and physical health assessments, interprets results, and develop exercise programs. Because of their knowledge and expertise, health fitness specialists are a great choice for supplementing doctors and other medical personnel at any hospital or medical practice.