December31
TRX Metabolic Circuit Workout
Categorized Under: Bootcamp Exercises, Bootcamp Workouts
Comments: 0
TRX Metabolic Circuit Workout
(Kevin Smyth, FIT Personal Training Studio)
The New TRX http://budurl.com/theTRX
The Minimalist Workout
Day 1
1) Squat (3 x 6)
2a) Chin-ups (3 x AMAP )
2b) Push-Ups (3 x AMAP )
2c) DB Lunges (3 x 10/side)
3) KB Swings x 100
Day 2
1) Deadlift (3 x 6)
2a) Standing KB Military Press (3 x 8 )
2b) KB Row/Bodyweight Row/Renegade Row (3 x 10/side)
2c) Pistols (3 x AMAP )
3) Burpee Tabata Protocol (20s ON, 10s OFF x 8 )
-Chris Lopez, CTT, CSCS
Author, TT Kettlebell Revolution
December24
Three Profit-Producing Public Speaking Topics to Generate Athletic Clients
Categorized Under: Bootcamp Marketing
Three Profit-Producing Public Speaking Topics to Generate Athletic Clients
By Isaac Wilkins, M.Ed, CSCS, NSCA-CPT
Ok, so we all know that in order to be successful in marketing yourself as an athletic performance coach you need to not only be an expert, but be SEEN as an expert. I mean, nobody is going to buy products from or train with someone that they don’t respect or think of as an expert, are they? So the question at hand is how do you a) establish yourself as an expert, b) provide value (free or accessibly priced), and c) get in front of a group of targeted prospects?
The answer: Public Speaking.
Public speaking has become very popular as a marketing tool for fitness professionals and with good reason. It allows you to present your knowledge in front of a group of interested prospects (they did choose to attend, right?), and give a little sample of what you know and what you can bring to the table. It also provides you with terrific marketing leverage. Rather than make one sales presentation and sample to a single person, you’re now able to talk to 5, 10, 20 or more people at once!
Most public speaking opportunities for fitness professionals consist of “lunch and learns” at local businesses, speaking at networking groups, or being guest presenters at local clubs and organizations. That’s terrific if you’re looking for general personal training and fitness boot camp clients. However, that usually doesn’t help you a whole lot if you’re chasing athletes to fill your athletic boot camps.
Instead of aiming for corporations and civic groups, you instead should look to where you’re going to find groups of athletes: High school teams, athletic clubs, and athletic leagues.
Let’s say that you’re most interested in training basketball players at the high school level and beyond. Look around your city and think about the opportunities for basketball players to play organized ball.
Some examples might be:
-High school teams
-Small college and junior college teams (most Division I schools have strength coaches and it’ll be tough to get in front of those athletes unless you have a hook up)
-AAU or other organized clubs
-Local adult basketball leagues
Ok, so you poked around, got on the horn to a coach, and now you’ve been booked for a presentation with a local team. What are you going to talk to them about? Here are three of my favorite topics that have all garnered me clients and really show your expertise.
1. Game Day Nutrition: This is a really basic but awesome topic. It always is applicable and if you’ve trained athletes for any period of time then you know that most of them don’t even have the basics of proper game day nutrition down. Start by giving the athletes a quick rundown of basic nutrition (protein, carbs, fats, hydration, etc) and then how it applies to their performance. Make sure you stress how it applies to them. Athletes aren’t generally interested in a bunch of science, they are interested in how they’re going to get better.
After you’ve handled the basics of game day nutrition, go over some real world examples of what they should be doing. Don’t compromise quality of preparation, but do make your examples as “real-world” as possible. It’s a lot easier for them to imagine eating a turkey sandwich, an apple, and a multi-vitamin rather than some complicated shake with 47 different powders added to it, for example.
2. Training for Injury Prevention: This is a great topic, especially if you’re going to have coaches or parents (who end up paying your fees, after all!) in the room. Most young athletes have a sense that they’re bulletproof and don’t spend a lot of time thinking about injuries or injury prevention. Parents and coaches, on the other hand, dwell on it a lot.
Focus on a balanced strength and conditioning approach, a good comprehensive warm-up, recovery work, and tailor a few special areas for the sport you’re speaking to, if it applies. For example, talk about shoulder balance and health to a group of baseball parents and players or balanced quad and hamstring training to prevent ACL injuries to a group of women’s soccer players.
This topic allows you to get a little technical while still bringing the information to an approachable level. The fact that you can explain technical info in an understandable manner, and that it’s near and dear to the hearts of the parents (nobody wants their little Johnny to blow his shoulder) makes you really come across as knowing your stuff. Once you’re established as an expert they’ll line up at the door to have you working with the aforementioned little Johnny.
3. Keys for Speed or Quickness Development: Every athlete dreams of being fast and quick. In most sports an athlete’s speed is what truly leads to success. Luckily for you, speed can be taught, and you’re just the coach to do it!
Develop a list of 5-10 real keys to improving athletic speed. Pick things that most athletes need to do in order to improve such as drop body fat, increase overall strength, develop the posterior chain, improve flexibility, etc. Go over each one in brief and give the athletes, coaches, and parents in attendance a drill or technique that they can actually use that will improve their athletes. By giving them a free, USEFUL sample you will provide value and further establish yourself as a real expert.
Any of these three topics can easily be turned into a one-hour, dynamic, information packed seminar that will establish your status as an expert, promote your system of training/business, and help develop rapport with your target audience. Be sure to include your own little spin on things, be personable, and show these parents and athletes who you really are. This is your chance to shine and make a good impression.
Here are two more tips for a successful transition of your prospects from your seminar or lecture into your training program:
-Collect your prospects contact information and give them a free handout. Just have a sign-up at the beginning of your talk that includes their contact info. Most people are happy to sign up.
Create a simple 1-2 page handout that you can give them that will go over the salient points of your seminar. This should be a useful piece of information that they can refer to over and over. It also should have a call to action and your contact info on it.
-Give a one-time offer at the end of your seminar. After the Q&A and wrap-up your prospects will be the most excited about your information that they’re ever going to be. This is the time to make them an offer for some element of your services at a special price or deal to “thank them for attending and showing interest”.
Public speaking is one of the best ways to get in touch with your prospects, hands down. Sure, it can be tough if you’re not used to it, but there’s only one way to improve and that’s to practice. Get a good presentation built, practice it a couple of times, and then get up there and give it! The rewards far outweigh the risks!
Start training the athletes you want today with your own athletic boot camp business! Check out www.athleticbootcamps.com for more info!
Ropes Gone Wild Patterns from art of strength on Vimeo.
December11
7 Steps to Making Your Passion for Fitness an Entrepreneurial Reality
Categorized Under: Bootcamp Marketing, Uncategorized
Opening a Fitness Center – 7 Steps to Making Your Passion for Fitness an Entrepreneurial Reality
By CaronBeesley
The fitness industry continues to be a lucrative market opportunity for small businesses and entrepreneurs. Despite a crippling recession, the *IHRSA (the fitness industry’s global association) forecasts that U.S. health club memberships will reach 50 million by 2010 – a staggering 25% growth rate over today’s numbers.
Many factors play a part in fueling the success of this largely recession-proof industry – not the least of which is the growing trend among the 80 million plus baby boomers who are willing to part with their money to stay fit and healthy. In addition, existing gym members remain reluctant to give up their health club memberships choosing to save money instead on big ticket items such as vacations – reaffirming the fact that “buying” fitness is no longer perceived as a luxury item but a fundamental part of our everyday lives.
If you are interested in starting a fitness business and serving this growing market – Here are some pointers that can help you take the first steps towards owning your own fitness center.
1. Do your Market Research
Before you talk to your bank manager you will need the foundations of a business plan, and much of this will come from the information you derive and conclude from your market research. Factors to consider include:
Deciding on a Target Market – There are many options to consider when determining your target market. For example, you may decide to target a broad audience by offering a variety of disciplines from weight training, to cardiac work-outs and group classes. Or you may want to focus on a particular niche such as women-only gyms or discipline-specific fitness centers such as a pilates or yoga-based facility. To help you determine how you can capitalize on an underserved or potential market, step back and look at what the competition is doing and take the time to analyze local demographics. The government offers free access to a variety of consumer demographic data through the Business.gov Business Data and Statistics portal.
Location, Location, Location – Finding the right facility at the right price is critical to your success. If your customers can’t find you, park easily, or assemble en masse at your chosen facility, then you simply will not be able to cater to your chosen market. Given that rent is likely to be your biggest business expense plan on spending most of your planning hours getting it right – first time.
Read “Tips for Choosing a Business Location” and make sure you are aware of the ins and outs of commercial leases, including how to negotiate the best deal for your business.
2. Staffing your Fitness Center
After rent, staff costs are the second largest expense involved in operating a fitness center. Many larger established fitness center chains hire their own fitness instructors and trainers, but for a start-up you can achieve greater flexibility and lower costs if you hire instructors on an independent contractor basis. This can reduce the regulatory and financial burdens that come with having employees on the books – including payroll taxes, employee benefits and insurance costs.
Do note that there are very specific taxation and regulatory requirements involved with hiring independent contractors. Read more about these in this Hiring independent Contactors Guide from Business.gov. Also read – “*Working with Independent Contractors: Understanding Tax Requirements“.
3. To Hire or Buy Fitness Equipment?
Fitness equipment is not only expensive it is a continually evolving technology. So how do you balance expenses while offering the latest and greatest equipment to your clients? Much of it will depend on your current and future budget. To understand more about the lease versus buy debate for commercial fitness equipment read “*Fitness Equipment Leasing: Sorting out the Details“.
4. Write a Business Plan
Once you have a picture of how you intend to formulate your start-up business strategy – write it down.
Writing a business plan will not only keep your business on the right path it will stand you in good stead should you need start-up financing. *Bplans.com offers some useful industry-specific business plan templates for starting a fitness center – you can view and download these *here.
5. Understand your Financing Options
If you don’t qualify for traditional bank loans, you might want to look to a government-backed loan. The Small Business Administration (SBA) provides a guaranty to banks and lenders for money lent to small businesses, rather than lending the businesses money directly.
There are many different types of loans, including the SBA Express Loan that offers small businesses the chance to get an SBA-backed loan of up to $350,000 to start-up or expand. The “express” piece refers to the fact that your loan can be turned around in 36 hours.
Read more about SBA loans here and even search for a business loan that fits your need using this Small Business Loans and Grants Tool.
6. Take Care of the Critical Start-Up Steps
Don’t forget the legal and regulatory side of starting a business. Read “10 Steps to Starting a Business” to ensure you have checked off everything from business incorporation to registering your business name.
7. Business Insurance
Before you open your doors for business, look into purchasing some form of business insurance to protect yourself against workplace injuries and accidents. Read “Small Business Insurance – Part 1: What Type of Insurance Do I Need?” and “Part 2: Finding and Buying the Right Policy” for tips on making the right decision.
Additional ResourcesThe International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA) offers a wealth of information for fitness center owners including resources on *Health and Fitness Management, *Sales and Marketing, *Human Resources, and more.
Caron Beesley has over 15 years of experience working in marketing, with a particular focus on the government sector. Caron is also a small business owner and works with the Business.gov team to promote essential government resources for small business owners.
Grow your fitness studio in 2010 or you are thinking about opening a studio go to http://budurl.com/SmartStudioSystems
Caron Beesley has over 15 years of experience working in marketing, with a particular focus on the government sector. Caron is also a small business owner and works with the Business.gov team to promote essential government resources for small business owners.
Check Out Brian’s Bare Bones Boot Camp System at
http://tinyurl.com/5gbqdg