Pages

Monday 31 January 2011

Pub-ilates

Had quite an eventful week - I've been very busy with massage clients - plus I've got a new PT client in the works. I met him in the pub below the flat, lol. Always knew the pub would come in handy :-) He's an ex marine, was discharged from the army due to shin splints and wants to rebuild his fitness and strength. I'm looking forward to working with a clients whose goal is to put muscle on rather than lose weight.

One of my clients has just reached her big goal - and she's keeping me on. I took her from weight loss to being ready to run the marathon, so we're both over the moon about that. I'm looking forward to working with her as a more "social sport" client now.(Speaking of which - interesting bit in the Guardian today, about gyms obsessing over women losing weight, instead of just having fun with exercise).

I've also set myself some more fitness goals, so hope to get time to concentrate on my own training a bit more. Oh - the boxing training has gone really well with my clients. The ladies love it, and it's proven its worth when we're working in tight spaces, or as an indoors cardiovascular workout when it's raining.

I haven't checked in with my mentor this week, so need to make time for that as well. I've got a client who has limited mobility due to an operation on the tendons in her shoulder. Anyone out there got any practical advice on the subject?

Anyone also got any practical advice about the perils of home training? Not what you think - I was trying to train one of my clients in her front room, only to have her cat keep jumping on her tummy right at the crucial moment! So that's a new meaning for the "cat pose" ...

Dom

Monday 24 January 2011

Feeling the burn!

Well, on the one hand, I’m totally blasted after last week and the weekend – but on the other, I’m buzzing about the stuff I’ve been up to.

Moving into the new flat is sorted. Which is great given how stressful it’s been. I’ve got a lot more room now, including an office – so no more working out of the front room, which is a bonus. And it’s above a bar, so I’m thinking that’s going to come in handy in the future :-)

No bar visits this weekend, though - it was boxing training all the way, with Outbox. Basically, this is a training programme for instructors (rather than clients) created by world heavyweight David Haye and his trainer Adam Booth, and breaks down safe teaching techniques, moves etc.

There was a small group of us, which I prefer, and I came away with some fresh ideas about how to use boxing moves with clients when space is tight. I’m planning to get this going with my clients this week – so updates to you next Monday. I’ve also given each of them a training log – it’s got reminders about their compound moves in it, teaching points, key nutrition tips, goals etc., as well as some articles about rowing and swimming etc.

What about you? If you're still looking to make small changes, here are 2 you can make this week. Set a goal to drink 2 litres of water every day this week. Or eat 5 types of fruit and/or veg every day. Both steps are good for keeping you feeling fuller, helping improve digestion and, over time, will leave you feeling energised.

Let me know how you get on :-)
Dom

Monday 17 January 2011

New beginnings ...

Everyone these days seems to have a blog. What makes this one any different?

My name’s Dominic Burns and I’m a self-employed personal trainer in Tunbridge Wells, Kent. I set-up my own business, FeelGoodPT in March 2010 and, despite still being fresh to the fitness industry, my resolution this year is to transform even more lives through fitness.

I’ve set up this blog to log my progress, to share my knowledge of fitness and weight loss and to help anyone out there who, like me, is new to working for themselves but has ambitious dreams!

It’d be great to hear from you and have your support – please drop me a line.

Here’s what I’m setting myself to achieve this year:
  • Double my client list (I’ve got 10 regulars at the moment) – and eventually be in a position to hire other PTs to handle the list
  • Start training clients online as well as in person
  • Create more effective marketing that gets noticed and gets clients
  • Keep learning (I’m aiming to do through online courses this year)

It all sounds straight forward enough – on paper. In practice it’s already proving hectic. Last week I was juggling online learning (ptonthenet.com) along with moving into a new flat.

Despite all that, I’ve already made a start in getting online clients. I’ll be writing a programme for a guy who’s just off to uni, so I’ll be training him remotely (he’s the son of a regular client – so referrals really do work) Once he’s back at the end of Jan, I’ll kick off with some face-to-face sessions. Watch this space.

My regular clients are also keeping me busy since Christmas. I’ve found that some of my regulars got a bit distracted by the festive spirit, eating too many treats ... BUT, they kept up the exercise, which will definitely help keep them on the road to recovery, and they’re really motivated and ready to make a change now.

If you’re starting a fitness plan this month, start with small, sustainable steps. Don't try and change too quickly. The key to success in fitness is in sustainability in training and nutrition. Think about the small stepping stones you need to achieve your bigger goal this year, and start making one of those changes this month. 

Good luck!