Shreveport-Bossier Personal Training

The Shreveport Times has a new story detailing the convenience of a home gym.  Here are some excerpts:

But Shreveport personal trainer Blake Wiggins, 39, opted to go another route by turning his garage into a home gym.

“With the equipment I have, I can do most anything that can be done in a commercial gym,” he said.

Keene said the reason for an upgraded home gym is simple.

“Psychologically, if the aesthetics of the room are more pleasing, you’re more likely to use it. You have to make sure it’s an inviting space that you wouldn’t mind using rather than a little dungeon in the basement.

“Natural light helps. Fluorescent lighting is bright, and that’s good. It keeps you awake. Mentally, it keeps you alert, which is how you want to be when you’re exercising. TVs, sound systems — all of that makes you want to go in there. It makes you not dread exercising so much.”

…

Hintz said not only does he and his wife work out on a regular basis, but their children work out, too.

“The kids, who are 7 and 5, saw how much we enjoyed it so they’ve gotten involved, too,” Hintz said. “I use it on average about four days a week and both of our kids will get in there and do cardio.”

ACSM (American College of Sports Medicine) has published a brochure with information on how to choose a personal trainer. Here are some interesting comments they make about the benefits of a personal trainer:

A qualified and properly trained personal trainer can help you safely start and maintain an effective exercise program. A personal trainer will understand your “fitness goals” and help you achieve them. A personal trainer can be a great source of motivation and encouragement, as well as a resource for the latest objective health and fitness information. He or she can also help you fit exercise into your busy schedule and teach you how to make the most out of your time in the gym.

But beware! The title “personal trainer” does not guarantee that a person is qualified to do the job. Currently, there is no national standard or minimum requirement for carrying this job title. Working with an under-qualified trainer could actually threaten your safety. This brochure will arm you with the knowledge of what to look for when seeking a personal trainer that is educated, qualified, and most-importantly, right for you!

Please realize that not all personal trainers are equal. I have posted my certifications and qualifications and I will be happy to answer any other questions you might have. If you are located in the Shreveport or Bossier area I will be happy to meet with you and further discuss your fitness and wellness goals.

Here is the rest of the brochure.

As a personal trainer in Shreveport I assist people in effective weight training, aerobic exercise, and other forms of physical fitness not only in traditional gyms, but also at more convenient locations such as their home or at their place of work. That is why I find this study especially interesting. Although I already knew that personal training can be beneficial in locations other than a regular gym, it is nice to see scientific data that backs me up!

Personal Trainers Beneficial In Or Out Of The Gym - Study Finds In-Home Personal Training Also Effective

Personal fitness training doesn’t have to take place in a gym to have worthwhile health benefits or increase motivation, according to a study presented at the 54th American College of Sports Medicine (ACSM) Annual Meeting in New Orleans. (more…)

Here is ACE’s Fit Fact for the day, how to choose the right personal trainer:

A personal trainer should be certified because that’s your assurance you’re working with a trainer who has the knowledge to provide you with a safe and effective workout. Not just any certification will do. You want a personal trainer who has been certified by a nationally recognized certifying organization, like ACE, which happens to be the largest non-profit fitness-certifying organization in the world.

Certification is more than a piece of paper. For example, to qualify for ACE certification, a personal trainer has to pass an intensive three hour, 150-question exam and written simulation that covers exercise science and programming knowledge, including anatomy, kinesiology, health screening, basic nutrition and instructional methods.

After checking certification, there are a few other things you should take into consideration when hiring a personal trainer. Many require asking direct questions.

A checklist to help you hire the right personal trainer:

Ask for references
Ask the trainer for the names and phone numbers of other clients with goals similar to yours. Call to see if they were pleased with their workouts, if the trainer was punctual and prepared, and if they felt their individual needs were addressed. The best personal trainer to hire is the one others give high marks to.

Make sure the trainer has liability insurance and provides business policies in writing
Many personal trainers operate as independent contractors and are not employees of a fitness facility. You should find out if the trainer you want to hire carries professional liability insurance.
A reputable personal trainer should also make sure you understand the cancellation policy and billing procedure. The best way to avoid confusion and to protect your rights is to have those policies in writing.

Look for a trainer who is able to assist you with your special needs
A personal trainer should always have you fill out a health history questionnaire to determine your needs or limitations. If you have a medical condition or a past injury, a personal trainer should design a session that takes these into account. If you’re under a doctor’s care, a personal trainer should discuss any exercise concerns with your doctor, and should ask for a health screening or release from your doctor.

Find out what the trainer charges
Rates vary, depending on the trainer’s experience, and the length and location of the workout session.

Decide if this is someone you can work with
Some people like to exercise in the morning, some in the evening. Will the personal trainer you’re talking to accommodate your schedule? What about the trainer’s gender? Some people do better working with a trainer of the same sex; others prefer the opposite sex.

The personal trainer you select should motivate you by positive, not negative, reinforcement. Even more important, that trainer should be someone you like.

Ask yourself if you think you could get along well with the trainer. Ask yourself, too, if you think the trainer is genuinely interested in helping you.

The personal trainer who best measures up is the one to hire. Because that’s the professional who will help you get the best results.

Paige wrote a great article here detailing reasons you might need a personal trainer. You can view the original article here.

Top 10 Reasons to Hire a Personal Trainer
From Paige Waehner,
Your Guide to Exercise.

We all need a little help with exercise sometimes, whether we’re just starting out or we’ve been at it for a long time. Still, there are people who shy away from training, unsure of what they’ll get out of the experience or whether it’s worth the money. Take a look at just a few reasons people typically hire personal trainers and see if it’s the right decision for you.

1. You’re Not Seeing Results
If you’ve been exercising consistently for several weeks or months and aren’t seeing the changes you’d like, hiring a trainer may be a good choice. A trainer can look at your current program and eating habits and help you see where you could make changes to create more effective workouts. A trainer can also help you determine if the goals you’ve set are realistic for you.

2. You Don’t Know Where to Start
Knowing how to set up a balanced schedule that includes all the activities you need to do can be confusing. The great thing about a trainer is that he can help you maximize your time while helping you stay within your own limits so you don’t overdo it. He can also help you set goals and map out a specific schedule so you know when, how and where you’ll fit in your workouts.

3. You’re Bored with the Same Old Workouts
If you’re an experienced exerciser, maybe you haven’t considered working with a trainer. But it can be a great choice if you need some variety in your workouts. A trainer can bring a fresh perspecitve and new ideas to challenge both your body and your mind. Even if you just do a few sessions or meet every few weeks, you’ll find it refreshing to have new workouts and new exercise toys to play with.

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