What Are You Doing to Stay Fit in this Economy?

It's been a tough couple of years because of the economy and I have been very lucky to maintain a loyal clientele. However, I have had a difficult time gaining new clients. Many people tell me that they are interested in exercise classes, personal training, and/or group training, but then fail to follow through by actually attending or buying sessions. I know that the typical time frame from first thinking about something to actually doing it could be anything between a month and a year. But it's happening frequently and I'm wondering a few things...

1. Is money the top issue? If I were to lower my rates for classes and personal training, would you come?
2. If you are already exercising, I imagine you have found a way to stay in shape without dropping alot of cash. If so, what are you doing?
3. If you are not already exercising but want to, what is the main reason you are not pulling the trigger on hiring a trainer or signing up for classes?

Please take a moment to comment on any of the questions above. You can comment anonymously if you wish--Blogger does not allow me to see those who comment and choose anonymous.

Thanks!
Danielle

Strength and Core Class...Even I'm Seeing Results!

It's been a month now that I've been teaching the strength and core class at the church on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Students bring a mat, water and 5-lb dumbbells and we work circuit-training style.
For example, we warm up, work on some balance, and then switch between upper, lower and abs. The constant movement keeps the heart rate up and the body weight resistance along with the dumbbells works the muscles.

In a recent class, we did:
1-arm, 1-leg rows
1-leg squats
planks with leg abduction
1-leg teasers
side planks with kicks
high step up
sumo squat concentration curl

While it's not boot camp, we definitely sweat! And because cardo is inevitably mixed in, I am noticing some small changes in my body, as are my students. I feel tighter, more toned and better endurance no matter what I'm doing.

If you're looking for an effective yet simple workout, come out and try the class. It's Tuesday and Thursday at 6 PM at 716 S. Glebe Road, Arlington. If it's too early, let me know and I can shift it and/or start another class on a different day.

Hope to see you!

Transforming Our Basement...

into the ultimate training studio!

We already had a fair amount of weights and equipment, but now we are taking the basement to the next level. We ordered a treadmill and bought a new plasma TV. We are also going to be cleaning up and organizing everything else. My goal is to be able to train down there should people want to come to me for a less expensive alternative.

Here are some "before" pics. I will share the "after" pics as soon as we are finished!

Part 3: Get Off Your Butt and Start Working It!

Part 3 of the Get Off Your Butt series offers 5 easy exercises you can do at home without any equipment. These exercises work the major muscles of the body, so even if you don't get off your butt much, you can do 2-3 sets for 4-5 days a week and see changes in strength and toning.

No more excuses! Click here to see the video on You Tube.

(Sorry, too long for Blogger apparently)

Part 2: Get Off Your Butt and Stop Slouching!

The long-awaited Part 2 is here. After video problems, dog problems and then computer problems, I am finally uploading my video on posture!

Keeping good posture is extremely important. It helps align the skeleton and muscles in the correct way, thereby reducing pain, injuries, aches, etc. And if you exercise, it is even more important to have good posture. If you exercise with bad posture, you are strengthening the muscles while they are in the wrong position--kind of like when you made a funny face and your mom told you it would stay that way. That's what happens to our muscles.

So without any more rambling, here's the video!