Starting A Fitness Center

With more and more Americans jumping on to the fitness bandwagon, starting a fitness center seems like an attractive business option. Whether you are a professional trainer who has worked in the industry and now wants to branch out on own or an entrepreneur looking to invest in a profitable business proposition, running a fitness center can be both enjoyable as well as monetarily fruitful.

Starting a fitness center requires sharp business acumen and substantial working capital. While business acumen is something that is more in-born than acquired, you can definitely get some pointers from people who have prior experience in business management before you decide to go it alone.

As far as capital is concerned, you need to be able to present a strong case to the bank you are approaching for a commercial loan if you dont have the reserves to put in your business. A sound business plan will be required to convince the banks that you are eligible and deserve a loan to start up your fitness business.

The first step towards starting a fitness center is choosing a suitable location. This will impact the commercial success of your business. You need to do a careful analysis of competing fitness facilities in the neighborhood and try to offer services that are unique to attract customers. Your fitness center should also be conveniently located, so your clients are able access it easily.

An important part of fitness center planning is choosing your main customer-base. Your facility should offer services that are congruent with your target audience. For example, full time professionals usually workout before or after their work-day. If you want to attract professionals into your facility, then you may want to extend your operating hours so they are able to fit workout session at the gym in their already busy schedule.

The fitness products you choose will also depend on the demographic profile of your fitness centers clientele. Women and baby boomers generally like cardio workouts, so you may want to equip your gym with more cardio equipment like treadmills, elliptical trainers, exercise bikes etc. if most of your customers are females and aging adults.

In fact, if you are planning on starting a fitness center, targeting baby boomers may not be a bad idea considering the growing awareness about the benefits of fitness and exercise in controlling health conditions like cholesterol and hypertension as well as maintaining a sense of well-being amongst this segment of population.

The next big step is to work on your fitness center design. The design of your fitness center should encompass safety issues, space limitations, equipment layout, architectural features, as well as aesthetic elements that make your fitness studio a class apart from the rest.

Once the facility is ready for operation, you should announce your opening in style. Flyers, radio spots, newspaper classifieds, etc. should be part of your advertising campaign. However, to draw customers to your fitness studio you need to go one step ahead and offer attractive promotional packages to them. Freebies, discounts, special packages will not just help you attract customers, but also win their loyalty.

In the end, however, the success of your venture will boil down to the quality, range, and uniqueness of the services you provide to your patrons.

According to a survey on fitness trends in 2010 conducted by the American Council on Exercise, a non-profit organization committed to promoting health and wellbeing in the country, exergaming (fitness-based video games) and specialty exercise and fusion type classes will continue to be popular amongst fitness enthusiasts looking for non-conventional workout programs. If you want to stay ahead in the race, you may want to include these non-traditional fitness programs in your offerings.

Starting a fitness center can be fun and a learning experience for the owner. But remember the competition is cut-throat and only the “fittest” (pun unintended) will survive in the end!

Presidential fitness

A fitness icon and a good source of inspiration for all Americans is President Barack Obama. His capability to perform both in the White House as well as in the gym is praiseworthy. His competitiveness and confidence shine through his behavior both on and off the court. Health experts highly recommend Obamas mixed cardio and weight training sessions three days a week for a minimum time of 60 minutes to keep fit. “Exercise” President Obama says” is the key to remaining fresh and focused in the face of a punishing schedule.”

President Barack Obama begins his daily fitness regime with cardio exercises for about 20 to 30 minutes, progressing towards strength training exercises such as lat pull downs and back exercises. An early bird, he gets up early in the morning at about 5:30 am to complete his fitness workouts. The best part about his fitness regime is that he is consistent with his exercises. If he is not at home, he ensures that the workout routine does not suffer by seeking a gym nearby. He does not fall short in his dedication towards fitness as well as for the country.

When interviewed by a magazine about the reason for his consistency, he explains that the workouts allow him to de-stress. He continues that his workout begins before his day starts. He sometimes has to compromise sleep in a bid to seek enough time for his workouts. In addition, he explains that he exercises for about 45 minutes alternatively with cardio and weight training exercises. His interest in staying fit comes out clearly, when he says that he wishes he could perform 90-minute workouts.

Not only is he regular with fitness regime, but he is also athletic and loves basketball. He plays the game regularly with his friends, family members and his staff. Fitness gurus believe that he has a low body-fat level because of both cardiovascular and weight training exercises and deep interest in sports. His toned body shows that he performs resistance training at 65 to 75 percent of his maximum heart rate.

Of those many many things to be learnt from Mr. President; we must surely learn lessons on consistency and regularity at the gym. However, we must take care not to over-train ourselves by performing heavy workouts for a longer time. My past blog on overtraining shows you the side-effects and ways to avoid overtraining. Muscle Building Secrets

Power 90 Review How Does this Home Fitness and Weight Reduction Program Stack up to More Recently Designed Programs

The Power 90 weight loss and conditioning program is offered by Team Beachbody and was created by Tony Horton, one of the better known Team Beachbody trainers. He has developed popular programs such as Power Half Hour, Power 90, P90X, 10-Minute Trainer, and P90X2. He also has programs designed specifically for working with kids, and the older generation.

Power 90, or as it is marketed, Power 90 / 90-Day in Home Boot Camp does not get the exposure that it deserves. Many people like what they see in the highly publicized P90X infomercials and buy the program only to discover that some of the movements are too difficult, the workouts take up too much of their time, or that they are just not enthusiastic about some of the routines like Yoga X. Many people just don’t have a very good option when it comes to setting up a pull-up bar and pull-ups are a big part of the P90X program. Others find that this program is simply too advanced for their present-day fitness level.

Power 90 basically offers some of the same fundamental movements and in a little less time than what is needed to complete a workout in P90X. The beginning cardio routine is similar to the Kenpo X routine, and the resistance routines are paced to offer a cardio workout along with the strength training routine. Much of the cardio routines consist of effective, but classic punches and kicks used in many different martial arts styles.

As with most of the programs introduced through Team Beachbody, there are different levels of intensity offered to allow for a transition for a beginner, to a more advanced workout. The program offers Sculpt Circuit 1-2, Sweat Cardio 1-2, Sculpt Circuit 3-4, Sweat Cardio 3-4, Ab Ripper 100 and 200, plus the program guide, and accessories for about 60 dollars. There is also a Master Series for this program that enables you to advance even further if you wish to add it at a later date.

The strength training routines can successfully and with results, be completed using resistance bands, but gives the option of using dumbbells. The resistance bands are more easily transportable and take up less space which makes them a viable option for any strength training routine, and the bands offered through Team Beachbody are readily available in up to 50 pounds of resistance. When purchased through a Team Beachbody Coach, a band will be included with your purchase. For those of you who feel more comfortable with the more traditional dumbbells, either a range of standard dumbbells will be needed, or a set of adjustable dumbbells. If you decide on the adjustable, consider how quickly you can move from one weight to the next because as with many of the cardio/weight routines there is little time between exercises.

If you find yourself struggling with P90X, or have seen the P90X infomercials and want to give it a try but are a little intimidated by some of the seemingly complicated movements or the hour long routines, Power 90 might be a good fit for you. Use Power 90 as a stand-alone routine or as a preliminary routine to prepare you for P90X.

It is important to note that as with any of the available home fitness programs from Team Beachbody, you are motivated to push yourself, but at the same time to work at your own personal pace when working out with this system. Do not get discouraged if you find that you cannot keep up with the trainers. Just keep busy, do the best you can, and take your breaks when you need them. Getting fit and healthy does not include self-induced injuries because you tried to push yourself too hard.

Power 90 along with several other home fitness and weight loss programs, nutritionals, and accessories are available through your Independent Team Beachbody Coach.

A physical check-up could possibly identify underlying problems that may need to be addressed; as always, it is highly recommended that you check with your doctor before beginning any new weight loss or fitness routine.

Is Skinny Vinny Delmonte A Fitness Guru

The term guru is sort of overused these days. Everyone claims to be a guru, but who really is? Is it Vince Delmonte, author of No Nonsense Body Shaping program? Is Shannon Clark, the co-author, a fitness guru?

You certainly would not believe him if you had seen him many years ago when he was still known as “Skinny Vinny.” He could not build muscle on his frail body no matter what he did. He spent more time in the gym, did the same exercises as the bodybuilding gods and still, nothing. He tried supplements and drank nasty protein shakes. Nothing.

He finally had to realize what worked for most simply did not work for his body type. His body was not designed to build mass. He had to find a way to trick his body and build muscle regardless of his genetics. In fact, he learned how to work with his genetics. He also realized the supplement industry had been lying to him!

In doing so, he developed a program that will work for any body type by teaching people how to use foods and exercises that are meant for their type. Now if you see him, you will think he could easily be your fitness guru!

Sure, the skinny fellows could copy exactly what he did and see results. They could eat the same muscle-building foods and follow the same progressive overload exercises and if they stay committed, they too can see killer results.

What if you are the opposite? What if you gain fat every time you look at a cheeseburger? Can Vince help this body type? There is a good chance he is a guru, because he is in fact, helping this body type as well. And this is a very common body type in our society!

When you need to burn fat and build muscle, you need to eat the foods that will help you achieve this. Vince can tell you what to avoid and how to time your food appropriately. Progressive overload will work for you as well.

And women, what about you? Is Vince your fitness guru? You might be thinking, “I do not want to look like a body builder!”

Well, Shannon Clark does not look like a body builder. She has sexy, healthy yet feminine physique and she helped Vince develop the program with women in mind. Women do not gain muscle mass as easily as men do, so there is no fear that progressive overload will have you looking like the Hulk!

A hot body on the beach is possible for those willing to put a bit of time into a program that is designed to make every workout the most effective in the least amount of time. Knowing what to eat and how to make food work for your body type will help you achieve better results.

Fitness Equipment Rundown Orbus Xt501 Touch Screen Elliptical Cross Trainer

Searching for fitness equipment can be a overwhelming task. There are such a large variety of brands and characteristics to think about that they sometimes merge into a tangle that’s not easy to sort out. Numerous fitness pros consent, nevertheless, that the elliptical trainer is an effectual way to get a low impact, complete body workout with significant cardiovascular advantages. This is some information about a top selling elliptical, the Orbus XT501 touch screen cross trainer.

Regarding the Orbus XT501 Touch Screen Elliptical Cross Trainer

Based on a top selling elliptical on eBay UK, the XT501 was designed and developed on the XT520 model, always considered as an exceptional value. At present the XT501 is an eBay best seller as well. It is a mains powered, totally programmable with an innovative backlit touch screen that gives ultimate control over your fitness regime. The Orbus name is identical to superiority and this elliptical is no exception. The XT501 is a serious machine designed from heavy gauge steel with an equally heavy duty flywheel which weighs a considerable 10kg. Regardless of your fitness level, the XT501 will extend a challenging, brisk workout whilst decreasing stress on bones as well as joints. The incorporated computer will engage and occupy you, boosting your enthusiasm while keeping a safe exercise level. The cross trainer’s tension adjustments are managed electronically, which means exceptional smoothness and seamless transitions.

Additional Qualities of the XT501

The XT501 comes with dual action handlebars and also soft touch hand grips to assure comfort as well as safeness. Heart rate is monitored by brushed stainless steel automatic pulse sensors. The machine has 14 regular programmes that provide a good array of workouts including rolling, valley, fat burning, ramp, mountain as well as interval. The computer additionally keeps up with time, speed, distance, calories used, and watts. Watts is a gauging of the muscle of a workout. It points out how swiftly you are burning calories. Case in point, running has a higher watts value than just walking. The XT501’s computer can also approximate a body fat capacity. Choose from multiple levels of resistance for your workout routine and then cool down in the “recovery” mode. Its computer will be able to store many user profiles, therefore any user can get a individualised workout. For variety, you can go in either forward or reverse. Whichever direction you choose, the XT501 has unusually quiet performance. It has a handily positioned on-board water bottle and wheels render the exerciser very effortless to manoeuvre. This elliptical can accommodate a maximum user weight of 120kg (18.90st). has a complete and meticulous instruction booklet. The XT501 additionally has TUV certification. This implies that it has been strictly tested to satisfy the strictest European standards and policies. The elliptical is 120cm long x 60cm wide x 156cm high and needs roughly 30 minutes of minor assembly. It has a weight of 42kg. Be expecting to pay between 250 and 350 to purchase this elliptical, which has been confirmed as one of the most economically priced machines in its class.