Ask for help.

If you’re not sure how to set up equipment, ask the person next to you or the instructor. Both will usually be happy to help. (more…)

exercise, instructors, weight-training

Do you love to exercise but stick to using cardio equipment and weights at your gym? Maybe you’re avoiding group fitness classes for one of the following reasons:

*You’re overwhelmed because there are so many different classes to choose from. (more…)

exercise, stretch, studio

Marketing. ACAC’s marketing methods include word-of-mouth, community partners, posters, mailing and cheerleaders. Community partners post fliers and spread the word about the program, and ACAC is continually putting up posters in its facilities to let members know what’s going on. (more…)

cardiovascular training, exercise, fitness

Cheerleaders. A concept critical to the Discover programs’ success, says Gamble, is cheerleaders. Cheerleaders are staff members who have a strong interest in a particular Discover program, and who act as a leader for that program and serve as a cheerleader to members. “Find someone passionate about a program, and it’ll work,” says Gamble. (more…)

extreme sports, personal training

Since its revamping nearly four years ago, ACAC has nearly tripled its membership, to more than 10,000 members today, half of whom are new to exercise. The average age of the members is a little older than 50 years. (more…)

diving, exercise, sports

At a previous IHRSA (International Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association) conference, Grant Gamble, COO of ACAC Fitness and Wellness Centers in Charlottesville, Va., was struck by something said in one of the seminars he attended. The speaker, a “Wall Street-type guy,” said that 50 percent of a club’s revenue should come from peripheral profit centers. (more…)

fitness, physical activity, wellness

Think of the worst thing you have ever done. You may or may not have been caught, but you know what you did! Ok, now think of your most proud moment. (more…)

karma, martial arts, philosophy

I know this sounds somewhat juvenile, but its not as far out there as you may think. This basically is the use of unpleasant consequences to modify your behavior. For example, speed bumps and traffic tickets are a form of punishment that is designed to modify your driving behavior. (more…)

diabetic, exercise, speed bumps

The facts are that less than 40% of all adults in the US exercise on a regular basis. This sedentary lifestyle has led to the current epidemic of chronic life threatening and debilitating disease. If you are not regularly exercising, you are on your way to becoming one of the very happy members of the following groups: (more…)

diabetes, heart disease, overweight

First of all, lets start with the diet. I believe it to be the base from which all the others factors hinge. I knew I needed enough calories, but not too much so I set a base line of 2,500 to start with. I only ate four meals per day because in the real world, it is very hard to fit in the six that are typically recommended. I decided to go high-protein since protein is the least likely micro nutrient to be turned to fat, about 350-400 grams or 1,400-1,600 calories per day. (more…)

aerobics, diet, exercises