“We know you are a professional and would love to have you with us.”

Hearing those words meant a lot.  More than any other compliment, it really hits home when someone acknowledges this about me. By definition, being a professional is:

1.  characterized by or conforming to the technical or ethical standards of a profession exhibiting a courteous, conscientious, and generally businesslike manner in the workplace

2. (a): participating for gain or livelihood in an activity or field of endeavor often engaged in by amateurs (a professional golfer) (b):  having a particular profession as a permanent career (a professional soldier) (c):  engaged in by persons receiving financial return (professional football player)

3. following a line of conduct as though it were a profession (Merriam-Webster, 2017)

As fitness coaches, many of us have the technical standard down pretty well.  As soon as we are finished reading about a new program or exercise, we are in the gym testing it out. Most of us carry certs, first aid skills, and have some formal post-secondary education.  I’m not too worried about the technical.

What sets us apart (or should set us apart) from the amateur fitness enthusiast is the ethical standards, and the display of courteous, conscientious, and businesslike manner we conduct ourselves in the workplace.

Being considered a professional can carry you during times of controversy.  The best words one can hear when falsely accused of something is “We didn’t think you would do such a thing because you’re such a professional.”

Character strengths are the backbone of all professionals.  Honesty, integrity, courage, grit, perspective, these are some that I value the most. (For more on character strengths visit http://www.viacharacter.org/www/Character-Strengths). Knowing which ones you have and which ones you need to improve on is at the core of professional development.

I am always improving. I am always looking for development opportunities.

I am a professional in all that I engage in.

Are you?

 

 

According to fitness industry business experts, when it comes to personal training rates “you can expect to pay as little as $20 to well over $100. However, a pretty typical session rate is in the $50 – $60 range per hour” (IdeaFit.com, 2017).  From my experience in the Rutland Area of Vermont, the going rate seems to be a little under the national average at $40/hour.

Now let’s introduce the growing trend in the fitness world, the shorter 30-minute session.  According to The International Health, Racquet & Sports club Association, the 30 minute session offers three main positives: price, convenience and variety (IHRSA, 2017).

Let’s talk about convenience and variety first.  The 30-minute session can fit into almost anyone’s schedule. For intermediate and advanced level exercise participants, the trainer can ask the client to warm-up before and cool-down after the appointment, and even assign the cardiovascular portion of the appointment outside the 30-minute time frame allowing the trainer to focus the 30-minute session on more technical work. It also works very well with HIIT and CrossFit style workouts, which by definition are intense (hard work in a short period of time).

Now let’s talk about price.  If this model holds, the price of sessions could be afforded at $20-30/30-minute session.  Could you see yourself working out with a personal trainer for $20-30/session?  People spend more than this on one dining-out experience!  Is it worth it to you to trade in one night a week of dining-out for an improved health and wellness status?

Buyer beware, however.  There are some fitness businesses taking advantage of these growing trends while keeping the prices high at the full-hour session rate.  Be sure to ask questions about average personal training rates for the local business area.  If the price is higher, ask if there are special benefits included in the higher price.  Do your homework; research the business and/or the trainers.  Trainers with 1-3 years of experience vs 15-20 years in the industry, clientele background, and specialty areas.  Has your fitness level been assessed so that it is safe for you to warm-up, cool-down, and/or engage in cardiovascular endurance training outside of the session?  Are you given the option to go back to the 1-hour session?

My 30 minute session rates are $25/30-minute session.  Plain and simple.  You don’t have to purchase a massive package of 3 sessions/week for 6 months to get to a $30/session rate.  Let’s make this work for you.  Call me at 802-349-2541 or email cathy.cappetta@live.com and get started today!

This FREE class meets every Tuesday and Friday from 4-5:30pm starting on May 26, 2017 in Pittsfield, VT

Details:

Set a goal, get out of your comfort zone, and see the results you have been looking for with this one of a kind Spartan Group Exercise class. Spartan SGX certified coach Cathy Cappetta will help you train to conquer your race and personal goals. Join my 8-week program and be a part of something big!

What does the 8-week course offer?

• 2 coached classes per week
• 1 Saturday race simulation
• Spartan Race discount
• Skill development & acquisition
• Strength and speed development
• Accountability & team building
• Spartan mindset training
• An awesome place to train – the birthplace of Spartan!!
• Again, class is FREE, but donations of any amount to the local RWB chapter are highly encouraged!

Parking:  Parking is the second driveway on the left on Tweed River Drive, Pittsfield, VT

Change is good. It keeps you fresh. It keeps you learning. It keeps you moving.

Thinking that this is going to be the next book I will be reading….

It’s about knowing character strengths and values, and moving forward and building yourself into the best human you can possibly be. Dig deep, figure out what you want and how bad you want it, and do the work. You are your biggest obstacle.

Resilience.  What does it mean to you?  Official definition:

re·sil·ience   |  rəˈzilyəns  |  noun

1. the ability of a substance or object to spring back into shape; elasticity. Used in a sentence: “Nylon is excellent in wearability and resilience.”

2. the capacity to recover quickly from difficulties; toughness.  Used in a sentence: “The often remarkable resilience of so many British institutions.”

 Typically, when I have instructed on Resilience, I use the example of a tennis ball and an egg.  I hold one in each hand.  I ask the class to describe each object.  They usually tell me that the tennis ball is green, round and bounces.  Then I ask them about the egg.  It’s usually white, has a hard shell, and soft insides.  Then I ask them “If I was to drop each one, which would you rather be?  The tennis ball or the egg.?”  Most respond the tennis ball because they know the egg will crack.

If you go back to the definitions, look at some of the key words.  Spring back.  Elasticity. Wearability. Recover. Toughness.  Remarkable.

REMARKABLE.

Do you aspire to be remarkable?