The first quarter of the year 2020 started out with an uncharacteristically warm January coinciding with thousands of new jobs created in the United States. However, as we approach the end of the first quarter of 2020, unemployment numbers have surged due to the global Coronavirus Pandemic.
Many workers have been forced to work from home, have had their hours cut, or have been laid off altogether. Many gyms and health and fitness clubs have closed their physical spaces to help curb the spread of the COVID-19. Trainers, members, and potential gym-goers alike have had to respond quickly to find alternative ways to deliver and perform workouts at home through online training, if, for nothing else, to prevent cabin fever.
While we are currently experiencing a period of uncertainty, we are hopeful that this season of uncertainty will pass. We will once again resume our normal lives, which for many of us involves tending to our physical and mental fitness.
So how should we prepare? COVID-19 and Gyms have been on a crash course but soon we should see the light at the end of the tunnel.
In looking forward to our return to normalcy, we reached out to some of our Fitness Experts at Exercise.com to find out how they plan to restore their normal activity for the remainder of 2020.
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What’s New for You and Your Business in 2020?
I work in education, so I continue to try to integrate technology and learning strategies in my courses when possible.
A mainstream version of The Fat Loss Troubleshoot is hitting shelves. I’m so excited, I’m not sure what to do with myself, to be honest.
I am expanding my knowledge of fitness and continuing to help individuals stay healthy.
I have been spending more time at Mark Fisher Fitness. I traveled a lot and worked from home a lot in 2019. And I miss my baby!! I'm still traveling a fair amount but making it a point to go to MFF to be present when I'm in town.
We’re in the process of rebranding. Many people have asked me why and there are two fundamental reasons: to simplify our messaging and because it’s fun.
This year we are focusing on generating more dietetics business and we have launched our nonprofit cancer rehab center. Currently, we have five survivors enrolled in our rehab program and have a lofty goal of 20 by the end of the year.
What Are Your Personal Fitness and Business Goals for 2020?
At this point in my life, fitness is always about consistency. And means it’s always about making it practical and enjoyable. MFF launched an online version of our Snatched in Six Weeks training program (though the online one is actually twelve weeks long). I’m currently doing that and enjoying it! For MFF, we’re focusing on even more consistency, training, and accountability on all of our customer service standards. So, we’re doing lots of training, roleplays, quizzes, and audits to make sure always rise to the high bar we’ve set.
My personal fitness goals are, in the spring, [to do] a half marathon and half-ironman. Following those, in the summer, I’ll shift more into CrossFit and do a competition with another specialist in our practice.
I would really like to get my 5k time under 30 minutes. That might sound easy for some people, but I'm usually just over 30 minutes so that's a big goal for me. For teaching, my goal is to continue to use feedback and improve my teaching strategies and practices.
See for yourself - Meet with the Exercise.com Team today
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What’s the Best Excuse You’ve Ever Heard for Someone Who Gives up on Their New Year’s Resolutions?
“I don’t believe in resolutions.” It’s a great excuse because it requires zero accountability or action.
It’s an interesting question because I think people have a pretty unhealthy relationship with New Year’s resolutions. There isn’t anything inherently wrong with creating goals; in fact, I encourage it with all clients. But I often find resolutions are more of an impulsive reaction to unhappiness versus calculated planning. I think many will often find impulsive decisions are not made with the best-laid plans. So, excuses? Well, I think that’s a generally unhealthy thing [on which] to judge another person, but I think we should look at what we say to ourselves and others, and why.
The best I’ve heard is: “I thought resolutions were only for 30 days.”
Summertime Is Around the Corner and That Means Beach Body Preparations. What Are Your Top Three Body-Sculpting Exercises?
Squats, push-ups, and pull-ups.
Squats, deadlifts, and push-ups. Those are not fancy exercises by any means, but they are tried-and-true options that emphasize multiple muscle groups.
Eating properly, eating properly, and eating properly. 🙂
Squats, deadlifts, assisted pull-ups.
Fewer calories, more protein, spider curls.
1. Energy balance: Seriously, nothing helps shape a body like understanding your own energy balance. 2. Box Back Squats: Alter stance, level, lean, and focus to get different results. 3. Rows: People miss the importance of them to their overall balance and look.
See for yourself - Meet with the Exercise.com Team today
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What Traits Do You Desire in Any New Hires?
Hard to pick any favorites among our ten values, but the ones that jump to mind right now are dependability, kindness, humility, and passion for growth.
Outgoing personality, positive attitude, works well with others.
Motivation and a desire to learn. You can tell when someone is “hungry” and that’s a great trait when starting a new job.
Evidence of a trend toward lifelong learning, a deep need to help people, and a belief in the power of achievement as part of a dedicated team.
Self-efficacy, self-initiative. We are not interested in employees who need a lot of hand-holding. We look for employees to see a problem and deliver a possible solution, not just informing us of the problem.
What’s Your Favorite Post-Workout Meal?
Post-workout, right now, I like cold food. I’m hot, you know? So, give me a good protein smoothie shake. Usually, I’ll do berries, protein, milk, and sometimes greens. I’ll blend it and drink it and then hop in the shower. Sometimes I’ll drink it in the shower itself depending on the day.
Evolve Chocolate Protein Shake.
Pho, ramen, pasta, you name it.
I’m a creature of habit, and I almost always work out mid-morning. I have Greek yogurt, berries, and some granola before I train. Then, I have my “breakfast” around noon: eggs, veggies, yogurt, an apple, and a piece of Ezekiel bread.
Cheese and crackers.
I'm still going with 1% chocolate milk. It's a tasty treat and has the protein and carbohydrates to replenish after a high-intensity workout or long run.
See for yourself - Meet with the Exercise.com Team today
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What Music Are You Currently Listening to During Your Workout Sessions?
90s Alternative.
I’m a big fan of the 90s and 2000s Hip Hop during my workouts. That’s the music I listened to in college and it keeps me energized and motivated.
Normally, this has a different answer. I’m moving towards more endurance work. I’ve always been a “quick session” person. Lift heavy, lift fast, and done. But as I’m getting older, the body is having different opinions on that. So, I’m embracing more steady and endurance training, which means switching up the tunes from the normal aggressive/high energy kick. Right now, I’m collecting a lot of ambient and drifting melodic instruments. Brit Pop, Darkwave, Dream Pop styles.
I tend to listen to audiobooks when I train if I listen to anything. But lately, I’ve been finding I can’t retain much and haven’t been able to multitask with my lifting. Though, I do find listening to an audiobook marries wonderfully with my two to three sessions per week of incline treadmill walking.
It’s been Psychedelic Rock & Roll for the past couple of weeks.
90s Hip Hop and R&B
What’s Your Guilty Pleasure Dessert, Snack, or Treat?
Cocktails! Specifically, Manhattans, and Negronis.
Champagne.
I have to live life as if there are no guilty pleasures. That being said, I try to find room in my diet for wine and liquor tastings. I like a nice light buzz and the flavor of good alcohol. Because of that, I try to keep everything else as nutrient-heavy as possible.
Dolci di Maria chocolate cake.
I run for cupcakes!
See for yourself - Meet with the Exercise.com Team today
Grow and manage your fitness business better with Exercise.com
Mind and Body Health Getaway: Beachfront Property or Cabin in the Woods?
I’m definitely a cabin in the woods guy. More peace for me than at the beach. Also, less sunburn, fewer jellyfish, and only a mildly increased Unabomber risk.
Beachfront! I grew up on the Jersey Shore, so while I love the solitude of being in the woods, the beach will always be my home.
Beachfront! I grew up on the Jersey Shore, so while I love the solitude of being in the woods, the beach will always be my home.
Beachfront property.
Beachfront property but it needs to be completely isolated. I crave solitude and enjoy being with my family on my downtime.