Archive for March 2025
Invest in Yourself: A Roadmap to Professional Growth for Fitness Pros
As fitness professionals, we’re experts at helping others invest in themselves. We create growth plans, set milestones, and celebrate our clients’ achievements. But do you have an intentional growth strategy for yourself? As an IDEA® member, you can access a vast array of professional development resources, including the newly launched Fitness Mentor Network, 15,000+ evidence-based…
Read MoreMember Spotlight: Sarah Stack
“I love being able to impact our youth. I love watching these kids grow as athletes and as individuals. They impress me every day with their dedication and enthusiasm.” Sarah Stack, a passionate advocate for youth fitness and empowerment, joined IDEA in July 2021. Her journey in the fitness world has been driven by a…
Read MoreIDEA Career Success Workshop – Biz Basics as an Entrepreneur
As part of our ongoing series; IDEA’s Career Success Workshop, let’s discuss Biz Basics. What are the basics to being successful as a Fit Pro? In this article, we approach the topic from the perspective of an entrepreneur, someone who has started their own fitness business. If you’d like to consider the topic as an…
Read MoreWomen’s History in Fitness
For centuries, societal norms dictated that physical activity was unfeminine, and women were discouraged from engaging in fitness and sports. However, the journey from exclusion to empowerment has been marked by remarkable breakthroughs. From early pioneers defying restrictive gender roles to the enactment of Title IX and the rise of female professional athletes, women’s fitness…
Read MoreExercise and Its Impact on Mental Well-Being
The Impact of Exercise on Mental Well-Being Exercise is widely known for its physical benefits, but its impact on mental well-being is just as significant. Whether it’s a brisk walk, a challenging workout, or a calming yoga session, engaging in regular physical activity has been shown to improve mood, reduce stress, and boost overall mental…
Read MoreHow can Wearable Fit Tech Make Your Class Even Better?
Wearable fitness technology has transformed how people track their health and performance. From heart rate monitors to smartwatches, these devices offer real-time insights that enhance workouts and improve training efficiency. But wearable tech isn’t just for solo fitness enthusiasts—it’s also revolutionizing group exercise. Group fitness instructors now have the opportunity to integrate these tools into…
Read MoreIs AI Reliable for Use by Fitness Professionals?
Artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed industries worldwide, and the fitness sector is no exception. With the rise of AI-driven apps, wearable fitness trackers, and data analytics tools, fitness professionals have more technological support than ever. However, as AI continues to shape workout programming, nutrition guidance, and client engagement, the question remains: Can fitness professionals rely…
Read MoreWeight Lifting Recovery Tips
Weightlifting is an excellent way to build strength, improve muscular endurance, and enhance overall fitness. However, proper recovery is essential to optimize muscle growth, prevent injury, and ensure long-term progress. Below are some effective and easy strategies for post-workout recovery, backed by research and expert recommendations. Share them with your clients! Prioritize Sleep Sleep plays…
Read MoreFit Pros Supporting People with Disabilities
Over 25% of American adults have a disability. Fit pros can offer valuable, cost-effective support to these individuals who can benefit from improved cardiovascular and muscle fitness, mental health, balance and better ability to do daily life tasks according to the CDC. University of Queensland researchers in Brisbane, Australia, conducted a cross-sectional national survey with…
Read MoreGratitude & Grace: A Leadership Journey
As I sit down to write this editorial, I’m filled with gratitude to share a deeply personal chapter of my journey with our IDEA® community. My contribution to the newly released Amazon bestseller “Lead Like A Woman – GRATEFUL” isn’t just another fitness industry leadership story – it’s a testament to the transformative power of…
Read MoreIDEA Career Success Workshop – Biz Basics as an Employee
As part of our ongoing series; IDEA’s Career Success Workshop, let’s discuss Biz Basics. What are the basics to being successful as a Fit Pro? In this article, we approach the topic from the perspective of a gym or facility employee. If you’d like to consider it as an entrepreneur, check out THIS article! Even…
Read MoreBoosting Financial Success Through Advanced Education
As fitness and health professionals we all recognize the importance of staying on top of our game, passionately pursuing continuing education, and applying cutting edge strategies and evidence-based knowledge with our clientele. What we may not fully appreciate is the impact that advanced education and receiving a degree online can do for our employer’s bottom…
Read MoreChewing Less, Gaining More: A Weight Gain Effect of Ultra-Processed Food
Here is some concerning news: more than half of the calories adults eat at home now come from ultra-processed foods and previous research has demonstrated that if you eat a diet based largely on ultra-processed foods (UPFs), you are likely to consume far more calories than you would eating fewer of them–and not even notice…
Read MoreFDA Calls for New Front-of-Package Nutrition Labels
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has proposed requiring a new label on the front of most packaged food and drinks aimed at helping Americans make healthier choices. The agency says the at-a-glance nutrition labels will allow consumers to quickly assess levels of sodium, sugar and saturated fat in packaged foods and drinks. The FDA…
Read MoreThe reasons why you want to have your water bottle close at hand
Perhaps there is something to the adage ‘drink eight cups of water a day.’ Drinking this amount of water daily can assist in preventing kidney stones, urinary tract infections and high blood pressure, according to a review in JAMA Network Open. Drinking sufficient amounts of aqua was found to be particularly beneficial in the prevention…
Read MoreStudy Finds a Heart-pounding Workout May Suppress Appetite, Especially in Women
Here is a reason why you might want to have more of your clients go all-in on HIIT: that type of exercise may keep hunger at bay. A high-intensity workout does more to suppress hunger levels in healthy adults than does moderate exercise and females may be especially susceptible to this response, according to a…
Read MoreU.S. Students Not Following a Healthy Diet or Other Behaviors Necessary for Better Health
U.S. high school students do not engage in adequate levels of healthy dietary behaviors, according to a report on data pulled from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Youth Risk Behavior Survey. This recently released report provides surveillance data, 10-year trends, and two-year changes in health behaviors and experiences among U.S. high school…
Read MoreMore Proof – We Are a Fast-Food Nation
In America, fast food restaurants are everywhere — including hospitals. Nearly 70% of U.S.-based hospitals affiliated with a medical school have at least one fast food establishment inside their facilities, according to researchers with the Physicians Committee for Responsible Medicine. The investigators had medical students from 192 medical and osteopathic schools complete surveys on fast…
Read MoreHow Our Cooking Style Could be Harming Our Health
The seemingly benign act of cooking dinner might be filling your home with potentially harmful air pollutants, according to research published in the journal Indoor Air. The study, conducted by researchers at the University of Birmingham and the Max Planck Institute for Chemistry, reveals significant differences in air quality between some of the most common…
Read MoreThe Scourge of Sugary Drinks
According to research published in the journal Nature Medicine, sugar-sweetened drink consumption accounts for more than two million new cases of type two diabetes, and 1.2 million new cases of heart disease worldwide annually. Colombia, Mexico, the Caribbean and South Africa have some of the worst sweetened drink-related health problems. For instance, nearly 50% of…
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