New On-line Journal: Am Academy of Health and Fitness

The new magazine is colorful and "chuck full" of interesting articles. I will be writing for this journal six times per year under the section: Musculoskeletal Issues and Post Rehabilitation. This issue addresses the gluteals...... I really feel privileged to write for this journal....

American Academy of Health and Fitness eJournal

Check out this edition of the AAHF electronic journal at the link below:

Click here to view.

ACSM's top fitness trends for 2011

Have you seen ACSM's top fitness trends for 2011?? If not go to http://www.stonehearthnewsletters.com/acsms-top-fitness-trends-for-2011/corporate-fitness/ and check this out. Unfortunately, Pilates has fallen off of the top 10. The number one trend is EDUCATED AND EXPERIENCED FITNESS PROFESSIONALS. Hallelujah, as I do believe this is needed.

2. Fitness programs for older adults
3. Strength training
4. Children and obesity

6. Core training

9. functional fitness
10. Physician referrals

These are key and as I continue to study and grow, I do agree with this list. Check it out and let me know what you think. These guidelines are on track and I believe we need to be using them for our focus. Heed well.

Club Industry 2010 - thank you

Thank you for all who attended my sessions at CI 2010. It was a great show and the quality of attendees was outstanding, asked great questions and stimulated lots of conversation. There is a lot of work to be done to be the professionals we want to be. I am ready if you are.....here is to elevating our standards and being the best!!

View the Club Industry article on
"Networking with the Medical Community" here.

Club Industry 2010

Club Industry 2010...is now here. I will be presenting 2 programs both at 11:30; one on Thursday, October 7 (Medical Strategies for the Fitness Professional) and one on October 8th (Training the trainers for 2011). The presentations will be posted soon for your interest and valued attendance. Let me know what you gained from the presentation. Thanks again!!

You can view PDFs of both presentations below:
"The Seven Strategies in Medial Networking"
"Teaching, Coaching, and Preparing the Fitness Professional for 2011"

Dr. Stuart McGill, PhD seminar, Denver, Colorado

I just returned from Denver, Colorado where the Chiropractors of Colorado held their state convention. Yes, the chiropractors and me. There were actually other professionals there as well.

Regarding the presenter, Dr. McGill, he was absolutely fantastic and unbelievable. I was exhausted but learned loads and the clients I train, and the trainers I teach will be receiving this information as best I can. The research he has conducted and the impact he has had on many disciplines has been enormous.

I encourage all to study his work and utilize the information for the betterment of all those who are weak in the lumbo-pelvic area or have been injured.

In our industry, we must progress, continue to study and provide quality care for our clients. If we are not, we are not being true to ourselves.

State of Florida Club Spa and Fitness Association

Just returned from the CSFA conference in Jupiter, Florida. What a wonderful experience and opportunity. I had the privilege of meeting some great folks and leadership under the direction of Pam Caldwell. Committee member Shayne Kohn invited me to speak and I am grateful to have had the chance to share with the association. My second presentation "Being H.I.P." can be viewed by clicking the link below:

You can view the "Being H.I.P." presentation here.

I greatly appreciate the folks that attended and look forward to more interaction in the future.

IDEA World Conference

To those who attended my seminar at the IDEA World Conference, I couldn't thank you enough. You were wonderful, attentive and asked brilliant questions. Thank you for your attendance and focus. It was a great opportunity to share with you and I look forward to our interaction again.

American Council on Exercise

Just returned from a meeting with the American Council on Exercise (ACE). I am impressed with their direction, focus, development of their assessment piece, the credentialing process, and overall professionalism. The seek input (thus why I was there) and respect the integrity of our profession. When others may falter, ACE will remain leading the pack and I am very proud to be associated.

IDEA World Fitness Convention, August 4-8, 2010

For those of you attending the "World" in Los Angeles, California....don't forget to register for my extended session (if interested). The session is entitled, "Zone in on Lower Back Post rehabilitation - Synergy, Science and Income." It will be held on Sunday morning. Would love to have you in attendance. The latest research studies and application will be presented. IDEA has contracted for the session to be video taped so it will be available on CD after the conference!!! See you there.

"Sales Tips for Personal Trainers"

Check out the informative article from IDEA Fitness Manager here.

Cardiovascular Health Goals

The American Heart Association's (AHA) 2020 impact goals were established last year and stated: "By 2020, to improve the cardiovascular health of all Americans by 20% while reducing deaths from cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and stroke by 20%."

While this is a staggering goal with lots of work to do....The article in IDEA Fitness Journal, May 2020, page 14 also states.. "The AHA recognizes that defining and setting goals is a major first step, it is exercise professionals and health/fitness advocates who will direct the charge and implement exercise and intervention campaigns to inspire citizens to realize these goals."

Our work as fitness professionals is "cut-out for us". The statistics from the 2009 Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics (Lloyd-Jones et al. 2009) reported that 62% of adults over 18 years of age lead completely sedentary lifestyles.

We just have to encourage people to MOVE.....and keep MOVING. Do you all agree?

hip flexors

Thought.....if you have a middle age woman, wanting to get into shape, not competing for an athletic event, why would you have her hang by an overhead bar, and have her pull her knees up to her chest??? I wish someone would explain this to me. Am I missing something?? Seriously....are we stable enough within the scapula-thoracic area...do we really recruit more than the iliopsoas...how much abdominal is recruited during this movement...

Yes, this can be discussed, but shouldn't it be discussed before we tried the movement on a middle age woman? AND is this exercise appropriate for this gal?? THINK!!!!!

thank you for the "listening" today

Thanks to the MFA and their respective "listening" for today's teleconference. It was a unique experience and I am grateful for the questions and the attendance. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to contact me......

In time with Post Rehabilitation

When I have the opportunity to see clients who have had injury, illness, disease, etc., it always amazes me how rushed we all want to return them to being 100% immediately. The deeper I get into the fitness post rehabilitation "mode", the more I have realized that we all need to "slow down". The need to allow the muscles to respond, the need to allow the joints to acquire the support, the need to be patient so that the body can begin and continue to heal. In addition, when I say rushed, I am meaning that our program design takes the progression too fast too soon. Unloaded programming may take longer than we wish to admit. The key is to ask why are we rushing? Are we wanting to progress the client and demonstrate more difficult exercises?.....wrong! Are we wanting to show progression......may be, but more than likely, we as fitness professionals think we need to .....WE DO NOT. Slow down, allow the muscles to respond, allow the body to heal and perform correctly, and continue to provide quality of care.

Spring is in the air

Thanks to all who came to the conference in Wichita. We had a nice turnout and I am hopeful we can do this again. The energy and intellectual conversation only empowers us to move forward to help our clients and professional. We can truly become better professionals when we are studying and in discussion.

Workshop, March 6th.....Don't miss it!!

Registration is now available at the door on March 6th. Looking forward to seeing you there. There is lots planned, don't miss it.

Registration to take place at the door.

Greetings......

This next weekend is the "Fitness Professionals: Learning the business and Making Money" conference to be held at the Wichita Hilton Garden Inn located at 2041 N. Bradley Fair Parkway. Please register soon, or contact me via my e-mail if you intend to come. A lot of exciting things are planned and I guarantee you this conference is PRICED right to include networking with other professionals and Continuing Education Credits with the American Council on Exercise.

See you next weekend at 7:30 a.m.

Conference, March 6th, 2010, Wichita, Kansas

Thanks for checking out my website. I am so pleased to be offering, "Fitness Professionals: Learning the Business and Making Money" Conference to be held March 6, 2010, at the Hilton Garden Inn, Wichita, Kansas. The agenda is set, the numbers are growing and I am very much looking forward to having you there. If you have any questions don't hesitate to call.

See you soon.

Wendy Williamson, PhD

Conference in Overland Park, KS

Please check upcoming events. 68 Inside Sports is hosting my workshop that will focus on the business development of fitness professionals, Reactive Neuromuscular Training and the review of the anatomy. There will be a lot of hands-on and interaction to facilitate and grow your business. I hope to see you there...... : )

Upcoming Workshops

Please be advised that I will be in the Kansas City area January 30-31 at 68 Inside Sports. There we will be providing a workshop on the business of the fitness professional, assessment: RNT and reviewing the anatomy. There will be CEC's provided. Check back as more information becomes available.

thanks so much.