In this first of a five-part series, Rachel Balkovec—the first female strength and conditioning coach in the history of professional baseball—provides an overview of her journey and how she got into professional baseball. This video starts with her recruitment by the University of New Mexico and includes her journeys to the Dominican Republic.
For emerging athletes to move properly and develop athletic skills, they must first develop proficiency in fundamental motor skills. The ABCs of athleticism, therefore, must reflect the development of fundamental motor skills first, and specific athletic skills second.
Personal trainersCoachesExercise TechniqueProgram designLTADmotor skills developmentlong-term athletic developmenths-coaching
Those who are in key decision-making positions should understand the importance of proper research, validation, and implementation procedures when developing physical fitness standards.
TSAC FacilitatorsTesting and EvaluationSafetyphysical fitness testingtesting for job applicantsPhysical fitness standards
Creating life changing experiences takes time and does not often happen overnight. Sometimes it can be one mind-blowing experience but more often than not it is a series of great experiences delivered over a period of time that leads clients to settle on a fitness home and become raving fans.
Personal trainersOrganization and AdministrationProfessional DevelopmentFitness IndustryPersonal Training Business
This article discusses lactate testing as a cost-effective alternative way to create advanced exercise prescriptions, as well as opening the possibility of being a new biomarker of metabolic health for personal trainers.
Personal trainersExercise ScienceProgram designClient Consultation|AssessmentLactateBiomarkerMetabolic HealthAnaerobic Glycolysis
Establishing a relationship and communicating with your clients in simplified terms that they can understand is a critical aspect of the training process. If you are not taking the time to do this, start now, and it will make the whole experience better for everyone involved.
Personal trainersProgram designClient Consultation|AssessmentCommunicationPersonal TrainerClient InteractionCoaching Cues
Many personal trainers work with clients who are dealing with musculoskeletal pain that has negative consequences both on the client’s ability to exercise and their activities of daily living. This article discusses the different types of pain, and describes targeted approaches for training clients with persistent musculoskeletal pain.
Personal trainersProgram designProfessional DevelopmentPainPain Management
Because habits are contextually linked, it is reasonable to suggest that modifying the environment may disrupt the habit process and allow conscious intention to guide behavior. This article focuses on providing practical recommendations to aid individuals with intentions to exercise and eat healthy to reach their goals in the face of undesirable habits.
Personal trainersNutritionProgram designenvironmental modificationpersonal trainingbehavior modificationhealthy habits
Ankle injuries are very common and their incidence potentially can be reduced or prevented if the person has a better sense of foot position if proper footwear is worn while exercising.
TSAC FacilitatorsExercise ScienceExercise TechniqueProgram designTSACTactical StrengthBarbell Back SquatAnkle Joint ForcesFootwear for Back squat
While no recruitment process will ever be perfect, it is time to address the “legal defensibility” of physical employment standards as the primary consideration in developing recruitment guidelines that are concurrently designed to increase workplace diversity.