Fitness Course

Did Strand 2 of my Fitness Instructor's course on Sat & Sun. Was a very well organised course and we did both practical and theory. Was good to finally meet the FIA people I have heard so much about, these guys are so on the ball with fitness and do programme's for many Australian athletes.

I found about 70% of the class were wanting to be Personal Trainers, like myself, but had very little knowledge about a gym environment or even working into a busy week how to workout within certain time restraints. I think they will have to do quite a bit more work before they start training one on one. One of the lecturers did mention that many of the people in the class will not make it all the way as they don't have the true passion. Not ME! I was born for personal training.

Met some great people to share out experience with and we managed to learn quite a bit about ATP-CP, transverse abdominals, stretching, weight training, core stability & lactate threshold! Was a great summary of our Strand 1 book and I picked up lots of handy hints from the training pyramids to help all different levels of fitness. I found that the information wasn't all that new to me but now all fits into place properly and I have so many ideas.

Saturday was half day lecture/introduction and then running sprints (with a few pushups thrown in) near the Harbour bridge. We had to team up and take turns being the PT or client. Of course Jackie and I being the great supportive PT we both ran with the client at all times to help motivate and get results, so was a bit knackered after we did that for an hour or so. We then went into the gym and proceeded to different techniques of weight training. So tired Saturday night going home on the bus. Was meant to be going out with Peta for dinner and drinks and I was thinking I am so tired, but got my second serve. Went to Minus-5 bar, good fun, will have to post pictures up here!!

Sunday was all day in the gym doing core stability, flexibility work - using and utilising different techniques and levels of fitness. It is amazing how many people in the gym have bad form and bad technique. We were using the pump bars on our lower back to ensure we weren't tilting our pelvis whilst doing core stability work.... for anyone who I will train in the future, watch out, you will be so amazed how how strong or weak your core muscles are. The trainer was very impressed with my core stability, and quite frankly so was I. If any of you know pilates/yoga you will understand a little more about how the core muscles work. It is a hell of alot more than "just doing ab crunches". Might have to do a good size blog on my motivation page for that one.

So I now have 16 weeks to complete my assessment book. I haven't looked at it yet, decided to leave that to a fresh mind tomorrow morning when I fly to Perth for a week. What a better way to spend 5hrs on a plane hey. I will do my first aid certificate in July when I return and hopefully by mid October I will have passed my assessment and first aid and be a qualified fitness instructor. This is inside and out gyms. Who would like to sign up to be my first paying client?