Fitness

Recently Answered

  • QHow can I prepare for mountain climbing?
    1 Answer
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    Int'l Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA)
    A answered
    To prepare for mountain climbing do one- or two-day climbs to know what equipment to bring, how to set camp, feed yourself and maintain your energy for daily climbing. Experience counts when climbing mountains. You don’t begin on the highest peak. You also need to know when to turn back if the weather isn’t complying or some other unforeseen difficulty arises. Competent first-aid skills are a must.

    Mountain climbing requires not just strength (to carry equipment on steep inclines) and endurance, but an ability to handle high-altitude effects on the body. Also, climbing can be an expensive sport, considering time invested and amount of gear required.
  • QWhat is an extreme obstacle race?
    1 Answer
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    Int'l Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA)
    A answered
    Extreme obstacle racing includes running, climbing, crawling and jumping through difficult, muddy terrain and daunting obstacles, while avoiding, in some cases, electric shocks. Famous promotions include Spartan and Tough Mudder, which have different difficulty levels and distance requirements. 
  • QHow can I prepare for my first extreme obstacle race?
    1 Answer
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    Int'l Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA)
    A answered
    To prepare for your first extreme obstacle race, cross training is essential. In fact, CrossFit-style functional training is a good prep workout style for these races. With so many different types of races to choose from, you need to do your homework before committing to a specific event. Extreme obstacle races are great for camaraderie, so do it with a friend or group of friends when starting out.

    There are tons of more manageable races, many of them called “mud runs” or “adventure races.” Events like the “Superhero Scramble” have more of a party atmosphere than the more challenging Spartan and Tough Mudder.
  • QWhat are the benefits of fitness trackers?
    1 Answer
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    Dr. Mark P. Caruso, MD - Miami, FL - Internal Medicine
    A Internal Medicine, answered on behalf of
    Digital fitness tracking devices come in a wide range of colors, shapes and functionality. These wearable digital devices track many things, including distance covered in a walk, run or hike, and your target heart rate during intense workouts. Using a personal fitness tracking device will make you more mindful of your activity level. Some are clip-on style, some go around your wrist, and some are small enough to tuck into your pocket. They often work together with smartphone apps and websites to help you view your activity, set health goals, share your achievements with friends and for most people, provide extra motivation to get off the couch.
  • QWhy is it so hard to stick to a diet and exercise program?
    1 Answer
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    Heidi Powell - Los Angeles, CA - Fitness
    A , Fitness, answered
    One reason it is hard to stick to a diet and exercise program is that we often put ourselves and our needs and goals on the bottom of the list.

    While you’d never think of breaking a promise made to others, you’re often not as good at keeping those you make to yourself. To put it simply, there are two types of promises: those you keep and those you don’t. “I promise”  simply means you’ll do (or not do) what you say you’ll do (or not do). The promises you make to yourself should be the most important you keep, because you are so, so important and others depend on you to be your best self. The main reason people don't keep promises is because they’re too big -- they’re inflated. Some examples:
    • I will do 30 minutes of cardio every morning.
    • I will eat five smaller meals every day.
    • I will never eat pizza again.
    These types of promises are doomed from the get-go. There is no way they can be kept.

    Another example of inflated promises is when you make too many promises to yourself at once, like if you tried to keep all three of the above promises. At one time.

    Get the picture? Something will always happen to derail these types of promises, and that’s life.

    This content originally appeared on HeidiPowell.net.
  • QWhat might affect an electrophysiology (EP) study?
    1 Answer
    A
    Dr. Ravi K. Sureddi, MD - San Bernardino, CA - Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology
    A Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology, answered on behalf of
    What might affect an electrophysiology (EP) study?
    A number of factors can affect an electrophysiology (EP) study. In this video, Ravi K. Sureddi, MD, a cardiac electrophysiologist at Riverside Community Hospital, says that sedation is one of those factors and describes how doctors work around this.
  • QHow are heart rates monitored for symptoms of irregular heart beats?
    1 Answer
    A
    Dr. Ravi K. Sureddi, MD - San Bernardino, CA - Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology
    A Clinical Cardiac Electrophysiology, answered on behalf of
    How are heart rates monitored to check for symptoms of irregular heart beats?
    Irregular heart beat symptoms can be hard to determine. In this video, Ravi K. Sureddi, MD, a cardiac electrophysiologist at Riverside Community Hospital, describes heart rhythm monitors that help doctors assess rhythms properly over time.
  • QHow can I improve my chances of getting a job in the fitness industry?
    1 Answer
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    Int'l Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA)
    A answered
    The following steps can help enhance your chances at earning a job in fitness:
    • Get educated: A degree in exercise physiology, nutrition, sports medicine, sports management or business will be beneficial -- and may be required.
    • Get certified: If you want to be a personal trainer or fitness instructor, a certification from an accredited organization will prove your qualifications.
    • Get prepared: Certification in first aid, cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), the use of an automated external defibrillator (AED) and other emergency response training may be required.
    • Get online.Visit healthclubs.com/jobs for job openings at health clubs and wellness companies. Resume posting and job searches are free with registration. You can set up automated searches that will email you with new matches.
  • QWhat jobs are available in the fitness industry?
    1 Answer
    A
    Int'l Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA)
    A answered
    Below are some of the key jobs available at health and fitness clubs.

    General manager:
    • Duties: Oversee club operations, membership and personal training sales, marketing, fitness programs and other responsibilities.
    • Requirements: Strong sales and management experience and a commitment to exemplary customer service.
    Fitness director:
    • Duties: Create and maintain fitness programming. Oversee group exercise, personal training, fitness assessments, member orientations and equipment. Responsible for hiring and supervising trainers.
    • Requirements: Must have strong supervisory experience and fitness knowledge.
    Group/aerobics instructor:
    • Duties: Lead various exercise classes and help participants maximize their results.
    • Requirements: Certification and/or instructional experience may be required, as well as an audition.
    Personal trainer:
    • Duties: Instruct clients on the proper methods of exercising according to their age, medical condition, fitness abilities and goals.
    • Requirements: Must have extensive knowledge of physical fitness and exercise.
    Sales representative:
    • Duties: Boost club sales, marketing and retention efforts by signing new members and renewing and upgrading existing members.
    • Requirements: Must have excellent communication skills, and experience in retail, telemarketing, sales and/or customer service. 
  • QWhat are the benefits of working in the fitness industry?
    1 Answer
    A
    Int'l Health, Racquet & Sportsclub Association (IHRSA)
    A answered
    Employment in the fitness industry can offer many benefits:
    • Environment: The atmosphere at most fitness clubs can be described as casual, energetic, friendly, positive and health­conscious.
    • Variety: Single­sex, corporate, family­friendly, adults­only -- whatever you’re looking for, there’s sure to be a club for you.
    • Schedule flexibility: Most clubs are open seven days a week, so there are positions for early birds, night owls, weekend warriors and everyone in between.
    • Location: There are probably several clubs within a short commute from your home.
    • Try before you commit: Part­time or independent contractor positions allow you to get your feet wet in the fitness industry, even if you work full­time elsewhere.
    • Opportunities for advancement: Many club executives got their start as personal trainers, group instructors or front desk personnel. As the industry continues to mature, professional opportunities abound.
    • Compensation: Many positions are commission­based; even instructors are sometimes paid based on club attendance. In short, great performances often result in higher compensation.
    • Other benefits can include free memberships, discounts on amenities and free babysitting for your kids. In addition, many clubs offer traditional employee benefits including health insurance (71% of clubs), matching 401(k) contributions (64% of clubs), retirement plans (76% of clubs), educational assistance (65% of clubs), life insurance (38% of clubs) and Section 125 plans (64% of clubs).