3 Bootcamp Fitness Trends for 2010

I realized, after watching the England vs. USA World Cup game on Saturday afternoon, that everyone loves predictions. It was almost as entertaining to see all the “experts” predict the score of the game than it was to watch the match.

Only one expert got the score right, although it’s no big deal to be wrong…letting in the weakest goal in World Cup history, on the other hand, has serious consequences. Poor old Robert Green.

And while watching the match, I realized it’s not too late to make my own predictions on the most important bootcamp trends for 2010.

But these predictions aren’t just guesses. I don’t expect to be wrong, but I can assure you that failing to pay attention to these predictions will have serious consequences.

So here are the 3 bootcamp trends that I predict will separate the ELITE bootcamp trainers from those who struggle.

1) The trainer with the most interval training variations will win

You simply can’t do long, slow, boring cardio in a bootcamp. First, you already know that isn’t a good use of your time. And second, no bootcamp client will stick around paying you $10-20 per session just to be told to run around a park for 20 minutes.

But since almost every bootcamper is there for fat loss, that means you have to come up with fun, cool, and new ways to do interval training. You can’t rely on just one method.

You can use fun games, obstacle courses, shuttle runs, intervals with equipment, and TT Bootcamp style challenges to replace traditional interval training where you run in a straight line.

The more options you have, the more your clients will get results, love your bootcamps, and refer their friends to join your bootcamp.

2) The trainer with the most exercise weapons will win

I’m not just talking about workout straps, kettlebells, stability balls, power wheels, and bands. Those are all really cool to have, but they cost “the big bucks” (especially if you have a big class) and equipment is always a pain in the butt to carry around.

So the best way to stock your training arsenal with a wide variety of exercise weapons is to know as many bodyweight exercises.

If you don’t know at least 10 different pushup variations, 5 unique ways to do lunges, or 11 different ab exercises (not including crunches, since you want to avoid that movement), but your competition does, then you could find yourself in trouble as bootcampers look for new challenges and variety in your workouts.

I highly recommend you search high and low, on Youtube and in old school bodyweight training books to find as many bodyweight moves as possible to liven up your bootcamps.

3) The trainer with the most marketing tools will win

At the end of the day, you can still have the biggest exercise database and the coolest equipment, but if you don’t have bootcampers than you don’t have a bootcamp!

That’s why you need to learn simple, easy, and powerfully effective bootcamp marketing ideas from my friends Bedros Keuilian, Steve Hochman, Chris McCombs and Leanne Ellington. I interviewed them for the TT Bootcamps program as free bonus to give to you to make sure that you have everything you need to succeed with your bootcamp.

To help you take advantage of these 3 trends, I have put together the ultimate bootcamp training and marketing resource here:

=> http://www.TTBootcamps.com/31workouts

To your success,

Craig Ballantyne, CSCS, MS
Author, TT Bootcamps

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10 Step Guide to Becoming a Successful Personal Trainer

Is personal training still a good career? How do you get started in the industry? What certifications are the best? All of that and much, much more in this 10 step guide to becoming a successful personal trainer….

First, you have to care about people, not money. If you care about people and you’re passionate about exercise, health, and nutrition, then personal training should be a great career fit for you.

However, it’s not rainbows and lollipops.

Most trainers barely eek out a living. If you already have a job, the best thing to do would be to volunteer to train a few friends at all times of the day (you’ll need to enjoy training someone at 6am and 7pm on the same day if you want to have a full time job in the industry). It’s not a 9-5 gig, but if you love it, you’ll live with that, right?

What about the economy? Will personal training remain a viable career in the new economy?

The good news is that fitness bootcamps have become more popular and that gives you the opportunity to help more people while making an equal or greater income than regular one on one training.

Other bright sides: Depending on where you live, there is likely to remain a desire for one-on-one training from upper income individuals. Obviously if you live in Hoboken, NJ, the demand will be greater than if you live in Detroit, MI.

My friend and successful personal trainer studio owner Alwyn Cosgrove says that both the low-priced big box gyms and the high-end private personal training studios are doing well right now, but the guys in the middle are not.

Corporate fitness programs also seem to be a positive opportunity going forward as companies work to decrease their health insurance costs (among the many benefits of having healthy, fit, employees).

But there’s also the reality of the the down side. I’m not optimistic the general US economy is going to get better anytime soon…nor the economy in Europe…although Canada and Australia should fare better and Asia probably holds the greatest opportunity. The South American market is maturing, but will be years before it is like that of Canada or Australia.

That said, marketing expert Dan Kennedy likes to say, “all weather is local“…meaning no matter what the average American unemployment rate, there is always going to be areas where there are a lot of people with above average incomes and interest in one-on-one personal training…I guess it all depends on where you live – or on your flexibility in traveling for this career.

And if you’re just getting started, your options are like most other industries…you will need to “apprentice” somewhere when you start out…and this could mean working in a private studio or a big box gym.

Like everything in life, your success depends on the connections you make. In order to make the right connections, you will need to invest in your education by traveling to seminars or in an internship. These types of investments are usually worth every penny and more.

While still in University (which cost a large fortune), I spent a smaller fortune traveling to strength training seminars. But again, it was worth every penny.

With that general advice out of the way, let’s get into…

The 10 Step Plan for Success in the Fitness Industry

Here’s what I would do if I had to do it all over again…

1) I would get a certification from ACE, ACSM, NSCA, NASM, Can-Fit Pro (if canadian), CPTN (if Canadian), ISSA, or CHEK.

2) I’d get insurance (you should be able to do this without a certification – but I’m not 100% sure).

3) I would start training everyone and anyone I could for free (friends, family, work mates)

If you take the 6am-7pm personal training test (mentioned above) and pass it with passion, then keep going. If not, admit the fitness industry is not for you, and just stay passionate about fitness as a hobby, and re-commit yourself to your current job or continue to look for something else on the side.

I’m one of those optimists who believe that we all should be able to find a vocation in life that we love and are passionate about.

Also, one exercise I suggest you do – even before you start all of this – is to ask yourself:

• “What is my purpose/higher calling here on earth?”
• “What did my higher power put me here on this earth to do?”
• “Who was I put here to serve?” (this helps you determine your “niche market”)
• “What skill/ability do I have that NO ONE else in the world can do better?”
• “What do I want my legacy to be?”

This will guide you through the rest of the steps…

4) As soon as possible, I’d start finding paying clients through referrals.

(NOTE: I’d be doing all of this as a “side gig” while sticking to real job. Yes, it’s going to cause burning the candle at both ends…but these transitions always do).

I’d also develop a business based around group training (semi-private groups or large bootcamps) as soon as possible.

5) I’d start connecting with all local experts/veterans of the fitness industry. Find a mentor. You might have to knock on 20 doors till you find the right person, but it will be worth it.

6) I’d start attending seminars as soon as possible. Be strategic about your attendance…make a list of questions to ask and people to meet and don’t leave until each objective is crossed off. The most successful trainers are often the ones who leave with the most resources. And never, ever stop learning. If you do, you’re done. You’ve lost your passion and it’s time for you to move on.

7) I’d continue to network, build relationships, help others, and grow “the pie bigger” rather than trying to increase only my slice of the pie. Help as many people as you can.

“You can get everything in life you want if you will just help enough other people get what they want.” – Zig Zigler

Each day I’d spend time focusing on my gratitude for the opportunity to work my dream job (if the earlier line of questioning has determined this is it). I’d focus on being happy and ignoring the negativity that fills the world. I’d take the energy that other people spend on fighting the negativity and I’d direct it into even more passion towards helping others, learning more, and becoming better at what I do.

People are attracted to passionate people.

Remember the Crocodile Hunter (RIP). Crikey, he made people care about snakes and spiders. If he can do that, then you and I can make people care about feeling amazing and reaching their full potential through nutrition and exercise.

9) I’d follow passionate people in other industries through Facebook and Twitter. Follow Gary Vaynerchuck (read his book, “Crush It”), Carrie Wilkerson, and your favorite music stars and actors (positive people only). Watch how they interact with people and make their followers happy. Learn from them and do the same for the people who look up to you.

10) Believe in yourself. Whether it is losing fat or building the career of your dreams, everyone success story I’ve met KNEW that without a doubt they were going to be a success. They ALL believed in themselves. You must do that too.

So think back to when you were doing something that you KNEW was going to happen (could have been when you KNEW that you were going to get your spouse to marry you, or when you KNEW that your team was going to win your high school football championship or when you KNEW that you were going to ace that final exam)…that’s the feeling that you must have now.

You MUST have that feeling, you must have confidence, you must have passion, and you must have that helping mindset (others call it an “abundance mentality”). Those are the “gotta haves” that only you can build in yourself…the fitness info is easy to teach (it’s not rocket science)…the technical skills should never be an issue…its the “inner game” that is up to you.

That’s it. The 10 steps to becoming a successful personal trainer.

Your friend,

Craig Ballantyne, CSCS, MS
Author, TTBootcamps Workouts

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Fitness Bootcamp Marketing : Do You Make This HUGE Mistake With Your Fitness Bootcamp Workouts?

I spent an entire weekend with bootcamp gurus Steve Hochman, Chris McCombs, and and Bedros Keuilian…

Awesome times!

They taught me so much about running fitness bootcamps, and I am going to interview them for the new bootcamp workout blog I’m building.

Stay tuned for secrets on how to build an amazing fitness bootcamp business while working just a few hours per day.

Can’t wait…

But in the meantime, let’s talk about 2nd biggest mistake in most bootcamp workouts that drives me freaking insane.

I saw a perfectly terrible example of it this morning.

As you might know, I walk my puppy, Bally the Dog, every morning here in Toronto, and five times per week we walk by a bootcamp class.

And every single day these trainers are doing something wrong.

Today, the big mistake was letting the class do the exercises with bad form.

Back when I was training 8-12 clients per day, I would get SEETHING mad watching other trainers put their clients through exercises while allowing bad form.

I bet my BP went to 220/160 watching that crap.

So negligent, and so ignorant.

Don’t you agree that this is irresponsible?

Teaching someone to do an exercise is NOT hard!

I just don’t understand why trainers allow bad form. So what if you are training 10-20 people at the same time, there’s no reason to allow it.

I know you’re sitting there nodding your head and agreeing with me.

I bet you see bad form all the time and it probably makes you mad too.

So let’s agree to do something about it. Let’s agree to commit to stressing proper form in our classes…after all, that will give our clients BETTER results!

Let me know how your fight against bad form goes,
Craig Ballantyne, CSCS, MS

PS – For the best NO-equipment workouts done with proper form…

…get your Turbulence Training Done-for-You Bootcamp workouts.

Plus, you’ll get Steve Hochman’s SEVEN secrets to NO-cost marketing that will help you build a six-figure bootcamp.

Click here to get that life-changing Fitness Bootcamp program!

PPS – With the best classes, fast results, and Steve’s marketing tips, I bet you can double your bootcamp income in just 3 months.

Let me know how it goes!

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Fitness Marketing : Marketing Your Fitness Bootcamps With Facebook!

Twitter this. Facebook that. It seems like everyone is talking about Facebook and Twitter these days. The problem is that you have Facebook and Twitter accounts and only seem to waste time talking to old high school friends. So are these “social media” sites useless or are they really a good way to build your fitness business?

The good news is that Facebook and Twitter are proven ways to build fitness bootcamps, market your gym, and even sell more fitness ebooks and DVD’s. My research has shown that Twitter is better for selling e-books while Facebook is better for getting clients to bootcamps, gyms, and personal training. So let’s look at Facebook first.

The most popular way to use Facebook is to set up a personal profile and become friends with everyone you’ve ever known. But when using Facebook for professional reasons, you need to be picky about who you friend.

Focus on building a network of quality Facebook friends, as this can be even more powerful than building an email list, because with Facebook, you can learn much more demographic information about your friends (birthdays, age, interests, etc.).

The real power of Facebook is found in what is called, “the news feed”. Every activity and action you take inside of Facebook is relayed to everyone in your network (i.e. your friends) and this can spread virally.

The best way to use the power of the news feed is to share video and photos of your bootcamps and personal training facility. This will alert all of your Facebook friends, and if one of them watches your video, it will alert all of their friends that they are watching your video. That’s how your video can spread between networks and will attract high quality connections back to you.

You can also get high quality friends by creating a Facebook group. For example, if you live in Fargo, North Dakota, you might start a Fargo Fitness group, and invite everyone in Fargo who lists “fitness” as one of their interests to join. This is a great way to build quality friends and you can then have a conversation about fitness with those people, and eventually turn them to the topic of your training.

Each day you should add up to 20 new friends, focusing on high quality friends. You could even outsource the “friending” of people to an assistant. For everyone that signs up for your group, your assistant could go through their friend list and “add/friend” everyone from their list.

However, always focus on building relationships first, and don’t be too heavy-handed with your marketing or always asking people to buy or signup for training or bootcamps. Instead, just be friends and become a trusted expert in the area of fitness to your Facebook network. Once folks trust you, they will be happy and eager to pay for your services.

Finally, you can also use Facebook is to start a Fan Page. This might sound silly, but if you run a bootcamp in Fargo with 60 members who also use Facebook, then you should start a Fan Page devoted to your bootcamp and invite all of your members to join. This way, you can communicate directly to those fans without having to go through email (and therefore you don’t have to worry about pesky spam filters).

Plus, building a Fan Page will get indexed by Google, and folks searching for “Fargo Bootcamp” on Google will have a good chance of coming across your Facebook Fan Page. Just remember to put your keywords in the title of your Facebook Fan Page. Building a Fan Page is one of the fastest ways to get business boosting results with Facebook.

Even though that sounds like a lot of work, you only need to spend 10 minutes a day on Facebook. Log in, post a link, update your status, add a video, and tell your friends to check it out. That’s it. Soon you’ll have a full bootcamp and you’ll be making big bucks working just a few hours per day and having fun with fitness bootcamp workouts.

Discover “Done-For-You” Bootcamp workouts to help you make six figures running fitness workouts at:

Craig Ballantyne is a Certified Strength & Conditioning Specialist and writes for Men’s Health and Oxygen magazines and will help you burn fat without long, slow cardio sessions or fancy equipment.

Discover more money making bootcamp secrets at boot camp fitness workout marketing secrets to help you make more money teaching fitness while working less than ever before.

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