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Five Tips to Motivate You to Change Your Behaviour and Improve Your Health After COVID

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Are you tired of talking about getting moving again and not doing it? Or setting your New Year’s resolutions and goals to start working out and continue putting it off? How do you change from being dormant to wanting to move and exercise again? Although this is far from easy, and there are thousands of reasons we can find why not to, I would like to share my five actionable tips to help make this process seem manageable and motivating!

No matter how difficult and out of reach your health and fitness goals seem, these techniques will provide you with the motivation and courage to get your health and fitness back on track! Let’s focus on the areas we have neglected and now need to be adjusted after the pandemic.

The below quote is one of my favourite’s and is an excellent reminder that we have the power, and no one can do this for you.

Words by Dr Wayne Dyer, the “Father of Motivation” himself, “Be miserable. Or motivate yourself. Whatever has to be done, it’s always your choice.”

Firstly, one needs to understand that humans have the unique and incredible capacity to experience a wide range of emotions. But if you let your feelings dictate your life experience without pinpointing why you feel a particular way, your emotions control you. Over time, this affects how you think and act every single day. If a sense of well-being fuels you, you’ll exude happiness and calm. If you’re bogged down by negativity, those around you will sense your unhappiness and fear. 

How can you avoid the latter? The truth is that you are entirely in charge of how you feel, including whether you feel motivated or not. Once you understand that your feelings are within your control, you’re well on your way to understanding how to control them and use them to your advantage. 

Motivation is not something people are born with – it’s something you must create. Building motivation creates the feeling of courage and certainty that you can accomplish what you set out to do. Motivation is like any other emotion. It is something you feel, and you can train yourself to access it instantly.

Learning how to get your motivation back in the face of fear, stress and anxiety take practice and persistence. Think of it as learning a new skill. Once you’ve mastered it, it can be extremely liberating. Similarly, being brave and having courage when the situation calls for it can also be cultivated. Remember that life is 10% of what happens to you and 90% of how you react to it.

Below are five ways scientifically proven to create motivation within yourself, no matter how much you don’t want to or believe that it’s not possible.

  1. Use the “5 Second Rule” by Mel Robbins and do it now.

The 5-second rule is simple. If you have an instinct to act on a goal, you must physically move within five seconds, or your brain will kill it. Hesitation is the kiss of death. You might hesitate for just a nanosecond, but that’s all it takes. That one slight hesitation triggers a mental system that’s designed to stop you. And it happens in less than, you guessed it, five seconds. Next time your alarm goes off to get up and go to the gym or do your morning exercise, count down in your head 5,4,3,2,1 and immediately push yourself out of bed. The truth is, you’re never going to feel like it, so remember that and be the one that pushes through the mental barrier and start moving! It’s been shown in studies at Harvard University that you’re 87% more likely to go and do what you set out to for the day if you just push through that initial sticking point. This simple technique can be used to start training again and can also be used to overcome depression, follow it exactly, and it just works. This same type of principle is quoted in the movie, We Bought a Zoo, Matt Damon’s character tells his son, who’s struggling to share his feelings with a girl he likes, “You know, sometimes all you need is twenty seconds of insane courage. Just literally twenty seconds of just embarrassing bravery. And I promise you, something great will come of it.”

Fear can seem overwhelming if you think you’re going to have to experience it for days or hours. But everyone can face their fear for just 20 seconds. Or even less. Often, you just have to take one simple action, knock down the first domino, which sets the whole course of things in motion. The die is cast! You force your own hand; you burn the bridge behind you; you have no choice but to engage with what follows next.

  • Acknowledge your lack of motivation or fear of getting started and confront it!

“If you really want to do something, you’ll find a way. If you don’t, you’ll find an excuse,” Jim Rohn. Acknowledge the fear that you aren’t moving enough and could be taking years off your life or that you won’t feel confident in a bathing suit at the beach or pool this summer. While you’re lying in bed and that same hesitation comes up that has been for the last two years and the feeling of not wanting to get up arises, grab on to those parts of your body that you’re feeling the least happy about, your love handles, your stomach, whatever it may be and squeeze them. Allow yourself to feel into that uncomfortable feeling and guilt and use it for good as ammunition to get yourself out of bed and start exercising. Pain is our greatest motivator of all, so don’t be afraid to use it! 

  • The “DO SOMETHING” principle by Mark Manson.

Doing something towards your health and fitness goals will provide motivation and the courage to keep moving and stay motivated. The conclusion is that if you lack the motivation to make an important change in your life, then do something, anything really, and then harness the reaction to that action to begin motivating yourself. “Action isn’t just the effect of motivation, but also the cause of it.” (Your actions create further emotional reactions and inspirations and move on to motivate your future) Action → Inspiration → Motivation. With action, you will gain inspiration and eventually be motivated to continue to train due to just starting on one small thing like going for your first long walk or doing some push-ups in your home. Pretty soon, you’ll be doing an entire workout routine with ease, without any thought of difficulty.

If you require the courage and confidence to go into a gym? Do something, such as reconnaissance to remove aspects of the unknown. Go in and check it out, meet the coaches and see where you are going into. Or you may want to just start by doing a form of mindfulness, such as downloading 1 Giant Mind or the Calm app to begin meditating or practice breathwork and box breathing. Whatever it is, just start by doing, and this will roll into inspired motivation. Remember that perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races, one after the other.

  • Find motivation in numbers.

It’s much easier to act in the company of even one other person who feels the way you do. The hardest thing in the world is to dissent solo. Sometimes, you’ll have to go it alone, of course. But often, this isn’t necessary. Find a coach, personal trainer or mentor that resonates with you, speaks your language and one you believe you would want to spend time with. That in itself can sometimes be the motivation that you require.

  • Reward yourself every step of the way.

Reinforce your successes by giving yourself a reward when dealing with what is holding you back or your fear of getting started. This could be a physical treat, like a nice bottle of wine, or a mental treat, like taking a break from training or human interaction and binge-watching a show on Netflix. By rewarding yourself and celebrating the small wins, you reinforce your motivation to take more inspired action and keep going. Don’t forget that it’s about the process, not the destination.

You are now psychologically and emotionally equipped to go out and start moving again. The only thing to do next is to decide what steps you will take today to challenge yourself and others to hit your health and fitness goals this year.

Remember that to make a change; you must find the energy not just to start but complete the change. “People often say that motivation doesn’t last. Well, neither does bathing – that’s why we recommend it daily.” — Zig Ziglar

A WellCorp health and fitness coach can help you develop the skills you need to overcome fear and reach your full potential.

Meghan Jarvis
A former World Class BMX bicycle racer, Meghan came to Australia to play professional basketball and ended up staying as a lead lecturer at the Australian Institute of Fitness. She most recently appeared as a ‘Ninja’ on Channel Nine’s Australian Ninja Warrior. Meghan’s passion for fitness and entrepreneurialism led her to found WellCorp Health and Wellness and Buzvil a global health and fitness app. She believes strongly in the importance of re-defining and bridging the gap between physical health and mental health. She is also the Total Gym BDO, Precor and Altitude Training National Master Coach, making her an authority on fitness equipment, technology, peak performance and an international speaker. Her experiences as an athlete, educational portfolio (Sports Scientist, Kinesiologist and Masters of Coaching), entrepreneurial ventures, and enthusiastic character have shaped her as a formidable leader in fitness and an international speaker.

Surfing Your Way To Success With Total Gym

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Inspired by summer creeping up around the corner and a couple of fantastic surfing videos on the new-look Total Gym website, this month I decided to write an article for our Total Gym owners – how to use Total Gym to train surfers. Many of the exercises came from GRAVITY Master Trainer Jeff Groh, which you can view on the Total Gym website.
Click here to view videos (note: these are alphabetical – click the right arrow twice to get to ‘S’). The models in the pictures below are Nicole Decker, Rob Glick and Jeff Groh.

Total Gym and Surfing

Surfing is so much more than just “getting up on the board.” And when it comes to competitive surfing – that is a whole other playing field. A very specific functional strength is required to replicate the movement patterns of surfing. The primary ones being:

  • Paddling
  • Duck Diving
  • Popping Up
  • Manoeuvres on the Board (requires a strong core for stability / balance)

To achieve functional strength, the muscles of the upper body, lower body and core have to be trained in a way that translates directly over to the sport in a synergistic manner. While isolation in some cases is necessary (core, beginner, rehab, etc.), primarily the athlete should be trained using exercises that challenge a combination of muscles – to replicate how they are challenged while surfing. This is necessary to improve or get the edge on a competitor…and is what separates the winners from all others.

Space/Time Saving Solution

As a personal trainer you want to give your client the most effective workout possible. However the time spent changing machines and moving to different areas within a room eats up time and disrupts what should be a time-efficient yet still challenging experience – particularly with professional athletes.

Total Gym ticks all the boxes because it enables you to work within a small area (a “pod”), maximising both your time and your client’s. In regards to the surfer it offers stability challenges, has core integration in most exercises, offers seamless strength transitions and near-unlimited advancements to ensure continued progression. Total Gym has incredible functional applications to almost any sport, and when it comes to surfing it is ideal for replicating many of the real-life actions of the sport.

And you don’t need to be an expert at surfing – you just need to understand the movement patterns and functional strength required to develop in the sport. Not sure what functional strength is exactly? Click on this link to read a great article by friend and colleague Dean Quirke – Understanding the Principles of Functional Training.

The added benefit of Total Gym is it is the perfect training tool not only for able-body surfers, but also surfers who have some kind of limitation or disability and are restricted by the equipment they can use.

Examples of Exercises to Benefit Surfers using Total Gym

Following are some functional exercises for the surfer using Total Gym. As we lead into summer there are loads of opportunities to start developing programs and promoting to attract novices who are ready to get back on the board or professionals who want a leading edge.

PADDLING – Surfer Lat Pull.


This popular exercise is a great way to challenge the lats/back while integrating the core, increasing the strength and endurance required for paddling out, or just prior to catching a wave (modification-high kneeling).

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PADDLING – Swimmer.

Strengthen the back musculature and arms in a swimming motion for muscle endurance. The unique thing about Total Gym is the glideboard – allowing the surfer to replicate the movement with resistance.

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PADDLING – Prone Reverse Fly with Back Extension.

Again, strengthen the back musculature with another great exercise. This position has more focus on scapula retraction and shoulders. Incorporate as little or as much back extension as the client needs.

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DUCK DIVING – Dive Bomber.

This exercise replicates duck diving under a wave or popping up on a surfboard. It could be likened to a pike, however it is quite different. The starting position has the heels raised and a neutral core position. The client ducks down towards the board, and moves into back extension. This translates into functional strength for surfers ducking under waves.

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POPPING UP – Prone to Quadraped.

While it is not safe to pop up to a standing position on the glideboard, you can pop up to a Quadraped position which is still a great stability challenge. Direction comes from the trainer (call out “pop up!”). A great method is to have the athlete performing a swimming motion on the glideboard lying prone (left), then the trainer calls and the athlete moves into the quadraped position (right).

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POPPING UP – Drop Squat.

While there are a number of squat variations that can be performed on Total Gym, all ideal for lower body functional strength for a surfer, the drop squat in particular is unique as it mimics the concept of popping up and landing in a flexed position. It also protects the knees while still providing the necessary challenge required. This is different to a normal squat in that the knees pop up, then land in a neutral position as the feet land on the squat stand. Holding additional weights at the upper body increases the challenge.

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CORE – Jack Knife.

With the SCRUNCH® accessory, you can achieve an incredible core-targeted workout. SCRUNCH® elevates core training by allowing the athlete to stretch, strengthen and stabilise the entire core and trunk for a targeted abdominal workout. This is of great benefit to the surfer who needs to acheive optimal core strength to effectively manoeuvre the surfboard.

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STRETCHES – Hip Flexor

There is a lot of shortening of the abdominals and hip flexors with the SCRUNCH exercise, so Total Gym allows the athlete to round out again by assisting an incredibly effective and deep hip flexor stretch. The glideboard allows for a dynamic stretch option so the athlete can move deeper and deeper into the stretch as required.

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STRETCHES – Hip Flexor with Reach


The Hip Flexor stretch can be modified into a 3-dimensional stretch by adding arm drivers in the sagittal plane, frontal plane and transverse plane. This offers an incredible variation with the movements, opening up the entire body and rounding everything out again.

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MOBILISATION – Foam Roller (Vertical and Horizontal)

A surfer is often in a flexed position and the spine will relish a release. Horizontal and vertical mobilisation is incredibly effective for this using the correct sized foam roller (100mm diameter). Click here to download a Foam Roller article for more about this.

MODIFICATIONS

Total Gym is an exciting piece of equipment due to the diversity and endless possibilities. Not only can this single piece of equipment achieve well over 200 exercises, you can add other training tools to enhance an exercise or further increase the exercise possibilities.

  • For enhanced strength incorporate Dumbbells, Kettlebells, Medicine Balls, Weight Bar, Plates, and more.
  • For increased functional stability incorporate a Suspension Training tool or Cable Machine.
  • For stability challenges incorporate BOSU, DuraDisc, or any other unstable platform to use with Total Gym.

The glideboard is also adjustable – it be positioned from an incline to a horizontal position to act as a bench and it can be positioned at the ground level for evolved Pilates work.

The possibilities are endless. The rest I will leave up to your imagination!

SUMMARY

The exercise prescription for surfers to achieve their goals needs to be functional, compound movements that challenge the entire body to achieve the necessary levels of strength, mobility and flexibility. And, most importantly, these need to translate directly over to the movement patterns of surfing. If you’re a Total Gym owner – then you’ve got a great way to achieve this.

Click here to download this article in PDF format and view a breakdown of each exercise including more images and progression options.

Shara Curlett
Shara began her career in the fitness industry at Les Mills Dunedin in 2005 and from there combined her passion for fitness with her strength in business to create a niche role for herself specialising in “the business of fitness”. Shara has consulted for gyms and small studios, developed an indoor cycling program, and continues to work one on one with fitness business owners as a sideline passion. As business development and marketing manager for HQH Fitness, Shara is focused on business development, company strategy and marketing.

Total Gym Test Drive Tour NSW / ACT

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Greg Doherty, CEO of HQH Fitness, talks about the latest Total Gym Test Drive Tour to NSW and ACT:

July 24th I set off on the second official Total Gym Test Drive Tour!

I was able to visit Galy O’Connor in French’s Forrest who just bought a new Total Gym PowerTower!

I checked out her home studio set-up (right) which is awesome – it just goes to show that you don’t need an expensive space to make a great business work!

Great work Galy!

From there I made the drive down to Canberra to visit a couple of facilities there. I’m happy to now welcome Graeme Sproule and his team at SportsCare and Physio Therapy in Dickson to the Total Gym family. They will be taking delivery of a new Total Gym GTS  today!

The University of  Canberra was another stop I made where I met some of the team – John Stelzer, Kate and Darren.

We did a “parking lot demo” where Darren got on board and did a workout! He gave it a good go and definitely enjoyed it.

Darren even reported back to me as being sore the next day – great job Darren!

From here I was able to visit Melanie Hrusik at Vigour PT, a customer who bought Total Gym in 2009.

Melanie has a great set-up where she has converted her garage to a full on multi-purpose training studio. Initially she purchased 3 Total Gym Classic GTS02 units.

Since then has purchased 2 more and the business grew so much that she was able to take on her husband Rowan as a second trainer in the business! They now have a great lifestyle business in a lovely neighbourhood.

Heading Back to Sydney I made a stop in at Bowral. What a lucky chance I had to see some of  Australia’s beautiful country towns. Fantastic scenery on the M5 to Canberra. And I loved the Rest Areas, where I did the “Stop-Revive-Survive”!

Back in Sydney, I discovered a new neighbourhood – Leichardt, which is an inner west suburb where the Leichardt Park Aquatic Centre is based. This is a fabulous facility in a great setting.

Here I was able to connect with an HQH Fitness customer  from years back where I showed him the new Total Gym GTS.

From here I stopped in at Fitness First Pitt St and gave a demo to several of the personal trainers there.

While I was in Sydney I did spend some time organising our warehouse stock and meeting with finance and logistics suppliers. I’m happy to say we have some great finance/rental options for Australian clients that will make it very easy  for anyone with the desire to get started with Total Gym.

Also I’m very pleased to say we met with a  new  business partner, who will be able to facilitate a new product to your door – Doorstep delivery! And, for a little more will unpack and install the product onsite. Very exciting!

I have just put together my next three Test Drive Tour dates so that we can get you to experience first-hand the new Total Gym. These are as follows:

Sydney NSW  and surrounding areas, Canberra, Newcastle Oct 5-14

Brisbane, Queensland , Gold coast Sunshine Coast  Nov 4th to Nov 9th

Melbourne Vic , Geelong and  surrounding areas Dec 4 to 10th

Book your appointment now so we can get more BOB’s! (Butts on Board!)

To jump on our next Test Drive Tour Australia – email admin@hqh.com, use our ‘Contact Us‘ online form, or phone 1800 552 878.

If you are based in New Zealand and want to check out the new Total Gym GTS, then contact Kerry our National Sales Manager on totalgym@hqh.com or phone 0800 552 8789.

Greg Doherty
Greg is the CEO and Director of HQH Fitness. As a business owner, C.H.E.K Level 3 and CHEK Holistic Lifestyle Coach Level 3, Greg has worked with thousands of businesses and fitness professionals over the past 16 years  and understands the various needs of a business. Having successfully built up the CHEK program in Australia, he is now focused on bringing the benefits of Total Gym to Australia on a larger scale.
gregd@hqh.com

Small Group Training – Breaking it Down

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There has been a significant shift within the fitness industry over the past few years with Small Group Training growing in leaps and bounds.

In the age of quick information where trends travel fast, savvy fitness professionals are getting on board with their entrepreneurial spirit by realising the benefits of training more than one client at a time.

And when you look at bottom line, Small Group Training makes inherent sense.

Total Gym®, one of the first international fitness equipment companies to truly embrace the Small Group Training model, brought this concept to the forefront of peoples’ minds when they launched their commercial product line in 2003.

With their education programs centred around Small Group Training on Total Gym, fitness business owners everywhere quickly recognised the benefits of this highly profitable and time-efficient training model.

In the following article we break down the Small Group Training model and take a closer look at this new phenomenon that is transforming fitness businesses around the world.

Small Group Training can essentially be broken down into two formats:

  1. Team Training
  2. Multi-Client Training

1. TEAM TRAINING

Team Training offers camaraderie – a group of individuals getting together for a common purpose. With a general target of 4 – 12+ participants, this is most commonly a pre-programmed approach which may or may not be musicality-based.

Different approaches fit within this model including Circuits, Stations (e.g. 2×2 or 3×3), 50:50 set up (e.g. Total Gym and Spinning), as well as Bootcamps or Challenges.

Payment is low per person, anywhere from around $10 – 20 per session (depending on what your hourly target is), making it incredibly affordable for clients.

Fiona Caddies of FiTraining, Australia, has set up her studio with the Team Training model in full effect.

She uses two Total Gym Classic PowerTowers, TRX, spinning, dumbbells, Bosu and other training tools to train multiple clients at a time.

As a result, she ensures that she lives the lifestyle of her dreams.

“I have a four day weekend, every weekend. It’s a great lifestyle choice.” Says Fiona.
Click here to view her story.

So…if you’re on board the Team Training approach the question is – how should you charge your clients?

Within the Team Training approach the most common payment options are:

  • Class Model
  • Program Model

Class Model

The class model is based around the “pay per session” concept, with the most common method being via concession card. Whilst this leaves it open for clients to drop in when it suits them, it means that attendance is uncertain and income is dependent on all booked clients showing up.

This is an unstable model that results in fluctuation in attendance and income, which can be highly affected by seasonal changes. This makes it difficult to run a business with any form of consistency.

Program Model

The Program Model is centred on certainty and is the recommended option. With a general target of around 4 – 8+ participants per program, payment is made either in advance or by direct debit / AP.

Each program has a start and end date, often 4 to 6 weeks in length, and shows active progression. Within this model your payment per session is guaranteed and the client is more motivated to attend.

In addition, by offering “make-up” sessions every week, you increase the buy-in at the beginning and ensure that your clients have the opportunity to make up any session they may have missed, but you still get paid for each and every session, regardless. You can also use this make-up session to invite any leads to experience a free session – making the most of your time.

The Program Model also works well in conjunction with the Waterfall Structure – which has been promoted heavily by Total Gym after the success of this format was seen in a US gym.

The Waterfall Structure is all about staggering your programs. This method of scheduling is centred on five key factors that ensure your success:

  1. Book out programs in advance
  2. Stagger the program start dates
  3. Ensure progression
  4. Utilise the “Sold Out!” strategy
  5. Only schedule what you can book out in advance

So there are obvious benefits in taking a Team Training approach, but what about Multi-Client Personal Training? Where does that fit in?

The distinction between the two is quite important to your business – firstly in how you position yourself and your business, secondly (perhaps most importantly) how much you charge per session and thirdly, your preferred method of training.

So now we take a closer look at Multi-Client Training.

2. MULTI-CLIENT TRAINING

Multi-Client Training is Personal Training on a slightly larger scale. Very different to Team Training, Multi-Client training is about training around 3-4 clients at a time based on their individual needs. By creating “pockets” for each client, you break each individual down into their goal, needs and challenges, and tailor the session to each individual – replicating their goal in their exercises.

This training format is more time consuming as the preparation is personalised and not as generic as Team Training tends to be. The key challenge of Multi-Client Training is working with different clients, health histories and goals and personalising the session to each individual – all in the same room.

So what are the benefits of Multi-Client Training over Team Training?

  • You can charge more per person than you would in Team Training, anywhere from $30 – 50 per 45 or 60 minute session (depending on your one on one charge out rate). This is because you are still giving a one on one training approach in your session and offering personalised attention. At the same time you are still charging less than your charge out rate for a one on one session, making it more affordable for the client.
  • By creating “pockets” or “pods” for each individual, you have each client working in their own area and you can simply rotate from client to client to help them set up each set and monitor their progress.
  • You can stagger the starting times, meaning that you can bring one client in at a time, set them up, set their agenda for the session and have them start while you bring the next client in – maximising your time with each client.
  • You empower and educate the client.

One true benefit is that clients learn how to execute exercises properly and monitor their own form and function. For those who are happy to embrace this type of education, it is truly invaluable to their wellbeing as you teach them habits for life.

David Snively of DBS Fitness, Canada, is the owner of four Total Gym Classic GTS units and is the master of Multi-Client sessions.

“It really works well from a business perspective and from a strategy perspective.” says David, whose business is completely built on a Multi-Client Training Model.

David incorporates tools such as Bosu, TRX, Cable Pulley systems, kettlebells, medicine balls and more, all around the Total Gym GTS centrepiece.

He explains how he runs his Multi-Client Training sessions in a FREE online video on GRAVITY Clubhouse. We highly recommend you watch this for ideas. Click here to sign up for free:  and then click on this link to go direct to ‘Mastering Multi-Client Sessions‘.

This video in a nutshell teaches you the best ways to master Multi-Client sessions.

So after breaking it down, you can see there are multiple approaches and opportunities within the concept of ‘Small Group Training’. From a business perspective, it’s the smart solution to training. Just be clear on how you position yourself and what you are offering.

Shara Curlett
Shara began her career in the fitness industry at Les Mills Dunedin in 2005 and from there combined her passion for fitness with her strength in business to create a niche role for herself specialising in “the business of fitness”. Shara has consulted for gyms and small studios, developed an indoor cycling program, and continues to work one on one with fitness business owners as a sideline passion. As business development and marketing manager for HQH Fitness, Shara is focused on business development, company strategy and marketing and is passionate about helping business owners achieve their goals.

Total Gym Test Drive Tour A Success!

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Greg Doherty, CEO of HQH Fitness, speaks about his “big idea” and the success of the recent Total Gym Test Drive Tour:

So far this year I’ve flown 80,144 miles to 9 locations across 3 countries, for a total of 90 days on the road. Last month in particular was a busy and exciting month and a half for me, especially because I finally got to try out an idea that I had been thinking about for years…

…My “big idea” as I liked to call it involved getting out on the road in a campervan with a Total Gym and visiting people who wanted to experience the Total Gym commercial products but hadn’t had the opportunity to do so. We have a number of GRAVITY facilities in Australia and present the Total Gym products at shows such as the Australian Fitness Expo, however we understand that not everyone has the opportunity to travel to these (particularly in the outer rural areas). So I thought, “why not take Total Gym to them?”

I always knew this idea had potential, however with the launch of the new Total Gym product line I saw the perfect opportunity to put it into action and test it out. In fact, I did not even prepare myself for how successful it would actually be!

We planned my calendar to visit Melbourne, Rural Victoria, Rural South Australia and Adelaide and my team booked my schedule with appointments in these areas. People loved the concept and my schedule was booked out well in advance.

I hired a Mid-size Campervan that was fully self-sufficient and made a great portable office (and home!), as well as enabling me to stores and transport the Total Gym GTS and accessories.

From there I was off…and what a great response I received!

I loved that I could spend quality time with people and was able to demonstrate the new Total Gym GTS to owners, decision makers, trainers and even existing clients. In several locations I even took a few clients through a session, just so the owner and/or trainer could see how their client liked the Total Gym workout. In fact in one location I did two clients back to back!

While there were some cold nights (it dropped to 2.5 degrees between Warnambool and Adelaide!), there were a few extra bonuses for me.

One was that this trip spanned the Queen’s Birthday holiday and I was able to spend the Sunday and Monday in the Otway
National Park on the Great Ocean Road. What a beautiful area, I highly recommend it!

Not to mention the Twelve Apostles which are everything they say – magnificent and scenic spectacular. Another is that I saw one kangaroo and saw a number of Koalas. What a rich and beautiful country Australia is!

This was such an incredibly valuable experience. What an opportunity to visit locations that I normally wouldn’t get to see or demonstrate such as Kilmore, Vic, Sandhurst, Dandenong, Geelong and Warnambool. Not only was this hugely successful, but it was fabulous getting to spend quality time with our most important people, our customers. Being able to see some of the fitness businesses that people are involved in and seeing the brand new ventures people are setting up was wonderful.

The response from those I visited was fantastic and some are already progressing on completing their first order of Total Gym/s, which is very exciting for us, and for them!

The great news is that as a result of this trip that exceeded my expectations, we are now planning Test Drive Tours for all parts of Australia in the next year! So if you missed out on the Test Drive tour in Melbourne, Adelaide and the points between or if you would like us to come to your area – then let us know and we will aim to bring the new Total Gym GTS to YOU to have a go and test it out!

Our next region will be from Sydney to Byron Bay in 3 months.

Future Test Drive Tours:

  • Queensland
  • Adelaide
  • Western Australia
  • Victoria
  • Tasmania

To jump on our next Test Drive Tour Australia – email admin@hqh.com, use our ‘Contact Us’ online form, or phone 1800 552 878.

If you are based in New Zealand and want to check out the new Total Gym GTS, then contact Kerry our National Sales Manager on totalgym@hqh.com or phone 0800 552 8789.

Greg Doherty
Greg is the CEO and Director of HQH Fitness. As a business owner, C.H.E.K Level 3 and CHEK Holistic Lifestyle Coach Level 3, Greg has worked with thousands of businesses and fitness professionals over the past 16 years  and understands the various needs of a business. Having successfully built up the CHEK program in Australia, he is now focused on bringing the benefits of Total Gym to Australia on a larger scale.
gregd@hqh.com

One on One Personal Training – A Dying Trend?

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The small group training model is a phenomenon that has taken the fitness industry by storm.

With so many businesses and individuals embracing this new wave of training – from large club chains to small self-employed operations – fitness professionals all over the world are discovering that the small group training model is:

  • More attractive to their clients
  • Better suited to their business
  • And best of all it increases their bottom line

So the question presents itself – is one on one personal training on its way out?

The One on One vs. Group Training Debate

Many believe that small group training is the future of fitness, while others are yet to be convinced.

Group:
Small group training (also often referred to as “team training”) allows the fitness professional to earn more and provides a more affordable option for the client…which creates a win:win solution, correct?
vs. One on One:
However, there are some within the industry who believe that small group training takes away from the individual, failing to offer the one on one personalised approach that they feel clients need and deserve.

So in an industry where trends come and go and what once was right is now wrong (and vice versa), who is right – and where does one on one training fit in moving forward?

The Business of Training

  • First and foremost it is important to come back to the ultimate goal of running a business – to be successful.
  • And success in business is defined by what the owner’s ultimate goal, targets and dream is for that business.
  • Therefore anyone operating within their business goals and working successfully towards their dream are doing exactly what they should be doing. It is not for anyone else to say they are right or wrong.

So keeping that in mind…let’s break it down.

Hands Up for Small Group Training

Small group training is not just a phenomenon as previously stated; it is in fact a trend that appears to be here to stay.

And for the average fitness professional whose business goal is centred on earning money doing what they love, the one on one model no longer cuts the mustard.

It is important to remember here that having a goal or dream around money is not a bad thing! In reality, this is the primary purpose of most businesses today.

And when we’re talking about the business of business – small group training just makes sense – from a financial perspective, from a marketing perspective and from a time perspective.

Whether presented in a team training format, or a multi-client personal training format (the difference to be explained in an upcoming blog), small group training is all about bringing a group of people together and taking them to their goals in a fun and motivating environment.

Regardless of the fact they may not get the dedicated attention they would recieve in a one on one session, anyone being trained within a group format – chooses to do so.

Programs such as Les Mills’ classes and team training are popular for a reason. They have in fact paved the way for small group training. Within a group, people experience camaraderie and connection with their fellow “team” and are inspired and motivated to challenge themselves or be challenged. All the endorphins from fitness are enhanced within a group training format.

The benefits for small group training include:

  • Presents a positive environment, with motivation and support from within the group
  • More income for the trainer
  • More affordable for the client
  • Time efficient
  • Fun and interactive

This list could go on and on.

When the clients love it and it helps the trainer to achieve their goal of earning more – how can group training be judged as “wrong”? It can’t. In fact, it’s simply smart business.

So based on this…why would an individual want to continue to offer one on one training when small group training is so attractive?

The Place of One on One Training

Rest assured one on one or private training has – and always will have – a place in the industry.

The only difference moving forward is that with more competition and cheaper alternatives, it simply requires the person running this business model to work smarter.

“Work smarter” simply means that a personal trainer or fitness professional can no longer rest on their laurels.

With more and more trainers coming into the industry offering  lower price points, group training services, not to mention marketing superstars and industry experts who stand out from the crowd…a business that chooses to work within the one on one training model should fit within the following criteria:

  • The business’s ultimate goal is not about the money. When a trainer/business owner has the dream of taking individuals to their goals in a personalised format – the one on one model can always apply. This is because they do it for the love of it, not for the money. When you make money a non-issue, it sells itself and they can offer a competitive price point.
  • The business’s ultimate goal is centred on working with a high-end market. When a fitness professional, specialist or practitioner needs to work closely with a client, one on one training ensures that they offer focus and dedication to that client only, aiming for the best results possible. They may have a money focus/goal, however at their specialised level they are able to position themselves at a rate per individual that weeds out the non-committed and meets their target hourly income.
  • The business’s ultimate goal is about presenting a package/program approach. When a fitness professional thinks ‘outside the square’, a number of ideas will come their way. By offering a package approach (including seminars, assessments and a number of add-ons or “freebies”), they can sell a package of items to an individual, thereby getting their target hourly income while still offering a one on one model.

So…Back to the Question

Is One on One Personal Training a Dying Trend?

The answer is clearly no…and it will certainly never “die”.

There is always a market for clients who want the care and attention of one on one training. They may just be harder to find, and the trainer may need to target their market better.

Trainers working within this model will need to start working smarter, be clear on the ultimate business goal that they are working towards, and understand the model that best fits that goal.

Otherwise…they could well be left behind.

Shara Curlett
Shara began her career in the fitness industry at Les Mills Dunedin in 2005 and from there combined her passion for fitness with her strength in business to create a niche role for herself specialising in “the business of fitness”. Shara has consulted for gyms and small studios, developed an indoor cycling program, and continues to work one on one with fitness business owners as a sideline passion. As business development and marketing manager for HQH Fitness, Shara is focused on business development, company strategy and marketing and is passionate about helping business owners achieve their goals.