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Getting a personal trainer during Covid-19

Sep 9, 2020 Eric Toussaint 6 Comments

Obviously the state of play for personal training has changed for personal trainers and their clients. My clients are in three camps – Some train at parks or tracks, some are doing virtual workouts and a very few are coming to the gym. These are established clients and the transition has been fairly easy.

The bigger question for me and the industry is what to do with a new client that doesn’t want to go to the gym and really wants the in-person experience. Well it seems straight forward, just take it outside. But what happens with winter coming?!

My answer is to to make your move now; get your clients up and running outdoors and start gently easing them toward the idea indoor/virtual workouts. This goes for your current clients that are training outdoors as well. In a few weeks you will have established a nice working relationship with your new client(s) and then you can start to move forward with the winter planning.

Start by explaining to them that with just a few pieces of equipment that their homes can be workout ready with very little effort. This shouldn’t be too hard as they are already used to going minimalist by now anyway. Also encourage them to start ordering equipment now; it’s hard enough to get home exercise equipment these days and will only get worse with the colder months coming soon.

Get your clients acclimated to this shift now and you should be set for a strong fall and winter.

Train Hard, Train Safe!!

The New Knee

Aug 31, 2020 Eric Toussaint 6 Comments

It seems that my favorite thing to blog about are my knees. So here’s the latest update. I just recently 7/27/20 had a Mako partial knee replace in my right knee (https://bit.ly/2YQGk76).

Within the past year I had both of my knees scoped to repair the meniscus. I was down to fifty percent of my cartilage left in my right knee and the medial aspect was bone on bone. The pain that it causing just got to a point where I had to make a move.

It’s been a little over a month and my physical therapy is going well and I have no more joint pain. Of course I was in a lot of pain for the first week and physical does hurt but less and less every day.

I’m told that I should be able to get back all the range of motion I had with my real knee and am looking forward to getting back to my martial arts training and hopefully squatting again some day.

So far so good…I’ll keep you posted as I am more able.

Train Hard, Train Safe!!

It’s not worth it, be safe!!

Aug 26, 2020 Eric Toussaint 6 Comments

Hello fitness community! I hope everyone is safe and well. I am writing today with few thoughts on gym safety during Covid-19 for the personal training community.

Is your gym doing enough?! To me enough is requiring social distancing, wearing a mask at all times, and cleaning regularly and often. All three of these safety steps are critical.

Let’s talk about mask wearing while working out. Let me first define what I mean when I say wearing a mask – wear it correctly! Not under your nose. And definitely not under your chin.

Unfortunately I have watched first hand as gym owners get lax on the rules, and members, for all intents and purposes, end up with their masks becoming necklaces. The result, in my humble opinion, is a potentially very dangerous environment.

Obviously, heavy breathing comes with exercise, which makes it all the more necessary to make sure your mask is covering your face. Is it uncomfortable at times? Quite frankly, yes, but as human beings we are quite adaptable and if you ease into it you should be ok. I liked this article’s (https://about.underarmour.com/news/2020/06/expert-advice-wearing-face-mask-while-working-out) explanation of “getting used” to wearing a mask.

So let’s be clear – it is safe and possible to workout (even intensely) while wearing a mask! As personal trainers, we need to dispel the myths that this is dangerous and ensure our clients are following all of the CDC guidelines to protect themselves and others from COVID-19. We are after all promoting a healthy lifestyle.

I unfortunately had to leave a gym recently because it was not following recommended guidelines. Everyone has their level of comfort, but remember if you catch Covid-19, you could spread it to your clients, your family, and who knows who else. We should all be taking every precaution possible. If you’re in an environment that isn’t being safe then just leave, it’s not worth it. Your clients will respect you for your decision and if you have taken the path that most trainers have these days you probably are seeing most of your clients virtually anyway.

I hope this helps…train hard, train safe!!

Are You Exercising?!

May 13, 2020 Eric Toussaint 6 Comments

Be it an albeit obvious subject for a blog post considering its source, it’s still a valid relevant question. We are in strange times and it’s extremely easy to let healthy pursuits fall to the wayside.

Just because you are stuck at home is no excuse to side step the attentions of your physical well being. There is always a way to make it work and in many ways we are now afforded with much greater control over our day to day and even hour to hour activities.

Do a little research and get it done!! Start a new exercise routine, start a new diet (check with your Doctor if you have any health concerns with any new program you are about to begin). Just do something!!

If this isn’t convincing enough take a look at this article I came across and pay close attention to what exercise does for your immune system https://www.norwalkhospital.org/newsroom/article-listing/adults-exercise-and-covid19.

Pandemic or not, exercise is something everyone needs!! Take advantage of the time you have and establish healthy habits.

Be well and be safe!!

Great Time for a Diet!!

May 4, 2020 Eric Toussaint 6 Comments

So we’re home and we’re eating healthy right?! Not necessarily, we certainly have the ability to cook and prepare everything for ourselves, but food is good and it provides comfort. And let’s face it we are in some need of comfort in these trying times.

Some of my clients are struggling with their diminished ability to get out and about/lower levels of activity and their increased intake of food. Input vs. output will catch up to you and quickly if you’re not careful.

So what to do?! Simple, take advantage of the extra time you have and start a diet. You’ll never find better circumstances to control your food intake, prep and meal choices. That being said pick a diet you like and start it. I’m sure most of you have a diet book or two collecting dust on your shelves.

Grab that book or maybe buy a new diet book or find something online and make it happen!!

How we come out this mentally and physically will have a great deal to do with how we take advantage of of the time we have been given.

Don’t squander this opportunity.

What are you doing at home?

Apr 30, 2020 Eric Toussaint 6 Comments

First and foremost I hope that you and your family are well and safe.

What are you doing at home? Let me know!!

Here is my humble home program:

Monday and Friday

Knuckle push-ups 25 reps

TRX rows – 30 reps

Horse stance 1:30 sec

5 sets

Stretch for 35 min

Tuesday and Thursday

Kung Fun training 1 hour

Wednesday

Kettlebell swings 200x each side

Saturday

Yard work

Have you ever thought of going Vegan?

Nov 18, 2019 Eric Toussaint 6 Comments

It was recommenced to me recently that I watch a Netflix documentary – The Game Changers https://gamechangersmovie.com . I was reluctant and said I would watch this movie with a piece of steak in my mouth.

Within the first fifteen minutes I was starting to think that I may seriously try to become a Vegan. I really can’t do any justice in trying to reiterate the powerful appeal that this movie has to move the needle with diet and overall health but I do highly recommend that you watch it.

I am currently on day three of my new dietary experiment. I have noticed that my gut is going to need a little time to adjust to this new fuel source. Some minor bloating and a few rumbles, fortunately nothing too bad and as I understand it is quite common while adjusting.

My energy levels are high and my strength is good…I am lifting heavy (as much as my 48 year old body can handle lol) and will be at my martial arts school tomorrow…I’ll let you know how it goes.

It has been fun and interesting shopping for foods I would normally never even know existed or ever eat. Over the weekend I bought oat milk, cashew cheese, lentils and tofu. I don’t know if this will be sustainable but I am giving it the old college try.

I can’t say that I would recommend this to my clients but I would definitely recommend watching the moving just at the very least to gain a better understanding.

I’ll let you know how I am feeling in a month or so…

Train Hard, Train Safe!!

The Saga of the Knee Continues!!

Oct 23, 2019 Eric Toussaint 6 Comments

So I am thirteen days out from my second meniscus repair. This time is was my left knee. I am happy to report that my recovery has been significantly faster this time around (my right knee meniscus surgery was a in early September).

I was able to start leg workouts with my stitches still in and cut my grass, trim and edge. I asked my doctor why my the recovery was so much faster this time around. The answer I got was simply that it’s kind of impossible to know. I’m not one to look a gift horse in the mouth but it is curious. My left leg has always been stronger, perhaps that has something to do with it.

I can say that my workouts were as consistent as possible and I’m sure the pre-op and post-op workouts helped. I hope to be back to my martial arts school by mid November.

The only advice I can impart that may potentially help is – Go to a good Orthopedist and get a handle on the situation. Keep up your workouts as best you can (pain permitting), you will be stronger pre-op and recover faster post-op.

Hope this helps!!

Train Hard, Train Safe!!

Just Keep Moving!!

Sep 19, 2019 Eric Toussaint 6 Comments

So here we are two weeks from my meniscus repair and all seem to be going well. Two days ago I had my first leg work out – five sets leg press topped out at 5 plates. I haven’t had to use crutches and will hopefully be back up to speed in time for the left knee surgery in mid-October.

What I’m getting at here is always keep moving. My work before and after the surgery is just as important as the surgery itself. Good pre-op health and fitness levels are key. This prep work can take on many forms and of course certain populations will have limitations. But do something!!

Lose weight if you need to, strengthen the area affected (if possible), and the rest of your body while you’re at it. I know that’s a little general but I think you get the idea and if anyone reading this wants advice please feel free to contact me directly. And as always check with your Doctor first.

Then of course once you’re post-op do whatever you can as well, go to PT, swim, walk, lift, Tai -Chi or whatever you are able to do (of course under the guidance of your Doctor/Physical Therapist).

If you have a plan your recovery will be much faster!!

I hope this helps and I’ll let you know what happens with the other knee soon.

Train Hard, Train Safe!!

Tune Up Time

Aug 28, 2019 Eric Toussaint 6 Comments

Well it has certainly been an age since my last blog post and I apologize for that. New business ventures and life seem to have gotten the better of me.

So lets jump right in…
All is well in JETT world but Mr. JETT needs a tune up. If you have ever ready and of my prior ramblings you’ll know that my knees are known to give me issues on occasion. Well that occasion is nigh and it seems that it’s time to get both of them scoped.

Anterior, medial osteoarthritis is the diagnosis. The main contributing factors are – I am mildly bow legged and have flipped the odometer a few times (yes wear and tear is one of the aging theories). Eventually I think it will lead to partial knee replacements. That technology has come a long ways and it pretty cool it’s worth checking out this link (http://bit.ly/2NASUCr). These two upcoming surgeries will be mainly clean-up and quick trims of the meniscus that is fraying in both knees.

Well of course when it rains it pours, I have had elbow issues over the past year as well. Right elbow was tennis elbow, I seem to have to have taken care of it through diligent stretching and rehab exercises. However the left elbow has some calcification and damage to one of the tendons. It was recommended that I try platelet-rich plasma treatment (PRP). Really the jury is still out but I trust my Doctor and am going to get my left elbow worked on while I am forced into some downtime for the knee. Check out this link for better description (https://www.regenmd.com/services/prp-therapy).

And of last but not least as I am ramping up for this this knee surgery, my neck is giving me trouble as well. 90 minutes at jump zone with the kids two weeks ago; I don’t think I’ve ever done as many flips in my life. Anyway getting a little chiropractic work to address the issue. I am currently on vacation and trying to lay low and let my body heal.

This seems to happen every two to three years for me, I have to take time and go into a tune up mode. I guess I should look at the bright side. I have started blogging again.

I’ll keep you posted as to progress…

Categories

Getting a personal trainer during Covid-19

The New Knee

It’s not worth it, be safe!!

Are You Exercising?!

Great Time for a Diet!!

What are you doing at home?

Have you ever thought of going Vegan?

The Saga of the Knee Continues!!

Just Keep Moving!!

Tune Up Time

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