Thanks to all the C2Go’ers who came to Fitcamp 2011 at Ribby Hall.  I had great feedback from my sessions and the event rocked. It was great to touch base with everyone. As we head into December it’s the final week of workshops this weekend and I’ll be holding the last Fitness Business Seminar at the Premier Inn NEC/Airport Birmingham. This will be the final time I run this day, so if you are teetering on whether to come or not then don’t miss it. I’ve got loads of amazing information and business building ideas to help and boost your fitness business. Bring your lap top, your phones, cameras and FLIPs PLUS pen and paper. Click here if you would like to book. I get asked a lot about Trade Marking and Branding from Instructors wanting to create their own programs and products, so Fitness Industry accountant and Specialist Tax Advisor, Andrew Crawford, has written two very informative articles that I thought would be beneficial to you. Tanith Lee who specialises in Fitness, Health and Wellness before, during and after the Menopause has written some great tips for all Fitpros who may have clients going through Menopause or who are themselves.  If this is a topic that interests you then make sure you follow Tanith on Facebook and Twitter.

And on a truly sad note, Angie Dowd who was a fantastic presenter and featured on The Biggest Loser ,took her own life yesterday. She had suffered with depression and mental health issues. Angie was an amazing trainer and one of the pioneers in Kettlebell education in the UK and Europe.  Depression and Mental Health is something rarely talked about in Fitness. As Instructors we all paint a happy, positive lifestyle to our clients, when underneath things may be very different. Cori Withell explores this in an article below.

Loads of new additions to C2Go this week including:

 

Fitness Pilates VIP Club

I have been working hard on creating the new FP VIP Club, which is for all Fitness Pilates Qualified Instructors. This will be a special members area on C2Go  that will include every month exclusive downloads, class plans, handouts, business ideas, music, PR and Marketing and FP VIP members will be able to utilise all of the new FP branding and artwork. For more information on the FP VIP Club Click here For 2012 I’ll be launching Hot Fitness Pilates, Fitness Pilates 4 Men,  Kids FP all via the FP VIP club

 

New Monthly Mentoring Package

I am introducing 2 tiers of my Mentoring and Coaching Program. The original 90 Day Coaching program will be my Gold Tier where I work with your personally on bringing new projects to fruition and getting your business systems in order. The 90 day is for more seasoned Fitpros who really feel they have gone as far as they can on their own and need my guidance to take them to the next level. So far my clients have launched books, The LBD Club, Created programs and products plus membership sites and creating online, oassive incomes.

But, since launching this I have been approached by so many Instructors who want mentoring but feel they  need to get the basics right first and need to take it all a little more slowly.  They may be just finding their feet with Social Medi, technology and getting their business up and running, so I have created the Monthly Mentoring Program. This is a more cost effective option for those Instructors.  If you are interested in the Monthly Mentoring Program then check out the page and please send me an email about you and exactly where you are in Fitness and we can go from there. My email is RachelLHolmes@aol.com I am only taking 10 Instructors on the Monthly Mentoring so ping the email across as soon as you can. The doors for the 90 Day open again in January again if you are interested in the 90 Day please email me with all your details. Check out the Mentoring page for all the current details

Check out the Katie Bulmer Podcast on How Katies LBD Club got of the ground and is now featured in 12 Cities across the UK Click here to listen to the Podcast

 

Workshops and Training Certifications

Marvin Burton  Functional Freestyle Tour hits the North East this weekend in Edinburgh on Saturday and Newcastle Sunday so if you are looking for some hot functional ideas then do grab a  spot if you click here

News Fitness Pilates 2 Day Certification – I have just added a new date 31st March/1st April for the next course running in Derby. If you want to teach Fitness Pilates then do jump on and click here to book.

 

Social Media Tips by Rachel Holmes

As we know Social Media is just a brilliant way to build relationships, business contacts, interact with fellow Instructors, Attract new customers and business, Network, Help our clients, provide real life testimonials – The list is endless ,but to get the most out of SM you have to work it baby!

Here’s my Social Media Work It For Fitness List

1.Facebook Personal Status updates 2 daily minimum

2.Facebook Business Page 1 x daily minimum

3.Twitter minimum  5 x Tweets per day – Automate if necessary

4.Weekly newsletter from your website/blog hitting your target market

5.A Blog or Vlog post 1 x week minimum

Business Networking

1.On Twitter add 10 businesses to follow every week minimum

Youtube.

1.Add a video of you teaching to your channel 1x week minimum

You have to keep up the momentum every day and every week.

 

Social Media Tips – Should YOU have a Facebook Business Page by Rachel Holmes

And the Big answer to that question is YES! You are a fitness business and you need a Facebook Business Page or Fan Page or Like Page, FB do like to keep changing the name but here is why you need to a Business Page:-)

Here is the Facebook definition of a Profile (Timelines) and a Page (Business Page)

Profiles (timelines) represent individuals and must be held under an individual name, while Pages allow an organisation, business, celebrity, or brand to maintain a professional presence on Facebook. You may only create Facebook Pages to represent real organizations of which you are an authorized representative.

In addition, Pages are managed by admins who have personal Facebook profiles (timelines). Pages are not separate Facebook accounts and do not have separate login information from your profile (timeline). They are merely different entities on our site, similar to how Groups and Events function. Once you have set up a Page within your profile (timeline), you may add other admins to help you manage this Page. People who choose to connect to your Page won’t be able to see that you are the Page admin or have any access to your personal account.

Why should you open a Page

1. A Page helps elevate you to expert status – You look more professional.

2.You can open different pages for each of your  Niches. For example I have a Choreographytogo Page, a Fitness Pilates page and a Rachel Holmes Fitness Page all running from my Profile page. I can target the information specific to each Page and client group.

3.Pages are available for everyone to see. There are no privacy settings so you can promote and market your business as much as possible.

4.Make your page as content rich as you can. Update your status regularly, post pictures and videos as often as you can to make the page have a personality and get eyeballs returning to look at what you have on offer.

5. You can brand your page and make it look more business like.

6. Facebook Profiles will change in the next few weeks and become Timelines.  It will be more difficult to promote your business on a Timeline so make sure you are all set up on a “Page” and start to publish great content. Content is King!

 

Protecting Your Company Name

BY

Andrew Crawford

Picture this……..You’ve worked many years, forged relationships, developed your brand, created a product, talked, sang and even written about your product or service………….then one day you receive a Solicitor’s letter telling you that you can ‘no longer use the name that you have been using because………………..someone else has ‘REGISTERED’ the company name in the same industry as you…….What do you do?

Answer…………………….change your name….in fact you have to change EVERYTHING…!!

Why?…… Because you didn’t protect your company name.

To ensure maximum protection for your company name, register it, then keep an eye out for anyone else trying to muscle into your space. Even if you don’t intend to trade under a limited company, it is best to register it for peace of mind.

Here’s how to protect your name

· Check that no similar names are being used/registered at www.companieshouse.gov.uk

· Register your company name at Companies House

· If you have a very distinctive name or logo, consider registering it as a trade mark.

· Register the domain name.

· Ensure you use the name on all stationery, emails, invoices, on websites any publicity.

· Take fast action if you find someone else is using the same or similar name as yours.

· If you do not want a limited company, ensure you submit Dormant accounts to Companies House each year and inform the Inland Revenue that the company was set up to protect the name. They will send you a form when you register the company, just state your intentions when you return it.

That’s it..

Visit our website at: www.fitnessindustryaccountants.com for more FREE resources and articles.

‘Like’ our page at: www.facebook.com/fitnessindustryaccountants

Andrew Crawford can be contacted on twitter @tax4fitness or info@fitnessindustryaccountants.com

 

Trade Mark ™ For the Fitness Industry by Andrew Crawford

A Trade Mark is anything that can be represented graphically and which can distinguish one brand from another. This can be goods or services.

A Trade Mark may consist of words e.g Stiletto Workout (this may include your personal name). In particular it includes designs, special letters, numerals or the shape of the goods or packaging  e.g. (The Nike Swoosh or your Stiletto Heel picture)

A business may have spent years building up goodwill with customers and potential clients. It would therefore be unfair if a newly formed business or operation made out that they owned the product or service that you spent years building up.

Under UK law traders are prevented from running their businesses in such a way as to steal a competitor’s trade. E.g. A club chain  stealing ‘Stiletto Workout.’

Anyone who suffers financial loss as a result of an activity of this kind is entitled to bring a passing off action.

Passing Off – Unregistered Trade Mark

Passing Off is when a person like you builds up a reputation in an unregistered trade mark e.g.(Stiletto Workout) and is then harmed by another e.g. (A club Chain) making use of that mark and the goodwill contained in it.

Passing Off protects a business from misrepresentation by others that they are connected with or part of the same business.

It is a matter of common law. Essential ingredients of Passing Off are:

• Goodwill
• Misrepresentation
• Damage

Registering Trade Marks

Trade Marks can only be registered in respect of particular goods or classes of goods.

Once a trade mark has been registered, its owner is given the exclusive right for ten years to use the mark. You have to ensure you re-register it after the ten years.

Important Note:

Trade marks may also be licensed or assigned to other users. So instead of franchising, perhaps you could license the use of your Trade Mark to others….just an idea.!

More on this subject to come.

Visit our website at: www.fitnessindustryaccountants.com for more FREE resources and articles.

‘Like’ our page at: www.facebook.com/fitnessindustryaccountants

Andrew Crawford can be contacted on twitter @tax4fitness or info@fitnessindustryaccountants.com

 

 

Jayne Nicholls

What a day, what a week, what a year! This has been an absolute cracker for new ideas, new inspiration and new opportunities, for those who want to take them. I have made some massive professional and personal changes this year and am reluctant to see 2011 come to an end. Saying that I am also looking forward to 2012 and what it has to offer. Today I had a meeting/lunch with my old friend/boss who now owns the Reebok club and as we watched the launch of a brand new Reebok Easy Tone Step, we mused over how similar they are to the steps that we produced, when step came out and before Reebok had even considered making the original step, which dates us but also highlights our experience within this industry. As a result of the conversation today I have completely seen the importance of planning ahead. Planning for what I want to happen, setting the wheels in motion and making it happen,  lets face it, only I can – and this applies to you as well. On the flip of this I have also experienced this week examples of how many instructors working at club level are so eager and impatient for their club, line manager to reward them for their efforts in fulfilling, entertaining and cultivating a happy membership client. Sorry to be the bearer of bad news my friends, ‘but it ain’t gonna happen’. In order to reap rewards, in order to reach your potential and in order to make a successful career in fitness, you are going to have to step out and away from the pack. Both Rachel and I also looked back this week to when we were teaching classes for our main income and again we mused about the successful it can be teaching in the community. There is genuinely no reason why the average instructor cannot earn a decent and healthy living from teaching class. Set some goals and make it happen in 2012.

 

 

Sally Ghafoor Get Health Savvy

Marvin Burton

Hi guys, thanks for reading. Christmas is coming. So fair weather people like me need to hibernate inside for a few months. I did my first treadmill run this week. It is ideal for a 10k training run. It’s based on the power cycling qualification from watt bike (www.wattbike.com) a concept that British Cycling worked on and endorse.

I’ve modified it from cycling to running although you will need to choose a speed that resembles your fitness.
Have a go.(Treadmill flat incline)
20min warm up.
0-5 minutes: Increasing speed walk.
2min: slow jog speed
2min: increase by 0.5
2min: increase by 0.5
90sec: increase by 1.5
1min: back to slow jog speed
1min: sprint
1min: recovery
1min: sprint
1min: recovery
1min: sprint
2.5min: slow jog
Total 20 min
(Approx 3k distance)
5 min brisk pace jog
10 min increase speed by 2.0
5 min back to brisk pace
10 min cool down, walk decreasing speed.
(Approx distance 7-9k depending on speed)

Have a good week at work and don’t stop helping and inspiring people to reach their full potential and enjoy leading a healthy life. Marvin Burton – check out my cool new job title:
Director of communication and innovation
@fit_retreat (join our twitter)

Tanith Lee – The Menopause and Fitness

Once upon a time you never heard the word Menopause, but finally it seems to be talked about more these days. I haven’t heard much about fitness specifically for pre menopause or post menopausal women. There seems to be a few 50+ classes on gym timetable which never look very inspiring!

Having gone through an early menopause I have realised that there is lots of confusing information out there. The message needs to get out to women in their late thirties. I believe that women need to be aware of the changes that can start to happen as they get older. I have been networking with lots of hormone specialist doctors, nutritionists, women’s health clinics and doing lots of research into the best type of training, lifestyle and nutrition. Wow!! So much information to wade through. It’s not all doom and gloom and simple changes can make huge differences.

So far I’ve realised that there is not one solution that fits all. It is such a deeply personal experience that nutrition and exercise needs to be prescribed on a more individual basis. If a woman is in full blown menopause with all the symptoms i.e. night sweats, hot flushes, sleeplessness, weight gain and low mood. The last thing she is going to need is a heavy session in the gym. Yes she will need to exercise and do some resistance training but all in good time. I would suggest a more gentle approach like a clean nutrition plan, yoga, walking outside and Fitness Pilates. The body and mind needs to be de-stressed. Once she was in a better space I would then up the training.

Women need a safe environment where they can discuss hormones and the life changes that happen when they get older, e.g. kids leave home, child bearing years left behind etc. They need to feel valued, cared for and nurtured in this sometimes difficult change in life. The average age a women goes through the menopause is 52. Many women start earlier than this with their symptoms starting in their late thirties/early forties. We are educated about puberty and pregnancy but not menopause. Why not? It’s a natural step in our life that needs to be embraced rather than whispered about. If women change their nutrition and exercise regimes in their thirties then the symptoms of menopause can be greatly reduced as can PMS.

As fitpros I think we need to be aware of these changes that can happen to women. Some of the main complaints are weight gain, low mood and tiredness. Depending on the client I would start with the five steps below.

5 Tips for peri menopausal / menopausal women

· Reduce carbs if they are gaining weight as the body becomes less sensitive to insulin as oestrogen decreases

· Get out in the daylight for a walk every day to increase serotonin and mood levels

· Keep super hydrated . 1 litre of water per 50lbs body weight. This will help weight loss and increase energy levels

· Be in bed asleep by 10pm. The body needs to rest and recover particularly if it is going through a stressful stage. Be aware that sleeping could be an issue and may need to be addressed in other ways

· Reduce or eliminate processed foods and increase nutrient dense foods i.e. a variety of mainly non-starchy vegetables. Start to heal the body naturally.

I’d love to hear about your or your clients ‘menopause experiences. tanith@tanithlee.co.uk

Visit my blog to learn more about menopause www.tanithlee.co.uk/blog

Kind Regards

Tanith

http://www.tanithlee.co.uk

MIndful Health & Wellness by Cori Withell

Did you all hear about Angie Dowd’s?  I was in total shock when I saw that she had killed herself by throwing herself off Beachy Head.  She always came across as so strong, empowered and in total control of her life.  What was really happening that triggered her to throw herself off a cliff?

Depression is a word that is bandied around so readily but what does it really mean?  It is NOT just feeling blue or being down in the dumps.  Depression is a completely debilitating condition.  Chronic depression takes over your entire life, it stops you doing what you want to do.  If you are in the public eye this is made even worse.

You have no option but to be the character that you are expected to play, it is no easier if you are not in the pubic eye, you still have to get up and go to work and behave the way that people expect you to behave when in reality you are falling apart inside.

Depression is not a simple condition to understand.  How many other conditions do you know of impact your life the way depression does and has so many differing variables?  I have suffered depression most of my adult life with varying degrees of severity but one thing I am determined is that I will not suffer it again.

There is so much information that we are not aware of that may help us, our moods, our anger responses, our patience, brain nutrition, how we handle stress – all of these are depressive triggers and once these starting getting out of control it can be a slippery downward spiral.

Chronic depressives may not get out of bed for days because the thought is so huge that they cannot face it.  Severe depressives may get up but not dressed and unable to open the front door for fear of what they may be confronted with.  Mild depressives may seem perfectly ‘normal’ to everyone else but instead they are struggling to hold it all together.  These are very simplistic examples but to me, the death of Angie Dowd’s highlighted that we never know what goes on behind closed doors.

I think there is still a taboo about mental health when there really shouldn’t be.  It has got better but there is still a way to go.  We are totally in control of our health and the more we learn and accept that the more we can ensure that we take charge of our emotions instead of our emotions taking charge of us.

RIP Angie God Bless x

 

 

Vegetarian and fat loss plan by Alice Ramcharran

Hi all, hope you have been having a great week.

Just wanted to do a short article today on something that I’ve come across quite a number of times at my bootcamps, and am sure that a number of you have too in bootcamps or classes.

I’ve been running my bootcamps for nearly 2 years now and provide a standard meal planner which does include some meat, and I’m often asked how to make the meal planner vegetarian friendly, and still enjoyable and healthy.  I think that when I was first asked I was probably a little dismissive, as to me it’s actually an easier thing to do the plan being a vegetarian.  I’m not a vegetarian, I do eat some meat and fish, but I probably have 3 or 4 days a week where I don’t eat any meat and my diet is vegetarian, so to me it’s simple and common sense.  However to Jo public, it seems that being vegetarian isn’t always a healthier alternative, and many people who are vegetarian are still not eating the correct foods – I’ve found some that don’t even really like vegetables?!  So they live on a diet of processed, man made, ready made meals instead, which are just like any other processed foods and not a good option.  So, I am currently devising a vegetarian fat loss plan aimed at my bootcampers, but will be also available to other instructors to provide for their clients. It will include a 28 day plan and recipes to make the meals within the plan.  It will be launched in the New Year, so keep watching out for it.

In the meantime here is a recipe for you to try from my vegetarian cookbook, which is officially launching next week, let me know how you get on with it.  Enjoy and feel free to share with your clients too!

Preparation time	:	5	minutes
Ready  time	:	55	minutes
Serves	:	8
Calories	:	486

· 3 tablespoons of olive oil
· 1 onion, chopped
· 1 capsicum, chopped
· 1 tablespoon of garlic paste
· 4 oz. of mushrooms, sliced
· 2 tablespoons of chilli
· Salt and pepper to taste
· 3 tomatoes, chopped
· 4 oz. of kidney beans  · 4 oz. of Tofu, broken to pieces
Method
· For 3 minutes sauté the tofu pieces.
· Add the mushrooms, onions, capsicum, chilli powder, garlic, salt and pepper
· Cook for 5 minutes.
· Add the tomatoes and rest of the ingredients and simmer for 45 minutes.
· The Tofu delight is ready to eat!

Add me as a friend on facebook – Alice Ramcharran http://www.facebook.com/alice.ramcharran
Follow me on twitter – Pyramidfit

Visit my bootcamp cookbook website www.thebootcampcookbook.com

 

 

Choreographytogo Member Chris Tuck

Love Rachel xxx
Follow me on Twitter http://Twitter.com/RachelHolmes