Training the Trainers

 

Undoubtedly, my passion is fitness.  It is my earnest desire to be the best trainer that I can be.  As a result, I’m on a continuous quest seeking to expound on my knowledge and expertise.  I’m frequently engaged in seminars, workshops, and self-initiated research.  With that being said, I would like to share a recent training experience. 

Earlier this month, I attended a dynamic workshop/training session at Camp Lejeune in Jacksonville, NC.  This course was sponsored by the United States Marine Corps.  The purpose was to equip the Marine Corps’ elite fitness professionals with advanced techniques to be used within our domain. The course was entitled “Training the Tactical Athlete.”  This course was designed by the National Strength and Conditioning Association (NSCA).  It was a very intense, hands-on session, packed with tons of information.  Each morning, we assembled for informative classroom instruction that covered everything from technique to nutrition.  After lunch it was serious business.  We would gather in the grassy area of an isolated softball field.  While battling the 92 degree heat, we simultaneously battled our will and determination.  We brought to life everything we’d discussed during the classroom segment.  We interactively perfected sprinting techniques, bear crawls, jumps, plyometrics, and lots of agility drills.  We also worked on a series of acceleration and deceleration drills.  This was no course for the weary and no place for the pretty.  By the end of each day, we were all sweaty, dirty, smelly, and extremely tired.  All in all, it was an awesome experience.  I thoroughly enjoyed the interaction with my colleagues from all over the country.   The energy disbursed when a group of trainers come together is immeasurable.  We were about to explode!  I’m sure I speak for everyone who participated when I say we are rejuvenated and all fired up!  Look out world, here we come.  Kudos to Mark and Greg for presenting an exceptional class.  Also, thanks to the United States Marine Corps for making it happen.  It was time and dollars well spent.  

Matt

Jr. USA

I am in the beautiful city of Charleston, South Carolina. I am here supporting a good friend, Gene Johnson, AKA “baby hercules,” who’s competeing in the Jr. USA bodybuilding competition. He is looking like a 153 pound brick. His physique is maturing each year. So if you are hanging around my “Myspace” page, check him out and send him a quick congratulations!

 

Matt

 

part 1; The Art Of Goal Setting

This is the first post in my new mini-series entitled “Matt’s Secrets to Fitness Success.” In this series I will discuss critical elements necessary to maximize your fitness potential. These are the secrets I share with my clients to keep them motivated. This very insight is what has enabled me to maintain a superior level of fitness for the past eleven years. I am inclined to write on this topic because the fitness failures experienced by many individuals could be prevented if only they new my secret.

Part 1- The Art of Goal Setting

Unbeknownst to many, there is an art to setting goals. This process is not complex nor is it complicated. Even still most people get it all wrong. Often times when referencing goal setting we are taught the very basics. We are simply taught to set “short term” goals. My problem with this is that more often than not our short term goals are much larger than we truly realize. For instance, I require all clients to set goals both verbally and in writing. Ironically the vast majority of my weight loss clients start with a short term goal of losing ten pounds. Initially this may sound like a good and reasonable goal. However, if we dig beneath the surface we can find the reason many people never lose the ten and end up setting the same goal again. Anyone who’s ever tried to lose weight knows that ten pounds does not just vanish into the thin air.  In fact for most, it takes several weeks of dedication and hard work. Although ten pounds might be small for someone who needs to lose 50, the time involved to do so nullifies this as a ”TRUE” short term goal.

By GOD’S design we are created to be motivated by results. This is the very reason I created secret #1. To ensure success, short term goals should be decreased to small goals. Small goals should be decreased to mini goals and mini goals should be decreased to micro -mini goals. I know this sounds like a lot of rhetoric so let me explain. In short…proper goals should be reduced to the smallest measurable degree. A good short term goal is something that an individual can see quickly. Remember…we are motivated by results. For the above referenced scenario; a person wishing to lose ten pounds could reduce that goal to doing whats necessary to lose weight (exercise.) Exercise can be reduced to walking for eleven minutes instead of ten. Or doing three sit-ups instead of two. Or walking at a speed of 3.1 instead of 3. You get the point! All of these changes are small but they are measurable and require minimal effort. Challenging yourself to micro-mini goals as such strengthens your mental fortitude. It does so by making you believe that a little more couldn’t be that bad. I constantly challenge myself in the same manner. If I did nine reps the previous workout I believe I can do ten the next. If I’ve previously finished my run in 30 minutes then the next time I try to finish the same distance in 29. Undoubtedly, properly structured goals will yield a sense of accomplishment and small accomplishments propel gigantic results.

“I’m Back”

Hello world! I apologize for my temporary disappearance. However, I’ve been extremely busy. Since my last post I have launched the much anticipated “Choose 2 Lose” program. The inception/kickoff was Tuesday May 6Th. I have also attended some advance fitness courses. In fact, at this very moment I’m in North Carolina taking part in a newly developed course entitled “Training the Tactical Athlete.” We’ve just finished for the day. This course is an awesome “hands on,” down and dirty type of class. We were outside for hours going through a series of “kick butt” type of drills. I’ll tell more about this experience in another post. (Clients be prepared! Once again I am adding to the arsenal.) All and all life is good and busy; just the way I like it when it comes to my profession. Anyway, I just wanted to say hello and alert everyone on a series I’ll begin posting tomorrow entitled, “Matt’s Secrets to Fitness Success.” It’ s full of great tips to break the plateaus that hinder progress. Until the next time…..

Matt

 

“Changing Lives” One Pound At A Time

As a trainer I like to think of myself as the bridge that connects ones physical body to the person they really are. In short I am the liason between the present and the future. Often times when I meet clients I am afforded the opportunity to see them change. The change I visualize is far from being one dimensional. It is a change that involves the body and the mind. As individuals better their physical appearance they better their inner appearance as well. I see changes in the way they act and think. They have better attitudes and a sense of well being. My claim is validated by a phone call I recently received.I wasn’t able to answer my phone before it stopped ringing. Consequently I was left with a voice mail message. The message was astonishing. It was left by a client I’ve been working with for nearly eight months. During our training sessions she had literaly worked her “butt” off. Because of her work ethics I can fully understand the depth of what she said. The message stated that she was on the other side of the country on work related travel. She mentioned that she had travelled by plane. She further stated that this was the first time in many years that she was able to fly without having to ask for a seatbelt extension. Judging by the tone of her voice, I could only imagine that her eyes were full of tears. However, this was far from a sad occasion. It was actually a very pleasing and gratifying experience for both of us. She had experienced  a drastic change that she could see. Simultaneously I experienced testimonial proof acknowledging the worth of my profession. I vividly understood the impact of “Changing Lives” one pound at a time.

Matt Hardwick

Investing in your Health!!!

Exercise is a lot like a bank account; you can only get out whatever you’ve put in. Regarding finance, wise investments secure your future. The same is applicable with investments with your health.

I was in the grocery store yesterday when I bumped into a classmate for the third time in two months. Each time I saw her she inquired about my fees for personal training. Each time I responded she would reply by saying “I can’t afford it.” I normally concede the point and proceed with my business of that time. However, this last time I wanted to be of assistance to her so I suggested cost effective solutions to beginning an exercise regimen.

If I got paid for each time I hear individuals say they can’t afford to get in shape, I’d be a multi-billionaire writing this post from Costa Rico while sipping on a martini. My point is this…In a world where obesity related illnesses and deaths are on the rise, one can hardly afford not to invest in their health. The reality is that individuals don’t have to buy expensive gym memberships, hire trainers nor spend countless dollars on related items. Trust me! I understand finances. I’m sure finances have been tight for most of us at some point. However, lots of money is not needed to obtain better health. The only investment necessary to improve your health is a will and desire to do so. There is no charge for going outside and taking a walk. So when funds are tight and money “ain’t” right, use the best resource we have, nature and the great outdoors. You will be amazed by how drastically a good walking program can change your life.