Experiential Learning with Instructor Carrie Rowell
In an effort to integrate experiential learning into the Health Fitness Specialist (HFS) curriculum, instructor Carrie Rowell makes sure that her students get real-life experience at a variety of venues in the Twin Cities. Not only does this give Globe University/Minnesota School of Business students the opportunity to network, but it also allows them to experience the myriad career opportunities that exist in terms of health, wellness, sport, and training in their own community.
The Mall of America provided a unique opportunity to experience biomechanics!
An afternoon with Greg Viland at Discover Strength in Plymouth gave students the opportunity to see how elite athletes are trained.
The HFS students volunteered at a local triathlon where they learned about the intricacies of race preparation and organization.
The HFS students got a tour of the new TCF Bank Stadium at the University of Minnesota campus and learned about the many facets of facility management.
Mariah Burton Nelson
Last week, Mariah Burton Nelson spoke at the University of Minnesota as part of the Tucker Center’s distinguished lecture series. Her topic of discussion was successful aging for women.
A Stanford graduate, stand-out basketball athlete, and author of six books, Mariah Burton Nelson took the stage in her tennis shoes and charmed the audience with stories of her 85-year-old mother’s swimming competitions as well as current, peer-reviewed research.
Of the top five diseases that affect people over 50, all five can be prevented with regular physical activity. Nelson noted that over two million people a year die from being sedentary. Moving is critical to healthy aging, as both physical health and brain health are adversely affected by a sedentary lifestyle. Nelson noted that historically, women have not had the time or opportunity to pursue athletic endeavors and that this has contributed to both poor health and unsuccessful aging.
If you’d like to see the lecture and hear more about successful aging or other lectures from the Tucker Center, please visit their multimedia page at www.tuckercenter.org.
Nutrition and the Personal Trainer
I recently attended PT on the Net’s Meeting of the Minds. For this biennial event, PT on the Net invites fitness industry experts from around the world to share their cutting-edge ideas. Presenters included Greg Roskopf, Mark Verstegen, Paul Chek, Ian O’Dwyer, Scott Hopson, Michol Dahlcourt, Rodney Corn, John Berardi, Nic Jarvis and Annette Lang, to name a few.
In light of some of the current events, I’d like to address the presentation given by Dr. John Berardi, a nutritionist and faculty member at the University of Texas. Dr. Berardi discussed an element of health that is often misunderstood, ignored, or simply left out of a wellness plan – nutrition. If clients are not making dietary changes, they simply will not make the kind of progress that can be expected when nutritional improvement is part of the overall health equation.
Everyone is talking about the First Lady’s Let’s Move initiative and I fully applaud her efforts to get kids moving. Active kids will lead healthier lives and experience improved self-esteem. Being active additionally improves cognitive development and myriad studies point to a positive correlation between fitness and academic achievement. A school in Naperville, Illinois attributes their strong standardized test performances on their “Zero Hour P.E.” class; a vigorous physical education class that takes place before school begins. Movement is therefore a critical component of any health initiative, especially if the goal is to correct sedentary behavior, improve the quality of life, decrease preventable health care costs, and increase academic performance. (For more information on the Let’s Move initiative, please see http://www.letsmove.gov/index.html)
However, as Berardi pointed out in his presentation, obesity, weight loss, and type-II diabetes will require more than just movement. It will require nutritional intervention. Fortunately, Michelle Obama recognizes this and is actively trying to promote healthy food choices in schools as well as affordable, healthy food choices across the country. Whole Foods also started a school lunch revolution (www.wholefoodsmarket.com/schoollunchrevolution) and attention is finally being directed at the quality and quantity of food choices offered to our most valuable resource.
Last week, renowned chef Jamie Oliver went into an elementary school in Huntington, West Virginia; a town that has been categorized as the unhealthiest in America. The food choices offered to these students was appalling at best. Pizza for breakfast?! What was even more shocking, though, was the resistance and negativity directed at Oliver for wanting to offer kids healthy alternatives. Understandably, these school cooks do not want to believe that they have been hurting children by feeding them substandard food. To admit that would be far more difficult than ridiculing Oliver and dismissing his ideas. So that is what they did – showing very little hospitality and, in the process, making themselves look very foolish. (For more information, please see http://www.jamieoliver.com/campaigns/jamies-food-revolution)
Yes, eating healthy food is going to cost more money. But how much is your health worth? How much is your children’s health worth? Would you rather pay at the grocery store or at the hospital? How much does diabetes cost? My dog eats human-grade food without any by-products, wheat, or dairy. It costs more money, but her health is worth it to me.
Yes, eating healthy food is going to take more time to prepare. But isn’t a homemade meal more satisfying than opening up a box/can/bag of processed food? Author Michael Pollan recommends not eating foods if you cannot pronounce the ingredients. Remember when chicken only had chicken in it? Strength and conditioning coach Sara Wiley gives the following advice to her athletes: If the word cheese is spelled cheez, you probably shouldn’t eat it. If your meal can be ordered, paid for, and consumed within the confines of your car, you probably shouldn’t eat it. If it doesn’t go bad after two weeks, you probably shouldn’t eat it. Sound advice.
And finally, yes, eating healthy food is going to expedite health, wellness and weight loss goals. Something the majority of clients will desperately want.
Spring Into Health - A Health Fair sponsored by Health Fitness Specialist Students at Globe University in Woodbury
WHEN: Monday, March 15 from 4:00-7:00 PM
WHERE: Globe University
8089 Globe Drive, Woodbury, MN
WHO: You, and any of your friends and family
FEATURING:
Free chair massages
Stress reduction tips
Nutritional booth with samples
Educational handouts
Health and safety awareness
Fitness games
Exercise Testing
There will also be a drawing and the winner will receive a grand prize valued at over $100. (Must be present to win!)
See you there!
A Unique Personal Training Opportunity!
Where do you want to work? Some students envision themselves working in small, luxury spas, while others see the myriad opportunities at a large health club chain. Still other students want to coach youth sports or own their own business where they can take all the risks and rewards. But have you ever thought about adding to your experience by becoming a personal trainer on a cruise ship? This week, I interviewed Tiffany, a personal trainer from Austin, Texas who left dry land to work on the high seas.
How did you learn about working as a personal trainer on a cruise ship?
I learned about the job from a friend who was looking to get hired as an acupuncturist on a cruise ship. She informed me that the company who runs the spas on the cruise ships (Steiner, Ltd.) also hires personal trainers. I wanted a change of pace and travel was always on my list of things to do, so I traveled to LA for a mass job interview. The recruiter then invited me to London to their training academy where I studied for 3 weeks before being placed on a ship.
What personal training skills have come in particularly handy when working with clients on a cruise ship?
Working on a ship is very different than working on land. My personal training skills have definitely come in handy. Steiner hires personal trainers and trains us to be salesmen. Therefore, it is very important to be confident in your role as a trainer—the emphasis at the Academy is learning the products and how to sell the detoxification kits (your main source of income as a PT). You also learn how to teach classes during this 3 week “Boot Camp.”
Do you do one-on-one training or group fitness? What is most common?
The most common type of training is in the group setting. The main classes that Steiner does onboard all of their ships are yoga, Pilates, spin, Tai Chi and fit ball. (All of these classes are taught at the London Academy.) Of course, all ships are different and the ship I work on offers more classes than any other ship at this time. I had a lot to learn as soon as I stepped onboard. I still do one-on-one training, as this ups my service revenue. Every cruise is different, so some weeks my schedule will be packed with personal training, while other weeks I will have only one or two sessions.
How does this job compare with your former position as a personal trainer in Austin, TX? This job is completely different from my job in Austin. I was working in a very small, locally-owned studio with very old machines and equipment. I loved the pace and the relationships that I had built with my clients. I was also able to work very closely with my mentor, which I really enjoyed. When I boarded my ship it was a very different experience. I had a lot to learn! I walked into a massive facility with brand new, state-of-the-art equipment. However, my experience is much different than most because I was sent to the newest and largest cruise ship in the world—The Oasis of the Seas.
Is the compensation similar?
My compensation is much higher than what I was making on land. Your pay depends on your retail and service revenue. You don’t get a base pay—commission only. So it’s very important to know your stuff and work hard. With commission and tips, I have been making about one and a half times to double what I was making on land. On my best week, I made three times my land income. But this doesn’t come easy—the hours are long and the work is very physically, mentally, and emotionally draining.
What is a typical day on the ship like?
A typical sea day for me is insanely busy. Again, my circumstances are special because there are many expectations working on such a new and gigantic vessel! There are only three fitness instructors and we have a lot of classes to teach between us. Plus we have seminars to present, metabolism consultations, any PT that we book for ourselves AND keep an eye on the overall operation of the gym and answering questions. It’s been incredibly challenging for us, especially because we are also trying to work out the kinks of running a brand new gym on a brand new ship. A typical sea day looks like this:
• 6:30 breakfast
• 7:00 Morning Stretch
• 7:30 Yoga
• 8:45 Spin (while another instructor teaches Gravity [new class])
• 10:00 Boot Camp (new class—our biggest service revenue generator)
• 11:00 Seminar
• 12:00 Lunch
• 1:00 Metabolism consultation (BCA—where we sell our detox programs)
• 2:00 BCA while the other instructor presents another seminar
• 3:00 BCA while another instructor teaches Spin
• 4:00 Kinesis (new class)
• 5:00 Meditation
• 5:30 Abs class
• 6:00 Dinner
• 7:00 BCA
• 8:00 BCA
• Off at 10:00
This is not typical of other ships, but it’s typical of my ship. From what I have heard, other ships get more down time. I am so busy and it has definitely taken a toll on my body. I’m exercising a lot, but I don’t have enough energy to do a workout for myself—and this is what I am really craving. The food on ships is not nutritious so it’s important to supplement with some kind of green drink to try to balance. I’m a vegetarian and the options for me are limited. The fact that the food is so awful has been very difficult for me.
What has been your favorite port?
I don’t really have a favorite stop. Because this ship is so large, it can’t fit into many interesting ports. I’m currently in the Caribbean and I make the most of my port time - of course there are things to do and places to see, but I’m ready for another change. Some ships offer amazing ports and not that much money, or so-so ports and a lot of money. It just depends on what you want out of your experience.
What advice would you give a student/personal trainer interested in following in your footsteps?
My advice to anyone looking to pursue this lifestyle is to have a very strong knowledge of nutrition. Also, be ready to work! This job is demanding, stressful and, at times, utterly heart-breaking. It has sent me on an emotional rollercoaster on so many levels. If you are in a relationship or married, get ready for heartache! It is very difficult being away from the one you love. I can’t even find words to describe it. I was here on the ship for Thanksgiving, Christmas, my 30th birthday (a big one!) and finally New Year’s Eve. That is a lot in a short amount of time. Thankfully I have made some amazing friends on the ship. We all stuck together through the holidays and still managed to celebrate! The bonds that you form with people on a ship are very strong and it’s so hard to say goodbye. That’s another thing about ship life. You get really close to someone and then they leave.
Anything else you’d like to share?
This has been the most incredible experience of my life thus far. I have learned SO much about myself, about fitness, nutrition, running a business, how to talk to different personality types, and how to take control of a situation. I love this life but it is difficult at the same time. There is something incredibly satisfying about overcoming obstacles, doing something you didn’t really want to do, and then being a better person for having done it. This job takes you out of your comfort zone, so be ready to embrace it. Be ready for extreme emotions that can change from one moment to the next. There are so many days when I ask myself, “What am I doing here?!” And then I have a realization, a breakthrough of some sort, and I realize why I am here. It’s about personal growth, pushing myself, challenging myself, failing, succeeding, laughing, crying, falling apart, picking myself back up, growing. I wouldn’t change any of it.
Good luck to anyone seriously looking to embark on this journey. Nine months is the length of a first contract. I’m in month three! I’ve learned a lot in 3 months. I can’t wait to see what I’ve learned and how far ahead I am when I step off of this ship in 6 months.
If you have questions you’d like to ask Tiffany, please contact Amy Scott for her contact details. ascott@globeuniversity.edu
The Pilates Advantage Announces 2 Upcoming Workshops
Pilates “Toys” Workshop: Learn from Julie Oderman, Certified Pilates Trainer and exercise physiologist, how to use the foam roller, elastic band, and Pilates ring.
Date: January 30, 2010
Time: 12:00 - 2:00 pm
Cost: $45 if you bring your own circle and roller. (Band is provided.) $100 if we provide circle, roller and band.
Pre-registration is required. Please call 763-477-4254 to check for availability.
Pilates for Horse and Rider: This will be taught by Lonna Mosow, Master Pilates Trainer.
Date: February 10, 2010
Time: 10 - noon
Cost: $45 (Free gift and drawing, too!)
Pre-registration by February 5th is required. Please call 763-477-4254 to register.
Time to apply for the HFS Professional Certification Scholarship!
Students enrolled in the HFS program at Globe University / Minnesota School of Business / Utah Career College have the opportunity to apply for a scholarship that will pay $300 toward a professional certification. Scholarship recipients will be selected based on the following:
1. Academic performance.
2. Students interested in taking the following certifications must have taken HS254, Exercise Prescription for Special Populations: ACSM’s CPT; NSCA’s CPT; NETA; ACE; or NASM’s CPT certification.
3. Students interested in taking the IYCA Level 1 certification will need to have taken HS321, Principles of Child Fitness.
4. Applicants must have a GPA of 3.0 or higher.
5. Applicants will write a personal statement of career goals (not to exceed 500 words) that addresses the following:
a. Specific career goals
b. How the certification will enhance the student’s career
c. How the student will use the experience and knowledge gained from GU/MSB/UCC in his/her career.
d. Plans for continuing education
6. Applicants will require a recommendation from a faculty member.
Applications will be accepted until January 22nd. Please contact the HFS chair at your campus or contact Network Associate Dean Amy Scott at ascott@globeuniversity.edu with any questions.
Recipients who receive the scholarship will be notified in writing by the beginning of the sixth week of the quarter. The professional certification must be taken within six months of the date on the scholarship award letter.
This is a great way to get your certification paid for and improve your marketability in the field. Good luck!
Health Fair at Plymouth Campus 11/19
Click below to find out all of the details of the upcoming health fair that is being hosted by the Health Fitness Specialist students at the Plymouth campus on Thursday November 19th from 11 - 1:30!
http://students.msbcollege.edu/media/files/pdf-files/MSB_FitFest_1009.pdf
Plymouth Firefighter 5K
On Saturday September 26th, Health Fitness Specialist, Medical Assisting, and Massage students participated in the Plymouth Firefighter 5K Run /Walk. The event was part of the 5th Annual Plymouth on Parade. Some GU/MSB students and staff took part in the 5K, while others waited at Fire Station No. 2 for the runners and walkers to return. After people completed the 5K, Health Fitness Specialist students lead participants through cool-down and stretching exercises; Medical Assisting students took blood pressure readings; and Massage Therapy students worked on their tired muscles. Special thanks to staff and student participants: (Staff) Carrie Rowell, Dan Peterson, Regina Hughes, Charles Andria, Jocyln Rainville, Justin Patten, Dawn Jones, and Sue Ferkingstad (Students) William Burns, Brian Nutter, Casey Stenehjem, Chris Leiferman, and Ryan Nimtz.
DeRick O’Connell named Strength & Conditioning Intern at the University of Minnesota
Summer 2009 graduate DeRick O’Connell was recently named the strength and conditioning intern for the University of Minnesota. DeRick will work with the men’s and women’s Olympic sports under the guidance of strength coaches Sara Wiley and Cal Dietz. Sara Wiley was the 2008 National Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year and Cal Dietz is a frequent presenter at local and national conferences and is also the owner of XLathlete.com. Both coaches have been tremendously successful with the athletic teams, coaching All-Americans, Olympians, National Champions, and Big 10 Champions.
“I knew that the strength and conditioning coaches at the University of Minnesota would provide the best environment for me to gain knowledge,” said DeRick.
In preparation for this opportunity, DeRick spent two summers working at Wayzata High School with strength and conditioning coach Ryan Johnson. This proved to be an invaluable experience, as Coach Johnson is one of the most well-respected high school strength coaches in Minnesota. At the summer camp, DeRick learned how to teach a variety of different athletes with varying ability levels. Working with hundreds of kids, DeRick also developed valuable organizational skills. This experience also demonstrated his commitment to this field.
“What really stood out about DeRick, was the fact that he pursued the relevant education and then augmented that with high-level experiences in the field. His willingness to seek out the best individuals and do a great job for those individuals made our decision to hire DeRick easy,” said Sara Wiley. “We are really looking forward to his contributions and feel that he is going to do an outstanding job for the Golden Gophers.”