Doug Hawxhurst

How Can the Fitness Industry Work to Remedy the Obesity Crisis
Doug Hawxhurst
Feb 19
In the United States, the obesity crisis is unprecedented, and the percent of obese and overweight Americans is like nothing we have seen before. This calls of the question of whose responsibility it is to work to remedy this crisis, and how exactly to do that. The root of the problem is a combination of poor nutrition and the fact that many Americans do not have either the means or the opportunity to exercis...

In today’s society, it is imperative that the fitness industry, as well as personal trainers, work to reduce the national obesity level. There are many ways in which personal trainers can do their part to help remedy this crisis, and cater their programming toward those least likely to work out. Here are a few prominent ways:
Be Ready to Modify Methods
Often, in the fitness industry, those who are not in shape or are physically fit are easy to talk down to or treat differently. It is so neces...

Physical activity plays a significant role in students' cognitive functions for many reasons. Read on to learn four ways fitness affects student's performance in school.
1. Fitness Teaches Motor Skills
According to researchers with the University of Madrid, students develop motor skills through specific physical activities. These motor skills are connected to the cognitive skills students need to excel academically. The development of these fine motor skills gives students a head start with o...

Biking is a great cardio activity to mix up your routine and help you build up endurance and power. It is excellent for those days when it is too nice to spend a long time in the gym and can be a very intense exercise experience if done on the right trail. Here are some of the best places and most challenging places to ride your bike in New Jersey; I tried to select ones in different areas of the state so no matter where you live you have one not too far from you:
Sandy Hook Bike Path
The San...

Let’s face it; It’s challenging to build a sense of community within a gym. You have people from all different backgrounds with individual interests, goals, and needs training under the same roof. Regardless of these differences, you need to find ways of bringing a sense of community to your membership base to truly develop brand loyalty.
What does “community” actually mean? The word is derived from the old French “comuneté,” which comes from the Latin “communitas” which means “public spirit....

Finding the motivation to work out consistently is challenging enough. With summer coming to an end, many people are searching for new ways to bring that “summer body” motivation to their fall workouts. Looking for a way to get reenergized about the gym? Check out the following quotes to help inject some motivation into daily workout routines.
1. “Strength does not come from the physical capacity. It comes from an indomitable will.” –Gandhi
The indomitable will Gandhi speaks of is that force ...

5 Movies to Watch for Fitness Inspiration (That Aren’t Rocky)
Ali (2001)
Ali traces the story of the boxer, Muhammad Ali, as he changed what boxing meant to America. He challenged way more than the sport, impacting the law, conventions, and society with his genius and athletic dynamo. This movie is both a story of tremendous heart and incredible athleticism and rigor.
Million Dollar Baby–another boxing movie–tells the story of Frankie Dunn, who is a veteran and Los Angeles boxing trainer. He ...

Summer heat can be exhausting and not particularly conducive to a good and motivated workout. Not only is it not fun, but in areas of extreme humidity and unceasing heat, it can also be dangerous. Here are some tips on how to combat that heat and have a successful workout while enjoying the fresh air.
Stay hydrated. Not just during your workout, but make sure you are thoroughly hydrated before you even begin. Then, hold yourself accountable to take a few sips every ten minutes to replenish yo...

The fitness industry, as any industry, is prone to change and evolution as the world around it changes. Factors contributing to change include development of consumerism, the increase of dependence on technology, and better understanding and improvement of the field. Here are some examples of how the fitness industry is changing in dynamic and exciting ways:
Live Online Fitness Instruction
Live communication via the internet and video, in particular, is set to have a profound impact on the wa...

Striving to overcome obstacles in the fitness world can look a variety of different ways. For some, this is striving to increase the deadlift weight that you have been stuck in for a long time. For others, it is working through the pain of injury recovery to once again be your best and healthiest self. Whatever your personal obstacles are, here a few quotes to help keep you in the right mentality to overcome them.
“Obstacles don’t have to stop you. If you run into a wall, don’t turn around an...

Here are some short quotes, along with some explanations, that will help you push yourself to grow this summer. They are important to keep in mind not only when working toward fitness, but also when growing as a person.
“Strength and growth come only through continuous effort and struggle” -Napoleon Hill
This quote is important to keep reminding yourself when you are pushing yourself to the limit during a workout. Pain is temporary, and growth comes from it. You will need to struggle and put ...

As the seasons change from winter to spring, to summer, so comes the opportunity to take our workouts back outside! At last, after running the treadmill like a hamster on a wheel for months you can get some fresh air. There are some things you will want to keep in mind when making the transition- and the following tips are sure to come in handy when you decide to take your running outdoors.
1. Consider buying new shoes
If you’ve been wearing the same shoes on the treadmill all winter, it may ...

Physical literacy is an extremely important component of any healthy lifestyle. With childhood obesity and depression on the rise, today’s educators find significant value in curriculum that incorporates physical education. In the midst of nation-wide budget cuts to educational expenses, “non-essential” programs like music, art, phys-ed, and more are scrounging for support. Gym classes and other physical activities can help students manage stress, stay healthy, and bond with their classmates....

This time of year, many people are discussing what they plan on leaving behind or changing about their habits for the upcoming year. Besides the classic “lose weight” and “get finances together” resolutions, many are trying to improve their behaviors and develop some higher-level skills such as patience, honesty, or confidence. Here are some short and sweet quotes, along with some simple explanations, that will help you on your personal improvement journey through the upcoming year.
Don’t exp...

If you are in charge of employees, you know how difficult it can be to get them to follow through on goals. This is especially true with New Year’s Resolutions. They are all inspired to get something done and then end up not following through. This coming year, you can change all of that. Here are 7 ways to help your employees reach their goals:
Clear Outcomes
If you don’t know what target you’re trying to hit, then it is impossible to hit it. Employees feel the same way when they set vague g...