Posts Tagged ‘Instructor’

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Busy Day and New Customers

June 8th, 2009

This morning was very busy in the Vibra-Train studio where I work.  It’s Monday which although steady isn’t usually my busiest day and I can do some cleaning and catch up on learning/keeping up to date in the times between customers.

But, not so this morning! The studio was buzzing with customers right from opening time of 6.30am and didn’t let up for the next three hours.  What a great way to start the week! I’ve said before; the morning customers are a friendly, lively lot even those who rush in, rush out on their way to work.  Sharing a laugh always “makes my day”.

I finally booted up the computer at 9.30am but before I got online a lady came in who hadn’t done vibration training before.  As she filled in the health and information form she told me she had some problems with bone density but through simple weight training and diet this was improving.  I was so happy to be able to tell her that Vibration Training using high energy lineal machines such as the ones she was about to use would also help her.  As we worked through the Safety Program she proved that she was much stronger than I had judged her to be.  She was quite “body aware” and very particular about perfect position on the machines so she was easy to work with.  As she left she told me that she had enjoyed the session and that she had also been “trying us out” to see if her sister, who is quite overweight, would benefit from coming in.  I’m looking forward to seeing her again later in the week and hoping her sister will also come along.

Each day fills me with excitement as I learn more and more and get to use these skills to instruct customers.  I’m privileged to be working with amazing machines at Vibra-Train and I get to see the benefits that customers gain, increases in overall fitness and health and specific problems improved or healed.  Obesity and low bone density are both conditions helped very much by Vibration Training!

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Posted in Instructor, Vibra-Train

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When the going gets tough

May 28th, 2009

It’s winter in New Zealand. Auckland temperatures are mild but it’s a lot harder getting out of a warm bed at 5am.  And after two months in my new job the honeymoon period is over.  Settling in was easy; the morning clients are so friendly and the first ones each day are suprisingly wide-awake and ready for their Vibration Training work-out at 6.30am on cold, wet mornings.  One brings me egg sandwiches or chocolate meusli bars for breakfast twice a week.  Others tell me what they have happening at home or work but mostly they just want to get into their session as their time is limited.

dreamstimefree_1357055Somedays I drift back to sleep when my first alarm rings and wake with a jolt 5 minutes later when the alarm on my cellphone sounds loudly.  I’m fortunate to be living very cose to the Vibra-Train studio where I work so mornings are not rushed.  Some days I eat breakfast before I leave, other days I arrive at work early, make coffee, cereal and yougurt and relax for 5 minutes; then a quick clean and tidy of the studio, checking the control units, placing the mats near the machines if they were left out the previous night, set the music volume, open the blinds, unlock the door, take a deep breath of cool clear winter air, and the first customers arrive. » Read more: When the going gets tough

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Posted in Instructor, Vibra-Train

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30 something with kids

May 22nd, 2009

I must look again at my job description – no one told me it included being a Nanny.

Each day I welcome moms and their toddlers into the Vibra-Train studio where I work.  Maintaining and increasing fitness is essential to these moms who are “on call” 24 hours a day looking after their children.  They tell me how much they gain from the short (10-15 minute) work-out time.

Weightloss, fat-loss, improved muscle tone and strength, re-balancing hormones naturally, reducing stress and raising serotonin levels in the brain (helps us feel good) are among the benefits gained;  also the “time-out” from their busy day is a bonus and these ladies really enjoy their visits.  They tell me both they and their children look forward to coming into the studio especially as I not only watch over and guide their training, ensuring they do the program correctly, but I also entertain their children while they train.

When I started working mornings at Vibra-Train some of mothers asked if we could get a playpen or set up an area where their children could safely play while they worked-out.  This works very well in some studios. This studio is Head Office, workshop, and sports clinic, as well a regular Vibration Training Studio in a limited space so a different solution was needed.

It was easy, the solution was a ball, not just any ball; the previous instructor had brought in a big bouncy ball, which big bounced out the door onto the roadway all too often, but a light 500gram weight ball. It doesn’t bounce but its heavy enough to be “different” and the kids love it.  The other toys I’ve added are a bright well-made plastic truck with a man who can be placed into the driver’s seat, and a simple coloring book with large, easy to hold crayons.

We strongly discourage children from climbing onto the machines, even ones that are not being used. Playing around any moving equipment and that includes vibrating platforms isn’t wise so I’m pleased my simple toys and a little attention makes this studio a very welcome place for mothers with young children.

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Posted in Instructor, Vibra-Train

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Loving It!

May 12th, 2009

dreamstime-happy-womenThe title says it all.  I am loving my job at Vibra-Train.  I’ve been thinking of how we sometimes travel paths that seemingly do not add to the realisation of our dreams, then later we look back and “see” that the way we’ve travelled has enriched and taught us what was needed.

At the start of this year I began to wish there was another area of the health and fitness industry that I could find a place in.  I loved being involved in Vibration Training and I’d take any opportunity, just to be in a Studio where I could learn more and whenever possible, observe at a distance (customers don’t welcome onlookers, of course) but it seemed unlikely that I’d soon work in the industry.  Being almost fit to return to work after injuring my shoulders I began updating my resume to apply for jobs in health insurance sales or claims.  I could not however shake off a strong feeling that my future was alongside that of Vibra-Train.  This was confirmed in small, almost supernatural, ways which I could not ignore but did not tell anyone.

It was the best surprise ever, receiving a phone call offering me a job at Vibra-Train, beginning April.  I was very excited, then feelings of inadequacy and trepidation plagued me.  Reading over articles,  making sure I remembered all I needed to know, then working alongside Carl, who I was to replace, put me at ease.

Now, I love it!  Changing from a late-night person who rarely slept before 2am to a 10pm bedtime and up at 5.30am has not been as hard as I’d expected as each day is so exciting, bringing new challenges in the form of new customers and watching over “regulars”.  Making other changes to my life has allowed me to regain the strength of character and confidence I used to have, needed to correct the positions on the machines of even the most stubborn customer when necessary.  They are paying for a quality session and I ensure they get it, everytime.  Feedback has been all positive.

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Posted in Instructor, Off Topic

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Position Position Position

May 7th, 2009

Many articles have been written about the importance of starting in, and remaining in correct position on the vibration machines throughout the entire 60 seconds of each pose.

Despite perfect position on machines being non-negotiable in Vibra-Train studios some customers still complain, telling me that standing with feet hip width apart and straight (toes pointing ahead) is not possible, not natural, or not “some other excuse”.  I agree that it feels “odd” for those who have done dancing, military training or stood “at ease” for long periods of time at school assembly, outdoors, in the hot sun, daydreaming about the cute new boy in biology class instead of listening to the Headmaster, but correct foot position is essential so that in the squat the body is symmetrical and balanced allowing the vibrations to target the muscles accurately.

Being out of position on a High Force Vertical Vibration Platform has the potential to be dangerous.  If the knees are forward of the toes in a squat position the vibrations are not targetting the girth of the muscles, as purposed, but are affecting the knees. 

Recently I’ve experienced how “being out of position” can even affect Trainers. Somedays I help new customers by placing my right leg up onto the machine for stability while I help them with the superman squat, supporting their balance by holding their arms up for the last 10 or 20 seconds of the position.  This should not cause me any discomfort but somedays I’ve developed a sore knee.  I have a cartilage tear in that knee and healing is helped by the vibration of the machines so I’ve been puzzled why it has been painful.  It was very simple -  by placing my foot onto the platform at a slight angle rather than straight in front of my body, I was “out of position”. Trainers must be aware, at all times, never becoming complacent or careless around the machines.  I’ve corrected and have no knee pain.

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Posted in Experiences, Instructor, Programs, Vibra-Train, Vibration Training

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Fair, Fat, and Forty

April 28th, 2009

That rather disparaging title is descriptive of some of the newcomers I’ve been privileged to introduce to Vibration Training over the past month.

It’s a group I’m very excited about and I want to make their first visit to Vibra-Train a positive experience.  Alas, I can be too soft and that’s a huge mistake!  Of myself I’d mess up by maybe expecting less, allowing less than perfect position on the machines; the result being that these people would not get the first work-out experience they could and then would not understand the amazing benefits they can gain from regular visits.

So, now, I understand why my boss has been so hard on me!

I’m very hard on myself and in the past I’ve expected top performance from others, so much that in one workplace I was horrified to find I was feared by my assistants.  I’m fast regaining that strength of character, not to bully but to insist on the very best performance.

Beautiful FortyIn my job this means that every newcomer gets to experience Vibration Training as they should, just as we advertise it to be!  By being hard on me, insisting I learn the  instructions word perfect and in the correct order; that I’m emphatic about correct positions on the machines, no matter how hard that seems to the customers; and that I lose the softness that has crept into my training style, I can now ensure each customer gets  a quality training session and reaps all the benefits that Vibra-Train gives.

Thank you, Lloyd

pic © www.dreamstime.com)

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My New Job – Update

April 24th, 2009

Having almost completed my third week as an Instructor at  Vibra-Train I’ve had time to settle into the job, meet the morning clients and do the initial training session of at least 20 newcomers.  It’s been a full-on initiation and I’m thankful to Carl, the previous instructor, for allowing me to work alongside him a  few weeks previously and for reminding me of nuances of the human body and how to recognise instantly when clients are out of position so that they can be corrected.

Correcting clients position on the machines is a major part of my job.  As I instruct new clients I stay with them throughout their session ensuring their positions are perfect so that the vibrations target the muscles correctly.  I get to insult or cajole them for poor effort reminding them that the name over the door is “Vibra-Train” not “Vibra-Massage”.  The Studio environment is sharp and charged with wit as clients also harangue each other, demanding correct position and encouraging each to complete the regular 60 to 120 seconds position times.

Other clients know the Safety Program well and work through their session without needing help but I’m always watching, alert to any variances they’ve made over time, any body part or limb angle out of position, and quick to correct them.  In fact we’ve had an all-out crackdown checking all clients positions.  The machine vibrations are set at 43hz with 3mm amplitude.  These machines give vertical vibration – the client being thrust upward and landing back on the platform 43 times a second so self correcting to remain in perfect position is all important.

During a few quiet periods I’ve done a full “Spring-Clean” of the studio and it’s looking great.  Also involved in the forums on vibration training so I’ve been very busy.

And the best thing is I Love It! More reports to come – watch this space.

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Posted in Instructor, Vibra-Train

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My New Job

April 1st, 2009

I’m very excited to say that from next week I’ll be working for

** Vibra-Train **

The ultimate reward for being a loyal customer is being employed by the company.

I’ve been a customer of Vibra-Train for over two years and from the first time I went in and trialed the program and listened to Lloyd Shaw tell me about Vibration Training in general, his plans for his company and his desire to make obesity a thing of the past by providing a means of exercise therapy that was highly effective and very attractive to people who did no other physical activity, I was “sold”.   As well as all this, the studio I’d gone into was the Sports Studio so I saw the benefits to athletes of this new technology.

I have such passion for the Vibration Training Industry and specifically for the Vibra-Train brand and I’m hoping my enthusiasm will flow on to customers as I train them so that they will gain the very best from their training sessions.

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Posted in Experiences, Vibra-Train, Vibration Training

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To my friends and family

January 22nd, 2009

Thanks for looking at my new site setup.  I’ve appreciated the feedback. It’s been suggested by some that I drop the Vibration Training theme and simply use the website as a blog, like an online diary, as many do.  That’s not going to happen.

My website and registered trademark VibePlus are specifically for promoting Vibration Training – it’s benefits as an exercise form for fitness and good health.  Also some related interests at times – nutrition, sports, other forms of exercise.  Comments about other subjects will be few but I will be posting articles about my own experience of Vibration Training – as a user of Vibration Machines and a sometimes Instructor.

Over two years I’ve proven how incredible the benefits of regular Vibration Training, using a safety program, can be and I’ve learnt a lot from that experience (and some study and lots of questioning) that I’m now able to share with others.  Teaching about and Instructing in Vibration Training is what I enjoy most.

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Posted in Other, VibePlus, Vibration Training

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Choosing a Vibration Studio isn’t as easy

January 18th, 2009

Choosing a Vibration Training Studio isn’t as easy as just turning up at your closest provider. It’s important to visit all the studios you can and to ask questions about the machines and the program used.  Most providers offer the first session free so you can assess it.  You will be asked to fill in a questionnaire asking your reasons and goals for Vibration Training and you need to clearly state any injuries (present or past) and medical problems you have.  From this information a proficient Instructor will tell you if you can proceed or if you need to get medical clearance first.  Also they can advise alternative positions you will use on the machines if a regular position is contraindicated.  Some people start with a Therapy program to target injured or weak areas of the body and then move onto a Training (fitness/strength) program. » Read more: Choosing a Vibration Studio isn’t as easy

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Posted in Brands, Vibration Training

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