Art's Blog

Killer Workout.... By Art Rothafel

 Want a "killer workout?"  Simple.  Become a firefighter. 

I live in Southern California -- right in the middle of the most recent fire zones (although we were never threatened by it). 

As such I had the opportunity to witness some of the most physically fit women and men I've ever seen.  Did I mention brave?  Yes, when these folks say "killer workout," they mean it literally.  They screw-up, they die.   

I see gym rats every day.  Yup, they look fit.  But, I wonder.  Could they go out in temperatures well over 110 degrees...  in head to foot rubberized yellow suits... with 75lb backpacks... climbing incredibly steep terrain....  under the constant threat of danger or death?

 Hats off to the firefighting brothers and sisters!  We're glad you're safe and made it through yet another Killer Workout!

Art Rothafel
art@privatelabelfitness.com
800-340-7011
www.privatelabelfitness.com

Be Brave! ..... by Art Rothafel

   I spoke with Andi Fernandez yesterday.  She exemplifies numerous phone calls I receive from fitness professionals throughout the country regarding our Weight-Management 101 Course.

First off, you should know that she called me as a "last resort."  She had already researched dozens of "turn-key" weight-management programs and came to the same conclusion as thousands of fitness pros.... THEY'RE TOO DAMNED EXPENSIVE.

"They were going to charge me a licensing fee and then another charge for training on their products and then I had to purchase way more of their products than I can afford!" she lamented.  "But at least they were going to tell me exactly how to do everything."

YIKES!  That's the point.  How can a company that:

• knows nothing about your business...
• knows nothing about your clientele/members...
• knows nothing about your market area...

...tell you exactly what to do?  And then charge you an enormous amount of money for it?

We purposely don't promote a turn-key system for just those reasons.  Instead, we want you to use our products in whatever way YOU see fit.  This provides you maximum flexibility to make weight-management fit YOUR business.

Listen, Andi is already a certified sports nutritionist as well as a certified trainer.  Like thousands of fitness professionals... she's already GOT THE GOODS!  What she lacks is self-confidence.  She honestly thought she could not develop her own course.  That's B.S.!

She can!  And so can YOU!

Just put on your "educator's hat" and think it through!  You will develop a much better, more effective, more profitable course.. customized specifically to your client base.   And, it'll cost 90% less than all the turnkey programs.

BE BRAVE!

Art Rothfel
www.privatelabelfitness.com
art@privatelabelfitness.com
TollFree   800-340-7011

Change Agent ... by Art Rothafel

Change Agent?   How about Google!  Talk about turning things upside down.  Do you follow their growth?  I sure do. 

Here's a company that is redefining "business."  And, it does so in all kinds of ways.  Its advertising, operations, financials, and even human resources run contrary to the typical business model.  Google has never been "business as usual."

This week Google amazed Wall Street again with it's unbelievable 3rd quarter results.  The world's largest internet search engine company reported that revenues of $4.23 billion, up 57 percent (57%) from a year ago.   Are you kiddin' me?    That's incredible... especially if you understand how difficult it is to sustain growth rates as the size increases.

The point is not how much money Google generates.  My point is that Google looked at standard business models and strategies and rejected all of it.  Instead, they elected to RETHINK it.  To REDESIGN and REDEFINE it.

Clubs and fitness studios have NOT changed their business model in DECADES!

The marketing gurus still churn out the same rhetoric (me included).  The trade pubs still circulate the same basic articles they published 15 years ago.   The tradeshows look and feel the same... just newer equipment.    

Someday, somewhere, someone is going to RETHINK, REDESIGN and REDEFINE our industry.   And, it will never be the same again. Out there lurks the "Change Agent." Perhaps it's YOU. 

THINK...  and RETHINK!

To your continued Success
Art Rothafel
art@privatelabelfitness.com
tollfree:  800-340-7011
www.privatelabelfitness.com

Speak-Up .... by Art Rothafel

 We're planning 2008.  Advertising, web, e-mail, new product development, etc.  Yup, we practice what we preach!   And, this year I'm back to the speaking/seminar circuit. 

For the past 15 years, I've been speaking almost exclusively on weight-management (How to Operate, Market and Sell Weight-Mgmt in a Fitness Environment).   This year, however, we've been asked by a few event planners if we'd be willing to expand our topics list.  They've made a few suggestions.  I'm interested in what you think.  Do the new topics pique your interest?

New Topics

#1  Big Time Branding on a Budget
60-90 minutes. Advantages of branding.  How to create and leverage your brand.  Strategy, Tactics, Checklists.  The mini pro-shop and other new branded profit centers.    Geared toward trainers, studios, small clubs.    

#2  The Future of Personal Training.
60-90 minutes.  Research-based (primary and secondary).  Next Generation. Demographics, New markets, New opportunities.  Geared toward trainers, studios, small clubs, big clubs, multi-club mgmt.

Let me know your thoughts via "comment" on this blog or email me directly at:
art@privatelabelfitness.com

Thanks in advance,

To your continued Success

Art Rothafel
art@privatelabelfitness.com
800-340-7011
www.privatelabelfitness.com

Cheaters! ......... By Art Rothafel

 Yes, Marion Jones is a cheater.  Her admission has tainted track and field forever.  But why stop there?

Let's take a look at the pharmaceutical industry.  Cheaters.... all of them!  Their industry motto must be something like "Pain-free aging through modern chemistry!"  Almost every television commercial advocates treatment of symptoms related to aging or chronic degenerative disease.   Got a problem??  Take a pill!

Hey! How about getting to the root of the issue.... like lack of activity and pathetic nutrition.   Nope!   They make a whole bunch more money by trying to fool Mother Nature.  And, just like Marion Jones and others, that strategy will eventually backfire....  cheaters!

How about the media...?  Sure they expose the epidemic of obesity and poor nutrition.  Then, they turn around and take the advertising dollars of junk food, commercial weight-loss centers, alcohol, cigarettes, inactive lifestyles, etc.  Yup... it's all disingenuous and two-faced....  cheaters!

How about a little closer to home.  How about those trainers who don't think it's necessary to get any kind of certification whatsoever?  How about the clubowners who still hire them?  We've all seen it and cringe at some of the training we see... cheaters!

So, before we all jump on the soapbox and cry "foul" over Marion Jones and others... we should take a look at our own house!

To your continued Success

Art Rothafel
art@privatelabelfitness.com
800-340-7011
www.privatelabelfitness.com

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Wendy.... by Art Rothafel

Wendy Chant and her business (Forever Fit) is what "taking action" looks like.  No magic here.  She's a super-achiever who understands that taking action is what truly generates success.  A quick look at her fantastic (and user-friendly) web site will provide a glimpse:

• Wrote a book (published by McGraw Hill)
• Created and produced her own DVD
• Public speaks
• Established a curriculum
• Produced client testimonial videos (see Rachel's Story!)
• Established multiple profit centers (including our supplements)
• Before and After shots of clients
• Moderates an online discussion group
• Posts testimonial letters
• Posts recipes

....... I look at Wendy's activities and accomplishments.. and, frankly, feel like I'm lazy!   She's raised the bar for me.  Here's a link to her site.  You may spend all day....  I did!

To your continued Success,

Art Rothafel
art@privatelabelfitness.com
www.privatelabelfitness.com