November 2009

In today’s blog post, I share with you guys on my recent encounter with my good friend and mentor Jerrican Tan, CSCS (Managing Director at Fitness Innovations Malaysia, FiT) – who played a major role in me finally being able to take a bold step out of my full time IT career, into the fitness business.

Catching up over dinner and totally unplanned, I decided to turn this into an opportunity to update you guys on what’s been happening behind the doors at FiT Malaysia, the country’s first International Standard Training and Certification Centre for Fitness Professionals – which is where I spent a lot of time when I was first getting started out in the fitness business as a full time Personal Trainer.

Today’s post is really informal, and I’ll leave out the small talk, and present you guys with the juicy bits - also… there are quite a few people out there who think that Jerrican is the DailyMuscle blogger! - well, hopefully, with today’s post, you will now know that he is not. I can’t be having dinner with myself right? ;)

DM: Jerrican, things have certainly changed here in Fitness Innovations since I last did my preparation course - can you tell us how business has been for you this year, and the changes you have seen in the local Fitness Industry?

Jerrican: Certainly many changes! We had 46 people taking the ACE certification just 2 weeks ago, compared to the 15 during our first exam held here. Yes, our country is moving forward! I am also happy that universities are sending people here. [click to continue...]

I couldn’t resist doing this… this is a photo of a Personal Trainer from a gym here in Malaysia (which I shall not name) which appeared in a local newspaper a couple of days ago. It shows a trainer demonstrating a stretching technique with a client.

So dear readers - in true dailymuscle.com style… let me ask you a question… Who, in your opinion, is the trainer? Is it the overweight guy on the left, or the fitter and leaner looking gentleman on the right? (My regular readers who understand my sense of humour by now would already know the answer!)

Indicate your answer over here at this Survey page:
>> Click Here to provide your answer!
(you may only answer once). *This survey has ended. See below for update.

Will let you guys know the outcome of the survey results in a couple of days. :-)

Don’t forget to give me your answer by clicking on the survey link!

Regards,
DM

*UPDATE - 23rd Nov 2009: The survey received 85 responses, out of which, 27 people guessed that the person on the right is the trainer (that’s 31.8%). The only reason that anyone would guess the person on the right is the trainer, is because he looked fitter than the person on the left - but who would have guessed… that the trainer is actually the guy on the LEFT. 31% of people making a wrong guess is quite a large number.

Which goes to prove, that as a trainer… you need to look the part. So as harsh as I may sometimes be… for the sake of your career and for the sake of inspiring others - that means no saggy butt, no bulging tummy, no love handles. It’s not like you need to have a six-pack… but at least, look fit, ‘cos you are actually a role model to your client, even if they don’t say it to you. So the next time I write a blog post like this one “Is your Group Exercise Instructor on the chubby side?“, then there would be no need for everyone to get upset with me… :-)

In conjunction with World Diabetes Day two days ago (November 14), here I present to three realistic ways to cut down your sugar intake… and just in case you think I’m making this up or suggesting unrealistic changes, I’d like to highlight that these are the exact things I do for myself - so if I can do it… then you can too! :-) [click to continue...]

Over the past few months, I’ve received tremendous feedback from all of you guys who have read my Turbulence Training Review and went to the extent to purchase the TT Program and try it out. Many of you were seeing great results within the first few weeks… which is just awesome!

I’ve been in communication with Craig for a few months now, and over the past few weeks, I have shared some of my concerns with him, so today, I’m really glad to say that I’ve got a guest post from the man himself - specially for us Malaysians (and Asians) who have a problem with late night eating, and an excessive carbohydrate intake which is just so typical of our Asian diet. So here we go… and thanks Craig - I owe you one!

The Truth About Late Night Eating and Fat Loss

Guest Blog Post by Craig Ballantyne, CSCS, MS
Author, Turbulence Training [click to continue...]