Get to know your BodyFly – Read the Owner’s Manual

Start by looking at the table of contents at the beginning of the manual. This gives you a preview of the information that will be covered in the manual. Each Certified BodyFly Trainer is required to learn and retain a high level of knowledge about the owner’s manual to best help your clients and more importantly represent BodyFly Fitness in the best way possible.

Safety First!

In general, the BodyFly is considered a safe piece of exercise equipment for all levels. However, there are steps you can take to enhance your safety while working out. 

• Give yourself enough room. The BodyFly takes up minimal floor space, and you need to be able to move freely while doing the exercises. 
• Don’t overexert yourself. Just like free weights and other resistance machines, choose a weight that’s comfortable and allows you to use proper form. If at any point you find it hard to perform an exercise with the correct form, decrease the resistance to prevent injury.
• Check for damage. Check the cables and attachments before you use them for fraying or splitting on the cables. 
• Don’t modify the equipment. To stay safe, only use the handles and attachments designed for the cable machine.

Combating Social Isolation 

Certified exercise professionals and health coaches are uniquely positioned to address the growing effects of social isolation. By leveraging technology and incorporating positive psychology, they can foster meaningful connections with clients and class participants, helping to combat its negative impacts.

• Social media can be particularly impactful when done in small groups with meaningful interactions, as opposed to social media posts that encourage individuals to compare themselves with others. Sabrena shares that research reveals the latter, lighter touch social media connections can potentially have negative impacts on individuals’ feelings of social isolation. We recommend that when using social media, it’s important to know which platform your clients prefer and to remember for yourself, that it’s not about the number of “likes” you may get but rather, focus on the service and much-needed connection you are providing.
   
• Positive psychology is key in your role as a health and exercise professional. Let your clients know that feeling out of sorts is normal during this time and demonstrate how there are opportunities to connect with others. We recommend creating private Facebook groups to not only engage with clients as a coach and frame positive discussions but to also provide a space for clients to interact and share. Possible questions for participants to respond to include: “What types of interesting meals have you made from your non-perishable pantry items?” and “How did you get moving today?” 

Four tips to help you and your clients shine 

During challenging times, individuals may experience depression, anxiety, and a need for positivity. Exercise professionals and health coaches are well-positioned to support these individuals. Here are five practical tips to help professionals “ignite positivity within and radiate it outward.”

1. Take care of yourself, so you can best serve your clients.
   This means keeping good habits to stay healthy physically and mentally, like getting enough sleep, eating well, exercising, and making time to refocus and recharge. Be mindful of how much negative content is consumed and counteract that negativity with space for positive creation, like developing workouts, connecting with clients, and fulfilling your passion.
   
2. Create a virtual gym. 
   Out of necessity, the industry has embraced the virtual space. Use live workouts on social media or on video conferencing platforms to bring the gym to clients.
     
3. Have regular touchpoints with clients. 
   Connect with clients regularly whether that’s through text, email, video, or audio recording. Instead of in-person greetings at the gym, you can now record regular videos on your phone to get members pumped for what’s to come.
    
4. Think positively. 
   We recommend shifting focus so that anxieties transform into opportunities. This can be done for you and your clients. For example, exercise professionals may be anxious about going virtual, but this is an opportunity to expand their business to reach additional clients beyond geographic boundaries.

Five Cs to remember as exercise professionals and health coaches  

• Courage. This is an unprecedented time, an opportunity to become a leader and be courageous.  
• Community. Engage existing clients and future clients with virtual communities. We developed an online community where fitness and wellness experts can connect with clients.   
• Collaborate. Be open to new collaborations. A collaborative spirit can open doors for new projects that may have not been available before becoming a BodyFly Certified Trainer.  
• Create. Continue to create content, especially content that shows off personality and strong programming; this kind of content will help audiences build connections with instructors. 
• Compassion. Exercise professionals and health coaches are uniquely positioned to offer compassionate support. Clients may have varying readiness levels for engaging in workouts, while others may face personal challenges. Professionals are encouraged to ask about their client’s experiences and listen actively to better understand and support their needs.