Essential Handbook for Fitness Professionals

This book is for people interested in becoming a fitness professional such as a group fitness instructor, personal trainer, wellness coach, or mentor. The depth of information provides the practical foundation for teaching and training quality movement and motor patterns. It is not meant to replace the manuals needed for fitness certifications. Rather, this handbook can also be used as a quick reference manual for current fitness professionals to refresh their skills and technical knowledge such as joint action, postural alignment, injury prevention, and more.

I started my fitness journey and career as a software engineer. I participated in aerobic classes after work, faithfully. As a result, the fitness facility owner would ask me to teach a class when the instructor did not show up, even though I had no prior experience or qualification. And as the saying goes, the rest is history. I was fortunate that my passion to dance and work out became my career.

During my 40 plus years in the fitness industry, I went back to school to earn a master's degree in Kinesiology with an emphasis in Exercise Physiology, received many certifications, and aimed to stay current with recent research findings and trainings. Working with talented fitness professionals, participants, and clients with diverse backgrounds, experiences, and goals has made me aware that as fitness professionals, we need to have a standard level of scientifically-based knowledge, attention to instruction, and accountability. Although I was very active during my childhood and a high school athlete, my dream was to become a marine biologist. As I was preparing to start the marine mammal-training program at Michigan State, I felt that I was not ready to move that far from home. So, I applied to a university closer to home, Western Michigan University (WMU), and was accepted into their Exercise Science program. Looking back, I now realize that this was one of the best decisions of my life.

After completing my bachelor's and master's degree at WMU, I went to the University of Utah to get my doctorate degree. They were one of the few schools that offered a dual PhD program in Exercise Physiology and Health, Fitness Promotion. Furthermore, I received an assistantship that allowed me to teach in their physical activity program. This assistantship, along with the education I received, allowed me to oversee Health, Fitness, Wellness Education programs in higher education.