When it comes to exercise selection, the world of fitness offers a seemingly endless array of options. Whether you're designing a workout for the first time or have been on a fitness journey for a while, the choices can be overwhelming. The burning question is, which exercises are the right ones for you? The answer is simple but transformative: personalized exercise selection. Customizing your exercise choices for your workouts can be a game-changer in your fitness journey. It's not about one-size-fits-all routines; it's about tailoring your workouts to your unique needs, goals, and abilities ..read more

As fitness coaches, we often find ourselves pondering the question: "What are good health and fitness habits for children?" The realm of youth health can be daunting, as many recommendations primarily focus on enhancing youth athletic performance rather than cultivating the foundation for lifelong well-being. Here, we'll explore how to guide our clients, especially parents, in establishing and maintaining a holistic, balanced lifestyle for their children. We'll discuss essential principles that provide a roadmap for raising healthy kids. Principle #1: Prioritize Quality Sleep Sleep is a corner ..read more

We've all seen it in the fitness coaching world—a common trend that often seems counterintuitive. High-performance training principles, tailored for elite athletes, are frequently prescribed to clients across all age groups, regardless of their individual goals, abilities, or unique circumstances. Yet, does it make sense to design an intensive, performance-oriented program, complete with intricate exercises, for a client like Betty, a 55-year-old hoping to alleviate her arthritis? Or to construct a demanding training regimen with drop-clusters and back-off sets for Dan, a 35-year-old new fathe ..read more

Dive into a curated roundup of featured articles from OPEX CEO Carl Hardwick. From innovative perspectives on resistance training to insightful takes on fitness business growth, Carl's expertise illuminates the path to sustainable fitness. With new articles added regularly, read on to gain valuable insights and elevate your coaching game from this exclusive collection. Learn more about Carl and read his CEO Profile here. Why Strength Training Improves Looks, Health, & Performance If you lift weights, you likely want to build muscle, increase your strength or improve your health. Strength ..read more

In the ever-evolving world of fitness coaching, embracing the power of Artificial Intelligence (AI) can be a game-changer. It presents a world of possibilities, but the challenge lies in finding AI tools that align with your core principles and the trusted science of your coaching practice.  We understand this, and that's why we're excited to introduce a unique solution—a combination of AI prompts and an educational course designed to not only streamline your coaching but also enhance the overall experience for both coaches and clients. Why We Created These Free AI Resources Our journey i ..read more

Efficiency in the world of fitness coaching goes beyond simply doing more in less time; it's about understanding what makes you effective in your work. While enhancing efficiency has been a popular topic in recent years, especially with books like James Clear's "Atomic Habits," this discussion dives into the realm of program design, a task that coaches may sometimes find routine. Evaluating Your Efficiency Before diving into ways to boost your efficiency, it starts with a conscious decision to improve. This means you're committed to understanding your own efficiency and making changes for the ..read more

Within the ever-evolving sphere of fitness coaching, there exists a guiding light, known as evidence-based coaching. This approach avoids the pitfalls of trends and conjecture by adhering strictly to scientific research and data. However, this journey is not without its shadows. In this exploration, we'll delve into the merits and pitfalls of this intriguing coaching methodology. Understanding Evidence-Based Coaching Before we embark on this journey, let's first grasp the essence of evidence-based coaching. It's a quest for concrete answers in the fitness realm, driven by scientific exploratio ..read more

A coach's role transcends mere exercise planning or motivation provision. It revolves around nurturing a connection between the coach and client. This involves aiding clients in defining attainable goals and extending guidance, support, and occasional challenges. This coaching relationship thrives on consistent assessments, progress monitoring, and accountability. Recognizing assessment as an indispensable tool equips fitness coaches with the essential information needed for success with each client. By embracing an assessment-first approach, coaches can shape personalized exercise programs, l ..read more

We are excited to share the news that OPEX has formed a partnership with NEXO, a leading provider of specialized insurance solutions for the fitness industry. This partnership opens up a world of opportunities and benefits for both our in-person and remote coaches. You can find more details about our partnership here: NEXO Insurance for OPEX Coaches Every policy is tailored to meet the unique demands of the fitness community, whether you work in-person or remotely and are a business owner or contractor coach.  Here's a brief overview of what this partnership entails for each segment of ou ..read more

In a world where hunched postures and endless screen time have become the norm, it's no surprise that many of us find ourselves battling the discomfort of tight shoulders. Whether you're shoulder tightness is limiting your workouts or you’re simply feeling the cumulative effects of daily stress, those knots and tension in your shoulder area can be both painful and frustrating. Before we go any further, it’s important to note that there are myriad reasons why you may be experiencing shoulder tightness. We highly recommend getting assessed by a professional fitness coach, such as the OPEX Remote ..read more