Coughlin Inner Circle

Are Boot Camps Effective?

In the past couple years, I’ve noticed how fitness boot camps have become extremely popular in the fitness industry.  While I have never been a fan of this type of training, I can see why there are a number of reasons both the client and trainer can benefit.   

For the client, they’re ridiculously cheap.  A fitness enthusiast can shell out as little as 10-20 bucks an hour and still get a decent workout. 

They’re also very motivational.  Some people despise working out alone and prefer to work out with a large group of people.  This environment makes them feel competitive and pushes them beyond what they can normally do by themselves.

For the trainer, boot camps are highly lucrative.  There is practically no overhead.  The fitness instructor can have a group of twenty people meet at a local park, perform bodyweight calisthenics and/or cardio drills, and only pay for using the park, which is very minimal at the least. 

Also, if a trainer charges 20 bucks an hour per person and there are 20 people…Well, you do the math…that’s $400.00 buckaroos an hour!  Not a bad deal.

Despite all this, there’s one huge detail I should mention…

Fitness Boot Camps Do Not Work.

That’s right, they won’t get you results…or not the kind of results regular one-on-one personal training will give you.

Boot camps are good workouts for sure, they’ll raise your heart rate, they’ll assist in burning some calories and help you break a sweat, they may even get you motivated, BUT don’t expect your body to look much different after a month or more from this type of training. 

Many personal training companies (not mine) won’t divulge this kind of information since boot camps make up a good percentage of their clientele. 

Most fitness companies market boot camps as the best thing since sliced bread and sometimes even compare it to regular personal training...saying stuff like:

“Lose fat, build muscle and drop weight fast with highly-motivational Fitness Boot Camps that are a fraction of the cost of a personal trainer and can easily be done at your local park”

Blah…Blah…Blah…

Look, let’s be perfectly clear.  There is a HUGE difference between one-on-one personal training and boot camps. I assure you, they’re NOT the same thing!  Not even close.  There’s a reason one-on-one personal training is relatively expensive…it gets you the best results possible.  Period.

With boot camps, you are training with 20 individuals at the same time.  This means you have 20 different people with different strength, endurance and health backgrounds working out together.  There’s no way in h*ll ONE trainer can gauge each person’s fitness level individually.  It’s not possible.

All the fitness instructor can do is shout at the top of his or her lungs and instruct everyone with the same generic exercise routines over and over…usually simple bodyweight calisthenics such as push-ups, squats, lunges and sit-ups that are not monitored for correct form and proper intensity.   

When you supplement boot camps for your strength training; you don’t challenge the body’s muscles.  You’re not going to force your body to change, hence your body will EASILY adapt and cause you to not see results. 

You’re much better off saving your time and money and doing some type of cardio exercise by yourself such as walking, jogging, running or working out on your elliptical, stairmaster or treadmill.

The reason I say this is because that’s essentially what boot camps are… aerobic conditioning.  Don’t be fooled into believing they aren’t.

Now, I understand that some people may get irritated by hearing this since they may be currently participating in a boot camp or they have had a good experience with one in the past.

No problem with me…after all, boot camps promote fitness, get you motivated and up and off your arse, so there’s something to be said there.

But if you’re looking to TRANSFORM your body and get the best results with your fitness program, forget the boot camp and invest in hiring a qualified personal trainer for one-on-one personal training…it is definitely your best bet.  Click here if you are interested – http://www.fitnessandresults.com/getting_started.php

Better yet, if you’re strapped for dough, I’ve got 90 convenient strength training exercises that don’t place you in a cold arse park at 6:00 in the morning.  These kick-butt routines can be performed in the comfort and privacy of your own home and are the SAME ones I have used to helped hun-dreds of my clients get super-fit FAST.  If you’re curious, click here – http://www.fitnessandresults.com/homefitness_book.php

Well, that’s all for now, until next time train hard and train smart.

Yours in Total Fitness & Maximum Success,

Jim Coughlin

Live Life with Passion

I truly believe to succeed at the game of life you need to be passionate. 

No matter what you’re talking about - everything involves some type of passion. 

From the profession you’re in, your relationships, your fitness/health program, your special interests...you name it...if you’re NOT passionate about it, you’re not going to live a very fulfilling life.

Now I know this is something you hear time and time again, yet there are so many people that live their life void of passion.  They live it with no emotion, no enthusiasm, no energy, no excitement. 

And this is the same reason; they’re always unhappy and in a bad mood, unhealthy, unsuccessful with their profession, constantly fighting with their significant other and friends, neglecting their children and so forth.

If you’re not passionate about ONE particular area in your life...it can have huge impact on everything else.

I think without a doubt, the 3 BIGGIES are - your health, your relationships and your profession.  I for one, can definitely attest to this. 

I used to not be passionate about the profession I was in and this essentially made me not care about my health and made every relationship I was in suffer because I had no self-confidence or lack thereof.

Now, I AM passionate about my profession which has helped me attract the woman of my dreams and inspires me to regularly workout and be in the best shape of my life.

No passion leads to always being distracted, which leads to lack of mental focus, which leads to no drive, which leads to lack of interest and procrastination...all of which will not help you in your life.

I’m sure you’ve heard the phrase.."If you’re passionate and love what you do, success will follow.”  Well this saying is right on.

And even though it may be a little more slanted toward your profession, I believe “relationships” and “health” can be modeled in the same way.  Each one is interrelated.

So start living life with passion my friend.  Life’s too short NOT to!

Have a great day and until next time train hard and train smart.

Yours in Total Fitness & Maximum Success,

Jim Coughlin

The Terror Within

There was a documentary that came out a few years ago called “Super-Size Me.”

For those of you who never saw it, it was about a guy who decides to eat McDonald’s food for thirty days straight and in the process, tell us what we all already know – Eating at McDonald’s is not healthy and unless you want to get fat and risk heart disease avoid it like the plague. Duh, right?

Well, I think this new documentary “Killer at Large” seems to be a bit more informative and revealing on the obesity crisis that this country is currently facing. It really is sad how bad it has gotten.

Here is a clip of the trailer...

Hope you had a great 4th of July!

Best Regards,

Jim Coughlin

It's Good to Be Back

I know it’s been a while since you last heard from me.  Been busier than a one-legged man at an arse-kicking contest…hehe.

I just celebrated my one-year wedding anniversary (June 9th) a couple weeks ago by going to Key West with Brighid, and let me tell you, what an awesome place it is. 

We went with my brother, Karl, and his wife, Suzie and both stayed at a cozy little hotel called The Duval House.

Don’t have as many stories as Aruba, but can definitely tell you that the people there were super-nice, and the food, especially the seafood, was super-good!

If you ever happen to go there, I highly recommend a place called Half Shell raw bar in the afternoon (or morning lol :) and in the evening, there’s a great restaurant called Crabby Dick’s.  I’m sure there are others, but those were definitely my favorites.

All in all, we had a wonderful time and will most likely go back again real soon.

The other reason you haven’t heard from me is because my business has been going crazy in the past month.  Guess those gas prices AREN’T deterring people from losing that extra flabbage. 

Got a couple emails from some clients the other day which really made me feel good and thought you’d enjoy them as well…

Hi Jim,

I am doing good. Laura is awesome! I am loosing inches around my waist and I am toning very well around my arms and my legs. It has been 1month and 1 week and I went from size 10 to size 8. Even though my weight has been up and down, as I am building muscles, I am positive about my workout because I feel different, lots of energy and I can't wait to see how I look in the next 2 months! My diet has always been good and with the exercise, I am super charged! I believe this is one of the best investments that I have made in my life, because I am learning how to maintain my ideal weight, and lower my fat % as well. Even though it requires a lot of discipline and hard work at the beginning, I know I am creating the habit and I am getting used to the exercise. My husband is so proud of me! He says, I AM LOOKING SEXIER DAY BY DAY! Thanks to you, Laura, and the program!

Regards,
Pauline

p.s keep up the good work!

Jim,

Thanks for checking in.  In the first month I lost 10 pounds and 10 1/2".  Yippee!!  Hannah is great.  She's sweet but she's also mean!  If that makes sense.  She reviews my nutrition daily, she gives me goals to work towards, she shares applicable tips and advice and even when I whine - she just keeps pushing me, she doesn't soften - she doesn't give me any passes.  She's very knowledgeable and dedicated to my success.  I'm VERY VERY happy with her - she's really great!

Amy

Well, it’s good to be back.  I hope you and yours are enjoying your summer as well as I am!

By the way, I should mention that for those of you who are strapped for dough due to gas prices being so high, I’ll soon be selling my personal training services on a pay-as-you-go basis.

Meaning, if you DON’T want to commit to a long-term package of training sessions, you can now pay for one week at a time. 

This will apply to our Total Body Makeover and Sculpt & Strengthen fitness programs and I’ll have the links with more details for you asap.

Have a nice day.

Best,

Jim Coughlin

The Healthy Cookie

Got a bit of a chuckle this morning.  One of my clients, Cindy, said the funniest thing.

“Hey Jim, I was eating these healthy cookies last night…are they ok?”

“Ahhhhhhh…What do you think?” 

I then proceeded to laugh hysterically.  She joined in.

Cindy knew what the answer was, but also figured that since these cookies said they were “healthy”, then maybe, just maybe her trainer will let her slide.  Not likely.

Look, there are a gazillion foods on the market today all claiming to be healthy and this and that, but they’re FAR from it.

If any food you purchase is man-made, or in other words, pre-packaged in a wrapper, box or bag – they’re not good for you.

I don’t care what sugar-coated declarations these manufacturers make.

You know what I’m talking about.  High in fiber, loaded with vitamins, low in sugar, low in fat, no trans-fats, low in sodium, fat-free, sugar-free, 100% all-natural, the list goes on and on and on.

Bottom Line: You’re NOT going to achieve the same results with your fitness program eating these foods as opposed to eating foods that come from a natural source.  Period.

This is not to say you should NEVER eat man-made foods, but if you’re desperately trying to lose weight or create a toner, slimmer body, processed man-made foods will only get in the way of your exercise progress.

Just because a packaged food says it’s 100% all-natural, doesn’t mean they ALSO didn’t load it with a bunch of preservatives, additives or any other chemically-based ingredients to make it taste better.

If you’re trying to get into the best shape of your life (or damn near close that is :) then the foundation of your nutrition program should primarily consist of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean meats and plenty of fresh water.

Now, having said that, following this model will definitely ensure you create the body you want, but it’s also only a fraction of what it takes to be successful. 

There are MANY other factors you need to know. 

And if you want to learn more about how to conquer your nutrition goals, then check out my Nutrition Secrets to Success program by going here – http://www.fitnessandresults.com/nsts_audio_program.php

Better yet, if you want to get the program for FREE plus a bunch of other goodies, then go here – http://www.fitnessandresults.com/the_inhome_trainer.php

That’s all for now.  Until next time you hear from me, be smarter with your nutrition.

When you’re grocery shopping and you almost fall for the “healthy” gimmick, be honest with yourself.   Use some common sense. 

Ask yourself: Is this REALLY healthy? 

If you’re truly serious about getting into kick-arse shape, I think you’ll know the answer.

Have a great day.

Yours in Total Fitness & Maximum Success,

Jim Coughlin

What Gets Measured - Gets Results

If you were to ask me the single most important principle for strength training success, I would quickly tell you that measuring your daily workout routines is the answer.

So many people get caught up on what’s the "best workout" or "best exercise" when really, that’s not the answer.

As the old saying goes, “It’s not what you say, but how you say it.”

In this case, “It’s not what exercise you do, but how you measure it.”

You could continually do the so-called best workout or best exercise (by the way, there’s no such thing) over and over again, but eventually, your body is going to adapt to it.

The real secret lies in constantly measuring your progress, because if you’re not, you’ll never know if you’re improving, so what’s the point?

My formula for success with clients concerning this topic has been very simple.

I create a strength training routine for the client.  The client does the routine for 3 sessions.  Within those 3 sessions the client does either more resistance/weight of an exercise or they do more repetitions of the resistance/weight. 

Of course I’ll throw in various other components such as cardio conditioning, super-setting, isometric training and others, but the bottom line is, I ALWAYS know where the client left off from their previous session because I’m measuring their progress for each exercise and I know for certain, they’re never doing the same thing twice.

Once the 3 sessions are over, I create an entirely different routine, and the process starts all over again.  More reps…More resistance…Tweak here…Tweak there.

If a client is eating correctly and consistently doing their cardio (which if they’re working with me, they don’t have a choice :) there is no possible way they can’t achieve results.  Period.  End of story. 

So the question is…are YOU doing the same? 

Are you constantly keeping track of everything you do with your strength training or are you someone who is spinning their wheels and have no clue? 

Well, if you’re doing the latter, it’s very likely your body hit a plateau ages ago and you’re NOT seeing results.

Sure, you’re getting the health benefits associated with strength training, but you’re not creating the lean, toned, strong body you want because your body is simply not being challenged enough.

My advice to you, would be to hire one of my personal trainers who can help you with this - http://www.fitnessandresults.com/getting_started.php, or if you can’t afford one, it would be wise to invest in my “In-Home Personal Trainer” course - http://www.fitnessandresults.com/tihpt_platinum_gold.php
that goes over tracking your workouts, plus MANY other crucial components for your strength training routine. 

There is nothing I don’t cover, so you have no choice but to be successful, though, if you’re skeptical or you have questions regarding my services or products, you can call 1-800-845-9016 or you can read what other people have to say by going here - http://www.fitnessandresults.com/testimonials.php

I wish you all the best!

Yours in Total Fitness & Maximum Success,

Jim Coughlin

 

How Much is Your Health Worth?

This past week, with the discovery of my father’s heart condition, really got me thinking how important your health is and my renewed appreciation for life itself.

Now obviously, the coronary artery disease (CAD) my father has is a genetic predisposition and he doesn’t have much control over that.  But rest assure my father’s lack of exercise, poor eating habits and high stress levels have not done him any favors either.

My good friend Frank, who’s father just passed away a few weeks ago also had the same type of lifestyle, and as Frank said “For him to simply go for a walk everyday would have easily made him live 5-10 years longer.” 

Even though Frank’s father did live to be 85, just imagine how much better of a life he would have lived had he been healthier.  Frank’s father also had quintuple bypass surgery 10 years before he passed away, but refused to exercise and look what happened as a result.

Just a few weeks ago, I met with a lady, who after only 3 sessions of training with me, decided that “she doesn’t have the time to commit to an exercise and nutrition program.”  And that her job is too demanding. 

Well, what this lady needs to understand is that each day that passes by where she isn’t regularly exercising and eating right, she's actually running “out of time.”

Sure, she may live another 20-30 years, (I think she was in her 40’s) but sooner or later her body is going to throw in the towel if she continues to use the “I don’t have the time excuse” - just like it warned my father and showed Frank’s father. 

By the way, as I’ve said before, who cares if you live to be 80-90 years old, when the vast majority of those years are of horrible quality…wouldn’t you agree?

Point is, you really need to think long and hard how much is your health worth to you?

If you can’t make a regular appointment with yourself to do some type of exercise everyday (yes, everyday), then you DON’T value your health.

If you don’t have the will-power or common sense to eat healthy, then you DON’T value your health.

If you continue to be negative about everything in your life and easily get stressed out because of it, then you DON’T value your health.

These really are simple things that our society continues to minimize everyday, until something tragic happens and it’s too late.  But the simple fact is, making the choice to live a healthy lifestyle is an easy decision you can start making TO-DAY!

And if YOU happen to be one of these people, I’m just the person to help lead the way. 

I have awesome trainers who I’m sure will give you that extra motivation you need to be successful - http://www.fitnessandresults.com/getting_started.php or I have life-changing fitness products - http://www.fitnessandresults.com/products.php
that simulate the same thing. 

Either way, you have no excuses to NOT be healthy!

Have a nice day.

Yours in Total Fitness & Maximum Success,

Jim Coughlin   

Update about My Father

Well, I've got good news and bad news.

The good news is, my father actually did NOT have a heart attack.  Due to the irregular heart beat he was showing and enzyme they found in his blood, they originally thought this was the case.

But after being transferred to a coronary specialist about 25 miles away, they determined there that he has a type of CAD - aka a coronary artery deficiency.  He inherited this from his father.  So that's the bad news.

Also, he'll have to take some type of medication to treat this heart condition as well, but you bet your arse that the next time I talk to him, I'm gonna make sure that he ALSO gets started on a regular exercise program and healthy eating plan...because he wasn't before...or at least not as often as he should.

Anyway, my mother picked him up from the hospital today and he is recovering just fine.

I want to thank everyone who sent their inspirational and heart-felt emails over the past couple days.  They really mean ALOT! 

If I didn't personally respond back to you, I apologize, been kinda out of it the past couple days.

I'll get back into the swing of things here shortly.

Jim    

Your Thoughts and Prayers Are Much Appreciated

I just learned that my father had a heart attack a few days ago and it goes without saying that I'm very shocked about it. 

He has a condition of the heart called angina which is a chest pain that occurs when the heart muscle does not get enough blood.

He is currently at the hospital in stable condition and awaiting surgery.  I believe the doctors there are going to perform a cardiac stent to treat the coronary blockage and hopefully, everything goes well.

I know this is a bit personal and I know some of you reading this barely know me, but ANY thoughts and prayers you can send my father's way would be greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,

Jim Coughlin

Stronger Than a Rocket

If you were to visit a Barnes & Noble, Borders & Books or your local grocery store and browse through the magazine section, you’ll notice that it’s littered with countless publications covering everything from fitness, health, weight-loss to bodybuilding and so on.

Each magazine cover you see usually has the same criteria.  A man or woman model chiseled to perfection because he or she has been working out their entire life and they’ve finally graced a magazine cover (whoop-de-freakin-do) or they’ve been airbrushed to the bajesus…to the point where they don’t even look human, so you don’t know what’s real and what’s not.

Then you have the next component to the cover.  The super, over-the-top, audacious headlines.  You know the ones I’m talking about…

“Six-pack abs in Six Weeks”
“7 Secrets to Lasting Weight Loss”
“Get into Super-Model Shape in 30 Days or Less”

…and many, many more. 

Basically, they’ll say anything and everything to get you to buy their magazine.  And they usually succeed in the process.

But what happens next?

The person who buys the magazine flips to the cover story only to be disappointed with the same, regurgitated information that has been printed many times before.  Only this time, it’s packaged differently with a new twist or angle.  Whatever.

Look, if you depend on magazines as a reliable source of info to achieve your fitness and weight loss goals…I promise you, you’re not going to be successful. 

Why?

Well, aside from the obvious fact that they’re filled to the brim with worthless fluff, magazines neglect the most important component of all when it comes to achieving your goals…Having a proper mindset.

If you’re someone who is seriously overweight, has no confidence or someone who has been depressed for years and has lost all hope, having a strong mindset is critical to your success.

You can’t expect to be cured by the emotional lure of a hollow, life-sucking magazine that doesn’t care about you and your situation. 

I’ve told you in the past that 80 percent of your success with fitness comes from proper nutrition while the other 20 comes from effective strength training and consistent cardiovascular exercise.

Well guess what?

100 percent of your success comes from having the right mindset.

That means, instead of living vicariously through trendy, disposable magazines that are filled with empty promises…why not start making realistic, attainable goals for yourself?

And no, it’s not hard.

Ask yourself these questions…

How much weight do I want to lose?
What size clothes do I want to be able to fit into?
What body fat percentage do I want to have?
How will I feel and how happy will I be when I achieve these goals?

Once you have answers to these questions, you need to start programming your mind to achieve them.  And Believe it or not, your mind is VERY powerful.

I was reading something the other day that explained how everything on earth functions at a certain vibration level.  Anything from an airplane, to a tree to your wrist watch sets of a specific vibration.

Yet scientists have proven that the strongest vibration (Even stronger than a rocket) is found in “human thought.”  Pretty interesting…Wouldn’t ya say?

The thoughts you think day in and day out serve as a blue print of who you are and where you’re going in your life.

Understand that whatever your goals may be, you need to constantly be focusing on them.  Write them down on a 3x5 index card and carry them with you everywhere you go.  Repeat them to yourself as you are taking a shower, driving to work or while you’re exercising. 

If you’re shaking your head right now or doubtful this doesn’t work, you’re NOT being serious about your goals. 

I have used this technique in many aspects of my life and let me tell you, it WORKS like clockwork... and it can work for you too.   Start programming your mind for success and you’ll start to attract what you want.  Your focus and determination will be like a lazer-guided missile moving toward its target.  NOTHING will be able to stop it!

Well, that’s all for now my friend.  Have a good weekend!

Yours in Total Fitness & Maximum Success,

Jim Coughlin