A lot, if not all of group slimming programmes do a weekly weigh in. I understand that to a point, but only to a point.  The scale is the easiest form of measuring numeric progress, however it is the least accurate. If for example somebody is really obese then lets not b******t  they need to lose the weight plain and simple really and if a group slimming programme can help that then i'm all for it. But we are seeing a growing number of people in Balbriggan, ladies in particular (i'm sure all towns are the same) who are in good shape but feel they need to "lose weight". 

There are many ways to measure progress, and many less to measure numerically.  Numbers matter to many people, there is no getting around that, and so much emphasis has been placed on bodyweight, that it’s hard to ignore the stereotype that is all over our society. I see it and hear about it evey week that people are disillusioned because they only lost "x" amount of pounds this week. You see the scales can be your best friend OR your worst enemy. We have all gone through some sort of emotion while looking at a scales, thats normal as most people dont know any better forms of measurements. 

Now there are a number of ways to measure progress without numbers such as, mood, energy level and how your clothes feel.  And those are the initial feelings you are going to have when making changes to your nutrition and exercise programme.  Then you have the numerical results such as inches, body fat percentage, pounds, clothes size, as well as improvements in health readings. Prioritizing these is difficult as everyone has different needs when starting an exercise programme. One person may be very lean and looking to shape up better, so scales weight is not as important as body fat.  On the other side someone who is very obese, the scales would have importance as would body fat percentage.

At ProFitness Gym we are qualified Biosignature Practitioners - an amazing measurement system. Developed by Charles Poliquin, this method of testing uses a body fat calipers to take skinfold measurements from 12 areas of your body. This then gives us an extremely accurate indication of your hormonal profile. Fat storage in certain areas can be due to an imbalance in the body’s biochemistry, especially with hormones. We can tell you amongst other things weather you are insulin resistant, highly estrogenic, if your thyroid is functioning properly, if your cortisol levels are too high and even if you are producing enough testosterone. 

Now why would someone waste their money on certain slimming clubs when there are services like this available? Well there is a mass marketing campaign behind a lot of these slimming clubs which is one explanation, they even sell highly processed sugar laden foods which of course are going to be part of the shopping list! - It's a money orientated world we live in,but we would rather make our money judged on the service we provide and the results we achieve! 

                    John measuring one of his clients using the Biosignature method

With our Personal Training clients and Group Personal Training clients we do weekly Biosignature measurements, which include the weighing scales - if weight stays the same and measurements go down you will see some noticeable differences when you look in the mirror and put your clothes on, if measurements go down and weight goes down, brilliant! If measurements go up and weight goes down we are not so happy and will then try to address which hormone may not be functioning as well as it should.

The moral of the story: don’t believe everything a weighing scales (or some so called slimming club EXPERT) tells you, take the whole story into account and before you jump in to any of these slimming clubs just think if there are any better options out there for you!

Adrian Harper

20/2/2012

This Sunday 19 February we are offering a free conditioning class to the first 20 5 people who put their names down. This class combines a mixture of Modified Strongman/Woman, boxing, weight training exercises all combined with some top notch fat loss protocols! The class is suitable for all levels of fitness and if you are looking to achieve improved body shape/composition then this class will be an excellent start for you. We have been testing this class out on ourselves and our clients and have noticed a considerable drop in Body Fats from training like this.

The class is suitable for both men and women and is an excellent reason for staying in on Saturday night! This class is usually valued at €15 each so it's one you should not miss. The class starts at 9.30 AM and will last for 45 minutes and you dont have to be a gym member to attend. You can register your names on Facebook!

As I write this its 6.30 am at the ProFitness Gym and Balbriggan is pretty quiet at this time! It's the time of day I like to write as i get more done! The past year has been a rollercoaster year for us for a number of different reasons! We have experienced many highs and also some lows. We have travelled to many places, worked long hours and have put in a lot of money to try become the best we can be. Myself and John had been working 70 - 80 hours most weeks!

Our hours are now split up more and we are becoming far more productive and we are operating on being more productive over 30-40 hours than we had been over 80! It seems to be working as we are G.S.D (getting s*** done)!! We would like to think we offer you a better gym experience here than in any other gym you have been to (not talking about having a fancy swimming pool that you dont use or offering a ton of classes that are not good at achieving results)  the real reson most of you join a gym(to look better naked)!

The number of people joining the Gym has amazed us. We also feel we offer a much higher standard of service than our competitors and it's for this reason we have decided to make ProFitness Gym more exclusive to you. Bearing in mind we have never spent 1 cent on advertising the Gym we feel this is a massive step forward for us and you.

So to continue offering you a high quality service we will soon be limiting the number of members we take in. If you are a potential member we advise you to sign up ASAP as in a few weeks time you will have to join a waiting list to become a member of ProFitness Gym. Our price list is available to view here. We will however be able to offer you the highest quality Personal Training and group training and you will then be able to become a member following training on these options. 

For all current members we advise you to keep your membership in date as if it lapses for more than one week we will have to offer your place to somebody on the waiting list.

We want to become known as the best and we need YOU to keep training hard, eating well and following the correct lifestyle habits to achieve life changing results.

Please contact us if you wish to enquire about Gym membership, Personal Training or any Fat Loss Classes

Yours in Health 

Adrian Harper

13/2/12