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Building Your Fitness Business with Bands

7 Tips to Increase Revenues, Get Clients Better Results, and Make Your Business Better with Bands

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By Dave Schmitz

Edited by Bobby Kenney

Resistance Band Training Systems, LLCElizabethtown, KY

Copyright © 2013 by Dave Schmitz. All Rights Reserved.

No portion of this book may be used, reproduced, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, fax, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system by anyone but the purchaser or reviewer for their own personal use. This book may not be reproduced in any form without the express written permission of Dave Schmitz, except in the case of a reviewer who wishes to quote brief passages for the sake of a review written for inclusion in a magazine, paper, journal, or website- and these cases require written approval from Dave Schmitz prior to publication.

Disclaimer – The information in this book is for educational purposes only. There is an inherent risk assumed by any participant with any type of business activity. Those wishing or planning to partake in business activities should research their markets and understand the risks before doing so. The author of this book assumes no liability for any adverse outcomes. This is purely an educational book to educate those who are ready to take on such risks.

While the author has made every effort to provide accurate Internet addresses at the time of publication, the author does not assume any responsibility for errors or changes that occur after publication. Furthermore, the author does not have any control over and does not assume any responsibility for third-party websites or their content.

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Contents(Click title to go to page)

Introduction.......................................................................4

Tips.....................................................................................6

Tip 1: Flat Bands Blow Away Tues...........................................................07

Tip 2: Making Bands Versatile with Different Training Options................09 Tip 3: Best Band Exercises to Get Started...............................................10 Tip 4: Transport Bands Anywhere for Large Group Workouts, Workshops, or Referral-Building Opportunities...............................11 Tip 5: Outdoor Band Training...................................................................12 Tip 6: Partner Band Training.....................................................................14

Tip 7: A Friday Bootcamp Workout Guaranteed to Inspire Your Campers for Weeks After................................................................16

BONUS: 25 Ways to Increase Revenue Using Resistance Band Training.....................................18

Extra Resources..............................................................20

Testimonials....................................................................21

About Dave “The Band Man” Schmitz...........................23

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IntroductionDear Fellow Fitness Professional and Coach,

Thank you for picking up “Building Your Fitness Business with Bands!”

I know it sounds strange that a simple, continuously looped resistance band can be used not only for working out but also to enhance your fitness business. However, hundreds of fitness professionals across the country and throughout the world have proven that bands can generate significant additional revenue while getting their clients amazing results.

Flat, continuously looped, layered resistance bands are not just a last alternative to strength training as so many fitness-minded people perceive them. Once you learn how to implement resistance bands, you will be providing your clients an unmatched training effect that is necessary for reaching their exercise goals, which ultimately hinge around their ability to enhance their overall functional performance and movement skills.

The Secret

Resistance bands’ ability to create an ascending resistance, which deadweight and bodyweight training cannot reproduce, provides the necessary stimulus for improving 4 key elements of function:

• Deceleration control, which is the #1 reason we get injured• Dynamic flexibility and mobility, which will decrease as we age if not continually addressed• Dynamic core stability, which is the most import type of stabilization for keeping the low back—the most frequently injured joint—healthy• Muscle response time, which will slow down as we age and yet is the key to our ability to maintain our balance and coordination

Along with these key neuromuscular issues, resistance bands also:

• Are the most portable strengthening tool on the planet• Can train all aspects of performance and fitness, which no other training tool can claim to do• Provide users with unlimited resistance options and an unmatched exercise library• Can easily adapt to any strength and fitness level• Allow workouts to occur anywhere and at any intensity

As a result, once you start to train with resistance bands, they probably will become the go-to training tool for your business. Meanwhile, your clients will experience:

• Greater enjoyment of training• Less joint pain• Fun and motivating workouts

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“Dave “The Band Man™” Schmitz”

• Accelerated fat loss• Becoming more athletic both physically and cosmetically• The luxury of not always having to train indoors or at the a stuffy fitness center• Never having to miss a workout and lose progress

So what does all this mean for your business?

Happy and successful clients are lifelong clients. They will sign up for additional programs, yearly memberships, and special training workshops—and they will ask how they can buy their own bands. All these examples become opportunities for your business to grow simply because you introduced them to—and wowed them with—a simple, continuously looped resistance band.

The following tips will expand on many of these concepts and provide you even greater insight on how Resistance Band Training will add tremendous value to your training programs and, ultimately, your bottom line.

GET BETTER WITH BANDS

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TIPS

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1. Tubular elastic devices are molded and will not withstand the aggressive pressure I place on bands with our workout routines. Tubular devices can be used for light upper torso or rehabilitative exercise, but when it’s time to get after it, be careful. Any small tears will quickly result in the tube breaking, and stretch tolerance is 50% less than a flat, continuously looped band of the same length.

2. Tubes and bungee cords are round and will not adhere to the body like flat, 100% latex bands will. As a result, they roll and slip, making drills that use hip attachments and double crossover setups difficult. Attaching them onto your hips, thighs, shoulders, or hands is not possible without additional accessories, which can become expensive. Since they do not stay in place, they provide poor proprioceptive feedback and muscle activation, which are two huge benefits of bands.

3. Nylon-covered tubes and bungee cords have a firm stopping point and do not allow for overstretching to occur. Unfortunately, this is an injury waiting to happen. If you try to do aggressive running drills with these types of elastic tools, you have a back injury waiting to happen. If you are a coach training a client, the results can be disastrous. Also, with the mental concern about potentially getting jerked, work effort will be inhibited.

4. As for price, tubes cost approximately 20% more than flat resistance bands with equal tension. With tubular bands, every set comes with handles and door straps, whereas flat bands allow you to save money and purchase only 1 set of handles and door straps.

5. Continuously looped flat bands are more durable than tubes because you train with a larger surface area. Each 41-inch looped band provides you 2 41-inch bands on every rep versus a single length tube. This double length increases surface area to disperse forces and increase durability.

6. Continuously looped bands do not have permanently attached handles like tubes. These handles create stress points that ultimately cause the tubing to tear.

Tip 1: Flat Bands Blow Away Tubes

Many people are unsure of the type of band they need for training. Let’s take a look at why those tubular bands you may be using pale in comparison to flat, continuously looped resistance bands.

What is the difference between “Tubular Type” elastic bands and my flat Resistance Bands?

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7. Continuously looped bands do not have metal clips permanently attached to them as do some tubes. These metal clips are designed to make it easy to attach handles or other accessories to them. However, when a tube breaks, this metal clip could be projected outward, causing serious injury.

8. It is very difficult to stretch effectively with a tubular band due to its length and rounded construction. On the contrary, flat bands provide a much better shape and length for stretching.

9. Even though tubular structures can be set up to perform running-based drills, it requires additional accessories and time. With a flat band, you simply flip it over your body and onto your hips, and you’re ready to go.

Let’s agree on one thing: Resistance bands are in a class by themselves and offer a level of versatility that tubular bands or bungee cords cannot match.I am not saying tubular bands and bungee cords are worthless training tools. However, they simply do not provide the training options and value that continuously looped, flat, layered bands can. If you are looking to add elastic resistance into your training arsenal, go with flat continuously looped layered (vs. molded) bands.

Click Here to Find Out More on the Benefits of Flat Bands

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Tip 2: Making Bands Versatile with Different

Training OptionsThe versatility of flat bands is second to none when it comes to training with elastic resistance.

Training Options

The following are training benefits that occur when you implement continuously looped resistance bands:

• Unlimited resistance that is easily transported

• Ability to create any force vector or force vector combinations

• Ability to simulate any functional movement with correct force vector application

• Ability to train all aspects of fitness and performance including flexibility

• Ability to train anywhere you want

Check Out This Video for More Tips on How to Create Different Training Options with Bands

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Tip 3: Best Band Exercises to Get Started

I want to share with you my top 10 exercises I suggest you start with as a beginner to resistance bands. If you own a fitness business, start your clients with these exercises.

Keep in mind that these same exercises could be part of the home band training package you offer your clients when they cannot train with you.

My Top 10 Beginner Band Exercises

1. Overhead Push Press

2. Front Squat

3. High Pull

4. Attachment Free Horizontal Chest Press

5. Split Squat Right

6. Split Squat Left

7. Bent-Over Row

8. Triceps Press

9. Lateral Band Walking

10. Hammer Curl

Visit My Blog for a Detailed Look at How to Perform Each Exercise (Video)

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Tip 4: Transport Bands Anywhere for Large Group Workouts, Workshops, or

Referral-Building OpportunitiesBands are the most portable training tool on the planet, especially when you factor in the unlimited resistance you can create with them.

Imagine: You have 20 adult clients who are training in a circuit format, and you have 5 stations set up.

With resistance bands, your 5 stations would require 4 bands each, for a total of 20 bands. These can easily fit inside a duffel bag and be transported without a second thought.

Compare this scenario to one that uses kettlebells: 5 stations with 4 kettlebells at each would require 20 kettlebells, each weighing on average 25 pounds and costing upwards of $50 each. After a $1000 investment, you’d still have to carry 500 pounds of equipment with you to train these 20 adults if you use only kettlebell-assisted exercises.

Before I go any further, I want to point out that kettlebells can be an excellent training tool. However, in some situations, free weights are simply not practical solutions. This includes scenarios with many individuals where bodyweight exercises do not give the desired training stimulus, as well as situations where you must transport your equipment to a new training location.

In the following post, I show you how to transport your bands anywhere you want so that you can host a large group training session or workshop easily. Removing your limitations as a fitness professional will go a long way towards growing your fitness business.

Your Portable Fitness Business (Video)

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Tip 5: Outdoor Band Training

Outdoor band training not only brings variety into your training by enabling you to train in the sun and fresh air but also allows for greater energy with a quicker recovery. As a result, many of my athletes and adult clients find outdoor band training workouts to be some of the best workouts we have.

Remember, happy clients are lifelong clients.

Favorite Locations

There are numerous outdoor locations that lend themselves to fun and extremely challenging workouts regardless of your clientele.

The following are a few of my favorite outdoor locations to train using resistance bands:

1. Playground—Playgrounds are wonderful for training because you can attach bands at various heights onto the round pipes that make up most playground equipment. As a result, designing attached, independent band training stations at a playground allows for unlimited exercise with minimal set-up time.

2. A Park with Tennis or Basketball Courts—A court’s solid traction and painted lines provide a safe training surface and instant training markers for band locomotion drills and circuit training stations.

3. Low-Traffic Parking Lot—Parking lots conveniently provide access to both a high traction surface as well as a surrounding soft grass surface, which are optimal for ground contact drills and attachment-free drills, respectively.

4. Soccer Field—Soccer fields provide a soft, grass training surface that is perfect for band plyometric training and is easy on the bands when performing attachment-free training where the band is hooked around the feet.

5. Running Trail / Ropes Course—If you are looking for greater exercise variety and the ability to contrast bodyweight training with elastic resistance, these types of locations provide unlimited band attachment options.

6. Football Stadium—Our local football stadium is my second favorite training location because I love football and enjoy being in a large stadium with no one else around. However, stadiums also typically provide access to a running track, stadium bleachers, rounded fence posts, and a large grass field, all of which add unlimited training options when bands are included.

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Running with Bands

Very often, I have our clients or athletes run to the location where we are going to be training. Consequently, they need to transport the bands with them. You can obviously take a backpack along to store the bands, but I personally do not enjoy carrying a backpack while running. Instead, I developed a convenient way to transport 1 or 2 bands by attaching the bands to my waist while running.

Check Out This 2-Minute Video for the Technique

Assistive Training with Bands

For many of us, doing pull-ups, push-ups, or lunges for any type of increased volume or repeat sets is not easy. Fortunately, resistance bands can function not only as a resistive tool but also as a very effective bodyweight assistive training device. With playgrounds providing numerous band-attachment sites, setting a band up to assist with push-ups, pull-ups, or lunges allows very challenging exercises to now be performed by anyone during outdoor band training workouts.

Read on about assistive training with bands

Additional Outdoor Band Training Digital Resources

Getting Started with Outdoor Workouts

Attachment Free E-Guide

4 Week Beginner Program

Fitness Band Bootcamp

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Tip 6: Partner Band Training

For years, I have been doing large group band training using a continuous 2-minute format that I automated with a special soundtrack. However, now I simply plug in the work and rest interval into the iWorkout Muse Pro app and overlay that with my own music. This allows me to easily coach and manage the work seamlessly. I even use this same training format for my private workouts to keep me on pace.

Below are 4 reasons why it is so easy to do large group band training using 2-minute continuous intervals:

1. You only train one exercise at a time, making it easy to teach and cue. I move throughout the entire group during a 2-minute interval, providing personal coaching in a large-group training environment.

2. Participants learn by watching, listening, and doing. Using the I Go – You Go partner approach with a repeat-set program design allows participants to watch others, listen to my instructions, and actually do the exercise during their work time. This creates a multi-sensory way of teaching that resonates with every type of learner.

3. As a coach, you can easily adjust the exercise, resistance, or reps during the workout. The key is to keep set time short and frequent. I tell my campers that if 5 reps take more than 10 seconds, go with 3. If band resistance is too difficult, I provide them a change of bands between sets. Lastly, if they are struggling with a specific exercise, I can apply a quick regression.

4. You can do both partner-attached as well as partner attachment-free exercises with this large-group band-training continuous 2-minute training program design. Not only does this create greater versatility, it allows you to train anywhere you have enough floor space.

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Exercises

Here are eight attachment-free exercises that will help you create your first continuous two-minute partner band workout.

1. Front Squat

2. High Pull

3. Push Press

4. Chest Press

5. Pull Apart

6. Split Squat

7. Triceps Press

8. Hammer Curl

Locomotion Training

Check Out This Video for More Help with Your Continuous 2-Minute Partner Band Workout

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Tip 7: A Friday Bootcamp Workout Guaranteed to Inspire Your Campers for Weeks After

Every week, my bootcamp requests that I do a workout with them. This all started when I did a special Saturday morning follow-along workout where everyone followed me. Aside from being the “The Band Man,” I used bands for many reasons:

1. Everyone could do the exercises, even visitors who were invited by camp members (this is a huge referral opportunity!)

2. Resistance was easily modified by just changing bands, decreasing stretch, or modifying stance

3. All exercises required minimal space so I could accommodate a very large training group

4. Each person could set their own intensity because each person could choose to do more or fewer repetitions in the allotted time

After that Saturday workout, I added on 2 new camp members, and my group asked if I would do more workouts where I did the workout with them.

I will admit that I get excited when I can train with a large group. However, you don’t have to be Super Trainer to make this work. Honestly, the bands had as much to do with the success of this event as anything.

As your final tip, I decided to provide you a 5-round workout you can do next Friday or Saturday in your Bootcamp.

Workout Design

I prefer 2:1 work:rest ratios, and my favorite interval is 20 seconds on / 10 second off for 12 total rounds. I will either choose 2 exercises and alternate them or choose 1 exercise and blast it for 12 total rounds, which can be very challenging.

I set up each station with 1 Orange – Red – Black – Purple Band (Small Single Band Package) and 1 Dynamic Stabilizer band

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Round 1

1A - Dynamic Stabilizer Band Lateral Hop

1B - Dynamic Stabilizer Lateral Bear Crawls

Round 2

2A - Band Push Up or Regular Push Variation

2B - Seated Band Rows

Round 3

3A - Split Squat Right

3B – Split Squat Left

Round 4

4A – Band Push Press

4B – Band Pull a Part

Round 5 - Your call on this final round

5A - Dynamic Stabilizer Shuffle Disregard the Run and do 12 not 6 rounds Add a Burpee to ramp up the metabolic system

Or

Alternating Speed Punches If you want to make it more of an upper body metabolic workout, go with this

Before you teach, make sure you know how to effectively instruct these exercises. This means you need to try this workout at least twice on your own. After you have familiarized yourself with the exercises, put your group fitness camp through this workout, and I bet something very positive happens for your business just like it did for me.

To access and download these workout videos, please click here.

To access and download these workout videos, please click here.

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BONUS: 25 Ways to Increase Revenue Using

Resistance Band TrainingResistance bands have a unique training impact as well as unique benefits that can do more than just make a body faster, stronger, and more mobile. They have the ability, once mastered, to provide fitness professionals the opportunity to generate additional revenue by adding value to what is already an outstanding service.

The Top 25 Ways to Increase Your Revenue

1. Start working out with bands personally and with your clients.

2. Sign up as a Resistance Band Training Affiliate and put an RBT banner on your website.

3. Directly sell bands at your training facility as a specialty item.

4. Have clients buy bands to join a boot camp.

5. Sell bands to clients at a discount to join your boot camp.

6. Use bands as a free bonus to join your camp or training facility.

7. Run a Saturday morning “Band-Only Boot Camp” workout session.

8. Run a band flexibility workshop entitled “Band Stretching to Eliminate Low Back, Knee, and Shoulder Pain.”

9. Do a core activation camp using resistance bands entitled “Building a Reactive Six-Pack.”

10. Run a band speed camp workshop for your local high school.

11. Offer clients a “How to Build a Home Band Gym” and use the Home Band Gym Product as a blueprint.

12. Do a 30-minute semi-private band workout as a freebie with every band package purchase.

13. Do an “Advance Band Training” session that may focus on bodyweight and bands, kettlebells and band training, and explosive band training.

14. Do a “Hotel Band Training Workshop” for fitness enthusiasts who often travel.

15. Do a PE class with bands for your local school.

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16. Do a “Home Performance Band Training” workshop for weekend warriors.

17. Provide a band-training seminar for specific recreational groups like tri-athletes, swimmers, runners, volleyball players, soccer players, softball players, tennis players, or baseball players.

18. Do a “Band Reactive Speed Training” session for local sports clubs like soccer, AAU girls basketball, gymnastics, tennis, volleyball, hockey, and swimming.

19. Do a martial arts band training workshop.

20. Consult in high school weight rooms.

21. Host a coaches-only clinic and train their athletes as a free bonus.

22. Do a “6-Week First Step Speed Camp” using primarily bands (e.g., Quick Kids Program).

23. Create a “Fitness on the Go” seminar with bands as your primary tool.

24. Do a Saturday morning “Playground Workout” using bands in conjunction with body weight (using every bar as a band station).

25. Set up a band training center in your training facility.

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Extra ResourcesIncluded in this section are extra resources that will be helpful to learning more about bands and seamlessly incorporating them into your existing programming.

If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to ask. Email me at dave@resistancebandtraining.com.

Best shoe for band training

Certain shoes work far better than others when it comes to band training.

In the article below, I discuss what to look for in the “perfect” band-training shoe as well as which shoe currently fits the bill.

Best Shoe for Band Training

Partner band training for fat loss

Partner band training is a great way to form bonds among your clients as well as accelerate their results due to the synergistic effect of training together.

The article below illustrates some of the main problems with training for fat loss without using resistance bands, including the ever-present risk of injury in overweight clients.

Resistance Band Partner Training for Fat Loss

Four reasons to use bands for female fitness

There are some significant concerns that need to be considered when training female clients. The following article details how resistance bands specifically benefit the female client.

4 Reasons to Get your Female Athletes Training in Bands

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Testimonials

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About Dave “The Band Man”

SchmitzDave Schmitz, known to many simply as “The Band Man,” lectures nationally in the fields of physical therapy, fitness, and performance enhancement. His focus is on improving human movement by primarily using a reactive resistance band training approach.

Dave is the developer of “Fitness Band Boot Camps” for Fitness Professionals and “Reactive Rehabilitation” for rehab professionals. He also consults with hundreds of high schools and colleges across the country on how to enhance multi-directional speed and strength implementing his “Fast-Fit-n-Explosive” resistance band training approach.

Dave is the proud founder and developer of www.resistancebandtraining.com, the only website exclusively devoted to flat, continuously looped resistance band training, conditioning, and rehabilitation. “The Band Man” also is the developer of the first ever RBT Certification, which is specifically designed for coaches and Fitness Professionals.

Additionally, Dave is the Owner and Founder of PERFORMAX Performance Training, LLC, a company designed to provide high-quality adult fitness training (GtownBootcamps.com) and performance enhancement training for athletes (GtownFast-n-Fit.com).

A Board-Certified Physical Therapist with emphasis in Orthopedics through the University of Wisconsin-LaCrosse (1986), Dave is also a Certified Strength and Conditioning specialist with the National Strength and Conditioning Association (1993), a Performance Enhancement Specialist with the National Academy of Sports Medicine (1993), and a Certified Youth Conditioning Specialist through the International Youth Conditioning Association (2000).

Currently, Dave practices physical therapy in Wisconsin, serving as Staff Physical Therapist at Body Renovation PT in Grafton, Wisconsin. He is also the Assistant Strength and Conditioning Coach at Germantown High School.