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Probably one of the most important traits a personal trainer can have is the ability to identify and understand a client’s individual needs and then be able to translate it into an appropriate exercise program. Some clients may have lower back pain, others diabetes. Whatever the ailment, a good trainer should be able to identify it and work to help alleviate/improve the client’s life situation. A first step to helping a client make a change involves the ability to identify what mindset or “stage of change” they are in. This is also known as the “Stages of Change” or the “Transtheoretical Model”.

The transtheoretical model (TTM), was developed by James Prochaska from the University of Rhode Island back in 1977. TTM was developed as a way to help better understand where a person is in their life in relation to helping them change a habit or repeating action, such as smoking.

There are five parts to the stages of change:

*Pre-contemplation-those not interested in taking action in the near future, at least for the next six months

*Contemplation-those that are interested in learning how to change in the next six months

*Preparation-those that are planning on taking action in the immediate future, usually within the next month

*Action-those that have made modifications in their lives within the last six months Maintenance-those that are continuing their modifications, and making sure they do not relapse, usually from 6 months after to 5 years

*Termination-those that have successfully changed and have no temptation to relapse

It is important to know what stage a potential client is at. If for example you meet someone who is in the pre-contemplation stage, using information such as facts as to why they need to lose weight if they are diabetic, is likely to not work, as they are not interested in hearing it. However, if the person is in a state of contemplation, they will be more willing to listen to what you have to say, which could help move them into a stage of preparation.

Not everyone believes in the TTM model. In fact there is little experimental evidence to show that following the model can actually help an individual. However it is good to keep in mind that when speaking with a potential client, not all of them are at the same point in life. You may have to adjust what you say to the client or you could potentially scare them away from wanting to use you as their main fitness professional. For more information on the TTM model, visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Transtheoretical_model.

It may have dropped from the headlines and nightly news, but H1N1 (swine) flu is still out there. In fact, from mid January to mid February, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control estimates that 2 million new cases of H1N1 flu were diagnosed. That sounds like a large number, but experts are taking heart in the fact that cumulative estimates of disease are going up much more slowly than before.

Many state and local health departments are now reporting only sporadic cases, while the Deep South and Maine continue to report regional outbreaks of the illness. The H1N1 virus was quick to spread worldwide, leading organizations like the CDC and WHO to move away from keeping counts, and redirect attention toward unique outbreaks.

Since the illness was first seen in April 2009, the CDC estimates…

- 42 million to 86 million H1N1 swine flu cases. Mid-range estimate: 59 million.

- 188,000 to 389,000 H1N1 swine flu hospitalizations. Mid-range estimate: 265,000 hospitalizations.

- 8,520 to 17,620 H1N1 swine flu deaths. Mid-range estimate: 12,000 deaths.

The CDC surveillance data are showing that H1N1 was at its worst in October 2009, and by January 2010 cases had declined to below baseline levels. Incidence dipped further in February.

The worry is that since we know that flu pandemics come in waves, there is every reason to be prepared for a third wave of infections.

This is the reason the CDC is still advising anyone who hasn’t yet been vaccinated to get an H1N1 vaccine. In fact, one possible explanation for a delay in another wave of infections could lie with the fact that as of February 2010, 86 million of us have been vaccinated.

Experts caution that while flu activity might be low, people are still getting sick. And serious cases are still sending patients to the hospital. Patients are still dying as a result of this illness.

Also key, assuming that 59 million Americans have had a natural case of swine flu and another 86 million have been vaccinated, this still leaves nearly half the nation vulnerable to the disease.

Of course no expert is willing to make any type of forecast beyond this, though everyone’s got an eye on the numbers. The challenge with the flu, any flu, is that it is known for its unpredictability. Experts can make educated guesses, but no one can say more.

The good news is that since its appearance the H1N1 organism hasn’t changed much; the bad news is that there is always the potential the organism will develop into one that is more deadly.

And since H1N1 can spread just like the regular seasonal flu, you can pick up the germ directly from an infected person, or by touching something they just handled and then touching your face, transferring the organism to your own body.

Now more than ever… keeping up those flu precautions (hand washing, covering sneezes and coughs, not touching your face, and staying away from those who are obviously sick) is a smart idea as we move toward the anniversary of H1N1 swine flu’s appearance.